Apple Watch: The Complete Guide

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Summary

Apple Watch is a line of smartwatches designed and manufactured by Apple. Originally released on April 24, 2015, it quickly became one of the best-selling wearables of all-time. Focusing on health, fitness, music, environment, communication, the watch is a central piece of XX connected life. It operates both in conjunction with the user’s iPhone and independently when no phone is present

A Short History Of The Apple Watch

The Apple Watch …

Apple Watch prototypes dating back to early 2014 acquired by Giulio Zompetti offer a sneak-peak into development of the first generation model.

Apple Watch Models

First Generation

Apple Watch Series 0

The original Apple Watch Series 0 was released in April of 2015. It was available in both 38 mm and 42 mm and had a case thickness of 11.4 mm. Choice of case materials were Aluminum for the sport model and Stainless Steel for the higher-end model. The watch used the single-core Apple S1 system-in-package with 512 MB RAM, 8 GB storage, and had a rated battery life of 18 hours. The OLED display provided 450 nits at 326 DPI. The built-in heart-rate sensor used infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes. No cellular connection or GPS were available at this time. The watch was splashproof and had an Ingress rating of IPX7 to 1 m. The Series 0 shipped with watchOS 1.0 loaded and was able to upgrade through watchOS 4.3.2. The original Apple Watch Series 0 was discontinued on September 17, 2016.

Second Generation

Apple Watch Series 1 (Upgrades: Apple S1P SiP, watchOS 3.0)

The Apple Watch Series 1 was released in September of 2015. It was available in both 38 mm and 42 mm and had a case thickness of 11.4 mm. Choice of case materials were Aluminum for the sport model and Stainless Steel for the higher-end model. The watch used the dual-core Apple S1P system-in-package, that was “… up to 50% faster than the original Apple Watch,” with 512 MB RAM, 8 GB storage, and had a rated battery life of 18 hours. The OLED display similarly provided 450 nits at 326 DPI. The built-in heart-rate sensor also used infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes. Still, no cellular connection or GPS were yet available. The watch was also splashproof and had an Ingress rating of IPX7 to 1 m like the Series 0. The Series 1 shipped with watchOS 3.0 loaded and was able to upgrade through watchOS 6.2.9. The Apple Watch Series 1 was discontinued on September 12, 2018.

Third Generation

Apple Watch Series 2 (Upgrades: Apple S2 SiP, 1,000 nits, GPS, 5 ATM)

The Apple Watch Series 2 was released in September of 2016. It was also available in both 38 mm and 42 mm and had a case thickness of 11.4 mm. Choice of case materials were again Aluminum for the sport model and Stainless Steel for the higher-end model. The watch used the dual-core Apple S2 system-in-package, that was more than 50% faster than the previous Series 1, with 512 MB RAM, 8 GB storage, and had a rated battery life of 18 hours. The OLED display more than doubled in brightness with this model, providing 1,000 nits at 326 DPI. The built-in heart-rate sensor used infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes. Although no cellular connection was yet available, GPS was finally included. In addition, the watch received an upgraded waterproof rating of 5 ATM or 50 m. The Series 2 shipped with watchOS 3.0 and was able to upgrade through watchOS 6.2.9. The Apple Watch Series 2 was discontinued on September 24, 2017.

Fourth Generation

Apple Watch Series 3 (Upgrades: 40/44 mm x 10.7 mm, Apple S3 SiP, 768 MB, 16 GB, LTE/Cellular, Altimeter, watchOS 4.0)

The Apple Watch Series 3 was released in September of 2017. The watch case was enlarged, compared the previous model, and is available in both 40 mm and 44 mm, but with a shorter case thickness of 10.7 mm. Choice of case materials are Aluminum for the sport model and Stainless Steel for the higher-end model. The watch uses the dual-core Apple S3 system-in-package with an upgraded 768 MB RAM, an upgraded 16 GB storage, and has a rated battery life of 18 hours. The OLED display provides 1,000 nits at 326 DPI. The built-in heart-rate sensor used infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes. This is the first model to offer an optional LTE/Cellular upgrade, which was a game-changer for the wearables industry. Also, a barometric altimeter was added to compliment the GPS. Like the Series 2, this watch has a waterproof rating of 5 ATM or 50 m. The Series 3 shipped with watchOS 4.0 and is still being manufactured and sold by Apple as of early 2021.

Fifth Generation

Apple Watch Series 4 (Upgrades: Apple S4 SiP, 1 GB, ECG, Haptic Crown, watchOS 5.0)

The Apple Watch Series 4 was released in September of 2018. It was available in both 40 mm and 44 mm and had a case thickness of 10.7 mm. Choice of case materials were Aluminum for the sport model and Stainless Steel for the higher-end model. The watch used the dual-core 64-bit Apple S4 system-in-package with an upgraded 1 GB Ram, 16 GB storage, and had a rated battery life of 18 hours. The OLED display provided 1,000 nits at 326 DPI. The built-in heart-rate sensor used infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes. In addition, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was added to the watch. LTE/Cellular was available as an option. GPS and a barometric altimeter provided location tracking. A haptic crown was added for tactile feedback. Like the Series 3, this watch had a waterproof rating of 5 ATM or 50 m. The Series 4 shipped with watchOS 5.0 loaded and can still be upgraded as of early 2021. The Apple Watch Series 4 was discontinued on September 10, 2019.

Sixth Generation

Apple Watch Series 5 (Upgrades: Ceramic, Titanium, Apple S5 SiP, 32 GB, Always On, Sound-Pressure Level Meter, watchOS 6.0)

The Apple Watch Series 5 was released in September of 2019. It was available in both 40 mm and 44 mm and had a case thickness of 10.7 mm. Choice of case materials were Aluminum for the sport model, Stainless Steel for the higher-end model, and luxury models were offered in Ceramic and Titanium. The watch used the dual-core 64-bit Apple S5 system-in-package with 1 GB RAM, an upgraded 32 GB storage, and had a rated battery life of 18 hours. The OLED display provided 1,000 nits at 326 DPI and included a new “Always On” feature. The built-in heart-rate sensor used infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes and a crown-integrated electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded your heart’s electrical signals. LTE/Cellular was available as an option. GPS and a barometric altimeter provided location tracking. A haptic crown provided tactile feedback. A sound-pressure level meter was added to this model to help prevent hearing-loss. Like the Series 4, this watch had a waterproof rating of 5 ATM or 50 m. The Series 5 shipped with watchOS 6.0 loaded and can still be upgraded as of early 2021. The Apple Watch Series 5 was discontinued on September 15, 2020.

Seventh Generation

Apple Watch Series 6 (Upgrades: Apple S6 SiP, U1 chip, UWB Antennae, Blood Oxygen Saturation Monitor, watchOS 7.0)

The Apple Watch Series 6 was released in September of 2020. It is available in both 40 mm and 44 mm and has a case thickness of 10.4 mm. Choice of case materials are Aluminum for the sport model, and Stainless Steel or Titanium for the higher-end models. The watch uses the dual-core 64-bit Apple S6 system-in-package with 1 GB RAM, 32 GB storage ,and has a rated battery life of 18 hours. In addition, a new U1 chip and ultra-wide band antennae have been added enabling the watch to operate as a digital car key. The OLED display provides 1,000 nits at 326 DPI and includes a low-power always on feature. The built-in heart-rate sensor used infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes and a crown-integrated electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded your heart’s electrical signals. Also, a new blood oxygen saturation monitor has been added to this version. LTE/Cellular is available as an option. GPS and a barometric altimeter provide location tracking. A haptic crown provides tactile feedback. A sound-pressure level meter helps prevent hearing-loss. Like the Series 5, this watch has a waterproof rating of 5 ATM or 50 m. The Series 6 shipped with watchOS 7.0 and is still being manufactured and sold by Apple as of early 2021.

Apple Watch SE

Seventh Generation

Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 7 in currently in development and its specifications have not yet been released. However, …

How Much Is The Most Expensive Apple Watch?

Diamond Studded Lux Watch Omni
Diamond Studded Lux Watch Omni

The most watch ever offered by Apple itself was the gold Apple Watch Edition that sold for US$17,000. It has since been discontinued. Currently, the most expensive Apple Watch sold by Apple is the 44 mm Series 6 Gold Stainless Steel Case with Milanese Loop for a modest US$700. However, if you feel the need for bling, luxury accessory maker Brikk offers the diamond-studded Lux Watch Omni built on an Apple Watch for US$115,000. Although, we’re not sure just how many they have actually sold. Alternatively, Caviar sells a more affordable luxury Apple Watch Gold Diamond Edition for only US$45,000.

Apple Watch Software

Versions

Third Party Apps

Conclusion

Apple Watch In The News

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Source

Apple: Company Website

Brikk: Company Website

Caviar: Company Website

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Jon is the Editor-In-Chief at Wear Guide and writes about wearable technology On Your Arm.  Jon has a M.S. in Computer Science, won several intercollegiate events as a member of the UCLA Cycling Team, and is currently active on the USA Triathlon circuit which provides him the opportunity to field-test wearables under grueling conditions. Jon also writes for our sister publication Electric.guide. Send tips and story ideas to Jon at: [email protected]