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

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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?

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

Source

Apple: Company Website

Brikk: Company Website

Caviar: Company Website

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