Apple Watch which color to choose. Which Apple Watch to buy: comparison of characteristics of current models. How do different Apple Watch series differ?

When people ask me the question: “What's new in Apple Watch 4?” - my immediate answer is simple - “Design”. There's a lot more to the design of the Apple Watch 4, but the looks are something that all of us can appreciate.

The design is different, but not enough to make this particular watch stand out on people's wrists from all other Apple Watch models. This is undoubtedly the biggest change to the appearance of the Apple Watch since the prototype; but I have met a number of lovers of these watches who could not immediately tell the difference.

I believe this is partly because the first three Apple Watch series created a wonderful illusion - combining thick black edges with dark black elements using an OLED display. If you are familiar with the limitations of the previous screen, new screen with rounded corners looks like a serious step forward.

While design is the crowning achievement of the Apple Watch 4, there are options that aren't visible and that you might not need at all.

Since its prototype days, every Apple watch series has featured at least one major change and a high rate of improvement. Series 1 dealt with performance limitations, Series 2 added GPS functionality for tracking physical activity outside the home, and Series 3 added LTE for always-on iPhone connectivity.

In everyday use, the Series 4 watch isn't particularly different from the Series 3. It's hard to point to anything significant that I can do with the Apple Watch 4 that I can't with the Apple Watch 3. The big difference is how it makes feel me when I look at this watch. This model has been seriously improved from an aesthetic point of view.

With this in mind, Apple currently offers two generations of Apple Watch for new customers and those upgrading from old version watches - Series 3 and Series 4. Each version comes in two case sizes with options for GPS or LTE use only, but only the Series 4 comes in stainless steel.

I recommend the Apple Watch 4 if you are upgrading from a lower Apple Watch model. You'll experience a newness that you won't get with Apple Watch 3. If you're buying an Apple Watch for the first time and want to save money, you'll get virtually the same functionality with the Series 3 watch.

Attractive design

I've worn an Apple Watch since the original model was released and have upgraded every year to new model to get maximum functionality. This makes my view of this watch different than if I were upgrading from the first model to the fourth, but we'll have that experience soon. I think it’s valuable to annually dive into what’s changing from year to year and how it affects the user experience.

The Apple Watch 4 has 2 noticeable external changes - the two standard sizes 38mm and 42mm have been replaced by 40mm and 44mm, respectively, and a gold color option has been added to the stainless steel option.

Screen

I always wore a watch model with a 42mm screen, but with regards to the 4th series, I tried both varieties - 40mm and 44mm. Version smaller size feels like it, while the body as a whole looks completely miniature. The 40mm version looks sleek on my wrist, just like the 38mm version, although it displays almost as much content as the 42mm version, which is impressive.

The larger, 44mm Series 4 feels like something completely new from the Apple Watch. The signature app grid is larger than ever making it easy to use, there's more display space so apps can display more content, and text is more legible without the need to increase font size.

When I wore the model with a 40mm screen, I was impressed that the manufacturer was able to fit such a screen on a device of this size. When I started wearing the 44mm model, it felt like a completely new variation of the Apple Watch. I can imagine the feeling being the same if you've always worn the 38mm model.

Once you try a watch with a new display, models with the old type of screens will feel outdated. This situation is similar to the difference between the iPhone X and the iPhone with a bottom and top notch. Apple has a market term, "Retina" for displays with high resolution. I think these types of displays with rounded corners also need a catchy term.

The change in thickness is not so obvious to me, but it is there. Series 4 is subtler than Series 2 and Series 3, but that's not all. This model is not so boxy, which gives it a new look.

The reverse side of the watch also has an attractive appearance. If you don't notice it while wearing the watch, it is worthy of admiration. The updated heart rate sensor has been redesigned to look less technologically advanced and more balanced. The area around the sensor is made of ceramic rather than steel or aluminum - a significant step away from purely aluminum models. The manufacturer claims that this makes it easier for radio waves to pass through, but the appearance of the sensor is simply gorgeous.

Golden stainless steel

The Apple Watch and gold have an interesting history. Original Apple Watch, including collector's editions made of real gold and prices ranging from $10,000 to $17,000. They were abandoned with the release of the Series 1 and Series 2 watches.

The manufacturer later released gold and rose gold versions of the models at regular prices (Series 3 combines gold and rose gold with a final polish lying between the two shades). The stainless steel models were always limited to silver and black - I switched from one to the other within a year - until now.

Like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the Apple Watch 3 has a gold-tone stainless steel model. Personally, I never considered myself a lover of “gold,” but this (gold) was exactly what I liked. It is not yellow or pink and does not “sparkle” in your face. This is a medium rich gold color.

Apple has designed a variant of the existing Milanese Loop bracelet to match the gold stainless steel in the Series 4. The original gold edition watches came with sport bracelets and leather straps (and only a few celebrities have special watches with solid gold bracelets), but the Milanese Loop bracelet even has this option was not considered.

The color of the watch and the type of strap (bracelet) attracted a lot of attention - and not at all because of the poor quality of the latter. People notice them, and when talking about them they use the word “beautiful”. This seems new for the Apple Watch.

People often asked me questions about my watch during the first year when it was new. Nowadays, Apple Watch can often be seen on people's wrists. That observation didn't change when I tried the 40mm 4 Series model in Space Gray Aluminum, but that all changed when I started wearing the 44mm gold stainless steel model with the new Milanese Loop bracelet.

I hope the manufacturer will release more options for watch bracelets made of stainless steel in a golden hue. Currently they come with either a gray sport bracelet or a gold Milanese Loop bracelet, but I wanted to see a traditional leather strap jazzed up with a gold clasp.

For everyday wear, my choice is the Series 4 watch in gold-tone stainless steel with a black sports bracelet. For now, the black sports bracelet must be purchased separately, but I believe it will become a standard combination. (Sport bracelets in other colors may work, but they have silver-colored pegs, which don't fit as well as black or gold-colored pegs.)

Small touches

The Series 4 isn't just about a larger display and a new gold finish. There are many changes to the exterior design.

Instead of two holes for a microphone and ventilation (as in previous models), there is now one microphone hole, moved from the left side to the right. The speaker is now much louder and has a larger hole on the left side (used for alerts, Siri and calls, but still requires Bluetooth audio for music and podcasts). Starting from the second series, when changing the speaker, the sound of a falling water drop is heard.

The side key below the number pad is now flush with the side of the watch. It presses just as well, but is visually less noticeable; I like this innovation. Side button It looks like it was borrowed from an iPhone or iPad, it looks too fancy to me considering the fact that the digital wheel was borrowed from a traditional wristwatch.

The side button is used to switch power, activate SOS mode and start Apple apps Pay, application launcher dock – i.e. This button is really needed. But it doesn’t have to look like a button, because... The Apple Watch manual says it does.

A small step back from this innovation is the use of the side button as a “sleep” button, coupled with a “bedside table” mode and alarm clocks. The above still functions, but not in a completely natural way. But I'm happy with this trade-off for better looks.

The digital wheel replaces the red dot with a more inconspicuous red ring in LTE modes; models with only GPS support received an even less noticeable black ring from the developers. For the first time, it features tactile feedback. This option is enabled by default, but can be disabled.

After a week of testing, I'm still on the fence about this new feature. Tactile feedback comes in handy when navigating through a music album or scrolling through podcasts in an app. It's also good at adjusting the volume - it feels like you have more precise control.

In other situations, the haptic feedback seems to be tied to each second mark on the digital wheel rather than the contents of the watch display. This disconnect surprises me. Nice idea, but I prefer the haptic feedback corresponding to the elements on the screen, used in a more subtle way, rather than the fact that each rotation is independent of what is displayed on the watch screen.

Watch dials

The new display doesn't just look more natural - it also features new watch faces that benefit from more screen real estate. These new watch faces create problems for some existing options - hopefully the manufacturers will fix this with a software update in the future.

Infograph

An infograph is a “crowding” of information on a dial that can show up to 8 informative icons around a regular watch.

The four central icons are placed inside a large circle, and they are larger than the icons on other watch faces. The top center icon can show text inside the hatched hour markers. You can also use Favorite icons to display favorite contacts from the Phone app on iPhone—sort of a throwback to the old "circle of friends" from the first Apple Watch prototype.

Other new central icons include Air Quality Index, Earth, Moon, Sun, Solar System, Ultraviolet Index and Wind Speed.

The four outer icons introduce a new style of corner icons that show measurements such as minimum, maximum and current temperatures, timer countdown and more. This icon style is a very clever way to fit more information into a limited space while still being readable.

Apple's new corner icons include the Air Quality Index, UV Index, and numerical data from the Weather app on watchOS 5.

I found that you can spend a lot of time fiddling around with the watch face infograph settings, there are a lot of customization options provided by the manufacturers. The problem that arises is the need to update applications to support the new watch face.

I especially like the "Things" task manager in the middle - so that the next task can appear as text around a circular bar, and the circular icon can become a progress ring. I use the Carrot Weather app to add a humidity reading to one of the corner icons.

Many users simply want to launch applications from icons rather than see information; a solution to this problem may be to place application icons in central slots. Perhaps this will be done in future watch faces.

Modular infograph

Apple Watch 4 introduces a new digital watch face called Infograph Modular. It contains digital clock, an additional slot on top for the day of the week and date, four circular icons and a new large slot that allows applications to display literally anything. Three circular icons are located below the large slot and one circular icon is located above this slot.

This is my new favorite Apple Watch face. I've been using Activity Digital mostly with date display, current temperature and Workout type apps around the Activity rings and digital clock.

Activity Digital shows seconds, not just hours and minutes, and the modular infograph can't do that yet, although I'd like it to. But instead, I'd rather design best watch face to track my physical activity throughout the day.

I can see current, minimum and maximum temperatures in one slot, activity rings in another slot, and see an updated graph of my activity on the same watch face that displays the day of the week and date, launches the Workout app, and even shows progress with my tasks via Things app.

Full screen mode

The Infograph and Modular Infograph are the only completely unique watch faces for the new Apple Watch, but several watch faces have versions exclusive to the 4 Series models.

Fire and water, liquid metal, steam - all this is new for watchOS 5 in a circular mode, but only the 4th series has a sophisticated full-screen mode. It allows elements to move around the corners of the display just like the hour markers of an analog watch.

“Kaleidoscope” also received a full-screen mode, and “color” - full-screen and circular modes plus watchOS 5.1 (on at the moment- beta version). These full-screen modes look great on new displays, but the option to use icons has been removed by manufacturers.

Personally, I only used the Water and Fire and Water version in full screen mode after completing a planned physical activity as a reward. These full-screen watch faces are visually pleasing, but the complete opposite of information-rich watch faces.

Predecessor dials

It might be inaccurate to describe all the other dials as legacy dials, but that's how it feels on the 4 Series watch - especially the 44mm model. Some have been updated (added support for Angular apps) where text was previously positioned vertically, others have removed background labels, and some icon slots remain unchanged.

The Siri dial has simply become larger, which is good for reading – it’s noticeable at first glance. Most of the other watch faces feel like they were designed with an infograph or modular infograph in mind if they were created today.

There are several watch faces that feel like they were made for the Apple Watch 4 that are well compatible with full screen mode— Photos and Timelapse.

These dials displayed a thick edge on previous watches. Now they are simply excellent. I've noticed that the Photos watch face gets used a lot outside of town, so I think many Apple Watch 4 users will enjoy it even more.

Invisible options

Much of what needs to be said about the Apple Watch 4 relates to its appearance and how the watch faces react to the new display, since other important innovations are not noticeable to the eye - until now.

The accelerometer and gyroscope have been updated, which improves activity tracking, but not in the sense that anything broken has been fixed. Apple Watch 3 already works great in this regard.

Fall detector

This update adds a fall detection option. This option means it detects that the Apple Watch 4 owner has fallen, giving you the option to call an ambulance or turn off the alarm, then automatically call emergency services and notify an urgent contact if you don't respond within one minute of the recorded fall.

By default, this option is disabled if you are under 65 years old. Apple says young people often engage in activities that could be mistaken for falling, such as participating in certain sports, but you can enable this option manually.

I often go for a run with my Apple Watch and AirPod and nothing else. I stopped taking my iPhone with me on runs when the 3rd series of watches came out with LTE support. Fall detection and automatic notification emergency services Even 27 year old me likes them. The thought of falling while jogging or being hit by a car causes palpable anxiety.

The manufacturer warns that all falls may not be detected, but this option can save lives.

Electrocardiogram application

Apple Watch 4 will introduce the ability to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) using the new ECG app as part of a future update, but this option is not available in launch shipments. This option uses the updated heart rate sensor and digital wheel. Here's what the manufacturer says about this option:

Apple Watch 4 allows users to take ECG readings directly from the wrist through the ECG app, which uses electrodes built into the digital wheel and a new heart rate sensor in the back crystal. Through this app, users can touch the digital wheel and get a heart rate classification within 30 seconds. The app can recognize if the heart is beating at a normal rhythm or if there are signs of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that can lead to severe health complications. All records and classifications are stored in the Health application in PDF format, which can be sent to any physician.

Like the fall detector, the benefits of having a built-in ECG are not as obvious for most users on a daily basis. But I am confident that the Apple Watch 4, coupled with the ECG app, will provide users with useful information regarding health conditions that may have been lacking.

Additionally

I will summarize my story about the testing observations of the 4th series watches:

The Apple Watch has become very important to me.

They calculate how much physical activity I need throughout the day to support me. This watch allows me to stay in touch with family and friends even when I want to break my iPhone addiction. And also my workouts coupled with Siri, Apple Music and Apple podcasts transmitted over LTE.

All of this was true for the Series 3 watch, but it's even more true for the Apple Watch 4 - but the big reward is the way it looks and feels. And I have no doubt that the invisible features will live up to their potential in due time.

Is the ECG feature useful in the new Apple watch?

In September 2018 Apple company presented an updated Apple model Watch with updated design, larger dial and ECG function. Apple Watch Series 4 can now monitor the owner’s heart rate and take a cardiogram.

How the clock works

On the back side of the dial, adjacent to the hand, there are sensors. To obtain an ECG result, you need to place your finger on the wheel on the side of the watch. After half a minute, the indicators will be read, on the basis of which the watch will build an electrical cardiogram.

Also new Apple Watch monitors your heart rhythm. This happens with the help of LEDs on the back of the dial, which illuminate the hand and record the movement of blood through the capillaries. If it is found that the rhythm is irregular, the sports watch will inform you about the arrhythmia.

Is the new feature useful?

But is this function needed in real life? Or is this a marketing ploy designed for gullible buyers? Benefit sports watches controversial.

This device is not medical

All electronics and medical devices are required to be certified by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before entering the American market. It indicates that the product is effective and not hazardous to health.

Apple has not applied for this certification for the watch itself. The FDA received only applications for watches: for constructing a cardiogram and a heart rate sensor.

Heart rate sensor app

This application is characterized by:

• Analyzing data on the owner’s pulse rate, recognizing irregular heart rhythms and notifying about it;
• A warning about potential atrial fibrillation (if necessary information is available).

But still, these functions are not enough, since the watch cannot:

• Indicate heart disease or notify of all periods of cardiac arrhythmia;
• Used by people who have undergone atrial fibrillation;
• For use by persons under 22 years of age (as testing has not been carried out on them).

Electrical Cardiogram Application

This app can detect atrial fibrillation as well as sinus rhythm (the normal and natural heart rate of 60-90 beats/min).

This device is not recommended for persons with other forms of arrhythmia. Also cannot be used by persons under 22 years of age.

Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that often occurs in older people.

According to statistics, this disease occurs in a proportion of 1:1000 people aged 50 to 59 years and 1:10 people aged 80-89 years. It turns out that the chance of getting the disease doubles every ten years.

Often, irregular heart rhythm occurs due to high blood pressure or a previous myocardial infarction. This applies mainly to older people.

An ECG provides little information about the condition of the heart

It is currently unknown whether an ECG helps to detect pathologies of the heart and blood vessels in the early stages if there are no symptoms. A healthy person can receive useless procedures and meaningless treatment. It turns out that in the absence of health complaints, the function of obtaining an ECG will be useless.

Who are these features designed for?

The innovations are not completely useless; they will be useful for people with cardiac conduction rhythm disturbances, as well as for people with paroxysmal arrhythmia. If the smart watch indicates an arrhythmia, you need to save the cardiogram and show it to your doctor.

For other diseases of the heart and blood vessels, for example, hypertension or ischemia, Apple updates Watch is useless.

In addition, ECG will not be available in Russia at first. Those who need to monitor their heart function should purchase mobile device for ECG.

So, Apple Watch Series 4 is a smart watch that analyzes heart rhythm and warns about heart rhythm disturbances. However, they cannot replace a visit to a doctor and provide suitable recommendations for any case. The new functions will be useful mainly for older people with heart rhythm disorders and, at first, only in the United States.

Watch Series 4 select. Is 40 or 44 mm better? It would seem that what is the question? A large screen on a watch is always a plus!

But no, it's not that simple with the new Apple Watch Series 4. If previously a large model would have really suited most people, now I would think twice about it. Maybe the little ones will be enough.

Moreover, I would not call them small. With such and such a display...

In this article I have collected all the significant differences and features of the two sizes of the fourth (actually fifth) generation smart watch Apple. Not all are as obvious as the title might suggest.

Technical characteristics of AW Series 4. What is the difference with the previous generation

Apple Watch Series 4 (44 mm) and Series 0 (38 mm).

In the new generation of Apple Watch, for the first time in the history of the line, the display has changed: 38 mm has become 40 mm, and 42 mm has become 44 mm. That is, both models have become a little larger.

The screens themselves have become physically larger, cases and films for previous generations AW will not fit. The glass and corners of the watch case are now more rounded, and the gadget no longer seems as “rectangular” as before.

The display resolution has also increased:

Series 3 38mm: 340 x 272 ppi

Series 4 40mm: 394 x 324 ppi

Series 3 42mm: 390 x 312 ppi

Series 4 44mm: 448 x 368 ppi

Read more about differences and innovations in our Apple review Watch Series 4.

Both Series 4 models feature the same processor, speakers, and microphones. The body colors are also the same. So you will choose solely based on appearance, preferences and several differences, which are discussed below.

The new size is perceived differently: 40 mm is universal, but 44 is not suitable for everyone

How was it before? The 38 mm model (small) was mainly suitable for women, and the 42 mm (large) was taken by men. But now I would seriously think about the small Series 4 model and not look back at established preferences.

I asked the opinion of the owners of the old 42 mm AW generations, and the vast majority liked the new 40 mm model. It displays exactly the same amount of information, and looks more organic on the hand. More refined, perhaps.

As for the 44mm model, it is more for lovers of large watches. If you thought the Apple Watch was tiny before, your comments are finally being heard. Well, plus, you can see even the smallest text and icons on it, even while running.

I don’t pretend to be objective; after all, everyone has their own vision of the ideal watch. But personally, to me, the larger body and screen in the 40mm version now seem like the golden mean among all existing AW models. They look more like a good stylish accessory than a geeky gadget.

In short: the “small” 40mm model is versatile, while the 44mm version will appeal to lovers of large watches.

Old bracelets fit new models, and that's great

If you have bracelets from the 38mm version of the Apple Watch lying around, you can safely attach them to the 42mm version. The same goes for the 42mm and 44mm Series 4 straps.

I didn't notice any "gaps" or problems attaching the old original bracelets to the new watch. It’s as if there were no significant upgrades.

I believe that Apple can be given confident respect for this: the cases have become larger, which means that the designers deliberately sought to achieve aesthetic compatibility of the straps with previous generations of AW.

By the way, this also works in the opposite direction - new straps are also put on old Apple watches.

The backward compatibility of the belts will please not only owners of previous generations of AW, but also those who buy such a thing for the first time and want to collect a collection of bracelets for different situations, clothes and moods.

Over the four years of the gadget's existence, Apple has released countless bracelets of various shapes, materials and patterns (I'm talking about nylon ones). Whatever combination you want to wear on your hand is possible.

Briefly: all old bracelets fit new watches and vice versa.

The model with a 44 mm display lasts longer, that's a fact

As with the iPhone Plus/Max, many people buy the larger version of the Apple Watch for more time battery life. This is still true for Series 4.

Pay attention to the battery capacity:

Apple Watch Series 3 (38 mm): 1.07 Wh Apple Watch Series 4 (40 mm): 0.86 Wh Apple Watch Series 3 (42 mm): 1.34 Wh Apple Watch Series 4 (44 mm): 1.12 W /h Didn’t you think: yes, in the new generation of Apple watches they have reduced the battery capacity. But at the same time, energy consumption was reduced. And in the end, we achieved the same battery life from Series 4 as last year’s models.

With moderate use, both sizes can get 2 days of battery life. And when active - from 12 to 18 hours, that is, from morning to late evening.

But the 44mm version still has an advantage, which I have confirmed through experience. If you do nothing at all with the AW and just wear it like a watch, the “large” model can last as long as 3 days.

For a smartwatch, this is a very impressive figure, if anything.

Briefly: if you are used to charging your watch once a day or two, feel free to take the 40 mm model, you won’t notice the difference. If you only want watch faces and notifications from your Apple Watch, consider the 44mm version—it lasts a third longer.

Some bands are not available for the 44mm Apple Watch. And vice versa

If you liked a certain strap model before you chose a watch, check in advance that it is compatible.

What bracelets are available for 40 mm and 44 mm at the same time:

all sports (“silicone”)

all nylon

all textile

all Milanese mesh

all block

The bands below are only for 40mm (old 38mm) Apple Watch:

leather straps with modern buckle

Hermès Double Tour (double loop)

And these bracelets can only be installed in 44 mm (old 42 mm) AW:

magnetic leather straps (Leather Loop)

Hermès Simple Tour (some colors)

Hermès Simple Tour Rallye (which are perforated)

When buying a bracelet for your Apple Watch, carefully check that it is compatible with the size of your watch model. Once I got caught with a magnetic leather strap, fortunately I promptly returned it to the store.

In short: get the 40mm if you want to wear the Hermès Double Tour bracelet. Or 44 mm, if you like Apple's magnetic leather straps.

The 44mm model will display more information, but the 40mm version is almost not far behind

Due to the higher display resolution, the “large” Apple Watch Series 4 has an advantage: it can show more information on one screen. This is a serious advantage for a watch.

The difference in diagonal is most noticeable in the menu quick commands, on the Siri prompts dial (half a block more visible), in the main menu (more icons) and when reading text notifications from an iPhone.

However, there is a trick with the latter.

In watchOS settings (operating Apple system Watch) you can change the font size. If you reduce it a little, then even a 40mm watch will show exactly the same amount of text in notifications as the 44mm model. You'll just have to look a little harder.

40 mm is for those who like small watches, wear them primarily as an accessory, and have thin or regular-width wrists.

44 mm is for those who like large watches, have wide wrists, want maximum battery life and a very large (for a watch) display, and also for people with limited vision.

Along with new iPhones Apple has also updated its line of smartwatches. The third generation of Apple Watch cannot boast of radical improvements, but it pleases with additional sensors and operating modes, and also promises smoother operation thanks to the new SoC. We got to know the watch and used it in real life. This article contains all the details!

Before moving on to describing the innovations and impressions of using the Apple Watch Series 3, let's understand the current model range Apple Watch.

As we remember, the first Apple Watch came out in two sizes (42 and 38 mm) and two types of materials: aluminum Apple Watch Sport with Ion-X glass and steel Apple Watch with sapphire glass. In addition to this, there was also an elite Apple Watch Edition series, but this can be ignored, since million-dollar watches are a very tiny segment.

When the manufacturer introduced the second generation of watches a year later, there was no longer a steel version, but the first generation was still on sale in all its variety. And now, with the release of Apple Watch Series 3, it was decided not to confuse buyers completely and with a strong-willed decision to limit the choice by size (42 or 38 mm), generation (Series 1 or Series 3; series watch 2 are no longer available in the Apple Store) and color (Silver, Gold, White or Space Gray).

Alas, you can no longer buy a watch with a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal, although this was a truly remarkable design decision. You can’t choose between Series 2 and Series 3. But the price of Series 1 has dropped to 18,490 rubles, so the choice strategy has become extremely simple: if you want to save money, take any version of Series 1, if you want much broader functionality, take Series 3. At the same time, In terms of appearance, they are practically the same (except for the color and straps, of course).

Let's explore Apple specifications Watch Series 3 and compare them with the two previous generations.

	Apple Watch Series 3	Apple Watch Series 2	Apple Watch Series 1
Screen	rectangular, flat, AMOLED, 1.5″, 272×340 (290 ppi) / 1.65″, 312×390 (304 ppi)
Protection	from water (5 atm)	from water (5 atm)	from splashes
Strap	removable, leather/silicone/metal/nylon
SoC (CPU)	Apple S3, 2 cores	Apple S2, 2 cores	Apple S1P, 2 cores
Connection	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, LTE (optional)	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Camera	No
Microphone, speaker	There is
Compatibility	devices running iOS 8.3 and later
operating system	watchOS 4.0		watchOS 3.0 (upgrade to watchOS 4.0 available)
Battery capacity (mAh)	279 mAh	273 mAh	205 mAh
Dimensions (mm)		38.6×33.3×11.4 / 42.5×36.4×11.4	38.6×33.3×10.5 / 42.5×36.4×10.5
Weight (g)	42 / 53	25 / 30	25 / 28
Average price (38 mm)*	T-1732204347	T-14207066	T-14207064
Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm) Retail Deals*	L-1732204347-5
Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm) Retail Deals*	L-1732204394-5

*Prices and offers are based on models with aluminum case and silicone strap

Of course, based on the specified characteristics, little can be said about the innovations of the Apple Watch Series 3, especially in comparison with the Series 2. Apple does not disclose details about single-chip systems: even the frequency of the CPU cores is not reported. We only know that all SoCs have two of them, but Series 3 has the most powerful SoC.

We cannot verify this with any tests, but traditionally the difference will be felt with the release of new versions of watchOS. For example, on the very first Apple Watch, the new watchOS 4 slows down noticeably.

As we can see, the main difference is the potential availability of a version with cellular communication. However, we must take into account that such options are not officially sold in Russia yet, since our operators do not yet support this option in the form that is implemented by Apple (via eSIM and using the same number with the iPhone). However, I think it’s a matter of time.

We will talk about other differences in this article.

Equipment

The packaging of the aluminum version of the Apple Watch Series 3 looks the same as the Apple Watch Series 2 and the first generation Apple Watch Sport. This is an elongated box made of thick cardboard.

The equipment of the new product is identical to that of models of previous generations: in addition to the watch itself, there is a silicone strap (with a smaller spare half - so that you can choose the optimal one for your hand), charger 5 V 1 A, USB cable with wireless charging tablet at the end and leaflets with user information.

The charger from the new Apple Watch is fully compatible with Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 1. And vice versa. Therefore, accessories will also work - for example, a convenient docking station.

Design

In appearance, the new product does not differ from its predecessor (Series 2). This is the same aluminum rectangular case with rounded corners and edges, as well as two buttons on the right side.

One of these buttons is oblong, the other is round, and at the same time serves as a wheel that can be rotated (Digital Crown). There is a feeling that the wheel scrolls more smoothly, and button presses, on the contrary, are a little tighter. But, firstly, we cannot compare directly, and secondly, even if this is so, then this is a plus, since it should have reduced the likelihood random clicks and make the wheel easier to use.

The screen size remains the same. We had the 42 mm version, and the 38 mm version is also available for sale. On back side we see a heart rate sensor, buttons for detaching the strap. The circular area around the sensor is ceramic. On the left side are the speaker and microphone holes.

The thickness of the new product is the same as that of the Apple Watch Series 2, which is a millimeter more than the first Apple Watch and is apparently explained by enhanced moisture protection and the presence of more capacious battery. However, the watch on your hand looks no worse than the first generation model. It’s just a pity that it’s not possible to select versions from other materials, but we’ve already complained about this and won’t repeat it.

Maintaining dimensions has one important advantage: absolutely all models of all Apple generations Watch, including Series 3, is fully compatible with all released bands. Considering that some of these straps cost more than the watch itself (such as the steel block bracelet), it would simply be unfair to the people who bought them to change the way the straps are mounted on a new generation of watches.

At the same time, Apple continues to expand its range of straps. And we will talk about this in the next section of the article.

Straps 2017

Over the past six months, Apple has expanded the line several times. The most latest update, timed to coincide with the release of the Apple Watch Series 3, became, as expected, the most radical, but there are a lot of interesting things among the spring-summer models. We managed to get to know them and even used some of them in everyday life.

Let's start with the most exciting new item: the nylon strap with Velcro. Apple is consistently expanding the types of clasps. Velcro fastening has been added to the magnetic clasps, classic buckle, butterfly buckle and sport strap button.

Here the strap is a continuous band without division into halves. It is attached to the watch using plastic blocks. And it is fixed on the hand, respectively, with the help of five Velcro. The advantage of this option is that you can adjust the size of the strap to your hand with maximum flexibility - down to the millimeter.

The surface of the strap itself is made of nylon threads of different colors, this creates interesting shades: for example, the photo shows a black strap, but thanks to threads of other colors (it’s difficult to even tell which ones), an unusual combination is obtained. In our opinion, this strap goes well with a sweater or any other fluffy autumn-winter clothing.

Another new strap is a variation of the nylon straps. The essence is the same (fastening, clasp, combination of threads of two colors), but the arrangement of the threads itself is different, which is why the pattern turns out to be very different from what it was before.

To this is worth adding the spring-summer collection of nylon straps. They retain the old type of weaving, but change the approach to color. If previously intertwined threads of two colors formed a single color field, now there are options with multi-colored stripes. For example, Apple calls the option in the photo below “yellow pollen.”

In the meantime, we were able to appreciate three color options in everyday life: “red”, “lake blue” and “pollen yellow” (in addition to the previously described black). They fit casual clothes and suggest the presence of some bright elements in clothing. Ideally, the same shades in other clothing items.

So this is, of course, an interesting task for fashionistas. But note that the colors do not look flashy or vulgar (for example, “wild berry” is a much more universal option than any other type of pink straps). And “blue lake” is an excellent option for denim.

In addition, we note that when worn on the hand for a long time, nylon straps do not cause any unpleasant sensations. On the contrary, over time they take the shape of a hand - as if they were created especially for you. It's nice. And for those who do not plan to actively use the watch for sports, a nylon strap is a very good alternative to a silicone or Nike strap (their cost is identical - about 4,000 rubles at the time of writing).

These are, of course, summer decisions. However, they can also be relevant in the fall - you want to maintain a summer mood, even when it’s dark and slush outside.

New colors have also appeared for straps made of other materials. Moreover, along with the color, the surface texture was updated, so the straps began to feel different. A striking example is the yellow leather strap with a classic buckle.

First of all, it's actually three colors: outer color- yellow, the inner surface is natural (dark beige) color, and the edges are gray. And secondly, the leather here is softer and more elastic than in the case of a brown strap and, especially, a black one (we wrote about them earlier). In addition, oddly enough, the buckle itself is different, although it cannot be said for the worse or for the better. She's just a little different.

As for the color itself, it is a little lighter and brighter than in the photos, without an orange tint. And it looks very cool - it gives you a summer mood and becomes a great accent when worn with neutral clothes.

In addition, back in the spring, regular sports straps appeared in the colors "smoky blue", "pollen yellow" and "flamingo pink", and the most widely updated line of Nike straps. “Light Violet/White”, “Purple Dust/Plum Haze”, “Orbit Blue/Gamma Blue” and “Obsidian/Black” added variety to the previously limited selection of strict shades.

Screen

The Apple Watch Series 3 screen size and resolution have not changed compared to the first and second generations. The watch is available in two display sizes: 38mm and 42mm. Accordingly, their resolution also differs: 272×340 and 312×390, respectively. We had a 42mm watch with a screen resolution of 312x390.

We conducted a detailed examination of the screen using measuring instruments. Below is the conclusion of the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a scratch-resistant glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface curved towards the edges. On the outer surface of the screen there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, slightly better than Google Nexus 7 (2013)), therefore fingerprints are removed much easier and appear at a lower speed than in the case of ordinary glass. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are slightly better than those of Google screen Nexus 7 2013. For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected in the switched off screens:

The screen of the Apple Watch Series 3 is slightly darker (brightness according to photographs is 105 versus 113 for the Nexus 7). There is no double reflection, this indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. When displaying the white field in full screen, the maximum brightness value we recorded was about 650 cd/m² (with bright backlight on the screen), the minimum was 60 cd/m² (the first level of adjustment, office lighting).

It’s worth making a reservation here: Apple promises brightness up to 1000 cd/m², but it’s impossible to verify this, because when measuring brightness, the light sensor is partially blocked and the brightness is automatically reduced, and it’s impossible to disable this parameter. So we couldn’t confirm the numbers promised by the manufacturer, but we have no reason not to trust Apple.

As has already been said, automatic adjustment Brightness based on the light sensor always works. The user can only make adjustments to the operation of this function by choosing one of three levels. At any brightness level there is modulation with a frequency of 60 Hz, but its amplitude is small, so flickering is not visible. Graphs of brightness (vertical axis) versus time ( horizontal axis) illustrate the above:

This screen uses an AMOLED matrix - active matrix organic light-emitting diodes. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in equal numbers, as confirmed by a fragment of a microphotograph:

For comparison, you can familiarize yourself with those used in mobile technology.

The spectra are typical for OLED - the primary color areas are well separated and appear as relatively narrow peaks:

However, there is also cross-mixing of components (programmatically), so the coverage is not overly wide, but adjusted to the sRGB boundaries:

Accordingly, typical images (with sRGB coverage) on the Apple Watch screen have natural saturation. Unfortunately, color profiles aren't supported (or transferred when you copy images to the watch), so even wide-gamut images still appear as sRGB. The color temperature of the white and gray fields is approximately 7350 K, and the deviation from the black body spectrum (ΔE) is 4.4-4.7 units. Color balance is good. Black is just black from any angle. It is so black that the contrast setting is not applicable in this case. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the white field is excellent. The screen has excellent viewing angles with a much smaller drop in brightness when viewed from an angle compared to LCD screens, but at higher angles the whites fade noticeably to blue. Overall, the quality of the Apple Watch screen is very high.

New features

The watch comes preloaded with watchOS 4.0 operating system. You can read about its main innovations in, and what is said there is true for all generations of Apple Watches. Let us remind you that even the very first generation is compatible with the latest OS. Here we will look at those functions and features that apply only to the Apple Watch Series 3 and are not available on older models.

So, perhaps, the main innovation of the Apple Watch Series 3, not counting the LTE connection, which is not yet available to Russian users, is constant and rather in-depth monitoring of cardiac activity. As Apple rightly notes, cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death today, especially among men. Moreover, their danger is that for quite a long time a person, already being unhealthy, may not feel any discomfort and, therefore, does not take any measures to prevent a heart attack or the like.

In addition, regular medical examinations in Russia are still not established, and obtaining health certificates is nothing more than a formality. And somehow it is not customary for us to go without any complaints and have our heart checked. Therefore, the importance of constant monitoring of heart function is difficult to overestimate. It is clear that this cannot be compared with diagnostics in medical centers and using professional equipment, and it is stupid to expect that a watch will immediately give us a diagnosis (although, who knows, maybe in 10 years we will live to see that). But Apple Watch Series 3 can alert you if it notices problems with your heart rate. And even if this is a mistake, it is better to be safe.

So let's take a closer look at how this happens.

While you're wearing Apple Watch Series 3, the watch automatically measures your heart rate every few minutes. At the same time, they correlate the information received with your current activity (which, of course, is reported by other sensors - the accelerometer and gyroscope), and if you sat still for 10 minutes, but your heart rate exceeded a specified threshold (by default it is 120 beats minute), the watch will warn you.

You can view or change settings in the Watch app on your iPhone by going to the “Heart Rate” section.

The watch also measures heart rate variability, which is the difference in time between two heartbeats. This figure should be small.

All your heart monitoring information is automatically exported to the Health app. There, in a visual form, you can see to what values ​​and when your heart rate rose, what the average heart rate was for a certain period of time and other useful information.

In fact, from everyday non-professional Apple devices Watch Series 3 now collects and provides maximum information about the work of the heart. And, what is important, without any user effort. That is, you don’t have to run measurements, then do anything with the results, etc. You just wear the watch - and then see all the results in the application on your iPhone.

Another innovation of the Apple Watch Series 3 is the appearance of an altimeter. Thanks to it, the watch can measure the number of floors climbed and generally record your ascents and descents. Note that during everyday use, the same information can be collected by the iPhone - and in the Health application, the iPhone is listed as the priority source. But, for example, on a hike or when playing sports, a watch will clearly be a more convenient tool.

And the last innovation, available only on Apple Watch Series 3: Siri can now talk through the watch speaker (and the sound is quite clear and loud) or through AirPods headphones. The manufacturer claims that this became possible thanks to a new, more powerful processor. Of course, it is difficult to call this an important innovation, but in certain situations it can really be useful.

Autonomous operation

As before, we do not have the tools to test battery life with any precision. Apple works Watch Series 3 - only subjective impressions. But if you rely on them, it turns out that Apple has done a really great job, and three days of work without recharging is already quite a reality for its watches.

Note that the first Apple Watch, updated to watchOS 4.0, worked for us for no more than two days. So there is a positive trend. Of course, the more intensively you use the watch, the faster it will drain, but if you use the Series 3 solely for notifications and viewing the time, you can safely count on three days.

Conclusions

If we talk about the version without LTE, the Apple Watch Series 3 is a rather modest update. The vast majority of innovations reported by the manufacturer are related to watchOS 4, and not to the watch itself. Therefore, if you have an Apple Watch Series 2, then there is undoubtedly no reason to update. If you are the owner of an Apple Watch Series 1, then it all depends on whether you need the innovations that we noted in Series 2, and whether the watch with watchOS 4 slows down. The very first generation (which, let us recall, was functionally identical to the Series 1, but with a twice as slow SoC) there were slowdowns and “thoughtfulness”. So if you have the very first Apple Watch, then it’s worth upgrading, but if you have a Series 1, you still need to think carefully.

Perhaps, main feature Apple Watch Series 3 - serious monitoring of cardiac activity. And this is, perhaps, an important argument, especially if you are a man over 40. But the main thing is that this is a very productive signal to the entire industry and an attempt to answer the still pressing question: why do we need smartwatches at all?

Other innovations - the appearance of an altimeter and Siri voice response capabilities - can hardly be considered truly significant. But, strictly speaking, Apple does not offer to compare Series 3 and Series 2. Only Series 3 and Series 1 are now sold in the official store, so the third generation replaced the second, adopting all its features (moisture protection, GPS) and adding a few of my own. This is probably a boring situation for reviewers and tech geeks; I wish the Series 3 were a more serious step forward. But, on the other hand, we can’t help but be glad that Apple is developing not only hardware, but also software, and even owners of models of previous generations can take advantage of the innovations in watchOS 4.

From the same opera, there are new straps, of which there are many (if you count all those released after the Apple Watch Series 2). They, like the operating system, are suitable for absolutely all Apple Watch models ever released. And for this you can even forgive the lack of updating the watch design. Yes, again, a little boring, but it is fully compatible with all existing straps. Apple is clearly trying to convey a message to doubters: buy our watches now, they will be relevant for a long time. And to make it easier for them to make such a decision, the manufacturer has lowered prices for Series 1, so that the threshold for entry into the “Apple Watch owner’s club” has become lower than ever.

Smartwatches have been doing well in the market for a long time now. Of course, the Apple Watch feels the best. If you are going to buy them in the near future and do not know which color to choose, then you have come to the right place.

Let's consider in general what colors there are. Next, I’ll give you a couple of recommendations that will definitely be useful to you. So it will be very interesting and, most importantly, useful.

What colors are there for Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2?

As you know, two generations of these wonderful watches have already been released, and despite the fact that they have to be charged often, people use them and are quite satisfied.

And why not, because they look very great and, most importantly, there is a very large selection of colors when purchasing.

Do not confuse the color of the watch case (also material) and the strap. There are much fewer colors of the case and in fact this is the base of the watch. You buy them, and then buy the straps you need.

In general, there are these colors:

1. Silver Aluminum Case (Series 1 and 2);
2. Space Gray Aluminum Case (Series 1 and 2);



3. Rose Gold Aluminum Case (Series 1 and 2);



4. Gold Aluminum Case (Series 1 and 2);



5. Space Black Stainless Steel Case (Series 2);



6. Stainless Steel Case (Series 2);



7. White Ceramic Case (Series 2).

This is roughly the choice we have, and now we will decide what is best to take and why. Surely you already liked some color.

Choosing the Apple Watch color for a future purchase

As you understand, it was not for nothing that I wrote about the material from which the watch is made. Both the visual sensations and the price depend on this.

The price for the first to fourth options is $269, the fifth and sixth are $549, the last is $1,249. All these prices correspond to the options with straps in the pictures above. In fact, these are the most popular straps.

I will tell you about my logic of choice, and then you can decide for yourself whether this tactic suits you or not. I have plans to buy this watch and I will do something like this.

First option. You need to choose a very neutral color for the case, under which you can easily mix new straps.


Therefore, for myself I can highlight such options as Silver Aluminum Case, Space Gray Aluminum Case, Space Black Stainless Steel Case and Stainless Steel Case.

Silver and black have always been classics. In fact, any strap will fit almost perfectly under them. Suitable for both sportswear and a more business style.

Option two. Rose Gold Aluminum Case and Gold Aluminum Case are very specific colors and they are not suitable for everyone.


If the first color is clear, it is more suitable for girls. Then the second option can suit both boys and girls.

With guys, everything is quite complicated, because some are simply infatuated with the color of gold, while others simply cannot stand it. It's up to you to decide.

Option three. White Ceramic Case is the most expensive model. Of course, such a high price is due only to ceramics.


If you like white and can handle the price, then why not. The white color goes with any clothes and the choice of straps is also very large for this model.

Conclusions

As you can see, there are a lot of options for you. I hope my prioritization will allow you to decide which Apple Watch color will be best for you.

We will wait for new updates, because quite a lot of time has passed since the presentation of the second series. Perhaps they will come up with something even more original.

In 2019, Apple introduced the fifth series watches, but at the same time disappeared from the catalog previous model- Apple Watch Series 4. Currently, two options are available on the company’s official website: Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple Watch Series 5. Residents of Russia are limited in the choice of modifications: we traditionally do not sell watches with steel, ceramic or titanium cases. In the official sale you can only find a gadget made of aluminum.

A modification of Nike+ is also sold in Russia. These are the same watches with an aluminum case, but with a strap from the sports brand and exclusive dials with its logo.

That being said, the Series 4 hasn't disappeared from shelves, so we'll also look at them in our comparison.

How do different Apple Watch series differ?

General characteristics

	Apple Watch Series 5	Apple Watch Series 4	Apple Watch Series 3
Case size, mm	40/44	40/44	38/42
Thickness, mm	10,7	10,7	11,4
Weight, g	39,8/47,8	30/37	42/53
Back panel material	Ceramic and sapphire glass	Ceramic and sapphire glass	Composite
Immersion in water, m	Up to 50	Up to 50	Up to 50

Display

	Apple Watch Series 5	Apple Watch Series 4	Apple Watch Series 3
Technology	LTPO OLED	LTPO OLED	OLED
Diagonal, inches	1,57/1,78	1,57/1,78	1,5/1,65
Area, mm²	759/977	759/977	563/740
Resolution, pixels	324×394 / 368×448	324×394 / 368×448	272×340/ 312×390
Pixel density, ppi	326	326	290/303
Brightness, cd/m²	1 000	1 000	1 000
Always on display support	Eat	No	No

Hardware platform

	Apple Watch Series 5	Apple Watch Series 4	Apple Watch Series 3
CPU	64-bit dual-core Apple S5	64-bit dual-core Apple S4	Dual-core Apple S3
Capacity, GB	32	16	8
Wireless chip	Apple W3	Apple W3	Apple W2
Wi-Fi	802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz	802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz	802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 4.2
Wheel		Digital Crown with haptic feedback	Digital Crown

Sensors and modules

	Apple Watch Series 5	Apple Watch Series 4	Apple Watch Series 3
Accelerometer	Measurement of overloads up to 32 g	Measurement of overloads up to 32 g	Measurement of overloads up to 16 g
Gyroscope	Improved	Improved	Ordinary
Navigation	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS
Altimeter	Barometric	Barometric	Barometric
Light sensor	Eat	Eat	Eat
Magnetic compass	Eat	No	No

Biometric sensors

Nutrition

	Apple Watch Series 5	Apple Watch Series 4	Apple Watch Series 3
Battery life, h	Up to 18	Up to 18	Up to 18

Available colors, complete straps and bracelets

Prices

We took the cost of Series 5 and Series 3 from the official Apple catalog. The price of fourth generation watches may be slightly higher or lower depending on the store.

Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 5

The fifth generation watch is suitable for those who do not accept compromises and want to wear the latest Apple Watch, which will not become outdated for a long time. The appearance of a magnetic compass may please extreme travelers, and the function of determining the angle of movement may please snowboarders and skiers.

Not the most common scenario that justifies the purchase of the latest Apple Watch is the constant use of the watch as a music player. Onboard device 32 GB internal memory, which, apart from music, have nothing special to fill.

The main innovation of the fifth generation is the always-on screen. If you've been waiting for this feature in Apple watches for a long time, then this is your choice.

Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 4

Apple Watch Series 4 is head and shoulders above the third series: it is a completely redesigned device with a bunch of new features and a different design. But there are almost no differences from Series 5.

The optimal choice for those who like the dimensions, body and screen of the Apple Watch Series 5, but don’t want to overpay 5,000 rubles for an always-on display and compass.

Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 3

This is the most affordable Apple Watch model, which has everything vital important characteristics, including the ability to pay via NFC and water resistance. Also the watch supports the latest version operating system watchOS 6.0, which means that most of the features invented by Apple in 2019 will be available on the third generation gadget.

Suitable for those who want to save money: the mini version will cost about half as much as fifth-generation watches. In this case, the device will regularly monitor workouts, play music when the iPhone is dead, and show notifications.