Specifications
Pedometer: Yes, Heart-rate monitor: Yes, Display size: 38mm/42mm, Resolution: 340x272 (38mm)/390x312 (42mm), OS support: iOS 9,
Battery life: 18 hours
Battery life: 18 hours
For some people the Apple Watch was just too expensive, particularly compared to other manufacturer's smart watches. Well, now that's not true, as Apple has dropped the entry-level price of the Watch Sport to just £259 for the 38mm version and £299 for the 42mm version, down from £299 and £339 respectively. That will certainly help the entry-level Watch shift off the shelves, particularly as it now has a greater range of straps, including the new woven nylon case, which looks a bit more watch-like, compared to the Sports band. Apple hasn't touched the price of the standard Watch, although the entry-level model now ships with a woven nylon strap. This looks a little classier for the stainless steel Watch model and distinguishes this range from the Sports edition.
To my mind, Apple's decision to continuously grow the range with new straps and body colours is the right decision to make, as it means that you're not likely to bump into someone with the same combination as you. This is really one of the keys to Watch's success. You see, the problem with the vast majority of smartwatches is that they’ve been designed as a bit of technology, not also as something that you’d be happy to display on your wrist the entire time. It’s a trap that Apple has been keen to avoid with its Watch, aiming to design a smartwatch that’s both more powerful than what’s come before and more customisable than any other watch available.
While I found that Apple achieved most of these goals, the first version of the WatchOS was a little limited. In particularly, there were few watch faces, customisation was limited to what Apple gave you and apps didn't run natively on the Watch, making some of them rather slow. That all changes with WatchOS 2, which is now available for all users to download. As a result, I've completely updated this review to refer to the latest OS. Before I get into the details, I can completely understand why Apple took its time to add these new features: with the first OS, it was about getting the look and feel of the Watch right, while showing developers how the new features should work; with everybody used to the Watch, Apple could open up the OS to developers safe in the knowledge that they'd understand how the product worked. Our colleagues over at Alphr agree, calling it 'one superb smartwatch'.
I've also managed to get all of the Sport Edition models, which are available in Rose Gold and Yellow Gold in both 38mm and 42mm, complete with a new range of strap designs. What the new colours do is give you more choice when you're buying. With plenty of new strap options, too, the Sport Watch can be dressed to be as classy as you like or, with the bold new Sport straps, as flashy as you like. I have to say, having started out with a Stainless Steel model, that the new Sport colours would make be seriously pause and think about the model that's right for me.
Since this review first went live, I've also updated with my impressions of the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock, the first official charging accessory from Apple. Previously, third-party manufacturers had made their own stands, integrating the USB wireless charging adaptor that ships with the Watch, but with Apple's accessory it's a neater all-in-one design that you don't have to worry about cable management with. Check out page two of this review to take a look at my impressions.
Design
As Apple says, the Watch is its “most personal device yet”: that ethos even stretches to the way that company sells the product, with the in-store experience more jeweller than technology retailer. Even the packaging says high-end watch, rather than tech product.
I have to say that Apple has been rather triumphant in both of its goals, with the wide range of models letting you choose a Watch that looks different to what other people may be wearing; crucially, every model has the same experience, so you’re only really choosing on looks, not features.
Available ranges
What makes the Apple Watch more flexible than any of its competition is the sheer range of design choices available. At the base level, you have the choice between two sizes: 38mm and 42mm. Where possible, I recommend the 42mm version, but the smaller version at least means that there’s an option for people with smaller wrists, which is something that other manufacturers have completely ignored: the Moto 360, for example, looks ridiculous on some people.
Once you know your size, it’s a matter of choosing the model that you want. The differences here aren’t in features but in the build materials. The entry-level Sport edition has an aluminium body, with a textured feel to it, and ships with the soft-touch fluoroelastomer Sport Band available in lots of colours. Unlike rubber, which looks and feels cheap, fluoroelastomer looks classy and feels nice to wear. Apple's clasp design is also brilliant, with the strap clipping securely on, while the end tucks out of the way; why haven't other watch manufacturers ever been so innovative with their strap design? The Sport Edition costs £259 for the 38mm version and £299 for the 42mm version. It's now available in silver, gold, rose gold and black, so there's definitely a model that will suit you (click the image to view the full gallery). As of the most recent launch, there are even more strap choices available: see theApple Store for more information.
