Today Apple lifted the embargo it had given some publications early hands-on-access to the Apple Watch Series 3. The Series 3 is a big leap forward for the device considering it now has two different models: one features GPS and the other features GPS + Cellular. Yep, that’s right. The Apple Watch FINALLY has native LTE support. The early reviews are generally very good, but some are lamenting LTE’s effect on battery life. We’ll have a full review of the Apple Watch coming up in the next few weeks, until then here’s what others are saying:
Yep, that’s right. The Apple Watch FINALLY has native LTE support. The early reviews are generally very good, but some are lamenting LTE’s effect on battery life. We’ll have a full review of the Apple Watch coming up in the next few weeks, until then here’s what others are saying:
The New York Times
“Although I think most people can skip buying the cellular model, the Apple Watch Series 3 is the first smart watch I can confidently recommend that people buy. While I don’t personally find it attractive enough to replace my wristwatch, the new Apple Watch is a well-designed, durable and easy-to-use fitness tracker for people who want analytics on their workouts and general health (R.I.P., Fitbit).
“Important features like the stopwatch, calendar and Siri work quickly and reliably. And unlike its predecessors, the watch has impressive battery life — on average, I had more than 40 percent battery remaining after a full day of use.
“So the final verdict? The Apple Watch Series 3 is the first sign that wearable computers are maturing and may eventually become a staple in consumer electronics.”
Wired
“The Apple Watch Series 3 is the first smartwatch I’ve ever used that felt like something more. Paired with a set of Bluetooth headphones (AirPods or otherwise), it becomes an awesome evolution of the iPod. Once you spend a few minutes culling your notifications, it’s a useful way to stay connected without being distracted. It hasn’t made me throw my phone out, but now I walk the dog and run out for coffee without it, because I can even pay from my wrist. I go to the gym without my phone, which means I actually work out now instead of just sitting on the bench staring at Twitter. The Watch finally does free me from my phone, at least sometimes.
“That said, it’s still not a perfect device. The battery remains the biggest limitation, and the Watch still needs more and better apps, and a simpler interface. And, for the love of everything holy, Apple needs to make a Watch with a screen that’s always on. But whether you’re a hyper-connected hyper-marathoner, or just looking for a few minutes away from the attention-sucking din of your iPhone, this is the first Watch that really works.”
The Independent
“Early signs are that the versions with cellular capability are the ones that are selling especially well. This makes sense as the difference in ticket price is just £70 between cellular and non-cellular. At this modest price difference, why wouldn’t you choose the more powerful, more versatile Watch?
“I’ve barely touched on the advantages the new watchOS 4 software brings, with its much-improved interface, News app, improved Music app and more. Health and fitness monitoring is at its best on this new Series 3 Watch, the responsiveness of the new chip is a real benefit and above all, the freedom of not being attached to a nearby iPhone has turned out to be a lot more important than I imagined it would be.
“The Apple Watch is an immaculately built, elegant-looking watch with brilliantly configurable apps and features. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy one, the addition of cellular connectivity means this may be the right moment.”
CNET
“Do you even need an Apple Watch in the first place? No. And the step back in battery life that the new features require, sometimes, makes it feel like a compromise. But, when I went for walks with just the watch, it was pretty fun. And I enjoyed the feeling of being unburdened from my phone. I even left my wallet at home.
“Then I found out that the cafe down the street didn't take Apple Pay. So, maybe the world hasn't caught up with Apple's mobile lifestyle vision yet. But if it appeals to you, the Apple Watch Series 3 is the way to go. Just temper your expectations on battery life to the extreme -- and be ready to pay up for service fees and wireless headphones to have the full experience.”
Daring Fireball
“With the addition of cellular networking in Series 3, Apple Watch gains something essential: independence. It’s not just a cool feature. It’s aimed smack dab in the middle of the two things people like best about Apple Watch: notifications and fitness. When are you separated from your iPhone? When you’re exercising. What do you miss most when you’re away from your phone? Messages and phone calls.
“Phone anxiety is a weird, and, for me at least, irrational thing. I know that mankind survived for millennia without the ability to communicate with each other out of earshot. But once you get used to having your phone with you at all times, you get used to feeling that if anyone needs you, they can get you.
“Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular networking completely alleviates this anxiety. It is not a replacement for a phone, and is not supposed to be. But it lets you leave your phone at home when you go for a run, or in your locker while you’re at the gym, or in your hotel while you go to the beach, and not worry in the least that you’re out of touch.”
The Verge
“Not surprisingly, using LTE impacted battery life on the Series 3, although the second review unit showed battery life that was much more in line with what I expected. We spent a whole morning shooting video last week, with the Watch operating independently of the phone — about three hours of intermittent LTE usage. By noon, the Watch had drained to 30 percent. So I had to charge it later that afternoon, but that was still better than the experience I had with the first unit.
“Over the weekend, I had my iPhone with me most of the time, and the Watch lasted from Saturday morning through early Sunday afternoon. So without the strain of LTE, the Series 3 Watch clearly matches the battery life of the Series 2 model. On Monday, as I wrote this, I’ve attempted to use LTE on the Series 3 Watch a handful of times, but have mostly been in range of the phone. It’s 6PM, and the Watch still has 59 percent battery life left.
“It’s worth noting, though, that Apple’s aggressive estimates for Series 3 battery life are based on 30-minute workouts while connected to LTE. So long-distance runners or hikers may find themselves sorely disappointed by the battery life if you go out for a multi-hour workout while the Watch is connected to both GPS and LTE. In fact, you’d probably want to go into the Watch’s settings and turn off cellular data until you need it, which in some ways defeats the purpose of having an LTE-connected watch.”
TechCrunch
“I can’t complain about a job that forces me to continuously cycle through new wearables. As ever, I’m excited for the next thing on my plate, but, as also, Apple has set a high bar. Like its predecessor, the Series 3 is mostly a vehicle for refinement. LTE aside, there’s little or nothing here that justifies the price of upgrade over last year’s model. Apple got the smartwatch thing pretty right on its first stab, and each generation makes the product that much better.
“As for LTE, if I were buying a new Apple Watch right now, I’d have to give the whole thing a serious deliberation. The price gulf between $329 and $399 isn’t insignificant for most of us. But more to the point, the additional $10 a month you’ll be adding to your plan definitely adds up. Granted, it’s a couple of cups of coffee, but these days, $10 a month service fees are starting to consume a pretty sizable portion of our paychecks.”
You can now preorder the Apple Watch 3 via Verizon – either on a monthly plan or buy it outright.
by michaelg via Featured Articles
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