"Get the scoop on the latest Apple Watch Series models. From features to compatibility, our guide covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision."
Apple might have gone a little overboard with the “it could save your life” messaging around Crash Detection, but it's a solid addition that adds to the already impressive lineup of features like Emergency SOS and cycle and sleep tracking. Plus, it's running watchOS 9.
Apple has been steadily improving the Watch with a mix of upgrades—an always-on display one year, blood oxygen monitoring the next, and now temperature sensing.
1. WatchOS 5
Apple is boosting notifications in watchOS 5 to let you check into flights, extend parking meters and push back table reservations. It's also bringing Apple Podcasts to the wrist and enabling third-party apps to play audio in the background. Apple watch series is also introducing a new set of watch faces that can display up to eight complications that you can customise. These include Breathe watch faces (classic, calm and focus) as well as vapor, liquid metal and fire and water styles.
Other features rolling out with watchOS 5 include a walkie-talkie mode that lets you connect to another Watch via cellular or Wi-Fi and chat, as well as improved period tracking for those who use the Apple Health app to track ovulation. And if you're a college student, your Apple Watch Series 4 can now act as your ID card to gain access to dorms and dining halls, plus pay for things like laundry and vending machines or register class attendance.
2. Bluetooth
If you want to use Bluetooth headphones or other accessories with your Apple Watch, you need to pair them with the device. Then you can listen to music, take phone calls, and more.
Apple Watch Series 4 and later is designed to help you better understand your health. It can detect when you’ve had a severe fall, and share your location with emergency services. It can also notify your emergency contacts and activate Siri.
For those with a heart condition, Apple Watch Series 4 and later can alert you to irregular heart rhythms. They can also generate an electrocardiogram (ECG) that’s similar to a single-lead reading. And it can monitor your blood pressure, track your stress levels, and alert you to high readings. It can even remind you to get up and move around during periods of inactivity. It can also help you understand your menstrual cycle, with a sensor that tracks your temperature and provides retrospective ovulation estimates.
3. GPS
Apple Watch uses GPS to track your location and route you from one place to another. It can also detect when you've taken a hard fall or been in a car crash and automatically connect you with emergency services.
The latest Series 9 offers advanced health and safety features, such as an EKG sensor for atrial fibrillation (AFib) detection, and the ability to monitor blood oxygen levels. It's the first watch to offer temperature sensing, letting it check your wrist for a baseline overnight and show you when you've deviated from your normal range.
Apple Watch Series 4 and later can pair with your iPhone via cellular so you can make phone calls and get notifications even when you don't have your phone nearby. With Family Setup, you can easily add an Apple Watch to your cellular plan for kids or older adults in your life.
4. LTE
Apple may have gone a little ham on the marketing of Series 8’s Crash Detection feature, but it’s a good addition to an already solid lineup of safety features. Also found on the latest Ultra and second-gen SE, it uses improved gyroscope and accelerometer motion sensors to measure sudden movements, and combined with GPS, can be used to identify car crashes and make emergency SOS calls.
The Series 8 also adds a heart rate sensor that can take an EKG, and wrist temperature sensors that enable cycle tracking and help with menstrual symptoms. It’s the biggest of all the cellular models, and comes with a larger display that’s easier on the eyes, and a double-tap feature to launch apps and control Siri.
All cellular Apple Watches now use the new S9 processor, which enables offline Siri and brighter displays, and adds a second-gen ultra wideband chip for Precision Finding if you have an iPhone 15. But most of those improvements come from watchOS 9, so if you’re happy with your current model, upgrading isn’t likely to make things zippier or last longer.
5. NFC
Apple's NFC technology opens up an array of new apps and features. You can use it to pay at many restaurants and stores by tapping your watch on the payment terminal. You can also unlock your car or home with it, and you can scan QR codes with the watch.
But NFC isn't a must-have for most people, especially if you have an iPhone that supports Bluetooth. It's only a convenience, and it can be confusing when you first get the watch because twisting the Digital Crown or pressing the button do different things than they did before. Your muscle memory will have to be retrained.
The other big draw for the Series 9 and Ultra 2 compared to last year's models is their added health-tracking smarts, including ECG, blood oxygen and wrist temperature sensing. It takes five nights to establish a baseline wrist temperature, and the temperature sensors aren't used for any advanced insights or guidance yet (like helping you track your ovulation cycles). Apple also dropped its blood oxygen feature in the US because of a patent dispute with Masimo.
6. Cellular
Apple maybe went a little ham with the hype around its new Crash Detection feature, but it’s a neat addition that builds on the Watch’s other safety features like Emergency SOS and fall detection. The watch uses its gyroscope and accelerometer to sense movements and sudden changes in speed or direction, and can then call emergency services for you if it detects severe impact.
The Series 8 and Ultra 2 also have a new double-tap gesture, which lets you open notifications or launch Siri without touching the screen, and they use Apple’s second-gen ultra wideband chip for precision finding if you have an iPhone 15. They also have a new S9 processor that enables offline Siri usage and brighter displays, and have temperature sensors that enable menstrual cycle tracking.
If you’re buying for kids or elderly relatives, consider a cellular model with Family Setup to enable greater parental controls. They’ll still have access to all core watch features, but can be restricted from using certain apps (including the camera, music, and maps) and activating Do Not Disturb or Activity mode during school hours.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series offers a range of features and capabilities designed to enhance your daily life. Whether it's fitness tracking, communication, or entertainment, understanding the options available ensures you can select the perfect model to suit your needs and preferences.
