Apple Watch 6: All New Features At a Glance

 Apple Watch 6: All New Features At a Glance

Apple made it clear from the start tonight: Today is about two products - Apple Watch and iPad. Not a new iPhone. In a pre-produced film, Apple showed the new Apple Watch Series 6 and a completely new product line within the smart watch: the affordable Apple Watch SE. 

In recent years, Apple had always produced and broadcast elaborate videos when the Apple Watch was launched. The iPhone company has always shown films about people who benefit from the technology of the Apple Watch. Apple frequently shows people with disabilities, athletes and people who have been able to get to the bottom of diseases thanks to the Apple Watch. 

Apple Watch Series 6 now measures oxygen saturation in the blood

This is what the new feature of the Apple Watch 6 looks like in action. / © Apple

The new Apple Watch Series 6 will come in new case colors. For example, Apple presented a blue Apple Watch and a ProductRED Watch with a red case. Visually, there are also new bracelets for the watch. Apple will offer bracelets made of silicone or braided fabric without any clasp. Apple calls the bracelets "solo loop bands".

With the new Apple Watch 6, Apple introduces the new sensor for measuring the oxygen content in the blood. The Apple Watch Series 6 measures the oxygen concentration in the blood through infrared sensors. A feature that other manufacturers of smartwatches already offer. For example the Withings Move ECG .

By measuring the oxygen saturation in the blood, the new Apple Watch 6 can, for example, detect the first signs of heart defects. Together with the measurement of the heart rate, Apple wants to be able to determine early symptoms of diseases even better in this way. 

Oxygen saturation, or SpO2, represents the percentage of oxygen-laden red blood cells that absorb the oxygen inhaled through the lungs and distribute it to the rest of the body. The value shows how well this oxygenated blood is transported throughout the body.

In order to compensate for the natural differences in the skin and improve accuracy, according to Apple, the sensor for measuring the oxygen content in the blood uses four clusters of green, red and infrared LEDs as well as the four photodiodes in the glass of the case bottom of the Apple Watch to reflect what is reflected back from the blood Measure light. The Apple Watch then uses an algorithm that measures the oxygen level in the blood in a range between 70 and 100 percent. The user can carry out measurements at any time when he is standing still and regular measurements also take place in the background when the user is inactive, including sleep phases. All data is visible in the health app and the user can view trends to see how his blood oxygen content changes over time.

The apple watch with a new blue case. / © Apple

The Apple Watch Series 6 also has a number of hardware improvements, including a faster S6 System in Package (SiP) and an always-active next-generation altimeter. The new Apple Watch is the most colorful product family to date with a range of new case finishes and straps. watchOS 7 also brings the new family configuration, sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection, new types of exercise and the ability to personalize and share watch faces. 

The Apple Watch 6 also has a better, brighter display with a real-time altimeter. The watch's display should be two and a half times brighter than that of the Apple Watch 5.  WatchOS 7 also  allows new watch faces for surfers, photographers or doctors on the Apple Watch.

The price for the Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) starts at 418.15 euros and that for the Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) at 515.65 euros.

Apple Watch SE: affordable option for everyone

The new Apple Watch SE comes with all the new Apple bracelets, but with the S5 chip from the previous year's model. The Apple Watch SE has the same acceleration sensor, gyro sensor and always active altimeter as the Apple Watch Series 6 and also offers fall detection, emergency call SOS, international emergency call and the sound app. The Apple Watch SE does not have an always-on display. 

The new Apple Watch SE. / © Apple

The Apple Watch SE has a Retina display with thin bezels and rounded corners that is 30 percent larger than that of the Apple Watch Series 3. According to Apple, a large number of new watch faces have been optimized for the display, so that users can receive messages, messages, training values ​​and much more can see more.

With the S5 System in Package (SiP) and dual-core processor, the Apple Watch SE is up to two times faster than the Apple Watch Series 3. The Digital Crown with haptic feedback is also on board. "The Apple Watch SE is equipped with the latest speakers and microphone, which are optimized for better sound quality during calls, Siri and, as well as with Bluetooth 5.0," writes Apple on its website. 

With watchOS 7, users can also use the new family configuration, which enables children or older family members without an iPhone to use the Apple Watch. Sleep tracking, automatic hand washing detection and new workouts are also available. The Apple Watch SE is available in three case finishes made from 100 percent recycled aluminum and is compatible with all Apple Watch straps, including the new Solo Loop.

The price for the Apple Watch SE (GPS) starts at 291.45 euros and for the Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) at 340.20 euros. Click here for the Apple Watch in the Apple Store .