Apple Watch Series 6, analysis: the usual Apple Watch for demanding users like never before
The iPhone this year not yet reached the September event and this time the Apple Watch had more prominence in the last event. And while the Apple Watch SE remains the choice for the most conformists, in the analysis of the Apple Watch Series 6 we tested the one that remains as the flagship of the brand.
The one that inherits the witness from the Apple Watch Series 5 is updated with the measurement of oxygen saturation and the altimeter , incorporating new sensors and maintaining the design. It also has a new processor and debuts with a Product Red edition, which is the one we've tested.
Apple Watch Series 6 Datasheet
APPLE WATCH SERIES 6
BOX
40 or 44 mm
DIMENSIONS
40mm (aluminum): 39.8 x 34.4 x 10.7mm, 30.5g
SCREEN
40mm: Ion-X glass (LTPO) OLED Always-On Retina display
1000 nits
324 x 394 px
PROCESSOR
S6 64-bit dual-core
STORAGE
32 GB
CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi (802.11b / g / n 2.4GHz) W3 wireless chip U1
Bluetooth 5.0
SENSORS
SpO2
Heart rate, ECG
Accelerometer
Gyroscope GPS / GNSS
Altimeter Compass Ambient light sensor
WATERPROOF
50 meters
DRUMS
Up to 18 hours
OTHERS
Emergency call function, fall detection,
PRICE
GPS: from 429 euros
GPS + cell phone: from 529 euros
Design and screen: no aesthetic changes and just functional
The 40-millimeter case is quite compact, seeing the size of other proposals such as those of Samsung or Huawei with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and the Huawei Watch GT 2 . With that it manages to be very comfortable , moving the sensation practically directly with an Apple Watch prior to this one.
The pressing of the crown and button is correct, as well as the sensitivity to the rotation of the crown and of the screen to touches. Speaking of the panel, the touch of extra brightness with respect to the previous one is something that we will notice especially outdoors (although it was not something that was missing in the previous one), having a good resolution and above all looking good the more it gives the sun . We will see that there is not much adjustment to adapt it to our liking, but luckily it comes well calibrated and is correct in terms of contrast, saturation and temperature.
Handling and navigation have been maintained , with a press on the crown for the app drawer, a tap on the bottom button for multitasking, and a long press for Siri . We can also make some adjustments from the iPhone app, such as choosing the location of the crown.
We can edit spheres from the screen , without having to go to the iPhone app and being able to change them as before, by sliding one side or the other. We will be able to make the adjustments that each one allows in terms of complications, colors and appearance, although it is still somewhat limited to our own spheres and not third parties as in other smartwatches (the striped sphere is a vice as it is fully customizable in terms of colors, although it is a pity not to be able to add at least one complication as those of the Pride edition allow).
Software and activity log: the brushstrokes of watchOS 7 on the already known
In the later section we will talk about the main novelties of the system and how they have worked for us on a day-to-day basis, but there are some aspects that should be discussed and that have remained more or less the same with respect to what we already saw in an Apple Watch previous with watchOS 6.
As we have already mentioned, the navigation and sections of the system have been maintained, so that we have a home screen, the notification window (by sliding down), the toggles (by sliding up), the app drawer (by clicking on the crown) and multitasking (by pressing the lower button). Of course, thanks to the iFixit we saw that there is no Force Touch in the Series 6 , with which some actions have changed (such as changing the movement target, which now appears as a button), although the Taptic Engine is maintained, which de fact is bigger.
Although the first version of watchOS7 did not go well with us (the movement warning failed, among other things), with 7.0.1 everything has already worked a little better and above all we have seen the Series 6 more fluid
Siri has responded well, having called him mostly by voice. The automatic exercise detection has worked for us in a similar way to the previous one, detecting stair climbing or light steps.
Speaking of the activity log , the training app itself has been maintained from which we can select what type of activity we want to record, supporting other compatible third parties such as Strava or Nike Run (whose data is then reflected in the activity rings). There are some new trainings, some really specific, but activities as fashionable as paddle tennis or HIIT are still missing (let them tell Vitónica since the quarantine), although there are always generic ones such as aerobic training or " other".
The possibilities of performing each workout freely or up to a certain goal (kilocalories, distance, time) are maintained and the display screen continues to be three areas: activity, lock / pause / end, multimedia playback. But what we liked (and that was a striking lack) is that we can finally change all the objectives of the rings , both the hours of standing and the minutes of exercise.
Workouts are recorded properly and without errors or stops , with a better detection of when we have stopped (and we have not pressed finish) and with an apparently accurate count of kilometers. We have tried running, swimming, biking, hiking, kickboxing and some other aerobic exercises and have generally had a good experience. Speaking of swimming, we have found that it is somewhat more sensitive than the Series 5 when it comes to counting pools and especially styles.
The news of the Apple Watch Series 6 in the day to day
Although it is not the most striking evolution of this product since, as we have said, on the outside it presents a design practically clone to the previous one, the Series 6 integrates a new processor and new sensors that differentiate it from its predecessor. The SIP S6 promises 20 more speed compared to the previous chip and some new functions are added that we have been seeing in the competition.
Measurement of blood oxygen saturation
Electrocardiogram (ECG) function and measurement of blood oxygen saturation . These are the functions that are being highlighted the most in the latest wearable launches and that, now, the Apple Watch already includes (with the Series 5 there was already the possibility of doing ECG).
To calculate oxygen saturation (SpO2), this watch has a sensor with four sets of LEDs (green, red and infrared) and the four photodiodes on the back glass of the Apple Watch, so that by the light that bounces the blood the calculation is done. For this, the software itself gives us advice on how to take this measurement, it is better that we are seated and with the arm supported, and the measurement is carried out in 15 seconds.
In our case, it has detected values ranging from 89% to 100%, being able to activate continuous monitoring in addition to those that we can take at will. The history is seen very clearly in the Health app of the iPhone, being able to choose some display options and giving or not permission to monitor during sleep, although as we said with the Fitbit Charge 4, the values obtained should be taken as a guideline , and in the same way, the software warns that a doctor must be contacted when in doubt.
Altitude
The Apple Watch becomes more friends with hikers, trekking enthusiasts in general and all those users who first know exactly how high they are, whenever and precisely. In the Series 6 the barometer works with GPS and Wi-Fi (and some algorithms) to be precise step by step , to display information in real time or in activity logs.
In our case we have tested it both with the altimeter complication and in the activity logs, and we have seen that the information is displayed in a precise way and in real time talking about the complication . In the activity register there is less change with respect to the previous one, when showing cumulative values (total positive and negative difference, for example). It is not a registry that can be a priority for a large majority of users, but it can be useful for certain usage profiles.
Handwashing
In our experience, hand washing has detected us well when it has not been something quick (when we do a more superficial wash) and yes when we have rubbed at least 10 seconds. What it does is warn us of the seconds we have left for it to be an efficient wash (according to the system), so it insists that we finish it even if there are two seconds left (we can cancel).
Of course, we have not managed to get the reminder to work when we enter the house . For this we have had to always leave the location enabled for this function, but even then it has not warned us.
In terms of this function, it must be added that both the iPhone and the Apple Watch must be updated to the latest versions of the system and that to activate it you have to go to the Health app. We will have some options to configure in order to what we prefer (notifications when we get home, to certain locations, etc.), which perhaps implies giving more permissions in Location (Privacy within the general iOS Settings). In fact, it is worth taking a look at this app after setting up the Apple Watch for the first time since it may reveal a function.
Sleep log
One of the most striking shortcomings of the Apple Watch was not having a sleep log natively, which has not reached this version of the system. In our experience, it seems to us that sleep detection is quite accurate, both at the beginning and upon waking .
In the case of Apple Watch Series 6 and watchOS 7, it is not too demanding with autonomy , consuming around 4-5% although it requires a minimum of 30% to ensure that the alarm sounds.
Autonomy: the real surprise
The Apple Watch is one of the most compact smartwatches and that is usually paid for with less autonomy, because the battery has less space. In this case, a larger battery, a new processor and possible software options are combined to extend the autonomy.
The average autonomy is greater than that obtained in its predecessor with practically identical consumption
What about the Watch Series 6? Which really surprised us, because we had to charge it less times and later than expected . The average autonomy is greater than that obtained in its predecessor by making a practically identical consumption, with management of notifications, warnings to get up / wash hands, sleep control and monitoring of an activity (between 40 and 75 minutes), with the background recording of SpO2, heart rate and some continuously active complication such as Lumy's or the altimeter.
Apple Watch Series 6 01 Speaker 01
The maximum autonomy registered has been about 44-46 hours , deactivating the ambient screen, remaining in about 27 hours if we activate it. Without having monitored an exercise, we can reach even more than 65% after twelve hours of use, calculating an average of around 25 and 30 hours. The charging time is 1 hour and 30 minutes (with its charger and from 0 to 100%), also a notification appears on the iPhone when it is already charged.
Apple Watch Series 6, the opinions
With the addition of pulse oximetry and sleep recording, Apple remains one of the most complete smartwatches on the market, although limited to a fully Apple experience unlike others such as the Galaxy Watch, with additions such as being able to unlock the MacBook for the simple fact of approaching. And beyond the new functions, what may be the evolution that seduces those who are tempted to renew theirs (or those who doubt between one of the latest models) is autonomy .
Apple Watch Series 6 00 01
The combination of these consumption figures with the good visualization and size is very attractive, especially if our usual activities have their app or their specific monitoring supported. In the first moments the software seemed to show signs of immaturity (both iOS and watchOS), but after updating we have noticed more stability and we have already located all the news.
Apple Watch Series 6 00 05
The Health app (on iOS) could perhaps be somewhat more deductive, although in general there is a good visualization of the data and the graphs are very clear. And it is appreciated that the sound of the alarm can also be customized, by the way, which was also quite expected (so as not to wake up startled).
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