I'm not a gym bunny, but am trying to increase my daily steps count using the health app on my iPhone. Beside this useful feature what are the top 5 things I'd get out of it.
The watch will provide more accurate data - including an estimate of calories burned.
How long can you expect an Apple watch to last? Specifically the battery. My iPhone doesn't quite get through the day these days.
Ballpark expect your watch battery to last twice as long as a phone, both in terms of single charge use and long term battery health.
Generally it needs about 30 minutes on the charger to last something like 40 hours depending on your usage pattern.
Lastly is the aluminium one okay after a few months or does it get scratched a lot? I just work in an office, but couldn't stand a scratched beaten up thing. Do you guys use cases or screen protectors?
I wear my aluminium watch while painting, using angle grinders including with sparks directly onto the watch, working with greasy engine parts, gardening... after a couple years it still looks great. I don't use any protection at all and just minor cosmetic scratches but you have to look very close.
I'm suspect the steel watch is worse but haven't owned one to compare. But a polished surface would surely highlight tiny scratches?
The bands deteriorate much faster than the watch... until I dropped a small fortune on a DLC coated band and it has lasted nearly two watches and is still near perfect.
I know a few people who take better care of their watch than me who have smashed the screen, and it's a very expensive repair. I regret not buying AppleCare+ even though I'm towards the end of my second watch and have never needed repairs.
As for wether you should get one... It tells the time. The date. The weather. your calendars and reminders. It's the best way to use Siri by far. The best way to do timers. The best alarm clock (can wake you up, and not another person sleeping in the same bed). You can read messages and answer (or reject) phone calls without getting your phone out. It will warn you if you're exposed to dangers like noise or detect a fall and offer to call for help. It's a surprisingly good flashlight. Apple Pay aifh a double press of the side button and no biometrics required. It types passwords into your Mac (in a few places, but not enough of them yet). The list goes on and on. But don't forget it tell's time - that is the most useful part of all.
I would never go without it.