Apple Watch Series 4 Hands-On: Larger Displays, New Finishes, Slightly Thinner, ECG, and More

[Mac 128]

Yes, but the new 40mm has more display area than the old 42mm:
https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/
I will buy the 40mm to replace my 42 or perhaps buy the 44

I will take a decision today.

Well ... it's negligible. In this graphic, the new 44mm active display area is in orange. The 40mm is in green. The old 42mm is in brown, and the old 38mm in white (center). It's comparable as far as practical application is concerned.

And suddenly, when you look at those hands on pictures, the display isn't so much edge to edge anymore with that big bezels...

I agree. It boggles the mind that Apple still has such large bezels when compared to the smaller (!) 42mm Huawei round watch, where the graphics goes straight up to the metal edge -- like a real watch. It's so much more elegant looking.

It reminds me of this ... which depending on your goal is not necessarily a good thing.

 

[8281]

Huge Apple product user here... Apple Watch was my main hope for this keynote, and while it looks good, they still lack in a few areas FitBit has them smoked in:

1. Sleep tracking
2. Battery Life

I am really on the fence here. I love the products, hate the price, and feel like some basic features are missing when FitBit can deliver this stuff on a $150 device.

Is sleep tracking really that useful? And the worse battery life is because it does a lot more stuff.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

Forgive me but that’s pretty ridiculous. Spend $200-$300 more for a feature you don’t want in order to get the material you do. I’ve got a $500 watch band that won’t match a new AW unless I waste a buttload if money.

Duh.
The aluminium cellular model is 100 $ above the GPS model. The stainless steel cellular model is 200-220 $ above the aluminium cellular model depending on the size.

So you're "wasting" 100 $ at most for the cellular capability. Should be a non-issue really for someone who didn't mind the 500 $ link bracelet.

And those 100 $ are not even wasted, since you might change your mind. Also emergency calls probably work anywhere without a contract which is a huge safety benefit over a GPS only model.

 

[The Game 161]

Can’t wait for series 4

Will probably order tomorrow

 

[tresmith]

Is the 2mm increase (38 to 40, 42 to 44) just the increased 'viewable' screen size alone? Hence the actual case has not increased in size itself? Thats how it reads, but just wishing to seek confirmation....as many others believe (rightly or wrongly) that the overall case size has increased also.

Thanks

I believe that the case size has increased. It's the only way to get he reported 30 plus percent increase in screen real estate.
[doublepost=1536866384][/doublepost]

Can anyone confirm that the speaker is 50% louder and that sound quality has improved?

How? The watch isn't out yet. No one can confirm anything.

 

[mashdots]

What on earth for? 5ghz is only useful in close proximity to an access point, and the point of Apple Watch is mobility. And any speed improvement would be not noticed due to saturation of the processor.

Ah good question. I didn't notice this until recently, but typically I like to leave my phone at my desk at work (or even at my house) when I walk away for whatever reason. The watch and phone should stay connected via wifi, but only if the network was on 2.4 ghz. Since both work and my home have 5 ghz networks, they disconnect.

 

[dwsolberg]

Forgive me but that’s pretty ridiculous. Spend $200-$300 more for a feature you don’t want in order to get the material you do. I’ve got a $500 watch band that won’t match a new AW unless I waste a buttload if money.

I get the frustration, and I feel it, too. I'm rough on my stuff, and never had a watch face I didn't scratch accidentally, and I like the look of the steel and I want the sapphire glass, so at least I get two benefits for the immodest amount of extra cash.

 

[MandiMac]

The fall detector is interesting for me.

As a cyclist and motorcyclist I feel this could be a life saver for me.

Also as a homeowner who is frequently alone while on ladders.

Keep in mind that this feature is automatically disabled if you‘re under the age of 65. You‘ll have to activate it first! Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...-sparking-envy-in-current-apple-watch-owners/

 

[Mac 128]

I believe that the case size has increased. It's the only way to get he reported 30 plus percent increase in screen real estate.

Yup. The red area indicates how much larger it is ...

 

[bunnicula]

so aggravating. the Hermes has the most elegant faces, and the Nike the best digital face. Neither are on my SS watch that costs $650 (soon to be the $750 S4 version). What is Apple thinking? The new faces are cool and colorful but some us want to wear these in professional or elegant settings too!

Buy an Hermes. Just a thought.
[doublepost=1536872616][/doublepost]

Yeah agree. The stock faces aren’t appropriate for meetings at a certain level. When the room is full of Rolexes and Omegas, the stock faces draw plenty of grimaces.

You must work with jerks.

Why not just set up a stock face that's minimal? There are a least 3 versions of AW faces you can set up with no numerals, minimal complications, etc. How's that supposed to get "grimaces?"

I mean, if you work in that sort of environment and require an AW for daily use, go buy the Hermes, but if people are THAT judgy, they're going to still look down on you for wearing anything but a high-dollar, analog timepiece anyway.

 

[StyxMaker]

Huge Apple product user here... Apple Watch was my main hope for this keynote, and while it looks good, they still lack in a few areas FitBit has them smoked in:

1. Sleep tracking
2. Battery Life

I am really on the fence here. I love the products, hate the price, and feel like some basic features are missing when FitBit can deliver this stuff on a $150 device.

While the Apple Watch does not have built in sleep monitoring, there are several third party apps that do a good job. I charge my Apple Watch in the evening before going to bed and the charge is good for the next day.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

Ah good question. I didn't notice this until recently, but typically I like to leave my phone at my desk at work (or even at my house) when I walk away for whatever reason. The watch and phone should stay connected via wifi, but only if the network was on 2.4 ghz. Since both work and my home have 5 ghz networks, they disconnect.

That doesn't seem to be the cause for the disconnect. Phone and Watch only need to be on the same local network, not even necessarily on the same router. Should work even with the iPhone in flight mode connected via USB Ethernet adapter on the same network...

Just tried it, iPhone connected to AirPort Extreme via 5 GHz (ac), Bluetooth off, Watch connected via 2.4 GHz (n) to the same AirPort. The Watch shows the WiFi icon in control center instead of the phone icon, but everything works as if they were connected via Bluetooth. Pinging the iPhone, opening the camera, even "do not disturb" syncs instantly.
Also works if the watch connects to a different AirPort Extreme than the iPhone as long as it's in the same local network.

 

[enduro0125]

Keep in mind that this feature is automatically disabled if you‘re under the age of 65. You‘ll have to activate it first! Source: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...-sparking-envy-in-current-apple-watch-owners/

Good to know.

Maybe best to not activate when mountain biking or riding my dirt bike.

 

[cmaier]

Ah good question. I didn't notice this until recently, but typically I like to leave my phone at my desk at work (or even at my house) when I walk away for whatever reason. The watch and phone should stay connected via wifi, but only if the network was on 2.4 ghz. Since both work and my home have 5 ghz networks, they disconnect.

I’m not understanding you. 5ghz works only at very close range to the access point. And almost any network that has 5ghz also has 2.4, for exActly that reason.

 

[StyxMaker]

Good to know.

Maybe best to not activate when mountain biking or riding my dirt bike.

Also it only makes an emergency call if you fall then don’t move for a minute. In that case I would think that you’d like to have it make the call for you.

 

[Kabeyun]

As I have mentioned in other threads, you are paying more for MORE than just the cellular bands in the device. The entire casing is different, as is the front glass. MAYBE $50 of the price increase is for the bands (royalties + hardware).

Maybe you’re not following me (or maybe I’m not following you). I bought a Series 2 with a rubberized band, and spent another $500 on the steel link band, which now is clear will not match another AW in the foreseeable future. I don’t care if a new AW comes with a free length of string.
[doublepost=1536887289][/doublepost]

Duh.
The aluminium cellular model is 100 $ above the GPS model. The stainless steel cellular model is 200-220 $ above the aluminium cellular model depending on the size.

So you're "wasting" 100 $ at most for the cellular capability. Should be a non-issue really for someone who didn't mind the 500 $ link bracelet.

And those 100 $ are not even wasted, since you might change your mind. Also emergency calls probably work anywhere without a contract which is a huge safety benefit over a GPS only model.

Thx for chiming in. So appreciated. Always nice to be told what my shopping priorities really are.

 

[Mikeeee]

The cost difference is for the casing, not specifically for the LTE. You are paying for the capability and not using it. But the real cost is in the difference of casing.

Not true. The Seiries 3 had a GPS and a Cellular model. There was a difference in price for the 2 products that were the same except for cellular. That additional cost is the cost difference included in the SS cost. If I remember correctly it was $150 in Canada.

 

[e-coli]

Buy an Hermes. Just a thought.
[doublepost=1536872616][/doublepost]

You must work with jerks.

Why not just set up a stock face that's minimal? There are a least 3 versions of AW faces you can set up with no numerals, minimal complications, etc. How's that supposed to get "grimaces?"

I mean, if you work in that sort of environment and require an AW for daily use, go buy the Hermes, but if people are THAT judgy, they're going to still look down on you for wearing anything but a high-dollar, analog timepiece anyway.

No way to describe to you the timepiece culture of power brokers. Either you’ve experienced it or you haven’t. The Apple Watch is a toy. The best you can do is minimize your downside exposure and get a “respectable” one. Even then, you’re on the outside.

 

[magicschoolbus]

So how many nm is the S4?

I won't buy another cellular Apple Watch until it supports 5G, I think at that point cellular could become useful on it.
[doublepost=1536854915][/doublepost]

Ah, but does the Walkie Talkie work peer to peer WiFi, say if you are at a state fair, assume no cellular. If not, that is a fail by Apple if you ask me!

I’d assume the walkie app would send walkie over WiFi

 

[mashdots]

I’m not understanding you. 5ghz works only at very close range to the access point. And almost any network that has 5ghz also has 2.4, for exActly that reason.

Right, but multiple access points are typically standard for a "modern" wireless network, especially in a corporate environment. And based on my examinations, the 5ghz wireless networks I'm exposed to are too strong for my devices to switch to their 2.4 ghz counterparts.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

Maybe you’re not following me (or maybe I’m not following you). I bought a Series 2 with a rubberized band, and spent another $500 on the steel link band, which now is clear will not match another AW in the foreseeable future. I don’t care if a new AW comes with a free length of string.
[doublepost=1536887289][/doublepost]
Thx for chiming in. So appreciated. Always nice to be told what my shopping priorities really are.

You seem to be the one not following. What cwanja and I are saying is that you're not paying 200-300 $ extra for cellular as you claimed. You're paying 100 $ for cellular and 200-220 $ for stainless steel + sapphire.
[doublepost=1536924164][/doublepost]

No way to describe to you the timepiece culture of power brokers. Either you’ve experienced it or you haven’t. The Apple Watch is a toy. The best you can do is minimize your downside exposure and get a “respectable” one. Even then, you’re on the outside.

That sounds like a d*ckhead culture really.
[doublepost=1536924384][/doublepost]

Right, but multiple access points are typically standard for a "modern" wireless network, especially in a corporate environment. And based on my examinations, the 5ghz wireless networks I'm exposed to are too strong for my devices to switch to their 2.4 ghz counterparts.

It shouldn't actually matter whether phone and watch are connected to different WiFi bands, or even different access points. See my last post:

That doesn't seem to be the cause for the disconnect. Phone and Watch only need to be on the same local network, not even necessarily on the same router. Should work even with the iPhone in flight mode connected via USB Ethernet adapter on the same network...

Just tried it, iPhone connected to AirPort Extreme via 5 GHz (ac), Bluetooth off, Watch connected via 2.4 GHz (n) to the same AirPort. The Watch shows the WiFi icon in control center instead of the phone icon, but everything works as if they were connected via Bluetooth. Pinging the iPhone, opening the camera, even "do not disturb" syncs instantly.
Also works if the watch connects to a different AirPort Extreme than the iPhone as long as it's in the same local network.

 

[Kabeyun]

You seem to be the one not following. What cwanja and I are saying is that you're not paying 200-300 $ extra for cellular as you claimed. You're paying 100 $ for cellular and 200-220 $ for stainless steel + sapphire.

Fine, let it be $100 that I’d need to cough up instead of $200. Dwelling on that number misses my main point, which is that my $500 watch band won’t match any AW I want without paying an extra bundle. You guys are saying that bundle is only $100. That’s still a lot of cash. My point is not whether or not it’s a $100 versus $200 consequence. It’s that it is annoying that Apple has stopped making a GPS-only steel watch.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

Fine, let it be $100 that I’d need to cough up instead of $200. Dwelling on that number misses my main point, which is that my $500 watch band won’t match any AW I want without paying an extra bundle. You guys are saying that bundle is only $100. That’s still a lot of cash. My point is not whether or not it’s a $100 versus $200 consequence. It’s that it is annoying that Apple has stopped making a GPS-only steel watch.

I get why you're upset about that, but it's not nearly as bad as you said initially.
Also it shouldn't come as a surprise to you since the stainless steel Series 3 had also been available only as cellular model.

 

[Kabeyun]

I get why you're upset about that, but it's not nearly as bad as you said initially.
Also it shouldn't come as a surprise to you since the stainless steel Series 3 had also been available only as cellular model.

True. I was hoping they wouldn’t continue that with the 4, but my hope turns out to have been as misplaced as my hope that they wouldn’t abandon the 4” iPhone screen.

 

[cmaier]

Right, but multiple access points are typically standard for a "modern" wireless network, especially in a corporate environment. And based on my examinations, the 5ghz wireless networks I'm exposed to are too strong for my devices to switch to their 2.4 ghz counterparts.

Still not getting it. In my house I have 4 dual band AMPLIFI mesh access points. If my iPhone is connected to one point downstairs on 5ghz (I just left it on top of the access point and confirmed in the app that it is connected at 5) and my Apple Watch is connected to another, upstairs, at 2.4, they still communicate with each other fine. So what’s the need for Apple Watch to support 5?