Apple Watch Series 6 Reviews Roundup: Brighter and Faster, Blood Oxygen Measuring Requires Precise Fit

[MacRumors]

First impressions of the Apple Watch Series 6 have now been shared by select media outlets and YouTubers, providing a closer look at the device's new features, including blood oxygen measuring and a brighter always-on display.

Starting with blood oxygen measuring, Engadget's Valentina Palladino noted that the Apple Watch needs to be worn in a certain way to get a successful reading:

It took at roughly seven attempts of fiddling with the placement before I got it to work. Data came most often when the Watch was as far up my arm as my small/medium sports band would allow when secured on the third notch. Apple provides guidelines in the blood oxygen app that explain proper placement, and one of the things it advises is not to position the Watch too low on the wrist.

Palladino suggested that the new Solo Loop band may have been Apple's way of addressing this matter, as it kept the Apple Watch flush against her skin for accurate blood oxygen readings. Apple says the Solo Loop comes in nine sizes to provide an "ultracomfortable" fit, with a wrist sizing guide available on its website.

TechCrunch's Brian Heater was disappointed that the Series 6 continues to have the same advertised 18 hours of battery life as previous models, especially with the addition of sleep tracking. However, during its Time Flies event this week, Apple indicated that the Series 6 can charge 20 percent faster than the Series 5.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn said his favorite new feature is the brighter always-on display, which he described as "very bright." Bohn also offered praise for the new (PRODUCT)RED finish option, which looks quite vibrant in his photos.

Powered by a new S6 chip, Apple says the Series 6 is up to 20 percent faster than the Series 5. Rolling Stone's Brandt Ranj said that in real-world use, the Series 6 feels "incredibly fast," noting that apps load more quickly, Siri feels more responsive, and animations like the closing of Activity rings look a lot smoother.

Additional Impressions:

• David Phelan at Forbes
• Brenda Stolyar at Mashable
• Todd Haselton at CNBC
• Jake Krol at CNN
• Stuart Miles at Pocket-lint

For more, we've also rounded up Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE unboxing videos.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 6 Reviews Roundup: Brighter and Faster, Blood Oxygen Measuring Requires Precise Fit

 

[otternonsense]

The more I read about it, the more I think I’ll stick to the series 4.

 

[vseera]

The more I read about it, the more I think I’ll stick to the series 4.

Me too I would like to get a Series 5 just for the always on screen, if I can find it at a discount. Otherwise the Series 4 suits me well and I don't think I will miss anything from this newer one.

I also have an accurate finger pulse oxymeter, so find the oxygen monitoring a bit gimmicky.

 

[jbachandouris]

I want it but unless I can find a buyer for my SS AW5, not happening.

 

[incoherent_1]

The more I read about it, the more I think I’ll stick to the series 4.

Agreed. I think AW is a product that’ll really only be worth updating every 3-6 years. My wallet is fine with this.

 

[munpip214]

What I really want to know is the change to heart rate lights/sensors will improve heart rate detection. I dislike that a quarter of the time it can’t detect my heart rate and sometimes it takes a minute or so to start getting anything.

 

[Mimiron]

Hey, so do all Apple Watch 6 models have a display made out of sapphire, or just the stainless steel / titanium ones?

 

[Psychicbob]

What I really want to know is the change to heart rate lights/sensors will improve heart rate detection. I dislike that a quarter of the time it can’t detect my heart rate and sometimes it takes a minute or so to start getting anything.

Yep. The Heart rate monitor is still terrible in my AW5. My exercise routine on a rebounder, with weights, shifts the watch around enough to disrupt the monitoring, with the result that the rate display goes grey quite often. My Polar H10 chest belt is 99.9% faultless, only getting the odd issue when the battery gets low. I use the Polar for exercising and the AW for outdoor walks etc.

 

[Dwalls90]

WatchOS 7 made my Stainless Steel Series 4 a lot faster. With the exception of the new blood oxygen level monitoring (which doesn't look "perfect" per the review), I don't see a real reason to spend net $600 between selling my Series 4 to get the Series 6.
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Hey, so do all Apple Watch 6 models have a display made out of sapphire, or just the stainless steel / titanium ones?

This has been discussed at length in the Watch forums. Similar to prior years, only the SS and Ti watches get Sapphire screens.

 

[anthogag]

The blood O2 sensor takes 15 seconds. Why can't a person just push the watch against the wrist if there is a problem with fit.

 

[locovaca]

The more I read about it, the more I think I’ll stick to the series 4.

Ditto but series 3 here!
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The blood O2 sensor takes 15 seconds. Why can't a person just push the watch against the wrist if there is a problem with fit.

Because it’s supposed to be silently taking readings all day. If it require manual intervention then that won’t work.

 

[otternonsense]

Ditto but series 3 here!
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Because it’s supposed to be silently taking readings all day. If it require manual intervention then that won’t work.

If you tell me it also happens to be the white ceramic model, I'll double understand why

 

[anthogag]

Ditto but series 3 here!
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Because it’s supposed to be silently taking readings all day. If it require manual intervention then that won’t work.

There is a 15 second countdown for the test. I don't think it takes readings in the background all day.

 

[tobybrut]

After watching a few YouTube reviews, I’d be careful of what size band you get when ordering one of those Solo Loop bands that requires sizing your wrist with the printout. The bands are very stretchy, so err on the side of smaller bands than what the paper might indicate. I ordered a size 5 when the paper said I should get a size 7. If the blood oxygen sensor requires the watch to be tight against the skin, don’t use a loose band.

 

[Mimiron]

20% times faster than Series 5, like who cares if the watch is slightly ever so faster? You won’t notice a thing in real world use. Blood oxygen is just a gimmick for me, getting the 5 now a lot cheaper (new one for 270€) thanks to SE and 6

 

[Greg McBride]

I want it but unless I can find a buyer for my SS AW5, not happening.

I sent you a message. Possibly interested in your watch.

 

[locovaca]

There is a 15 second countdown for the test. I don't think it takes readings in the background all day.

Oh, I misread something then. That makes it even less of a draw for me. I thought it worked more like the Heart Rate sensor.

 

[TheBing1980]

There is a 15 second countdown for the test. I don't think it takes readings in the background all day.

According to the support page on Apple’s website it does take readings in the background.

About background measurements
The Blood Oxygen app on your Apple Watch will occasionally measure your blood oxygen levels if background measurements are on. This will usually happen when you are not moving. Depending on how active you are, the number of readings collected each day and the time between these readings will vary. “

 

[Born2Run]

I ordered the £409 Series 6, and was originally doing the trade-in for my 2 year old Series 4 for £135 but instead managed to sell it for £250 yesterday... So I see it as the Series 6 only cost me £159

 

[ArPe]

If you want a quick reliable blood oxygen reading twist the watch so that it is on the inside of the wrist. The skin is thinner there and veins are easily visible and consistently in the same place across all individuals. I will get mine tomorrow and confirm.

 

[patrick001]

WatchOS 7 made my Stainless Steel Series 4 a lot faster. With the exception of the new blood oxygen level monitoring (which doesn't look "perfect" per the review), I don't see a real reason to spend net $600 between selling my Series 4 to get the Series 6.
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Same. I’m loving the speed and faster animations now. The speed wasn’t bad when I first bought the S4 in summer 2019 but became slower after the iOS update around this time last year which annoyed me. After this recent update, however, the S4 is as fast as it’s ever been.

 

[az431]

After watching a few YouTube reviews, I’d be careful of what size band you get when ordering one of those Solo Loop bands that requires sizing your wrist with the printout. The bands are very stretchy, so err on the side of smaller bands than what the paper might indicate. I ordered a size 5 when the paper said I should get a size 7. If the blood oxygen sensor requires the watch to be tight against the skin, don’t use a loose band.

The instructions Apple prints on the paper say to do the exact opposite of what you recommend. They are not supposed to be "tight" and the sensor does not require "tight," it requires that it be on the correct place on your wrist.

As clearly stated in the article, the watch can't be low on your wrist, but a tight band will force the watch low on your wrist. A looser band (what Apple specifically recommends) will allow the watch so sit where it is supposed to.
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If you want a quick reliable blood oxygen reading twist the watch so that it is on the inside of the wrist. The skin is thinner there and veins are easily visible and consistently in the same place across all individuals. I will get mine tomorrow and confirm.

Most people aren't going to permanently wear their watch on the inside of their wrist simply to improve sensor readings.

 

[az431]

The blood O2 sensor takes 15 seconds. Why can't a person just push the watch against the wrist if there is a problem with fit.

They can. Much ado about nothing as usual.

 

[bernoulli]

I ordered the £409 Series 6, and was originally doing the trade-in for my 2 year old Series 4 for £135 but instead managed to sell it for £250 yesterday... So I see it as the Series 6 only cost me £159

Apart from the £400 you spent initially for series 4?

 

[ArPe]

Most people aren't going to permanently wear their watch on the inside of their wrist simply to improve sensor readings.

I didn’t say they should do so permanently.

Although now that you mention it, I probably will wear the watch on the inside of my wrist as it requires less effort to see the screen.