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It's just to "be on the safe side". It used to be like that on the iPhone too not long ago. I assume they will change the requirement soon on the watches as well.
I've had an iPhone since the very first one, I don't remember it to be a requirement.

Except of course before OTA update exist since you needed to transfer the data through USB in order to update it
 
I've had an iPhone since the very first one, I don't remember it to be a requirement.

Except of course before OTA update exist since you needed to transfer the data through USB in order to update it

OTA updates started with iOS 5, and I distinctly remember it requiring 50% battery to do an update.
 
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OTA updates started with iOS 5, and I distinctly remember it requiring 50% battery to do an update.
I didn't say that a minimum battery condition was not a thing (still is by the way, but I think it has dropped to 30% now).

I said that since OTA updates are a thing, there has never been such thing as the iPhone needs to be plugged to power as a condition
 
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I just bought a CPO Series 9 for peanuts, and I had excellent reasons. First, it's probably the last watch where Sir Ive has anything to say about design—the S10 supposedly continues that line, but it lacks the refinement. Second, I can sit back with iOS 18 and WatchOS 11 and watch Apple's design decline, or, conversely, I might actually start considering buying a Pixel or Nothing, because I can't stand LG.
 
The Apple Watch series 5 dropped support of watchOS 11 in 2024. That's 5 year of software support. Apple is very well known to keep up with at least that time frame, I don't see them drop Series 11 and ultra 3 in 2 or 3 years.
Well ok but series 4 got 6 years then and series SE 1 got 4 years…

Actually if we just count the number of major updates that the SE 1 got, it’s 3 : watchOS 8,9 and 10…

So the Ultra 3 might get watchOS 29 actually and that’s it! No watchOS 30
 
Well ok but series 4 got 6 years then and series SE 1 got 4 years…

Actually if we just count the number of major updates that the SE 1 got, it’s 3 : watchOS 8,9 and 10…

So the Ultra 3 might get watchOS 29 actually and that’s it! No watchOS 30
Again, I'm not buying it.

The oldest device sold by apple still compatible with watchOS26 today is the series 6 who cames out in 2020. 5 years ago (at the same time than the SE1 precisely). I don't see that changing in the near future. SE is a low range device and is more the exception rather than the rule.

I think it will keep compatibility at least until watchOS 31
 
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As a AWU2 user I say 12x12 (144) more pixels??!! TAKE MY MONEY!! Can't innovate my ass!

and because it's 2025 I need to add /s

Also, I guess I should be happy there's nothing major... I've already gotten 2 years out of the AWU2 and it's the most current and biggest "flex"... and for at least another year it will basically stay that way, so they're maximizing my investment... plus the only thing I truly need is more battery as it when using Arccos for a golf round if I'm not over 70% when I start it may not make it through.
 
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Haha I don't really need more power for NOW... But in the future yes... If we look at the series 5... the watchOS support dropped at the same time as the series 4... Why? Same CPU !! Meaning that the Ultra 3 will get dropped at the same time as the Ultra 2 !!


So there is two possibilities here :

- The Ultra 3 with S11 (like the S9) will get dropped in 2-3 years

- Or we stay with boooooring watchOS updates... Tho I don't think that we will get watchOS 30 or even 29...


With better performances on the watch, I'm pretty sure that apple will be able to add more things, maybe small AI or things like that in the future...


------

Anyways what I just want is some big changes in watchOS... watchOS 11 and 26 are kinda boring for me (as the series 10) so I hope there will be something big...
Sure, whatever, keep making things up…
 
Well ok but series 4 got 6 years then and series SE 1 got 4 years…

Actually if we just count the number of major updates that the SE 1 got, it’s 3 : watchOS 8,9 and 10…

So the Ultra 3 might get watchOS 29 actually and that’s it! No watchOS 30
Nonsense. You keep making this up for what reason exactly?

Which Apple warehouse do you currently have?
 
It's not going to happen. It can't.

Garmin owns the Ant+ protocol and ended certification officially last June. Bluetooth BLE is the immediate future (or rather present).

The writing was on the wall before the Apple Watch even launched due to the EU in 2014 adopting the Directive 2014/53/EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

Ant+ doesn't have encryption, which Apple would've been against to begin with, but that was the driving force behind the directive. It also simplifies components since Bluetooth was going to be needed anyway.

I just upgraded all of my bike tech and it's all Bluetooth. There's a lot of gym equipment that will take a long time to switch over, but no new equipment is going to be Ant+.

Thank you for sharing this! I missed this news, rather a big one.

For those not in the know: https://watchesreviewed.com/death_of_ant_plus/
 
I have a series 10 and love it, but I would really like a more durable watch with better battery life. I absolutely hate screen scratches and equally dislike protectors/cases. The ultra seems like the obvious choice, but I'm gonna need more than a slightly larger screen to justify the short upgrade cycle and higher price tag. Come on Ultra 3!
 
Nonsense. You keep making this up for what reason exactly?

Which Apple warehouse do you currently have?
I'm currently using se 1, I wanted to upgrade to Se 3 or series 10 last year but it wasn't a revolution and there was no SE 3... Now I just want a new watch with LONG watchOS support and no need to buy a new one in few years...
 
Again, I'm not buying it.

The oldest device sold by apple still compatible with watchOS26 today is the series 6 who cames out in 2020. 5 years ago (at the same time than the SE1 precisely). I don't see that changing in the near future. SE is a low range device and is more the exception rather than the rule.

I think it will keep compatibility at least until watchOS 31
If they keep the compatibility until watchOS 31, it will be good but we might get other watchOS booooring updates with nothing new or the series 12 and above will have many exclusive features.
 
Huh. That has never bothered me. Once I set up my playlists that I Want synced, they are always there for me. It might take a while the first time, but I never notice. And it will download the songs over cellular if one is missing.

But yah, if that's a hangup for you, I'd move on too. I doubt they are going to change how that works anytime soon.
Straw that broke the camels back. It's not working at all for me right now.

Garmin does indeed seem like the better choice, especially sports-wise. And synching music and maps to a Garmin is only limited to the USB speed, because we can use a cable to sync.

What Apple really ought to do is put a ANT+ chip in the watch.
Indeed. The inability to treat the Apple Watch as a more stand-alone device or do simple things like USB to transfer stuff is annoying. It’s never been seamless and I’ve owned since AW S2.

Why do you need to sync?

I have never needed to do any manual sync — audiobooks (Audible), Podcasts (Apple Podcast), and playlists (Apple Music) just work without any syncing seemlessly. I guess this is thanks to having LTE in watch.
I have LTE but I run without my phone. Nothing will download to my Watch.
 
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Straw that broke the camels back. It's not working at all for me right now.


Indeed. The inability to treat the Apple Watch as a more stand-alone device or do simple things like USB to transfer stuff is annoying. It’s never been seamless and I’ve owned since AW S2.


I have LTE but I run without my phone. Nothing will download to my Watch.
If nothing is working over LTE, I would double check that you can MAKE & RECEIVE Calls. I had an issue with T Mobile once when I upgraded & they had set up the LTE incorrectly. I could make calls but not download data or receive calls.

That being said, I could understand if you just dump Apple Watch & hopefully Garmin is smoother for you.
 
It's not going to happen. It can't.

Garmin owns the Ant+ protocol and ended certification officially last June. Bluetooth BLE is the immediate future (or rather present).

The writing was on the wall before the Apple Watch even launched due to the EU in 2014 adopting the Directive 2014/53/EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

Ant+ doesn't have encryption, which Apple would've been against to begin with, but that was the driving force behind the directive. It also simplifies components since Bluetooth was going to be needed anyway.

I just upgraded all of my bike tech and it's all Bluetooth. There's a lot of gym equipment that will take a long time to switch over, but no new equipment is going to be Ant+.
Thanks. I didn't know any of that, but Apple's position does make sense based on that.
 
I love my AWU1, and it’s been an amazing workhorse of a watch. The battery gives me 1.5d at 92% BH after almost 3y of use.

The incremental upgrades stretch the very definition of incremental when it comes to the watch, so it looks like my AWU1 will keep soldiering on despite my itching to upgrade.

I am here with you. Would the AWU3 over my AWU1 be a decent jump? I'm sure I'd slightly appreciate the larger display, maybe 5G would come in handy sometimes, and some of the health features are nice, but just not worth the cost. The AWU2 was a completely nothing burger of an upgrade. I'll hold onto my AWU1 until the battery goes, hopefully in time for the AWU4.
 
Thanks. I didn't know any of that, but Apple's position does make sense based on that.

Quit so. In related tech, Apple's position on MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) doesn't make sense at all. Mac users don't want anything from Google, let alone software. We want native solutions.

MTP functions a lot like USB mass storage. For example, an MTP device shows up in Windows Explorer so you can browse and transfer files. Linux also supports MTP devices via libmtp, which is generally included with popular desktop Linux distributions. MTP devices should appear on your Linux desktop's file manager, too.

Apple's Mac OS X is a holdout -- it doesn't include MTP support at all. Apple's iPod, iPhone, and iPad use their own proprietary syncing protocol along with iTunes, so why would they want to support a competing protocol?

Google provides an Android File Transfer application for the Mac. This application is just a simple MTP client, so it will work for transferring files back and forth on a Mac. Google doesn't provide this application for other operating system because they include MTP support.
 
What do you do on your watch/use it for that requires such an upgrade from the S9?
I have an Ultra 2 and processor performance is excellent. What watch do you have?
I have an ultra 1 and using Siri to do anything is a terrible experience. Try setting a simple timer and tell me it doesn't need a substantial speed increase
 
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