Do you prefer a black rectangle of an Apple Watch? Or AOD?

[perezr10]

It’s come to my attention that some people think that having a black rectangle of a watch face is “classy”. That having an always-on display is distracting. That people should leave their watch screen “off” so that people will focus on what they have to say.

I know many people use watches without the AOD on but I always thought that was for battery or privacy concerns.

Do you want your watch to look like a watch with hands? Or do you prefer the iconic black square?

 

[MacManiac76]

I prefer the look and usefulness of the the AOD. With the AOD, the Apple Watch always has the look of a classic watch to me instead of a tiny computer on my wrist. The new World Time face looks amazing to me and really makes my Apple Watch look like a classic watch as well.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

A mechanical watch always has the time showing, I want my Apple Watch to do the same. I like seeing the time without having to raise my wrist..

 

[CrazyForCashews]

When Apple introduced an AOD on the Apple Watch 5, the Apple Watch finally became a watch.

 

[Night Spring]

That people should leave their watch screen “off” so that people will focus on what they have to say.

I'd like to clarify that I didn't mean to tell other people what they should or shouldn't do. Also, I believe I was talking about the "raise to wrist" function, which turns the Watch on and off as you move your arms, when I said it would be distracting. If you are using AOD and the watch is always on, then I concede it won't be distracting.

And just in case anybody doesn't know where the original discussion was:

I love the brighter Always-on Display of the Apple Watch S7!

Above: AOD and ’activated’ mode, indoor. Band: Apple Link Bracelet The screen is really not that dimmer in the AOD mode, even at an angle it’s very clear. Coupled with the larger display I think it’s finally a mature product and I can genuinely use it as a normal Watch plus all the bells and...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[deeddawg]

Since when did a watch with a blank face become "classy" instead of "broken"? ?‍♂️

I much prefer AOD and leave it on full time. Tested on vs off when I first got my S5 and found no appreciable effect on my usage.

 

[Purga]

I did like the minimalist look of a blank black SBSS watch (S4) until i switched a few weeks ago to a S7 SS hermes watch.
Now I prefer a minimalistic watch look that looks the same in AOD mode

 

[Sital]

I find nothing "classy" looking about a black rectangle on someone's wrist. Everyone knows it's a watch, may as well have a watch face showing on it. If nothing else, it's at least interesting to see what other watch faces and complications people use.

 

[Feek]

How can a solid black rectangle be considered 'classy'?

 

[Howard2k]

I don't have AOD but I like the idea.

It's not a deal breaker for me though. The AW doesn't have the best battery life so if there's a significant negative impact there then AOD can go to hell. And if there's a burn-in impact then same - no need.

Assuming no significant battery impact and assuming no significant burn-in impact, then I think it's a great idea. I'd use it.

At the same time I don't find "raise to wake" makes it "not a proper watch" or makes me guilty of crimes against humanity if I raise my wrist to check the time. The extra milliseconds that it takes to see the time don't have a material impact on my life.

In other words, it's a bit of a "whatever" for me. But I'd lean towards yes, it's a great feature.

 

[Night Spring]

At the same time I don't find "raise to wake" makes it "not a proper watch" or makes me guilty of crimes against humanity if I raise my wrist to check the time. The extra milliseconds that it takes to see the time don't have a material impact on my life.

In other words, it's a bit of a "whatever" for me. But I'd lean towards yes, it's a great feature.

See, this is what I'd consider a reasonable attitude toward AOD. I just feel confused when people talk like it's the best feature ever. Or they seem to think that a blank rectangle on the wrist is some kind of fashion crime. I do think it looks classy when people like Colbert or Pelosi wear it, but even if you don't go that far, I don't think it's ugly, either.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

I like the black rectangle, I had a 4 for a good while, the only issue for me was trying to activate the display while swimming, AOD solves this.

 

[deeddawg]

The AW doesn't have the best battery life so if there's a significant negative impact there then AOD can go to hell. And if there's a burn-in impact then same - no need.

Assuming no significant battery impact and assuming no significant burn-in impact, then I think it's a great idea. I'd use it.

When I first bought my Series5 I had similar concerns. My established usage pattern was to charge the watch overnight and I expect it to last from wakeup to bedtime, including an hour's outdoor run (GPS) playing music (local or streaming) over bluetooth and without my phone*.

So I tested both with AOD and without. Although there was a slightly greater battery usage with AOD enabled, it was small enough that there was no impact to my usage pattern. I've left it on 100% of the time since then. I moved on to the Series6 for the brighter outdoor AOD and it too handles my usage pattern just fine. I've not upgraded to Series7 though.

* for a weekend long run where I might be out a couple of hours, I'll put the watch on my bedside charger while I shower and clean up. That bit of charging always seemed to compensate fine for the additional workout time battery usage.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I don't have a Watch with AOD, so that plain, black rectangle is my normal. Do I consider it "classy?" No. But it is distinctive - easy to recognize on other people's wrists. For that part of the psyche that likes being part of a club, it makes it easy to recognize fellow-travelers. From Apple's standpoint it's a form of advertisement, like wearing any kind of logo-emblazoned apparel, but without the logo. However, Apple clearly isn't married to that bit of product recognition, otherwise AOD would not have seen the light of day.

While wristwatches are timepieces, they're also jewelry. Some classic designs have been very minimalist, like the Movado with its single, gold dot and two skinny hands on a plain, black background. Some "ladies" watches are so tiny and jewel-like that they're barely functional as timepieces, and plenty of other watch designs have minimized the functional elements. Still others, like the ever-popular divers/avaitors designs overflowing with "functional" complications. It's a big world, with diverse tastes and needs.

 

[Howard2k]

When I first bought my Series5 I had similar concerns. My established usage pattern was to charge the watch overnight and I expect it to last from wakeup to bedtime, including an hour's outdoor run (GPS) playing music (local or streaming) over bluetooth and without my phone*.

So I tested both with AOD and without. Although there was a slightly greater battery usage with AOD enabled, it was small enough that there was no impact to my usage pattern. I've left it on 100% of the time since then. I moved on to the Series6 for the brighter outdoor AOD and it too handles my usage pattern just fine. I've not upgraded to Series7 though.

* for a weekend long run where I might be out a couple of hours, I'll put the watch on my bedside charger while I shower and clean up. That bit of charging always seemed to compensate fine for the additional workout time battery usage.

Out of interest, for your AOD do you use a predominantly black or dark display?
I'm just wondering how a white background would differ from a black background when it comes to power consumption given that it's OLED. I imagine it's not a huge difference but it would be interesting.

 

[jz0309]

I’ve had the black “classic (??)” look for 6 years now, I am ready for AOD

 

[deeddawg]

Out of interest, for your AOD do you use a predominantly black or dark display?
I'm just wondering how a white background would differ from a black background when it comes to power consumption given that it's OLED. I imagine it's not a huge difference but it would be interesting.

Primarily black - Infograph is my usual, though I'll switch to California if swapping to my SB link bracelet band and dressing up to go out.

Seems like the bright background faces have a dark/dim style when AOD kicks in - probably for the reasons you surmise, OLED uses power to light stuff up.

 

[Howard2k]

Primarily black - Infograph is my usual, though I'll switch to California if swapping to my SB link bracelet band and dressing up to go out.

Seems like the bright background faces have a dark/dim style when AOD kicks in - probably for the reasons you surmise, OLED uses power to light stuff up.

Thanks

 

[MisterSavage]

Don't care what anyone thinks about my watch or how it's used. I like the current form factor and I only turn off AoD in something such as a live show.

 

[deeddawg]

Don't care what anyone thinks about my watch or how it's used. I like the current form factor and I only turn off AoD in something such as a live show.

Tip - theater mode from control panel shuts off the display without needing to mess around in Settings.

Use Control Center on Apple Watch

Check your battery, silence your watch, choose a Focus, turn your Apple Watch into a flashlight, put your Apple Watch in airplane mode, and more in Control Center on Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

 

[MisterSavage]

Tip - theater mode from control panel shuts off the display without needing to mess around in Settings.

Use Control Center on Apple Watch

Check your battery, silence your watch, choose a Focus, turn your Apple Watch into a flashlight, put your Apple Watch in airplane mode, and more in Control Center on Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

Thanks! That's exactly what I do! I also use that sometimes when I wear the watch when sleeping because the light can be annoying.

 

[Howard2k]

Tip - theater mode from control panel shuts off the display without needing to mess around in Settings.

Use Control Center on Apple Watch

Check your battery, silence your watch, choose a Focus, turn your Apple Watch into a flashlight, put your Apple Watch in airplane mode, and more in Control Center on Apple Watch.

support.apple.com

Thanks! That's exactly what I do! I also use that sometimes when I wear the watch when sleeping because the light can be annoying.

Amateurs. Surely you can create an automation to automatically turn AOD off at the theatre and on again when you leave, based on location.

(kidding, mostly)

 

[Coltaine]

I prefer the AOD for its usefulness, giving me access to relevant information with just a glance at any given time. No awkward wrist-turning gesture. But I sometimes find it distracting in low-light situations, where you have a permanently glowing wrist. Of course, theater mode will switch it off.

 

[MisterSavage]

Amateurs. Surely you can create an automation to automatically turn AOD off at the theatre and on again when you leave, based on location.

(kidding, mostly)

Actually, if we can turn on do not disturb "until you leave this location" being able to do the same with theater mode would be great!

 

[xraydoc]

Actually, if we can turn on do not disturb "until you leave this location" being able to do the same with theater mode would be great!

You can. I have a “at the movies” focus that turns on DND mode when my GPS location is at my local movie theater (and off when I leave).

Edit: forgot to mention that I also have a phone automation that turns on the watch’s theater mode when “at the movies” focus comes on, and another that turns off the watch theater mode when the “at the movies focus” turns off.