Early Adopters of Apple Watch Series 3 Share First Impressions and Unboxing Photos

[Joelist]

Some miscellaneous thoughts on my new (first ever smartwatch):

- It is Apple Watch 3 with Cellular Stainless Steel Space Black (so people know).

Sales Experience: A+

I had no preorder so I made sure to be at the Apple Store at opening - I got the last one they had. I interacted with a greeter, general salesperson and a setup person. ALL of them were both knowledgeable and had an infectious enthusiasm that really set a light mood in the store.

The sale went smoothly - we did sizings and everything and I was the one who asked for Stainless Steel to get the sapphire crystal because I am notorious for expansive hand motions that smash lesser crystals. The setup went smoothly too with my Verizon cellular popping right up.

Of course, they also were giving out complimentary coffee and it was good stuff not cheap slop

Watch Build: A+ so far

I am impressed with the build. Everything is smooth and well sealed to my touch and look. The space black looks proper and perfectly blends with the band, and works with both casual and formalwear.

Hardware:

So far the speed is excellent. I have seen both Android watches and older Apple models in action and they were occasionally sluggish - not this one. I've been using it a lot too and not seeing any slowdowns. The physical activity and heat rate monitors work well and the GPS is highly accurate.

As to the cellular, I gave it a nice test by leaving the phone at home and going about 15 miles away to a gathering. Mail still came in properly, I sent and received texts, I also took a conference call and everything sounded fine.

Software:

I don't know what others experience is, but right now I am happy with WatchOS 4. It seems to do out of the box everything I want, and to be honest I'm not sure what other apps I would even want at this time. I've also been playing a lot with different watch faces, as the Watch app has a bunch and connects to the Gallery where there are even more. I am attaching a photo showing one of the faces I made by playing around with an existing face.

As to the packaging, I had people in the store envious of my nice box who had the other packaging. It was actually a bit funny.

Battery Life:

So far I am seeing excellent life even with the Cellular on and giving it work. Yesterday I had it on for 14 hours and only used 32% of the charge. Today I've had it on for 8 hours and about 5% of charge used (still at 95%).

Hope that helps.

 

[5105973]

Is it even safe to have a cellular device pressed directly up against your body for extended periods of time?

I don't really know. I have wondered about that myself.

Each member of my family has a nice non LTE watch we will be wearing a lot, too. Unless Watch OS 4 and iOS 11 has messed things up, it used to be easy to switch between two Apple watches. I'm still probably going to wear my regular Nike watch most often. But when I go to walk the dog or work outside the LTW watch will go with me and the phone can stay home.

 

[richinaus]

That red dot though is off putting somewhat. But regardless, easily a nice upgrade from the first Generation Apple Watch owners.

red dot = no sale for me. have a series 1 and am happy with it still so will wait to see if the dot disappears on the 4. No dot is my preference then one that is a neutral colour [black / white /grey] if they feel like they really have to.

 

[840quadra]

I don't really know. I have wondered about that myself.

Each member of my family has a nice non LTE watch we will be wearing a lot, too. Unless Watch OS 4 and iOS 11 has messed things up, it used to be easy to switch between two Apple watches. I'm still probably going to wear my regular Nike watch most often. But when I go to walk the dog or work outside the LTW watch will go with me and the phone can stay home.

People have had phones pressed up against their heads for decades now, often for hours at a time. The nice thing about the watch, is cellular is only active when out of WiFi or BT range of the phone.

Honestly I am less worried about it being on my wrist, than I am against my head or in my pocket.

 

[PsykX]

How often is it booting, and in that situation is it not usually on the charger?

I don't like leaving things on the charger when I'm not at home.
Since I take public transportation in a hot district in Montreal, I'd better wear it during my workouts, when I get back home, when I sleep (to track sleep) and during the ween-ends.
Maybe I'll just put it in plane mode from now on, but sometimes my Series 1 would record my heart when it was sitting on the table >_> that's why I started shutting it down every day of the week.

 

[cheekyjeremy]

It's called "Explorer".

Other than the cell signal dots, can it be had on Apple Watch 2 running OS4 ?

 

[Rayfire]

Other than the cell signal dots, can it be had on Apple Watch 2 running OS4 ?

I checked my Series 1 watch and it doesn't look like it has the "Explorer" face, it may be a Series 3 thing only.

 

[groovyd]

red dot = no sale for me. have a series 1 and am happy with it still so will wait to see if the dot disappears on the 4. No dot is my preference then one that is a neutral colour [black / white /grey] if they feel like they really have to.

sorry but since jobs passing apple seems to love adorning bling. doubtful it will get any less flashy in the future only more so in order to sell more units to people who want to be differentiated from those with last year's model.

 

[cheekyjeremy]

I checked my Series 1 watch and it doesn't look like it has the "Explorer" face, it may be a Series 3 thing only.

Where did you source the info that it is called Explorer ?. Can any Series Three folks confirm you have a face called Explorer ?

 

[5105973]

I was at the Apple Store this evening. I have never seen the Apple Watch table with such a big crowd around it. People weren't just looking, they were buying! Regardless of the hatchet job done by the press or the questionable aesthetics of the red dot, it was apparent there were a lot of people waiting for LTE connectivity to come to the Apple Watch.

My husband connected his Space Grey Sport to AT&T with no problems this afternoon and it has worked great. He's been happy with Siri giving him sports scores on it. We had a short phone conversation on it and heard each other fine. He turned his phone off for several hours to test the battery life and it was fine. So far it looks like it can last as long as our regular Apple Watches with LTE turned on and short conversations taking place. I would not expect long conversations to not drain the battery though. I will try next time I call my dad, though. Mwahaha! The reason for the evil laugh is that I am always testing new tech on my poor dad!

I can't wait for my silver Nike to arrive. I also fell hopelessly in love with a silver IPhone 8 Plus. They did not have one to come home with me. The gold and the space gray iPhone 8's were also gorgeous. It took me awhile to decide the silver one was my favorite. The iPhone X is sure to be gorgeous, too. Apple has done a wonderful job on material aesthetics this year. (I'll reserve comment on the notch).

I also took a look at the Note 8, since I'm a Samsung enthusiast as well. It's lovely.

 

[Rayfire]

Where did you source the info that it is called Explorer ?. Can any Series Three folks confirm you have a face called Explorer ?

Because I own a Series 3 and I'm using the said watch face.

 

[Traverse]

That red dot though is off putting somewhat. But regardless, easily a nice upgrade from the first Generation Apple Watch owners.

I went to see them in person. I don't like the red dot, but it's honestly not that bad on the SS and silver Sport models. It looks worse on the Space Gray and black SS models.

 

[gene731]

People that are having connectivity issues with LTE have auto join turn on their phone and this will cause the apple watch to connect to non authenticated networks. Simple fix turn it off and forget networks you dont use on your phone.

Battery life is pretty good for how small it is. It not designed to be used for hours as a phone. People wanting that should move on for now.

Yes no kidding. Perhaps they should just use their phones for the calls. At least for this watch series. Hopefully talk time will keep improving with newer watches in the future. No disrespect to anyone.

 

[sigjuice]

Not only a redesign to look beautiful like on the android side but also goddamn custom faces. How long till that. Or maybe jailbreak is already out and I didn't know.

Custom faces will never happen. Apple has been very ruthless in how they have controlled the watch faces. The don't even let you type more than 4 letters in the Monogram complication. I think they don't want people typing Rolex in there.

 

[Joelist]

I have yet to even notice the red dot, and talk time has been just fine. As I stated upthread I have done conference calls off of the watch and had plenty of juice left afterward.

 

[Keirasplace]

Custom faces will never happen. Apple has been very ruthless in how they have controlled the watch faces. The don't even let you type more than 4 letters in the Monogram complication. I think they don't want people typing Rolex in there.

Rolex doesn’t want people typing that. They care less probably that someone do that on a Fitbit... as the Swiss watch market really start retreating in the next 2 years I expect the watch makers will start licensing their trademarked faces. Better than no sales...

 

[44267547]

I went to see them in person. I don't like the red dot, but it's honestly not that bad on the SS and silver Sport models. It looks worse on the Space Gray and black SS models.

Good point. I think the red dot blends easier m with the stainless, as it would be Much more of a contrast with the space gray Sport Watch. I think a black dot would have been more suitable, but that's just my preference.

 

[mrfrosty]

Coming soon-colored sticky dots to hide the HIDEOUS red dot. $9.99 each or 3 for 19.99! Or Product red dots? Or rainbow ones? Or color matched dots included with straps? How about a custom printed dot with your face on it? Or a tiny Seurat painting?

I had a red dot on my original series 1.

http://watchdots.com

 

[mtsullivan]

I'm loving my Apple Watch Series 3 w/LTE! I tried the Apple Watch Series 2 last April for a week and while I liked it a lot, for the price it still felt like a pricey convenience. With the 3 w/LTE you've got a device that can operate independently enough where I can leave my phone, if need be, at home without worry. The battery has not been an issue at all when untethered from my phone. I'm certainly aware that if I were to make a long call it would significantly reduce my battery life, but this holds true for my phone if I am doing something on it that would drain the battery faster than usual, like playing games. So to bash this device for poor battery life is silly; relative to its size and capacity it does what it is supposed to.

As far as the red dot I don't understand all the hate towards this... when wearing it you don't even notice it unless you look at the side of the watch intentionally. Why this would be a deal breaker vs all the incredible functionality is baffling.

I would highly, highly recommend the Apple Watch Series 3 w/LTE. I could foresee passing this onto my daughter in a few years when she's old enough to make use of it.

And Speidel’s Twist-O-Flex watch band is so cool!!!

 

[dilbert99]

Got to admit that was a dumb idea putting a red sticker on it.

 

[3goldens]

Agreed 100%!
I don’t mind the red dot, I would have preferred the blue from the last series but hey, it’s what it is. There are options like the little dots some Company was selling and I put on my series 2 aluminum....go get whatever color you want and stop whining about a great product that is working for me flawlessly.

Who looks at the crown of their watch anyway?

Was wondering if the watch in your picture was a stainless or aluminum one? I think I like that old fashion band, might have to look into one of those! Looks awesome!

I'm loving my Apple Watch Series 3 w/LTE! I tried the Apple Watch Series 2 last April for a week and while I liked it a lot, for the price it still felt like a pricey convenience. With the 3 w/LTE you've got a device that can operate independently enough where I can leave my phone, if need be, at home without worry. The battery has not been an issue at all when untethered from my phone. I'm certainly aware that if I were to make a long call it would significantly reduce my battery life, but this holds true for my phone if I am doing something on it that would drain the battery faster than usual, like playing games. So to bash this device for poor battery life is silly; relative to its size and capacity it does what it is supposed to.

As far as the red dot I don't understand all the hate towards this... when wearing it you don't even notice it unless you look at the side of the watch intentionally. Why this would be a deal breaker vs all the incredible functionality is baffling.

I would highly, highly recommend the Apple Watch Series 3 w/LTE. I could foresee passing this onto my daughter in a few years when she's old enough to make use of it.

And Speidel’s Twist-O-Flex watch band is so cool!!!

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It’s the explorer watch face and i think only available with an LTE watch - it has a cell connection strength indicator

Really? That’s a cell connection indicator?? I’ll have to check that out next time I go outside without my phone!
I was trying to figure out what the hellthat was because one can not configure the watch that way.

I initially purchased the Hermes because I love the dial and the look of the band with the stainless steel but you know for the price it’s just not worth it. Forst of all the band while beautifully manufactured will not hold up for folks who do not like to remove their watch in the shower or who have a tendency to get their watch bands wet....the leather will not hold up and who knows whether or not they will cover that in the Hermes/Apple are warranty. I’m told they send the band back to Oaris for repairs! The hell with that!
For my series 2 s/s I just got a tan sharkskin band which holds up in water really really well!

While the ananlog dial offered is very classy that configuration does not allow for any other shortcuts other than the date and so one is forced to use only the buttoned for apps etc. so I went back to the plain s/s and tan sharkskin band.

 

[Bolt1982]

I tried to get my Mickey Mouse to tell me the time when you tap it and it won’t.... plus still can’t get your Facebook messages only notifications so still need phone for Facebook

 

[zombierunner]

Mostly cloudy the watch says in bright sunlight.

 

[mtsullivan]

Agreed 100%!
I don’t mind the red dot, I would have preferred the blue from the last series but hey, it’s what it is. There are options like the little dots some Company was selling and I put on my series 2 aluminum....go get whatever color you want and stop whining about a great product that is working for me flawlessly.

Who looks at the crown of their watch anyway?

Was wondering if the watch in your picture was a stainless or aluminum one? I think I like that old fashion band, might have to look into one of those! Looks awesome!

Silver Aluminum!

 

[NiceSpaceGrey]

I can confirm that the LTE does not work. Have been trying all day to get it to work. Both Verizon and Apple have no idea how to fix it. HUGE FAIL!

Same issue here but I found a fix.

After a fresh Watch setup, if you are unlucky it seems that the Watch is not fully connected to the LTE even after setting up the cellular plan successfully. As a result, phone calls are not working when the iPhone is out of range.

Here is how to fix it (tested in Canada), you just have to do it once:
Make sure that you completed the cellular setup.
On your Watch (do not do it on the iPhone), go to the home menu, touch the "settings" icon.
The "Settings" screen appears on the watch. Select "Cellular" (4th item from the top).
The "Cellular" screen appears. You will see 2 labels "Plan" and "Status".
It is possible that under the label "Plan" it says "No Plan". To fix it, go back to the previous screen and re-enter immediately the "Cellular" menu. "No Plan" will be replaced by the name of your phone company.
Under Status, you will see "Loading". Wait until it says "Connected". Now the watch is fully connected.
Leave your iPhone, go outside. Make some phone calls. Enjoy