Gurman: Apple Watch 'Pro' to Offer First True Redesign Since Series 4, but No Flat Sides

[spinedoc77]

although Garmin has made strides with the latest generation optical heart rate unit in their newest watches like the Fenix, Epix, 955, 255 etc. it still isn't as good as Apple's in the S7. All that said while Apple is the best to do it at the wrist and does a reasonable job with HIIT and lifting, it is still hardly perfect for those categories. An optical band from the likes of Polar or Scosche worn on the bicep / upper arm does a much better job or a regular HRM strap worn on the chest is the best of all (as long as it is warm and your skin has some moisture or gel.) Apple Watches work with all options of course.

I used to have the Scosche arm band that was pretty decent at HIIT, it sounds like it's worth getting a secondary band. Although in all honesty I don't really pay much attention to my HR and zones, I'm more old school and just use RPE. Especially for HIIT which is really all out, it doesn't necessarily matter where your HR is anyway. I just gripe about it because it's annoying to wait 10-20 seconds for a zone change, but it won't change my workout.

 

[canyonblue737]

I used to have the Scosche arm band that was pretty decent at HIIT, it sounds like it's worth getting a secondary band. Although in all honesty I don't really pay much attention to my HR and zones, I'm more old school and just use RPE. Especially for HIIT which is really all out, it doesn't necessarily matter where your HR is anyway. I just gripe about it because it's annoying to wait 10-20 seconds for a zone change, but it won't change my workout.

yeah, I do think there is a point where it is "good enough" and I think apple has reached that point at the wrist for most cardio activities. for lifting I think all wrist OHR devices end up sometimes "shorting the peak" of a sudden rapid increase in HR but ultimately... is that critical to the review of the workout? I'd argue for a lifting workout HR isn't nearly as critical than the volume of work you do (how much you lift, how many times.) I think the only type of workout where it matters, but it isn't perfect is HIIT... where they are cardio centric but the nature of them means the wrist OHR struggles to get the peaks and valleys since they come so fast and go so fast, perhaps for those a real data nerd can ideally wear a chest strap OR at least an OHR that is on the upper arm.

 

[mazz0]

For the same thickness and volume titanium is equal in strength to steel but 45% lighter.

Yeah, I went and read some articles about it. Sounds like the toughest steel alloys are tougher than the toughest titanium alloys, though not necessarily by much. Still though, switching to titanium is clearly not about making something more rugged. It could be claimed to be about making it lighter, but I think we all know it’s about marketing - titanium just sounds more Pro doesn’t it?

 

[SDJim]

I guess you will be stuck with old versions then.

My Series 4 is still running like a champ. I'll maybe just pick up a series 5 or 6 for dirt cheap from some chump who feels compelled to upgrade for no reason so I can enjoy the always-on display.

 

[legatoboy]

I don’t care about the design. A blood pressure and blood glucose monitor would be the true game changer and will save millions of lifes.

Samsung Galaxy watch 4 has blood pressure monitoring but requires a Samsung phone. It’s tempting.

Glucose monitoring is important to many.
I feel that Apple Watch is a fitness watch only for the ones who are young and healthy.

For someone who is a little bit older 40,50s,60s with some medical complications we are not Apple’s target audience.