I’m trying to decided between SE and S6 as my first watch with the deciding factor pretty much being the always on display. I like to costume it for social outings and thought it be nice to have an always on display to help match it color wise but it’s so dim that you can barely see it at a distance let alone discern any color different than black and white. The only real use I could see is if you’re talking to someone and need to keep checking your time without making it too obvious.
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How useful is the always on display really?
- Thread starter RealSkyDiver
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I came from Samsung watches (sport, S3 frontier and active) so was pretty used to AOD. I tried the SE for a few days and just missed AOD. While it was mostly responsive when I flicked the wrist to see time, I just couldn't stand the look of a dark screen when not actively looking. So returned the SE and got A6 SS graphite.
Buy the 6 and if you don't like it turn it off in the watch settings.
It's nice to be able to see the time, and since I charge my watch every night, the impact on battery life hasn't really affected me in any way.
You really need to try them both out for yourself. These are probably the least important reasons to get AOD. And all of these statements are basically wrong:
"so dim you can barely see it"
"let alone discern any color"
"The only real use..."
I dunno, maybe an analogy is power windows in a car. It is hard to explain to someone that has never had power windows why they are so useful. They are not necessary, but really really nice to have, and you only really understand once you have them.
I also think the Apple watch is so ubiquitous and bland* that other people will basically not care what it looks like. It is like smartphones are so ubiquitous that nobody cares what color your smartphone is. What only matters is what you think and like. And you are not "at a distance." The bands, not the watch, are where one can really impact the appearance.
*with some exceptions, like the white ceramic.
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I have the 6. Never considered the SE. I dunno. AOD isn't ALWAYS ON. It turns dark unless I turn my watch to look at the time or workout progress.
I got the 6 for blood oxygen and ECG which I find very useful (but not always accurate). The only thing I regret is not getting the watch in stainless steel, or go for the Hermes version.
Happy shopping.
I got the 6 for blood oxygen and ECG which I find very useful (but not always accurate). The only thing I regret is not getting the watch in stainless steel, or go for the Hermes version.
Happy shopping.
On keeping the display simple, visibility isn't a problem. This one has white hands on a black background with an orange sweep second hand. It's good because it doesn't have that 'dimmed' display look. The only reason to lift the wrist is to swipe over to the neighboring watch face to look at the stock market, or check the day and date, or use the timer.
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I bought my 5 just for the AOD. For the first couple of weeks it was fun to have but later on I said to myself, what's the point of the watch face being on when I'm not looking at it, or when the watch is under my shirt sleeve, not visible at all. Since the display turns on instantly when I decide to look at it, I turned it off. The savings in battery life to me is more important than the display being on when I'm not seeing it.
I am also not using it at all after some early test runs with regards to battery life. Most of the time it is below a sleeve anyway and turning my wrist basically never fails. The only situation where it is really helpful is during workouts.
When it came out on the 5 I was like, I don’t need that. I upgraded to the 6, and now I can’t live without it.
I like it. I use Infographic Modular during the day for messages and world clock. After the workday is ended, I have a shortcut automation change it to "Simple" minimilest screen. Between that and sleep mode I can get 24-36 hours between charges. I think there are some additional things apple could do like allow individual color changes and dim options on complications that would extend the battery life but it's livable now.
It's not like you can turn off the AOD & have it act like the SE! Most folks issue would be with colour etc. I know my GF's was w/ the blue.
Most folks issue would be with colour etc. I know my GF's was w/ the blue.
It's not like you can turn off the AOD & have it act like the SE!
Yes - you certainly could.
But the SE is considerably less expensive and if one is going to disable AOD anyhow, you may as well save the money.
In general, I have no battery issues with the AOD. I have an older watch I use for sleep tracking at night, so I charge my Series 5 every night, and I rarely ever dip below 40% to 50% battery. The AOD is fairly dim on the Series 5, but it’s perfectly adequate for indoor use (and I can definitely see colors when it dims, so I don’t really buy that argument for a moment). The contexts where it’s useful (say, you want to check the time quickly without an exaggerated wrist raise, or you want the knowledge that you can check the display in any circumstances, like during a swimming work out or glancing at the time while driving or biking) outweigh the costs (which, from my perspective, are pretty negligible). The ECG in the 5 and the blood oxygen sensor in the 6 are also useful tools, even if you can’t get medical grade data from the latter.
Yeah, it's about 1/3rd more. Best bang for buck would always be to wait for the refresh in Sep. Personally I prefer having the AOD as it's one thing less to do to check time. I just figured that if the OP has consideration of face colour then case colour obv comes into it.
There is of course the Blood ox & ECG to consider if that's important to you.
I don't buy the saving money, what happens if you get the SE & then want AOD, you're out of luck, bit like how I got the cellular but don't have a plan, I'll let you figure that out.
I'm not quite following.
You could pose similar concerns or questions for literally any purchase - lol
It's real simple.
If you are pretty sure you don't want AOD and/or know you'll want max battery and the Blood/ECG does little or nothing of you...
Save 30%+ and go SE.
Apple Watches devalue quite a bit, so it makes good sense to attempt to asses your needs up front and purchase accordingly.
I personally just hate wasting it and having features I paid for but don't use.
To me that's money I could be allocating to a future purchase of another device, etc.
Exactumundo, buying stuff is a personal choice. How do you know you won't miss it if you've never had it? I went from a Series 0, so defo got my money's worth. As the OP mentioned face colour I figured case colour comes into it. The bugbear of not having AOD was having to touch the face if the wrist twist didn't do it, got annoying after a few times for me, other folk may not bother YMMV.
That's easy to flip though.
"How would I miss it if I've never had it?"
Everyone do what you want with your money.
For me? AOD and ECG/BO aren't worth 30%+ more, particularly on a product that gets rev'd every year.
I'd rather just keep that money in my pocket and see what the offering is the following year and possibly upgrade (or not!)
Good chat - cheers friend!
I would not consider getting another Apple watch without the always on display. It was the main reason I got the S6 and I don’t regret for a moment. It great to be able to glance for the time without raising my wrist, or touching. I frequently use this facility. For battery life, the S6 lasts 2 days on charge with AOD on, so that is no problem.