Is it still a good time to consider upgrading to S3?

[ApplePersonFreak]

I currently am rocking a 2.5 year old S0 that’s still chugging along. Still works great, just really slow and the battery of course is nothing like it was when I first got it. I’m thinking about upgrading to S3, but how soon is it going to be till the next release? Should I go ahead and get it or just wait it out?

 

[44267547]

I currently am rocking a 2.5 year old S0 that’s still chugging along. Still works great, just really slow and the battery of course is nothing like it was when I first got it. I’m thinking about upgrading to S3, but how soon is it going to be till the next release? Should I go ahead and get it or just wait it out?

Take advantage of the Series 3 now. It's all speculation and no guarantee of a Series 4 in September, even for those who want to believe there will be. And the Series 3 as fast it is, you would greatly appreciate the upgrade over your first generation almost every aspect.

 

[Apple Fritter]

No better time than now. The S3 is lightyears ahead of the S0 and it's just been available long enough to make sure everything's alright.

 

[Lets Go]

I am in the same situation. I am thinking of waiting because this is the first generation to offer LTE and I am thinking the next generation will improve the LTE even more. Before I get flamed I am not saying the LTE is bad on the Series 3 as I don't own one. I am just thinking improvements will be made from the first attempt.

 

[jav6454]

I am in the same situation. I am thinking of waiting because this is the first generation to offer LTE and I am thinking the next generation will improve the LTE even more. Before I get flamed I am not saying the LTE is bad on the Series 3 as I don't own one. I am just thinking improvements will be made from the first attempt.

I actually think this is a very great approach. Apple has had a history of releasing new things and features that work as the beta testing phase on a mass market. After issues arise, they spend the next year fixing it and making it right. Hence, the next cycle always is better.

In this case, LTE on an Apple Watch, while its great, I'm sure the next one will carry all the fixes for a properly functioning LTE AW. Obviously every year something better comes out, but the fixes for previous years models always make a difference. (like S cycles in the iPhone)

 

[Otflyer]

With this kind of thinking, you will save a lot of money because, you will never buy any tech.

 

[jonnyb098]

Take advantage of the Series 3 now. It's all speculation and no guarantee of a Series 4 in September, even for those who want to believe there will be. And the Series 3 as fast it is, you would greatly appreciate the upgrade over your first generation almost every aspect.

Saying a series 4 is not guaranteed in september is like saying theres no guarantee of an iPhone in september.....yes there is and yes there will be.

The whole 'its all speculation" argument doesn't work anymore. Everything has been leaked and damn near 100 percent accurate for years on the flagship products. Those days of 'who knows what apple will do' are over. Apple is too big of a company for suppliers not to leak anything. They are watched like a hawk.

 

[44267547]

Saying a series 4 is not guaranteed in september is like saying theres no guarantee of an iPhone in september.....yes there is and yes there will be..

Not an appropriate comparison to the iPhone with the Apple Watch. Two separate categories and there is no consistency with the Apple Watch timeline being established the way the iPhone is. So what I said is accurate based off there is no certainty, but it doesn't mean a Series 4 isn't possible in Fall 2018 either. Furthermore, The iPhone generates over 60 percent of Apples revenue, which it's inevitable that they were release a new model every single year, the Apple Watch is does not guarantee a release Soley based on what you stated.

yes there is and yes there will be

This doesn't make your Post any more accurate because your established beliefs. Way to early to know otherwise.

The whole 'its all speculation" argument doesn't work anymore.

Speculation doesn't work on a rumored website? I have to disagree with you.

Everything has been leaked and damn near 100 percent accurate for years on the flagship products..

That's not entirely true at all. The only thing that was even leaked for the first generation Apple Watch was a CAD render. Also, the Apple Watch is not a flagship product, it's a niche category that's an accessory to the iPhone.

Those days of 'who knows what apple will do' are over.

Not true. The most accurate Apple Insider being Ming Kuo who has the most pin pointed track record, but even has been wrong before.

Apple is too big of a company for suppliers not to leak anything. They are watched like a hawk.

The only real leaks Uncovered with the Series 3 Apple Watch was by a developer in late August through the HomePod code. Otherwise, there were very few leaks at for the Apple Watch, especially compared to the iPhone that has a much stronger anticipation.

 

[jonnyb098]

Not an appropriate comparison to the iPhone with the Apple Watch. Two separate categories and there is no consistency with the Apple Watch timeline being established the way the iPhone is. So what I said is accurate based off there is no certainty, but it doesn't mean a Series 4 isn't possible in Fall 2018 either. Furthermore, The iPhone generates over 60 percent of Apples revenue, which it's inevitable that they were release a new model every single year, the Apple Watch is does not guarantee a release Soley based on what you stated.



This doesn't make your Post any more accurate because your established beliefs. Way to early to know otherwise.



Speculation doesn't work on a rumored website? I have to disagree with you.



That's not entirely true at all. The only thing that was even leaked for the first generation Apple Watch was a CAD render. Also, the Apple Watch is not a flagship product, it's a niche category that's an accessory to the iPhone.



Not true. The most accurate Apple Insider being Ming Kuo who has the most pin pointed track record, but even has been wrong before.



The only real leaks Uncovered with the Series 3 Apple Watch was by a developer in late August through the HomePod code. Otherwise, there were very few leaks at for the Apple Watch, especially compared to the iPhone that has a much stronger anticipation.

Your overall point was its speculation to think Series 4 would come out in the fall. My basic logic and reasoning is based on Apple releasing Apple Watches in the fall for the last 2 years and iPhones in the fall for the last 7 years. And also them being companion products thus making the most sense to release a watch with the phone. And yes Apple watch is the flagship smart watch in the industry. Yes the leaks are less with the watch since the changes are much more minor and incremental each year compared to iPhone.

The OP wanted to know how soon until the next release. You think its up in the air based on.....whatever. I think its more set for a fall release based on their past release schedule.

 

[44267547]

My basic logic and reasoning is based on Apple releasing Apple Watches in the fall for the last 2 years and iPhones in the fall for the last 7 years. .

I understand your beliefs, but you correlating the iPhone has nothing to do with the Apple Watch being released in the last seven years, when the Apple Watch has been in existence for almost three years with one of them being a staggered launch. The iPhone always releases consistently in September. Its not relevant to the Apple Watch at all.

And also them being companion products thus making the most sense to release a watch with the phone.

The first generation Apple Watch did not launch next to the iPhone in April 2015. I understand it's a companion product, but if a Series 4 does launch in the Fall, it doesn't mean it has to either, similarly how the AirPods were announced in September 2016, but actually had a release date of October before the initial delay.

And yes Apple watch is the flagship smart watch in the industry. .

There are three major competitors, You have the Apple Watch, android and Fitbit. For those who have an android phone, the choice is fairly obvious. And for those who have an iPhone, obviously it's the Apple Watch. So it doesn't really make it a 'flagship', it just means you go with what platform you're using. Unless you want to neutral device like the Fitbit. But the Apple Watch has a very strong foothold in the Smart watch era due to the iPhone domination.

The OP wanted to know how soon until the next release. You think its up in the air based on.....whatever..

I have no idea what your Post means. What were you expecting me to base my opinion on? Unsubstantiated facts about a smart Watch with no guarantee? It's a rumored website with speculation based on pure theory and guesses.

And again, there is no direct answer. So naturally, no one can feasibly answer the OP's question, only make an educated guess, which I did.

 

[jonnyb098]

I have no idea what your Post means. What were you expecting me to base my opinion on? Unsubstantiated facts about a smart Watch with no guarantee? It's a rumored website with speculation based on pure theory and guesses.

And again, there is no direct answer. So naturally, no one can feasibly answer the OP's question, only make an educated guess, which I did.

You based your opinion on your "educated guess" as you stated. We just differ on that guess. You think there are no guarantees. My educated guess is based on my previous points and release cycles that it'll be fall.

As far as Apple Watch being a flagship smart watch, that is based on it being the most popular and best selling smart watch (based on 46% marketshare). And it's the smart watch by which all others are compared against. Of course using different smart phones limits what watch you can use. That wasn't the point of my statement. Its the most popular which makes it a flagship in the industry. Plain and simple.

 

[44267547]

You think there are no guarantees..

That's because there isn't. Not sure why you're even making this point on a rumored website.

You based your opinion on your "educated guess" as you stated. We just differ on that guess. You think there are no guarantees. My educated guess is based on my previous points and release cycles that it'll be fall.

Every opinion on here is an "educated guess", as yours is no different than mine. I have no idea why you're even addressing something that either one of has speculation with unsubstantiated evidence.

As far as Apple Watch being a flagship smart watch, that is based on it being the most popular and best selling smart watch (based on 46% marketshare).

Which is in direct correlation to what I stated below already Reference the iPhone. I'm not contesting the popularity or questioning the market share.

Reference:

But the Apple Watch has a very strong foothold in the Smart watch era due to the iPhone domination..

And..

Of course using different smart phones limits what watch you can use. That wasn't the point of my statement. Its the most popular which makes it a flagship in the industry. Plain and simple.

I Believe you are misconstruing what flagship means. As I mentioned, you only have select competitors you can choose a smart watch through. That said, you would choose the smart watch based on what Platform phone you're using, unless it's a Fitbit that can be used vice versa. It could also mean that their could multiple iterations of one device under the same manufacturer, which may be their flagship. The Apple Watch is the only sole device that is offered under their smart watch lineup versus android/Fitbit that might have multiple versions.


But the Apple Watch as a great device as it is, is due to the iPhone being the best selling device in the world that one naturally would follow suit what they choose for a smart watch. You seem to be conflating between two different things.

But I am in agreement the Apple Watch is dominant attributed to its success over other smart Watches, but doesn't make it a 'flagship' if you're using an opposing platform that the Apple Watch would not be an option to begin with.

 

[canyonblue737]

I currently am rocking a 2.5 year old S0 that’s still chugging along. Still works great, just really slow and the battery of course is nothing like it was when I first got it. I’m thinking about upgrading to S3, but how soon is it going to be till the next release? Should I go ahead and get it or just wait it out?

most likely the earliest series 4 will arrive is mid to late September of 2018s, so 8 more months.

 

[Shanghaichica]

There is never a better time to upgrade from the series 0. Mine had been crying out to be updated since jan/feb of 2017.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am in the same situation. I am thinking of waiting because this is the first generation to offer LTE and I am thinking the next generation will improve the LTE even more. Before I get flamed I am not saying the LTE is bad on the Series 3 as I don't own one. I am just thinking improvements will be made from the first attempt.

Using that philosophy, you should keep on waiting indefinitely, as every new release gets better and better. Trying to stay ahead of the curve here is a losing battle. Get what you want whenever you want it.

 

[JanoschR]

I think it's a legit question and (if you don't need a commercial invoice) now is a good time to acquire a series 3 on eBay. The prices are considerably lower than in the first few weeks after the release but you'll still have 8 more month with the latest model.

 

[BarracksSi]

I am in the same situation. I am thinking of waiting because this is the first generation to offer LTE and I am thinking the next generation will improve the LTE even more. Before I get flamed I am not saying the LTE is bad on the Series 3 as I don't own one. I am just thinking improvements will be made from the first attempt.

I'd agree, but from a different angle.

I'd say that the LTE on the watch itself is fine (and will mostly keep pace with LTE standards as they and the watch get upgraded), but the LTE carriers' support of the AW on their networks (mainly the initial setup and payment plans) needs improvement.

 

[tgara]

I currently am rocking a 2.5 year old S0 that’s still chugging along. Still works great, just really slow and the battery of course is nothing like it was when I first got it. I’m thinking about upgrading to S3, but how soon is it going to be till the next release? Should I go ahead and get it or just wait it out?

Get an S3. I made the same upgrade from S0 to S3 that you are contemplating, and I don't regret it one bit. The S3 is faster, brighter, and the battery life is wonderful. The apps are actually useful because you don't have to wait for a response from the watch in most situations.

FYI, I kept my S0 and use it for workouts. Every time I put it on, I think to myself, gee, I'm glad I have an S3 and don't use this slow S0 watch anymore.

 

[conifer]

I think it's a legit question and (if you don't need a commercial invoice) now is a good time to acquire a series 3 on eBay. The prices are considerably lower than in the first few weeks after the release but you'll still have 8 more month with the latest model.

I have the 3/LTE now and I had the zero for its first six months before I lost it.

I bought the 3/LTE to try it out and am keeping it because it changed my experience the same way the zero did.

The zero got me exercising to a certain routine but then became a pain to charge daily and at the time (six months after it debuted), they took away constant heart rate monitoring in the software perhaps because of battery concerns. So I managed to lose it. I give it credit though for giving me the exercise routine that I use to this day.
I ran into 2 apple employees who still have the zero. Neither use it for exercise. I told them both that the 3/LTE is a new experience and they should try it. Apple has the two-week return and they are confident in their products if people try them.

Here is what the 3/LTE has done for me in less than a month.
I. It changed my exercise routine again.
Because its fast with app switching and has the dock, I found it easy to set up workouts which I supplement my current exercise routine with.
I really like the fact that it has tons of data on heart rate and it measures heart rate variability which I am using as a relative marker to see what my system likes better (warmer is better than cold weather for my heart).
Its measuring stair climbing so that is giving me incentive to climb more stairs. (you can do this on the phone).
The GPS gives me an easy way to see how much I walk. I didn't know my current walk was so long. I didn't know also that I am accustomed to it and the watch doesn't think it is much exercise for me.

II. Music
One of the best things with the LTE vs the regular 3 is that it has more storage for music. I loaded a bunch of recordings on my iPhone and then synced the playlists over to the watch (its annoying that I have to put them on the phone first though). Using an app called pod2watch, i can put podcasts directly on the watch too.
It also has apple radio for free but you need wifi or LTE to use it.
Listening to music on the watch requires AirPods or some other bluetooth.

III. The Band
I really like the sports loop nylon band much much better than the sports elastomer. Its so light! (You can get a knockoff for the zero on Amazon.)

These above are all things for free with the watch and you can get some good deals where the LTE is the cost of the regular one now (BestBuy refurb for example).

IV. Other features with the 3/LTE that might cost money
A. Apple music can be streamed and controlled through the watch but costs money. I'm not ready for it. I am doing subscription services now but top of my list is to support good press and then there are subscription services now for movies in theaters and they are taking my money also (sorry apple).

B. I would consider the LTE service but $10 plus $$3-$6 taxes a month is too high. I might try it if it was $5-$7 all in. I am thinking when the new watch comes out, maybe the prepaid services will be allowed to sell the old watch with service like they do with old phones. Right now the watch is locked to the big carriers.

C. It is waterproof resistant so I could go swimming but would have to join a pool. Might be something for the future.

I bought the LTE at best buy. It was a refurb at same price as non LTE so OK deal. It was called refurb but never activated so Apple is giving me full warranty. Some of their refurbs though are activated before they are returned--it is luck of the draw.

edit: Battery goes down by 50% in a day with modest workout and wearing it 24/7. It charges fast. I got rid of an app extension that I thought was using too much battery but am not sure. I dont keep a lot of apps on background refresh, just the apple ones.

edit2: I am imagining the watch LTE might change again when 5G is debuted. At that point I might upgrade, depending on cost. It is giving me good value now though so i don't regret it. I watch my apple purchases carefully to make sure they give me good value.

 

[Javabird]

I have the 3/LTE now and I had the zero for its first six months before I lost it.

I bought the 3/LTE to try it out and am keeping it because it changed my experience the same way the zero did.

The zero got me exercising to a certain routine but then became a pain to charge daily and at the time (six months after it debuted), they took away constant heart rate monitoring in the software perhaps because of battery concerns. So I managed to lose it. I give it credit though for giving me the exercise routine that I use to this day.
I ran into 2 apple employees who still have the zero. Neither use it for exercise. I told them both that the 3/LTE is a new experience and they should try it. Apple has the two-week return and they are confident in their products if people try them.

Here is what the 3/LTE has done for me in less than a month.
I. It changed my exercise routine again.
Because its fast with app switching and has the dock, I found it easy to set up workouts which I supplement my current exercise routine with.
I really like the fact that it has tons of data on heart rate and it measures heart rate variability which I am using as a relative marker to see what my system likes better (warmer is better than cold weather for my heart).
Its measuring stair climbing so that is giving me incentive to climb more stairs. (you can do this on the phone).
The GPS gives me an easy way to see how much I walk. I didn't know my current walk was so long. I didn't know also that I am accustomed to it and the watch doesn't think it is much exercise for me.

II. Music
One of the best things with the LTE vs the regular 3 is that it has more storage for music. I loaded a bunch of recordings on my iPhone and then synced the playlists over to the watch (its annoying that I have to put them on the phone first though). Using an app called pod2watch, i can put podcasts directly on the watch too.
It also has apple radio for free but you need wifi or LTE to use it.
Listening to music on the watch requires AirPods or some other bluetooth.

III. The Band
I really like the sports loop nylon band much much better than the sports elastomer. Its so light! (You can get a knockoff for the zero on Amazon.)

These above are all things for free with the watch and you can get some good deals where the LTE is the cost of the regular one now (BestBuy refurb for example).

IV. Other features with the 3/LTE that might cost money
A. Apple music can be streamed and controlled through the watch but costs money. I'm not ready for it. I am doing subscription services now but top of my list is to support good press and then there are subscription services now for movies in theaters and they are taking my money also (sorry apple).

B. I would consider the LTE service but $10 plus $$3-$6 taxes a month is too high. I might try it if it was $5-$7 all in. I am thinking when the new watch comes out, maybe the prepaid services will be allowed to sell the old watch with service like they do with old phones. Right now the watch is locked to the big carriers.

C. It is waterproof resistant so I could go swimming but would have to join a pool. Might be something for the future.

I bought the LTE at best buy. It was a refurb at same price as non LTE so OK deal. It was called refurb but never activated so Apple is giving me full warranty. Some of their refurbs though are activated before they are returned--it is luck of the draw.

edit: Battery goes down by 50% in a day with modest workout and wearing it 24/7. It charges fast. I got rid of an app extension that I thought was using too much battery but am not sure. I dont keep a lot of apps on background refresh, just the apple ones.

edit2: I am imagining the watch LTE might change again when 5G is debuted. At that point I might upgrade, depending on cost. It is giving me good value now though so i don't regret it. I watch my apple purchases carefully to make sure they give me good value.

Thank you for an excellent review. I'm also trying to decide if I should upgrade my S0 and this review is helpful.

 

[PatrickNSF]

I bought the LTE at best buy. It was a refurb at same price as non LTE so OK deal. It was called refurb but never activated so Apple is giving me full warranty. Some of their refurbs though are activated before they are returned--it is luck of the draw.

We recently bought a refurb from Best Buy, too. It gets delivered tomorrow. How did you confirm that Apple that it had not been activated and was still covered by warranty? I'd like to know this first before opening the package.

 

[conifer]

We recently bought a refurb from Best Buy, too. It gets delivered tomorrow. How did you confirm that Apple that it had not been activated and was still covered by warranty? I'd like to know this first before opening the package.

input the serial number into Apple's warranty page https://checkcoverage.apple.com. You will have to open the UPS or Fedex package to look at the Apple box which should have the serial number on it. But just don't activate and pair the watch until you find out the coverage. My Apple box did not have cellophane wrapping.

 

[newellj]

Best Buy "refurbs": my experience is that they're not refurbs at all but customer returns. I've bought quite a few and had differing results (none bad, btw). I got a 2013 rMBP that had never even been powered up, but I also got a late 2012 quad core Mini that had been registered by the first buyer, returned, and then sat on a Best Buy shelf for six months, so the warranty was only six months (I bought AppleCare so I got 2 1/2 years coverage). Best Buy has a good return policy. The advice Conifer gives is solid - follow it.
[doublepost=1515717372][/doublepost]

I'd agree, but from a different angle.

I'd say that the LTE on the watch itself is fine (and will mostly keep pace with LTE standards as they and the watch get upgraded), but the LTE carriers' support of the AW on their networks (mainly the initial setup and payment plans) needs improvement.

I think these are good points. I'd add that I think that the S3 is sort of the iPhone 4 of the Watch line. In other words, it has finally brought together a critical mass of functionality and performance that it has really changed the market/product environment. Like the iPhone 4, I think a Series 3 AW is likely to have quite a few years of solid usefulness in it even if there's a Series 4 that's better/faster/lighter later this year. I'd buy it and get started enjoying the benefits now.

 

[PatrickNSF]

Best Buy has a good return policy. The advice Conifer gives is solid - follow it.

Thanks. My only concern prior to ordering is that Best Buy's return policy states that items that can be "activated," such as the AW, are subject to a 15% restocking fee if opened.

There's no express exception for refurb items, though I think there should be. I just want to make sure that we can check the physical condition of the item and decide whether to keep it without being subject to a restocking fee.

 

[newellj]

Thanks. My only concern prior to ordering is that Best Buy's return policy states that items that can be "activated," such as the AW, are subject to a 15% restocking fee if opened.

There's no express exception for refurb items, though I think there should be. I just want to make sure that we can check the physical condition of the item and decide whether to keep it without being subject to a restocking fee.

You'll have to open the package but almost by definition it will have been opened. So as Conifer said as long as you haven't set the Watch up or paired it, you should be fine. In fact, assuming it's an open box return item, which I think is what you'll get, it will already have been "activated." The possible exception would be something like the MacBook Pro I got that literally had been opened and then returned without ever being powered up, much less set up.

If you check the s/n I think you'll be able to check its warranty coverage.