Is It True Series 2 and Series 3 Have Different Heart Rate Features? Does that mean S4 does even more?

[HappyDude20]

I was just told that S2 & S3, although containing the same hardware, have something in their software that allows the S3 to detect heart rate continuously all throughout the day, while S2 only detects heart rate during workouts in workout mode.

Is this true?

Of course I'd prefer all day continuous tracking, but of course price is a major concern at the moment.

I know S4 and S5 have the EKG feature, but considering I just purchased an at-home EKG machine that connects to iOS devices, I don't think I would require the S4/S5 variants of the Apple Watch.

 

[Wando64]

I don't think there is any difference in the HR monitoring of S2 and S3, but I am not entirely sure without doing more research.

However, regarding S4 and S5, you might want to keep this in mind:
- The best EKG machine is the one you have with you when you have symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm. The watch is always with you.
- The EKG electronics on the watch can also be used to give you a more precise heart rate, based on the electrical signal rather than the optical sensor. This is not automatic (you will need to touch the crown while reading the HR) however it can be useful in certain circumstances.

If you decide to go for an earlier version, I would strongly recommend the S3 as it is a much faster watch.

 

[HappyDude20]

I don't think there is any difference in the HR monitoring of S2 and S3, but I am not entirely sure without doing more research.

However, regarding S4 and S5, you might want to keep this in mind:
- The best EKG machine is the one you have with you when you have symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm. The watch is always with you.
- The EKG electronics on the watch can also be used to give you a more precise heart rate, based on the electrical signal rather than the optical sensor. This is not automatic (you will need to touch the crown while reading the HR) however it can be useful in certain circumstances.

If you decide to go for an earlier version, I would strongly recommend the S3 as it is a much faster watch.

Some website says it but can’t confirm it anywhere else. I’m attaching two photos.

 

[darkarw]

It’s also worth noting that the series 2 watch will not get the WatchOS 7 update where the series 3 will be compatible with the update.

 

[HappyDude20]

It’s also worth noting that the series 2 watch will not get the WatchOS 7 update where the series 3 will be compatible with the update.

upon researching watchOS 7 the big and only appeal For me is the sleep tracking feature. I know there are third party apps that can detect sleep and there’s debate as to if those third party apps are better than Apples (at least in this first iteration), but I do like the upcoming sleep tracking feature.

Price in spending on the Apple Watch is the biggest factor for me and although I do want an Apple Watch Series 3 cause it’s faster and gets the update, the series 2 is also good I hear.

 

[darkarw]

Can I ask the price that you have found a series 2 for? The only reason I ask is that you might be able to find a series 3 for not much more.

 

[HappyDude20]

Can I ask the price that you have found a series 2 for? The only reason I ask is that you might be able to find a series 3 for not much more.

On average I’m finding S2 aluminum for $75-ish bucks, depending on the quality.

S2 stainless steel for around $125.

S3 Aluminum for $140-ish, depending.

S3 stainless steel $175 depending on quality.

S4 aluminum $250.

 

[rcarter3636]

Heart sensor on AW 2 and 3 are the same. Sensor changed on AW 4 but from my findings the sensor is just as accurate on the 2,3,4 and 5.
The software controls the sensor the same on all AW. None will show heart rate 24/7 like a Fitbit but you can trust the heart rate sensor on your AW more than the Fitbit.

 

[HappyDude20]

Heart None will show heart rate 24/7 like a Fitbit but you can trust the heart rate sensor on your AW more than the Fitbit.

Whoa, so I gotta ask:

I didn’t know FitBit can track heart rate 24/7, but why do you say I can trust the Apple Watch HR sensor more than a FitBit one?

Seems like my decision as someone who is about to make a purchase is deciding between all day heart rate monitoring that’s not accurate (Fitbit), versus accurate heart rate monitoring that doesn’t monitor all day (AW).

 

[rcarter3636]

Whoa, so I gotta ask:

I didn’t know FitBit can track heart rate 24/7, but why do you say I can trust the Apple Watch HR sensor more than a FitBit one?

Seems like my decision as someone who is about to make a purchase is deciding between all day heart rate monitoring that’s not accurate (Fitbit), versus accurate heart rate monitoring that doesn’t monitor all day (AW).

It’s not a secret that AW is the standard for optical heart rate sensor. None I’ve tested are even close. Especially with working out.
Now if you only tend to use it primarily for not exercise, Fitbit is very good and accurate. Fitbit will read a resting heart rate as well as any. It’s when moving like exercising is when the Fitbit faulted.

 

[HappyDude20]

It’s not a secret that AW is the standard for optical heart rate sensor. None I’ve tested are even close. Especially with working out.
Now if you only tend to use it primarily for not exercise, Fitbit is very good and accurate. Fitbit will read a resting heart rate as well as any. It’s when moving like exercising is when the Fitbit faulted.

Ah. Good to know.

In regards to the third post in this thread where I included photos I was led to believe the AW S3 would show more heart data than the S2.

 

[rcarter3636]

Ah. Good to know.

In regards to the third post in this thread where I included photos I was led to believe the AW S3 would show more heart data than the S2.

All AW will show the same data.
All run on the same software.
As mentioned before AW 2 will not update to the new software this fall.

 

[Significant1]

If you go for secondhand you should also factor in the age of the battery.

 

[darkarw]

On average I’m finding S2 aluminum for $75-ish bucks, depending on the quality.

S2 stainless steel for around $125.

S3 Aluminum for $140-ish, depending.

S3 stainless steel $175 depending on quality.

S4 aluminum $250.

I think it’s important to note the age and life of the battery when going secondhand for sure. Having owned a Series 0 and a Series 4 I can say that they definitely decline over time like any other lithium battery. It sounds like you are making this purchase for a long term investment. That being said I personally would go new.

 

[HappyDude20]

I think it’s important to note the age and life of the battery when going secondhand for sure. Having owned a Series 0 and a Series 4 I can say that they definitely decline over time like any other lithium battery. It sounds like you are making this purchase for a long term investment. That being said I personally would go new.

After much deliberation I've come to the conclusion that I have to purchase at the very least the Series 3 considering its the first model to include an altimeter and I walk many flights of stairs every day. I can't do the Series 2 anymore, which means I'll most likely purchase an aluminum S3 instead of a stainless steel S2.

My only gripe about all this is that I've always thought the aluminum version looks like a kid's toy, while the stainless steel has always come across to me as a proper adult watch.

But altimeter takes precedence.

 

[HappyDude20]

Update: Ordered the S3 Apple Watch and super excited.