Looking to buy first Apple Watch.. some questions please : )

[makaveli-313]

Hello everyone : )

I'm planning on getting my first fitness watch in either the Apple Watch Series 6 or the SE model, I wanted to ask a few questions before placing the order please:

- Can I put music on the watch locally? i.e. my entire mp3 collection, If so what is the storage space available on the watch.

- Initially my only intention to purchase the watch is for heart rate tracking, so would only put it on during workouts, how is the heart rate accuracy considered on the watch compared to say chest straps or other brands known for heart rate tracking like garmin or polar?

- Does the watch have Continous heart rate tracking function or does it just 'blip' every few seconds?

- What kind of battery life can I expect if I just use it for 2 hours of workout a day and then take it off till next workout session?

- I noticed that they no longer will bundle a charger, I have the 18W Type-C to Lightning charger from my iphone/airpods pro.. can I just re-use this or I would have to purchase another charger?

- It was mentioned the Series 6 takes 1h 30m to charge from completely dead to 100%... is this fast-charging only available on the Series 6 or the SE model as well?


Thanks in advance

 

[nippyjun]

Yes you can put music directly on the watch.

Heart rate is monitored continuously during workouts. I’ll attach a photo below.

If you are only using it for a 2 hour workout daily and not wearing it the rest of the day and turning it off when not using it then it could last most of a week.

You need a charger with a usb type A port. Unless you buy the USB c charging cable that Apple offers. The cable that comes with the watch is the standard USB a type of cable

I believe the fast charging is only for the Apple Watch series 6.

 

[Shirasaki]

I don’t have answer of all your questions but I can confirm the following.
- regarding the music, it seems that the storage is 8GB. You will not really be able to store your entire library on your watch, though it depends on library size. To put music on your watch, you need to sync music to your paired iPhone, and sync music from iPhone to watch.

- regarding heart rate tracking, it seems to be pretty accurate. Certainly not medical grade but good enough for day to day use.

- battery life? I can say under 45 min or 1 day, depending on how you use your watch.

- I don’t know anything about charger as I charge my watch using a powered USB hub.

 

[makaveli-313]

If you are only using it for a 2 hour workout daily and not wearing it the rest of the day and turning it off when not using it then it could last most of a week.

You need a charger with a usb type A port. Unless you buy the USB c charging cable that Apple offers. The cable that comes with the watch is the standard USB a type of cable

I believe the fast charging is only for the Apple Watch series 6.

okay so nothing like auto-turn off if it doesnt detect a wrist with the flashy sensors. one must manually switch it off after workout.

so the little round charging pad has the cable that is dettachable then? If so I imagine I could re-use my lightning to type-c cable, presuming the bit that goes into the pad is a lightning as rest of their devices..

thanks for the fast-charging answer. So how long does a S5 take to charge from 0% to 100% I should ask then?
I figure if the SE model doesn't have fast-charge it would take as long as the S5 watch to charge from dead.

I don’t have answer of all your questions but I can confirm the following.
- regarding the music, it seems that the storage is 8GB. You will not really be able to store your entire library on your watch, though it depends on library size. To put music on your watch, you need to sync music to your paired iPhone, and sync music from iPhone to watch.

- regarding heart rate tracking, it seems to be pretty accurate. Certainly not medical grade but good enough for day to day use.

8GB okay thank you. would you know how much the total storage is in general on the devices?

and very good to know the heart rate tracking is on point.

 

[maerz001]

S5 and SE have 32GB storage.

both 2,5h to charge full

The charger only works with usb a. As mentioned. U can’t use lightning as the cable is fixed.

 

[nippyjun]

The watches do have auto work out detection and if you don’t manually start a workout on the watch it will ask you after a few minutes if you want to track a work out. And similarly when you enter work out it’ll detect that as well and ask if you want to stop the work out. After you stop the work out the sensors would turn off. But the watch is still on and if you wanted to get the longest battery life out of the watch said you would turn the watch off completely if you are not using it.

As far as the charging puck it is not a detachable cable. It has a USB type a male ending.

 

[makaveli-313]

The watches do have auto work out detection and if you don’t manually start a workout on the watch it will ask you after a few minutes if you want to track a work out. And similarly when you enter work out it’ll detect that as well and ask if you want to stop the work out. After you stop the work out the sensors would turn off. But the watch is still on and if you wanted to get the longest battery life out of the watch said you would turn the watch off completely if you are not using it.

As far as the charging puck it is not a detachable cable. It has a USB type a male ending.

aah no I meant to ask if there was no such thing as a auto turn-off system if the watch detected that its not being worn.. and that I would have to manually turn off the watch each time post workout. Just some minor inconvenience no biggie though : )

 

[Night Spring]

- What kind of battery life can I expect if I just use it for 2 hours of workout a day and then take it off till next workout session?

I don't really understand why you would want a watch to use just during workouts, but to each their own.

But if you are really just using it during workouts, why not take it off and keep it on the charger? No need to fiddle with turning it on and off, and it will always be charged and ready to go when you want it.

 

[makaveli-313]

I don't really understand why you would want a watch to use just during workouts, but to each their own.

oh for the heart rate tracking function to go with my running and cycling which I started after lockdown, the sitting at home all day seems to have made be rather chubby. Also, to be in the 'fat burning phase' one needs to maintain a constant heart rate within a specific range and currently I have nothing to help with this.
That is the initial intention, I may end up using it for the rest of its features/apps should I end up finding them useful.

But if you are really just using it during workouts, why not take it off and keep it on the charger? No need to fiddle with turning it on and off, and it will always be charged and ready to go when you want it.

That is a great tip thanks!.

 

[porkrind]

Touching on one question asked: no, the heart rate sensor is not as accurate as a chest strap. Most people find it to be good enough, but for whatever reason, a small number of others really struggle to get accurate readings.

 

[makaveli-313]

Touching on one question asked: no, the heart rate sensor is not as accurate as a chest strap. Most people find it to be good enough, but for whatever reason, a small number of others really struggle to get accurate readings.

okay thank you for your feedback. There was a person who told me the wrist based monitors may give a slightly off reading compared to chest straps simply due to the fact that they are position on the extremities... if that's the only reason it is not 'accurate' then this is acceptable, however if the sensor is not as accurate to begin with then that's different : (

 

[Night Spring]

That is the initial intention, I may end up using it for the rest of its features/apps should I end up finding them useful.

i think you might find that to be the case. One use that I don't see often mentioned in this forum that I use often is the timer. It's surprising how convenient it can be to have a timer you can start from your wrist that is always with you.

 

[Night Spring]

okay thank you for your feedback. There was a person who told me the wrist based monitors may give a slightly off reading compared to chest straps simply due to the fact that they are position on the extremities... if that's the only reason it is not 'accurate' then this is acceptable, however if the sensor is not as accurate to begin with then that's different : (

I think it's the factor of it being on the extremities. Also, make sure to wear it tight. If it's loose, it can fail to pick up your heart beats.

 

[maerz001]

okay thank you for your feedback. There was a person who told me the wrist based monitors may give a slightly off reading compared to chest straps simply due to the fact that they are position on the extremities... if that's the only reason it is not 'accurate' then this is acceptable, however if the sensor is not as accurate to begin with then that's different : (

The thing is that all optical sensors don’t work good with fast heart rate changes. But for running and cycling (as long its not mtb/downhill rattling) it is pretty accurate.
This is not only an apple issue and does apply to all these sensors

 

[user1234]

I don't really understand why you would want a watch to use just during workouts, but to each their own.

But if you are really just using it during workouts, why not take it off and keep it on the charger? No need to fiddle with turning it on and off, and it will always be charged and ready to go when you want it.

I would recommend against this as it will drastically shorten the usable life of the battery. Lithium batteries hate being at 100% charge level. They are most comfortable between 20% and 80% and the ideal state of charge is somewhere around 40-50%.

The watch does use power just being on, so if only using it for workouts I would either turn it off after, or plan to charge it before use. It uses less when not being worn but it will still drain it relatively quickly.

 

[Night Spring]

I would recommend against this as it will drastically shorten the usable life of the battery. Lithium batteries hate being at 100% charge level. They are most comfortable between 20% and 80% and the ideal state of charge is somewhere around 40-50%.

The watch does use power just being on, so if only using it for workouts I would either turn it off after, or plan to charge it before use. It uses less when not being worn but it will still drain it relatively quickly.

True enough about the usable battery life. But if the OP really only uses it during workouts, would it really matter? I have an original gen Apple watch that lives on the charger most of the time, and on the rare occasions when I wear it, it still holds enough battery to last the day.

 

[makaveli-313]

The thing is that all optical sensors don’t work good with fast heart rate changes. But for running and cycling (as long its not mtb/downhill rattling) it is pretty accurate.
This is not only an apple issue and does apply to all these sensors

I see..
I would just be using it cycling in circles in my building area which is a near flat plane so should be fine I guess. Perhaps issues may arise if I use it on the treadmill once gyms reopen or running where one has vertical movement up and a down a tad.. not sure.

Thanks for the info!

Everyone thank you very much for your replies ya'll have answered all my queries ^_^
Now to take some time and decide between the two : )

 

[bluegt]

I see..
I would just be using it cycling in circles in my building area which is a near flat plane so should be fine I guess. Perhaps issues may arise if I use it on the treadmill once gyms reopen or running where one has vertical movement up and a down a tad.. not sure.

Thanks for the info!

Everyone thank you very much for your replies ya'll have answered all my queries ^_^
Now to take some time and decide between the two : )

On HR accuracy:
Series 6: Just as good as the best chest straps & fitness monitors.

SE: Slightly less accurate but for all practical purposes, your reading will be the same.

Given your intent is more fitness, I suggest checking out the videos above and others by the same person. He has the best reviews of the fitness functionality on the watch.

 

[makaveli-313]

SE: Slightly less accurate but for all practical purposes, your reading will be the same.

Given your intent is more fitness, I suggest checking out the videos above and others by the same person. He has the best reviews of the fitness functionality on the watch.

He claims Apple is falsely stating the SE has a '2nd gen' optical sensor as the Series 6 whereas it does not?

 

[user1234]

He claims Apple is falsely stating the SE has a '2nd gen' optical sensor as the Series 6 whereas it does not?

The SE has the same sensor as the S4 and S5 which is the 2nd gen optical sensor. The 1st gen was used previous to the S4.

If anything the S6 has a third gen sensor.

 

[matrix07]

He claims Apple is falsely stating the SE has a '2nd gen' optical sensor as the Series 6 whereas it does not?

Yeah SE should be 2nd gen just like S4 and S5 while S6 should be 3rd gen. Not sure why Apple website states so though.
My S5 is quite accurate, compared to my Polar. It just doesn’t take as many reading as my Polar but it’s accurate. Not sure what watch the guy above who claim the accuracy is dubious using. If you’re not a pro you have no use for chest strap. The one in SE should be enough.

 

[Moakesy]

On HR accuracy:
Series 6: Just as good as the best chest straps & fitness monitors.

SE: Slightly less accurate but for all practical purposes, your reading will be the same.

Given your intent is more fitness, I suggest checking out the videos above and others by the same person. He has the best reviews of the fitness functionality on the watch.

Love this guy, but can’t help thinking of Kermit the Frog every time he speaks! 😂

 

[taneff]

Offtopic, but getting fit imo has to do most with all-day activity. And therefor wearing the watch all day is perfect (steps etc.). Walking and moving all-day, taking stairs instead of escalator or elevator etc. is what keeps you fit. I know what I'm talking about. A long time ago I lost around 60 pounds, weighting around 180 pounds, in 18 months because of that and diet and all day moving is why I stayed where I got 10 years ago. Training is amazing but only training doesn't do all that much when you sit the rest of the day. Exercise is just the tip of the iceberg, making something good perfect!

I would wear it all day, it will motivate you, the rings are perfect for that.

That said, the S6 has a new overall HR sensor, because of PulseOX, according to expert DCRainmaker. And has improved the very good HR accuracy even more. And GPS has gotten way better too. If exercise is that important I would go with S6.
YouTubers tested it even during Mountainbiking etc. and accuracy has gotten way better in difficult situations.
I have no idea why Apple are sometimes marketing unnecessary stuff and forgetting about important stuff (better gps and HR in S6 etc.).

 

[makaveli-313]

The SE has the same sensor as the S4 and S5 which is the 2nd gen optical sensor. The 1st gen was used previous to the S4.

If anything the S6 has a third gen sensor.

I see..
It's just that in part of the video where he makes comparisions he shows a picture of what appears to be Apples own literature showing the SE and S6 to have the '2nd gen' sensor.
Well... this is rather unfortunate then I was really hoping for the SE to have identical latest sensors as currently my only intention is for fitness.
I guess I have no other option but to spend the extra money on the S6 model then.

 

[user1234]

I see..
It's just that in part of the video where he makes comparisions he shows a picture of what appears to be Apples own literature showing the SE and S6 to have the '2nd gen' sensor.
Well... this is rather unfortunate then I was really hoping for the SE to have identical latest sensors as currently my only intention is for fitness.
I guess I have no other option but to spend the extra money on the S6 model then.

Actually, the specifications page does say second gen optical sensor for the S6, so they may still consider it to be a second generation sensor even though they have changed the configuration on the back of the watch. I guess the technology is still the same, just arranged differently, and maybe the different arrangement gives slightly more accurate readings?

apple.com - S6 specifications

apple.com - SE specifications