Original Apple Watch VS Apple Watch 4 heart rate capabilities

[theredensign]

Hi everyone,

In short, I’m considering upgrading from the original watch to the 4. The feature that I appreciate most in my original watch is the heart sensor, and I can’t quite figure out whether the 4 would provide any noticeable benefits in my case.

Aside from the potential ECG capability (seemingly USA only for now), my understanding is that the Series 4 indicates periods of abnormally high or low heart rates. However, as I tend to check my heart rate statistics every week or so via the Health app, does this feature actually provide any benefit? I.e., if I’m aware that at ‘X’ time on Sunday I was at rest and when checking my heart rate for that time I notice it to be obviously low or high, is this any different to the Series 4 providing automatic notifications?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Kind regards,
Jack.

 

[danmart]

I think the S3 onwards check heart rate more frequently, but I can’t think of any specific reason I hold that opinion. Maybe something was said to that effect in the S3 Keynote?

Certainly I have received a heart alert on my S3 (caused by the British railway system...). I guess the benefit is: if you have an incident on Monday but don’t normally do a manual review until the weekend you might be vulnerable for several days?

Also, the immediacy is useful in terms of assessing cause-and-effect. My elevated heart rate seemed unusual to the Watch as I was just stood around doing nothing. It didn’t know my train had just been cancelled. If you are tracking back at the end of the week you might not be able to assess factors like that so easily?

I upgraded from S0 to S3 and the step up in usability was huge. Going from S0 to S4 will blow your socks off.

 

[AppleHaterLover]

I think the S3 onwards check heart rate more frequently, but I can’t think of any specific reason I hold that opinion. Maybe something was said to that effect in the S3 Keynote?

Certainly I have received a heart alert on my S3 (caused by the British railway system...). I guess the benefit is: if you have an incident on Monday but don’t normally do a manual review until the weekend you might be vulnerable for several days?

Also, the immediacy is useful in terms of assessing cause-and-effect. My elevated heart rate seemed unusual to the Watch as I was just stood around doing nothing. It didn’t know my train had just been cancelled. If you are tracking back at the end of the week you might not be able to assess factors like that so easily?

I upgraded from S0 to S3 and the step up in usability was huge. Going from S0 to S4 will blow your socks off.

Some alarms might have gone off when they announced the iPhone MAX price...

Anyway in terms of heart rate tracking that's the only advantage.

 

[Nozuka]

the optical heart sensor seemingly went from 4 LEDs to just 1..

i wonder why and what the advantages are

 

[theredensign]

I think the S3 onwards check heart rate more frequently, but I can’t think of any specific reason I hold that opinion. Maybe something was said to that effect in the S3 Keynote?

Certainly I have received a heart alert on my S3 (caused by the British railway system...). I guess the benefit is: if you have an incident on Monday but don’t normally do a manual review until the weekend you might be vulnerable for several days?

Also, the immediacy is useful in terms of assessing cause-and-effect. My elevated heart rate seemed unusual to the Watch as I was just stood around doing nothing. It didn’t know my train had just been cancelled. If you are tracking back at the end of the week you might not be able to assess factors like that so easily?

I upgraded from S0 to S3 and the step up in usability was huge. Going from S0 to S4 will blow your socks off.

Northern Rail by any chance? .

As you say, I suppose the chief difference is the immediate nature of the notifications. My only concern is the potential for false positives (as in your case) - how often do you get them? Can you set a ceiling for notifications or is there a permanent preset?

Some alarms might have gone off when they announced the iPhone MAX price...

You're not the only one!

-

Incidentally, have there been any rumours as to what the situation is with the potential ECG feature outside of the US?

 

[danmart]

You can alter thresholds for both high and low warnings. IMO the immediate response is best for eliminating false positives, or at least identifying them.

I suspect that the ECG monitor will need approval by MHRA in the UK and / or a European equivalent.

 

[theredensign]

I suppose that's quite a logical way of looking at it. It's better to know what's causing an issue than to have doubts.

Has there been any word as to whether models in Europe and Asia are equipped with ECG ability? I would have assumed that to be the case and that a later update would enable the feature, but I can't find any information on Apple's UK website which says either way.