The 4 > 5 upgrade was smaller, that was just AOD and a compass.
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Series 6 is more like Series 5S
- Thread starter Donnation
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Some changes in the optical sensor as well which some may consider a big change. Check out DC rainmakers first impressions: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/09/apple-watch-series-6-first-run-accuracy-spo2-sensor-data.html
The changes are huge, GPS and altimeter Accuracy improved, Heart reate accuracy is way better directly locks your HR at the start and lower battery consumption during workouts.
This thread makes me think the SE is an even better deal than I was already convinced it was. Sounds like the blood oxygen sensor is more of a gimmick than a real feature.
Those are tiny incremental improvements. “accuracy improved” isn’t “huge”
Donnnation wasn’t saying that the 6 actually has better battery or water resistance....he was saying these were examples of what what it ought to have had to justify being called a 6 (as opposed to a 5s). You are saying much the same as him.
I suppose it Depends if you make use of it or not .... much like the ECG function ..... I understood that the blood oxygen device had to be medically approved in the various countries the same as ECG hence it’s not available in all markets. perhaps gimmick might not be the best description but .... I guess it’s something that you personally may not use hence the availability of an SE model for those happy with less functionality.
I dont think so, a accurate HR reading within seconds in an activity with an optical heart rate system which is as good as a chest strap is damn hard to implement. Most of the sport watches cant do this. But if you dont do much activities then you shouldnt upgrade. Isnt it good that the ‚older‘ watches are also very good?
Why are people upset? It’s not as if Apple lied about what the series 6 brings. They didn’t claim it had better battery life etc. Last year when the 5 came out, I was keen on the always on screen but decided there wasn’t a big enough reason to upgrade over the series 4 so I kept my money in my pocket. I didn’t get upset over it! This year has tipped the balance for me and I purchased.
I like my series 6 although the biggest improvement for me over my previous watch is the always on display. The spo2 sensor is pretty good for me although I’ve had one erroneous reading. It works away in the background taking readings throughout the day and takes a reading when I request it. Because of its location on the wrist, it’s not going to be as good as a fingertip sensor but that’s the same for all wrist based sensors. Just like a wrist based hrm is going to fall short of a chest strap.
I like my series 6 although the biggest improvement for me over my previous watch is the always on display. The spo2 sensor is pretty good for me although I’ve had one erroneous reading. It works away in the background taking readings throughout the day and takes a reading when I request it. Because of its location on the wrist, it’s not going to be as good as a fingertip sensor but that’s the same for all wrist based sensors. Just like a wrist based hrm is going to fall short of a chest strap.
If Apple still used the 's' in their naming, it would have been fair to call this the 5s. That said, the changes under the hood are significant
- Faster S6 Processor (perhaps more efficient on battery also, tbd)
- U1 Ultra Wideband Chip
- 5Ghz Wifi
- Faster Charging
- Blood Oxygen Sensor
- Always on Altimeter
- Improved Heart Rate / EKG Sensors
- Improved GPS
- Brighter Always On Display
- New Case Colors
- Faster S6 Processor (perhaps more efficient on battery also, tbd)
- U1 Ultra Wideband Chip
- 5Ghz Wifi
- Faster Charging
- Blood Oxygen Sensor
- Always on Altimeter
- Improved Heart Rate / EKG Sensors
- Improved GPS
- Brighter Always On Display
- New Case Colors
The se looks great apart from the case , I’m so clumsy it’s be dented to bits in no time
Titanium is too light plus the delivery times are crazy long - end November?!
SS seems like a decent compromise to me
Titanium is too light plus the delivery times are crazy long - end November?!
SS seems like a decent compromise to me
I upgraded from a series 3, yes the increase in sound is noticeable. Loving the series 6.
As others have mentioned, the 4 -> 5 update was even more incremental. You didn't even get a standard processor speed upgrade! So you can call this the 4SS.
No doubt that we'll get a redesign next year with the Series 7. I'm hoping we'll see a screen that goes all the way to the edges so that non-black backgrounds don't have a black border around them. That would really make it look modern.
No doubt that we'll get a redesign next year with the Series 7. I'm hoping we'll see a screen that goes all the way to the edges so that non-black backgrounds don't have a black border around them. That would really make it look modern.
I have had every Apple Watch since the very first....all aluminium. No dents.
Its obviously a lifestyle thing but aluminium is harder than you would think from these forums.
Yes. I agree. I am upgrading from Series 5 because my daughter wants an Apple Watch (giving S5 to her) and I love the RED watch! I am excited to get the Solo Loops in Red when they come out. I upgraded from S4 to S5 because I have always wanted AOD. I upgraded from S3 to S4 because I wanted Fall Detection (haven’t needed it thankfully). Upgrading year to year you don’t get huge differences, but I get the features and look that I want.
All of my AWs have been aluminum. I’ve never had any damage to the case or the screen. I get aluminum because I obviously like to upgrade often and I want the least expensive option. All the watches are the same on the inside anyway.
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20 years ago, you needed a machine with a cost in the five figures to take a blood oxygen reading. Now I can take a reading on my couch with this $25 little gadget that’s not much bigger in size than my airpods pro case. It blows my mind that in a few years, I’ll be take readings through my watch.
I tried out a new Galaxy Watch 3 for a few days, and it also has a blood oxygen feature. Sometimes it takes a good reading, sometimes it takes a reading that, if it were accurate, would be immediate grounds for calling 911. Sometimes it tells me it can’t get a reading and to tighten my watch band, and sometimes it just can’t get a reading at all.
But people expect this kind of **** from Samsung, who are notorious for rushing out new features in an attempt to get there first, before Apple, at any cost. It’s not fair, but no one‘s gonna really give Sammy any **** for their blood oxygen sensor performing poorly. They’ve never been held to the same standards as Apple, especially on the health centric stuff.
So if what you’re saying about the blood oxygen sensor is true, and true on a widespread level, this is gonna be really, really bad for Apple. FREAKING ESPECIALLY now, during a Pandemic where low blood oxygen readings are often indicative of the respiratory issues that come with an infection. People are gonna be buying these things expecting that feature to work accurately, because they trust Apple. You and I both know they’d be better served buying a dedicated pulse oximeter, but they won’t.
If they can’t get it right with software updates, they need to pull the damned thing (the feature, not the watch), and give everyone who bought a series 6 the chance to return it if they’re outside their return window, or a $200 apple store gift card, kinda like what they did with the original iPhone and the infamous price reduction.
It’ll definitely be interesting to see things play out over the next few weeks.
I’ve been comparing the readings with my standalone pulse oximeter and they line up with the Apple Watch.
I sometimes get slight jumpy readings when the watch takes readings in the background. I have no basis to say they are off but likely less accurate than my ‘deliberate’ readings since I might be moving slightly or not in the ideal measurement position.
Overall, feels like Apple got this one right.
I sometimes get slight jumpy readings when the watch takes readings in the background. I have no basis to say they are off but likely less accurate than my ‘deliberate’ readings since I might be moving slightly or not in the ideal measurement position.
Overall, feels like Apple got this one right.
For the blood oxygen sensor Apple recommends that you make sure that the watch is tight (snug) on your wrist and your wrist is flat and still. I have used the sensor a number of times and it has worked every time.
Since it's possible to do this on an S5, I would think the answer to your question is a resounding "NO".
The Series 5 was supposedly a S4s (noticeable changes was only AoD)
The S6 is a more proper +1 series upgrade over the S4/5, considering it carries actual chip improvements and more sensors.
Are you wearing your new watch with the same tightness in the band as your prior watch, with everything the same as before? A few on the forum have said that the band needs to be a little loose otherwise it can’t read your SPO2.
Thanks for providing feedback on this. When you get a few conflicting reports, it is good to get some confirmation.
Faster processor
Blood Oxygen sensor
WiFi 5 Ghz
U1 ultra wideband chip
Faster charging
Brighter display outdoors
Always on altimeter
Louder Speaker
Did I miss anything? Seems like a fair upgrade to me.
Blood Oxygen sensor
WiFi 5 Ghz
U1 ultra wideband chip
Faster charging
Brighter display outdoors
Always on altimeter
Louder Speaker
Did I miss anything? Seems like a fair upgrade to me.
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You can’t walk on water while using the new watch. I believe that is the sticking point for a lot of the people saying we aren’t upgrading until next year, or that the upgrade is lacking.
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