The merged "I returned/sold my Apple Watch because..." thread

[wayneholbrook]

Can anyone give me some good advise?

I have a Tag that I wear daily. I am interested in buying the Apple Watch purely for the fitness side of things. For example wearing daily to count steps, working out, and just plain moving about. Is it worth buying this watch purely for the activity / fitness app?

The the second thing I have been thinking of, I'm sure a refresh would be coming in April or March should I wait for the second generation?

 

[BarracksSi]

Can anyone give me some good advise?

Bwa-ha-ha... Oh, the pressure!

I have a Tag that I wear daily. I am interested in buying the Apple Watch purely for the fitness side of things. For example wearing daily to count steps, working out, and just plain moving about. Is it worth buying this watch purely for the activity / fitness app?

If you're hoping to hook into the social side of it -- step challenges among your friends like Fitbit does, etc -- you'll be barking up the wrong tree. There's little to no social sharing built in, and the biggest player, Fitbit, chose to not allow Watch data into their network.

Apart from that, it's actually quite great. The included Workout and Activity apps are easy to use and cover general exercising, and you can find third-party apps to use for more specialized routines.

One fitness part that may push your Tag off your wrist is the Stand ring. Completing it means getting up for twelve hours a day.

But, if you're not going to take advantage of all the connected features of the Watch, you may be better off with a plain old Fitbit. At least a Fitbit won't directly compete with your Tag like the AW will.

Check my earlier thread where I compared my AW to my traditional watches and see if any of it applies to you.

The the second thing I have been thinking of, I'm sure a refresh would be coming in April or March should I wait for the second generation?

Sure, keep waiting. Then when the update doesn't actually happen until 2017 or 2018, you'll learn how long the product cycle will be.

 

[IphoneIssues]

Can anyone give me some good advise?

I have a Tag that I wear daily. I am interested in buying the Apple Watch purely for the fitness side of things. For example wearing daily to count steps, working out, and just plain moving about. Is it worth buying this watch purely for the activity / fitness app?

I think so, if you get the sport. There are big sales going right now.

The the second thing I have been thinking of, I'm sure a refresh would be coming in April or March should I wait for the second generation?

Sure, keep waiting. Then when the update doesn't actually happen until 2017 or 2018, you'll learn how long the product cycle will be.

I don't think the watch is going to be something that's re-released every year. With the interchangeable bands and cases, it's going to be very hard to talk people into upgrading, because it's also a fashion piece. I can't see people being persuaded to replace a watch every year.

 

[thewitt]

I don't think the watch is going to be something that's re-released every year. With the interchangeable bands and cases, it's going to be very hard to talk people into upgrading, because it's also a fashion piece. I can't see people being persuaded to replace a watch every year.

I disagree, but for a different reason.

Apple wants to be near the leading edge wth their tech, and that means the watch will continue to evolve with more hardware capabilities over time.

An annual update to the hardware would follow their historical trend, and allow them to continue to entice new customers with more advanced features.

Unlike the iPhone, whose refresh was also closely tied to carrier contracts and "free" updates, the watch is simply a consumer item and needs to expand its customer base every year to sustain growth.

WatchOS 2.0 brought a new influx of customers. Hardware V2.0 will ramp that up even further.

 

[IphoneIssues]

I disagree, but for a different reason.

Apple wants to be near the leading edge wth their tech, and that means the watch will continue to evolve with more hardware capabilities over time.

An annual update to the hardware would follow their historical trend, and allow them to continue to entice new customers with more advanced features.

Unlike the iPhone, whose refresh was also closely tied to carrier contracts and "free" updates, the watch is simply a consumer item and needs to expand its customer base every year to sustain growth.

WatchOS 2.0 brought a new influx of customers. Hardware V2.0 will ramp that up even further.

Phones are a different game though. Much more competitive, and for a lot of people, that's their computer. Same thing with iPads. The watch seems like the luxury of luxuries.

 

[Night Spring]

Phones are a different game though. Much more competitive, and for a lot of people, that's their computer. Same thing with iPads. The watch seems like the luxury of luxuries.

Releasing new tech is not just about enticing existing new users to upgrade, it's also about getting new customers to jump onto the wagon. Have you noticed the number of posts saying they are waiting for X feature before they would buy the watch? Apple would be stupid not to release new watch hardware to try and grab at least some of those customers.

 

[BarracksSi]

Releasing new tech is not just about enticing existing new users to upgrade, it's also about getting new customers to jump onto the wagon. Have you noticed the number of posts saying they are waiting for X feature before they would buy the watch? Apple would be stupid not to release new watch hardware to try and grab at least some of those customers.

The feature requests often don't make sense, though. "I want GPS and LTE, make it thinner, make the display stay on all day, faster quad-core CPU, and a camera… oh, with battery life of a week." What? It's like the people these requests have no foresight or any cursory knowledge of how to engineer an electronic gadget. It's not possible to add all these power-sucking features without a much fatter battery, or at least battery technology that's still ten years away.

I dismiss these as outlandish desires, simple as that.

 

[zetaplus93]

The feature requests often don't make sense, though. "I want GPS and LTE, make it thinner, make the display stay on all day, faster quad-core CPU, and a camera… oh, with battery life of a week." What? It's like the people these requests have no foresight or any cursory knowledge of how to engineer an electronic gadget. It's not possible to add all these power-sucking features without a much fatter battery, or at least battery technology that's still ten years away.

I dismiss these as outlandish desires, simple as that.

Some of those aren't so outlandish though. I would like a thinner case, especially in the 38mm. And I would like that watch to operate more fully independent (maps and other location-based features for example) of the phone. A camera would be useful to quickly capture things and send to others. I'm ok with a day's worth of power though.

Given battery constraints, I don't expect many of these requests to come next year, but they will eventually make it if Apple thinks it's important enough to implement and if the tech allows.

 

[vanilla.coffee]

Sold my 38mm SS
Was only using it for notifications - apps load too slowly so never used it other than an extension to notification centre.
Sold. No regrets.
I got a Pebble Time Steel instead and am far happier. Good looking gadget on the wrist and is more fun to play around with. Hundreds if not thousands of different watch faces available and with a battery life of almost 10 days between charges - what's not to like?
Enjoyed the Apple watch while I had it but the AW2 is going to have to be pretty amazing to tempt me back.
Overall opinion of the Apple watch - nice but boring.

 

[OTACORB]

Some of those aren't so outlandish though. I would like a thinner case, especially in the 38mm. And I would like that watch to operate more fully independent (maps and other location-based features for example) of the phone. A camera would be useful to quickly capture things and send to others. I'm ok with a day's worth of power though.

Given battery constraints, I don't expect many of these requests to come next year, but they will eventually make it if Apple thinks it's important enough to implement and if the tech allows.

Again, you want thinner, but you want a camera and you more power which would require a bigger battery. Apple has to find a balance, which they will continue to do.

I see absolutely no use for a camera on a watch, but that is me. I think realistically perhaps a bit faster processor, likely the same battery life, perhaps they squeeze it to 24 hours. It's possible they could add the ability for more to be done independently, but ultimately Apple sees the Apple Watch as a companion device, so it will NEVER really be fully independent.

To the original poster, I can understand the return. However, I personally wouldn't have ever paid $750 or $500 or even $400 for an Apple Watch. I got mine for $268.99 at Best Buy! I find it to be a great companion device to my iPhone! I had no great expectations. I think some just want much more than the technology can deliver at this point. Then again some are NEVER satisfied!

 

[BarracksSi]

I think some just want much more than the technology can deliver at this point.

And, as usual with a new platform, the accompanying question is, how much should a watch-sized device try to do?

The processor, which I've read is equivalent to an iPhone 4/4S, is easily capable of creating a new entry in one's Address Book. But can you imagine trying to enter a new contact card -- name, address, phone number, email addresses -- solely via the watch? I can't. But I think some people are hoping for a similar level of functionality, and they're disappointed when they don't get it.

 

[OTACORB]

And, as usual with a new platform, the accompanying question is, how much should a watch-sized device try to do?

The processor, which I've read is equivalent to an iPhone 4/4S, is easily capable of creating a new entry in one's Address Book. But can you imagine trying to enter a new contact card -- name, address, phone number, email addresses -- solely via the watch? I can't. But I think some people are hoping for a similar level of functionality, and they're disappointed when they don't get it.

I guess it's possible that Apple could add that ability. I can only speak for myself as I would much prefer to add that on my phone and let it just copy over to the watch. Siri is too hit and miss to do that via voice and typing on that small screen just doesn't seem that feasible. Maybe it's just me, but I think Apple actually got it right. Just like I see ZERO value of there being a camera on a watch. I mean really I am going too hold my watch up the whole time I am doing FaceTime? If I have to do that, I might as well just pull out my phone which I have a stand to do this. If I need to take a quick picture I'd prefer to use my phone.

It just seems to me that people want a totally independent device and that is just not where Apple is with the Apple Watch. Some will continue to be disappointed I am afraid! But the good news is Samsung and Android will likely throw one out there that will do everything, but kiss your wife good night!

 

[jdmar2004]

I just sold my AW because I was only using it for notifications. Stock Apps, such as weather, were simply too slow to load. I did like how tough it was but I've got mechanical watches that I prefer to wear that are pretty tough. I also travel a lot and it was one extra cable that I had to pack in my briefcase. My wife still loves hers and she mainly uses it for the notifications and to set reminders. She's a stay at home mom and most times forgets where her phone is, but the watch is right there. It's a great product and I hope to see it stick around and improve, but just not for me.

 

[xDKP]

I would like a thinner case, especially in the 38mm.

Actually I disagree a lot here ... It's a watch and for that reason alone I don't think it's too thick at all - it's near perfect, and still actually thinner than some of my diver watches

 

[jdmar2004]

I think they're already thin and extremely light. Cases are perfectly sized. I would often forget that I had it on when wearing a long sleeve shirt or jacket.

 

[xDKP]

I think they're already thin and extremely light. Cases are perfectly sized. I would often forget that I had it on when wearing a long sleeve shirt or jacket.

My point exactly and this product needs size and weight to feel premium... So if it were possible to make it lighter or thinner, just make the battery better or something else, not thin and light.. And for gods sake, keep the bands compatible...

 

[myrtlebee]

Wound up returning my Sport model. Well, tomorrow I will be bringing it back to Target I should say. Got the refund for AppleCare+ today though. Decided I am not willing to put a case or screen protector (as they stand) on my watch. Tried full-screen screen protectors, wet installs, and for me they were impossible. Would not stick to the corners no matter what I did, and even if I did get it right they would peel up in time anyway. Static cling and tempered glass only covered the middle of the screen and left the glass bezels exposed, leading me to require a case to protect those portions of the glass.

Further, I just was not satisfied with the band options. Paying top dollar for Apple's bands with stainless steel lugs that didn't match my aluminum watch just wasn't cutting it. I really wanted a leather loop, but I had a 38mm version for which Apple does not make one. Tried a ton of third party bands and the quality just wasn't there for me. Just getting my money back and saving it for a 2nd generation - a model with sapphire glass - and hoping for more band options from Apple.

 

[OTACORB]

Further, I just was not satisfied with the band options. Paying top dollar for Apple's bands with stainless steel lugs that didn't match my aluminum watch just wasn't cutting it. I really wanted a leather loop, but I had a 38mm version for which Apple does not make one. Tried a ton of third party bands and the quality just wasn't there for me. Just getting my money back and saving it for a 2nd generation - a model with sapphire glass - and hoping for more band options from Apple.

I don't think it will be much different for the 2nd generation. I've found a few good quality 3rd party bands, but I am not really a huge band swapper. However, that does seem to be a big market. Hopefully by the 2nd generation there will be some higher quality 3rd party manufacturers selling higher quality with a bigger variety of bands. Apple tends to often leave room for these 3rd part manufacturers. When you look at what they offer for the iPads and iPhones.. it leaves a lot to be desired. However, the 3rd party manufacturers have done a better job with those cases.

 

[mmm chocolate]

apple rule #1: don't buy the first version of whatever they produce.

needs > wants a.k.a. don't believe the hype.

 

[MBHockey]

apple rule #1: don't buy the first version of whatever they produce.

needs > wants a.k.a. don't believe the hype.

disagree. the first iPod and iPhone were great first gen devices. The watch just isn't (for me)

 

[xDKP]

disagree. the first iPod and iPhone were great first gen devices. The watch just isn't (for me)

A lot of products are pretty damn good - and so is the watch and other first-gen products, but of course the next will be better... That's how it (always) goes...

 

[BarracksSi]

So… instead, always buy the very last generation of a product. Because it's the best version they'll ever make.

With this in mind, I don't know why any of you own an iPhone now.

 

[easheer]

Sold mine as well. Use cases were diminishing by the day after the novelty wore off. Used it to check the time and notifications and nothing else. I'd rather where my collection of mechanicals than the AW. Maybe a subsequent version will have more to offer.

 

[iLunar]

I don't think the watch is going to be something that's re-released every year. With the interchangeable bands and cases, it's going to be very hard to talk people into upgrading, because it's also a fashion piece. I can't see people being persuaded to replace a watch every year.

I think because it's a fashion piece all the more reason the watch will be updated every year. Apple already introduced new finishes mid-cycle, so they seem bullish on pushing the product. Every season, every year, there are new styles and accessories in the fashion industry. If Apple wants to be competitive, they will follow suit.

 

[dark_knight177]

I sold my steel Apple watch. I had the same experience as most of you here. Too slow to load apps and limited functionality.