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

[redshadow]

Probably returning mine today.


Since purchasing it, I've not been able to add any cards to apple pay (where I was able to when I had my phone alone) and the device absolutely refuses to fall off my iCloud account no matter how many times I pair or unpair it.

It's a cool concept, but for 300+ dollars, I'd definitely expect a watch to "just work" and not have to be worried about. I've had the complete opposite experience with this watch.

 

[OTACORB]

I think it's a little beyond the concept phase! Strange, I've actually setup several of these watches and adding cards was pretty seamless.

 

[Flow39]

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.

I agree. After a month or two, I never used it for anything more than time and notifications. My main issue with it is that apps are far too slow to load, which makes me not want to use them at all, so I don't. I'm currently on Android and rocking a Pebble Time, which hits all the checkboxes I want in a watch. Always on display, great battery life, apps actually load in less than 5 seconds (!), physical buttons (I'm not against touch screens but buttons are very useful on a watch IMO), waterproof and dust proof, and a good, durable design. Also, it's a watch first and a computer second, which is the way I think smartwatches should be.

 

[IphoneIssues]

I agree. After a month or two, I never used it for anything more than time and notifications. My main issue with it is that apps are far too slow to load, which makes me not want to use them at all, so I don't. I'm currently on Android and rocking a Pebble Time, which hits all the checkboxes I want in a watch. Always on display, great battery life, apps actually load in less than 5 seconds (!), physical buttons (I'm not against touch screens but buttons are very useful on a watch IMO), waterproof and dust proof, and a good, durable design. Also, it's a watch first and a computer second, which is the way I think smartwatches should be.

I've got no idea what people are talking about when they say the apps load slow. I think I've had one time where an app took 5 seconds. Usually it's 2 secs or less.

 

[Flow39]

I've got no idea what people are talking about when they say the apps load slow. I think I've had one time where an app took 5 seconds. Usually it's 2 secs or less.

I honestly don't know what the deal with it is. I'm not exaggerating it either. Maybe a factory reset is in order for mine or something. It's been like this since day one and watchOS 2 didn't do anything about app load times for me.

 

[MBHockey]

I've got no idea what people are talking about when they say the apps load slow. I think I've had one time where an app took 5 seconds. Usually it's 2 secs or less.

After you return yours you'll start being honest with yourself

 

[BlueMoon63]

I've got no idea what people are talking about when they say the apps load slow. I think I've had one time where an app took 5 seconds. Usually it's 2 secs or less.

All my native apps load within 2 seconds. Some are almost instant like carrot or things or drafts. Fantastical takes longer to load the updated calendar but nothing bad. My glances are almost all instant and current.

 

[RichP74]

I've had my watch for two months now, and I'm thinking about selling it.

I like the notifications and the watch itself, but the fitness aspect of the thing sucks, frankly. The battery is horrid.

I miss my Fitbit's much more robust fitness ecosystem, as well as the sleep tracking. Fitbit is putting out a new watch called the Blaze, which I think would fit my needs a lot better.

I just wish this thing wasn't so half baked. I will PROBABLY hang on to it through March. If Apple doesn't announce some sort of overhaul for the fitness functionality, I'm going back to Fitbit.

 

[colonelbutt]

Sold my Sport and bought a SS watch
can't be happier
Its funny, but same functionality but much more owner enjoyment. Very beautiful and a bit of a jewellery add-on to the more purely functional sport
strongly recommended.

the main difference is the SS gets hotter charging. The sport's Alu is probably a better conductor. Nice in winter though

 

[MBHockey]

Sold my Sport and bought a SS watch
can't be happier
Its funny, but same functionality but much more owner enjoyment. Very beautiful and a bit of a jewellery add-on to the more purely functional sport
strongly recommended.

the main difference is the SS gets hotter charging. The sport's Alu is probably a better conductor. Nice in winter though

I think once the novelty wears off you may feel differently

 

[colonelbutt]

I think once the novelty wears off you may feel differently

That depends whether you use the functions or not

I regard the following as the USP of the watch:
1. Very Good looks
2. Nice to use
3. Text and email alerts without opening phone
4. Don't miss phone calls when phone is in my bag or noisy surroundings
5. Weather, London tube, stock glances used constantly
6. Health and step counter used every day
7. Sleep monitoring is fun
8. Temperature, sunset and another time zone on face used everyday

And it's very beautiful in SS - did I say that already ???

And lastly it's really cheap and light
Remember I wear automatic watches otherwise which are 5x the weight and 10x the cost

 

[MBHockey]

That depends whether you use the functions or not

I regard the following as the USP of the watch:
1. Very Good looks
2. Nice to use
3. Text and email alerts without opening phone
4. Don't miss phone calls when phone is in my bag or noisy surroundings
5. Weather, London tube, stock glances used constantly
6. Health and step counter used every day
7. Sleep monitoring is fun
8. Temperature, sunset and another time zone on face used everyday

And it's very beautiful in SS - did I say that already ???

And lastly it's really cheap and light
Remember I wear automatic watches otherwise which are 5x the weight and 10x the cost

You had all of those things on the Sport you sold

 

[Mr. Donahue]

I have been following this thread for some time now. I don't have an Apple Watch yet but seriously considering buying one this month (I have a friend who works for Apple in Ireland, who can get me a 42mmm Sports for £280, with his staff discount).

I have been reading the many posts from people, with their reasons for returning their watches, and it makes for some interesting reading. I have also been scouring the other threads, on this forum, for reason for buying the watch in thr first place.

I currently have a Pebble Time watch and this has severely limited functionality on iOS. I'm primarily looking at an Apple Watch for its text replies, for incoming messages.

To be honest, I'm still erring and umming on what to do!!!!

:S

You obviously want one. So if you can afford it without it being an inconvenience than go buy one now! . Enjoy life. Why not?

 

[colonelbutt]

You had all of those things on the Sport you sold

Not 1

 

[geekiemac]

I've got no idea what people are talking about when they say the apps load slow. I think I've had one time where an app took 5 seconds. Usually it's 2 secs or less.

I wouldn't say that. When I ask Siri to start a timer, and if I'm not that close to my phone (like, it's in the next room), it may take up to 15 seconds (!!) for Siri to understand, then launch the timer app, then set the time and start the countdown. If the timer's like, one minute, that would already be 25% of the time !
Restarting the watch does help, but not much.

 

[colonelbutt]

Native apps are a big difference

Anyway stupid me suddenly gets this thread, it's the depressive one

 

[BeatCrazy]

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.

Yep.

Apple has been working on Watch hardware v.3 for sometime already.

 

[IJBrekke]

I'm one week into ownership and, as a whole, enjoying the experience. I wore a Pebble Steel for two years before this, so all the novelty aspects of notifications on the wrist are well past. The things that feel like a clear upgrade (and that I would have trouble giving up now) are:

-Texting with "Tell ________ I'm on my way home." One sentence, no further instructions, no editing. I absolutely love using this.

-Heartwatch app. My family has a history of heart trouble, and the tracking (however rudimentary) is much appreciated. This could save lives, especially as it improves.

-The subtlety of notification. My Pebble had a pretty loud buzz to it, this is much more discreet.

A few downgrades:

-Not having an always-on watch face can be annoying at times. Wrist raise is about 90% accurate, but it's just inconsistent enough where I second guess it.

-As noted several times, it is not fast. A bump in speed alone would do wonders for a device that values information in short, quick bursts.


All the other features are either A) more or less the same in daily use, or B) not fast enough/useful enough/developed enough to warrant regular use over my phone.

Owning this does make me very excited for the upcoming generation. The needed tweaks are refinements, not revolutions. I would struggle to return to the Pebble at this point, so I will be keeping mine until the next gen lands.
[doublepost=1456334602][/doublepost]One more thought: I received this as a gift, and my wife paid $179 on Cowboom. To me, that's about what it is currently worth. I wouldn't pay more than $200 for the current generation. Those that paid for the SS, I could easily see where the value argument could be very different.

 

[vahdyx]

I'll likely be returning mine today. I purchased an Apple Watch Sport to give it a go, primarily for it's fitness information. I was using a Jawbone UP3 prior to this, but wanted/needed a replacement since the two prongs kept digging into my skin and started leaving a soft spot on my wrist.

The first 24 hours was incredible, then it slowly became a $438 novelty after that. I kept thinking, "Do I need this?" It can't track sleep with it's battery life, some how missed a day of steps, and the thought of a 2nd generation coming out soon keeps dominating my thoughts. In addition to all that, I began to dislike the constant charging, granted I do the same with my phone, but at least with my phone I can go close to two days with (iPhone 6s Plus).

I like it a lot, but I don't need it. I think I'll be better off with a FitBit - Charge HR for my fitness needs or just waiting for the second or third attempt at an Apple Watch.

I personally just am having a tough time justifying it, even with weighing out the pros and cons, the few cons it had just outweighed the many pros I came up with.

I think it may be better to buy a Pioneer 4100 NEX for my navigation, and Apple Music needs.

I am sorry Apple, you didn't captivate me this time.

 

[Sketchr]

I'll likely be returning mine today. I purchased an Apple Watch Sport to give it a go, primarily for it's fitness information. I was using a Jawbone UP3 prior to this, but wanted/needed a replacement since the two prongs kept digging into my skin and started leaving a soft spot on my wrist.

The first 24 hours was incredible, then it slowly became a $438 novelty after that. I kept thinking, "Do I need this?" It can't track sleep with it's battery life, some how missed a day of steps, and the thought of a 2nd generation coming out soon keeps dominating my thoughts. In addition to all that, I began to dislike the constant charging, granted I do the same with my phone, but at least with my phone I can go close to two days with (iPhone 6s Plus).

I like it a lot, but I don't need it. I think I'll be better off with a FitBit - Charge HR for my fitness needs or just waiting for the second or third attempt at an Apple Watch.

I personally just am having a tough time justifying it, even with weighing out the pros and cons, the few cons it had just outweighed the many pros I came up with.

I think it may be better to buy a Pioneer 4100 NEX for my navigation, and Apple Music needs.

I am sorry Apple, you didn't captivate me this time.

If you're basing owning an Apple Watch on "need" then you won't justify it. One has to want the features it offers, especially as a 1st generation device. All rumors I've read to date point to a closer to fall release for the 2nd generation, with updates and new bands being released in March. So, you'll wait for a while before a new one comes out. But, it sounds like the Apple Watch might not be a good match for your fitness goals anyway...

 

[jbachandouris]

I currently have a SS Space Black with BSB.

For notifications, it's good. That being said, I have still missed text alerts (set to vibrate no sound) and that is one of my main reasons for buying it.

For fitness, not so good. I use the Nike+ app/ecosystem. The last time I used it, I pressed the screen to start run and when I finished, 0 miles were displayed. Another forum member posted the same problem and apparently you have to run with the phone in your hand (not and arm band) to measure accurate readings.

Too late for a return and no one seems to want it (granted I've only tried eBay so far. I started at $450, then $400, now $375. A few watchers, but no one is bidding. It's been a month. I realize I won't get my full price, but I'm not looking to give it away.

 

[vahdyx]

If you're basing owning an Apple Watch on "need" then you won't justify it. One has to want the features it offers, especially as a 1st generation device. All rumors I've read to date point to a closer to fall release for the 2nd generation, with updates and new bands being released in March. So, you'll wait for a while before a new one comes out. But, it sounds like the Apple Watch might not be a good match for your fitness goals anyway...

You're certainly right, I don't 'need' 90% of the things I buy, but there's a level of justification for these purchases; entertainment, peace of mind, etc. with the Apple Watch (prior to knowing the new one is out this fall) I can't find the justification even with my wants in place. Like you said, it has some fitness related shortcomings.

I can always wear them both but it kind of looks weird.

Don't get me wrong I don't hate the watch, I like the device and should Best Buy not accept my return request I would likely make do with it and I certainly wouldn't sell it. I'd just keep it for a couple years.

 

[ladytonya]

I have been looking at premium watches for years, I just wore either a $10 Casion or nothing. Everything I looked at just didn't justify the expense. Fossil, Tag, etc. Nothing really justified the expense for a premium watch even looking down in the Caribbean where prices for them are much cheaper.

I am not a rich person so everything I buy is closely vetted. I have been looking at the AW since release and have also looked at Pebble since that is the only other time keeping device that was compatible with the iOS environment. Ultimately, I finally got an AW last Saturday so I am about 24 hours short of owning it for 1 week. Do I "need" it? Of course not, but do I need a phone with 128 GB of memory and the capacity to do what the iPhone can do? Heck, we all probably don't actually "need" much more than a flip phone.

I saved up for my Watch and with some help from birthday gifts was able to get it before it went off sale at Best Buy last week, I paid $249 for the sport. Would I like to have a SS instead? Of course, but I would also like to have a lot of things, like my momma always said, want in one hand and **** in another and see which one gets filled up first. I could find things to complain about with the watch but overall I absolutely love it! It is a quality timepiece that does more than just tell time, what's not to love?

 

[Mr. Orange]

After six months, I wouldn't buy it if it wasn't a gift from work. Sure, the notifications are great and tracking health is addictive. It's more of a statement than really a must-have product.

The software is actually getting boring and some features such as Apple Pay aren't yet available here in Europe. I'm curious to what they will show us at the WWDC.

 

[colonelbutt]

I use Apple Pay all the time, to the extent that I rarely carry any money or credit cards where I work. Which is in London BTW

And the Apple Watch is great. I recommend SS and a nice strap ;