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

Why I returned my watch

The first few days owning the watch were fantastic. I had waited ages for this new Apple product and it was finally in my hands. I began to use it for anything and everything I could. However, after a few days I realised It was not quite what I had been expecting and I certainly couldn't justify £600 for it.

I liked the design of the software, the ease of use of the device and the materials it was made with, no surprise here, it's made by Apple. However, there were some major problems which I couldn't live with.

The apps (both first and third party) were incredibly slow to load. In some cases it was quicker to pull my phone out from my pocket and use that. I had to restore & re pair the watch to my phone about 4 times in a week and a half which is just annoying and a waste of time considering how slow the watch is to sync everything across when you set it up. I never managed to sync music to my watch, I gave up when 47 songs didn't sync in 6 hours. I put photos on my watch yet deleted them off my phone and they stayed on the watch. I know these is all software based and can be updated, but as of now it feels like beta software.

I thought the watch would make my life a bit easier and speed up a few things which I would normally do on my phone but this was not the case. Although it can do many many things, the main reason I ended up using it for was for notifications, £600 for notifications on my wrist felt rather steep to me (even £340 for the sport model seems a lot for that). This links back to the previous paragraph where most apps are just too slow to use.

The reason I got the SS model in the first place was due to the sapphire screen however I had a problem where the coating over my sapphire screen 'scratched'. Why bother putting something that scratches over something that is used to stop scratches in the first place. Makes no sense. I also had issues with my band which I don't expect on a £600 watch and I had to swap my whole watch and be without it for weeks if I wanted a replacement - poor service.

Don't get me wrong, the watch is a fantastic product, easily the best in its class and I know many people will enjoy it however I feel Apple should have pushed the launch to back to brush up on the software. I know many of you will say this will be fixed with updates but as of now the watch is incredibly slow and buggy.
 
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gusping said:
The first few days owning the watch were fantastic. I had waited ages for this new Apple product and it was finally in my hands. I began to use it for anything and everything I could. However, after a few days I realised It was not quite what I had been expecting and I certainly couldn't justify £600 for it.
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That's fine, the watch perhaps does not live up to your expectations. I am considering still whether or not to return mine, but for different reasons. No device is for everyone, and this device is no different.

It's a watch with notifications first and foremost, those are the key items that are going to live on and keep the watch useful for a few years. Expecting much more on the other functions is the downfall of many a 'returner' though. It's just that they did not quite understand the product.
 
The novelty factor wore off that quickly?

The health monitoring features and apple pay are the only things that would interest me. But when you think about it, health can be easily monitored by other equipment simply by going to the gym. For apple pay all you need is the iphone6.

So what can the watch do specifically on its own?

But on the other hand people were initially skeptical about the ipad....
 
pizzabun said:
The novelty factor wore off that quickly?

The health monitoring features and apple pay are the only things that would interest me. But when you think about it, health can be easily monitored by other equipment simply by going to the gym. For apple pay all you need is the iphone6.

So what can the watch do specifically on its own?

But on the other hand people were initially skeptical about the ipad....
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This seems like it's always being asked. The watch can notify you discreetly whether it's a reminder, phone call, text, etc. There's also the sensors. But in a nutshell, that's what the Watch can do that the iPhone can NEVER do.

It's always in a ready to go state with a flick of the wrist. Your iphone isn't unless you're holding it or it's laying right in front of you or mounted in a car.

It doesn't matter if you need to eventually pull out the iphone to deal with it. The fact is the Watch lets you KNOW about it. Or that you need (or not need) to deal with it.

That's great IMO. But the question is, is this worth 399 or even 700+? It depends. How important is it that you don't miss notifications? If your world revolves around apps that deal with reminders, appointments, calendars, tasks, messages, vip email, etc, then the watch has incredible value. Most simply don't. It's texting, phone, emails, facebook, and a few mindless apps. Most don't use tech for working out. Most don't use apple pay and never have. Most don't use calendars or reminders.
 
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Viva said:
That's fine, the watch perhaps does not live up to your expectations. I am considering still whether or not to return mine, but for different reasons. No device is for everyone, and this device is no different.

It's a watch with notifications first and foremost, those are the key items that are going to live on and keep the watch useful for a few years. Expecting much more on the other functions is the downfall of many a 'returner' though. It's just that they did not quite understand the product.
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I knew everything it could do it's just some features are either super slow or not very useful.
 
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chrismac2 said:
This isn't directed at the OP personally, but rather a general rant at what I perceive as cycnical, jaded, and unfair scrutiny for this new Apple product.

How jaded have we become that we can scoff and yawn over this fricking computer that we wear on our wrist. A little computer with a beautiful retina display, constructed with such beauty and precision----a little computer that can free us from constantly pulling our phone out of our pocket or running to our phone to see what this ding, or that beep was for.

First off, it is a watch, and a beautifully constructed one at that, and very accurate, and it's customizable!!! A regular mechanical watch has one watch face, and that's it, forever! With an Apple Watch, not only do you have a decent supply of watch faces, but each one is customizable! YOu can display weather, activity tracking, stock market info, your next calendar appointment!

I mean sheesh----plus, it's no bigger than most mechanical watches out there. It's smaller than the Fossil watch I used to wear before, but now is gathering dust because the battery died and I never went to replace it.

"But do you need it" ---of course not! We don't need 99% of what Apple sells. I got along just fine with my old flip phone back in the day. But would I give up my iphone now? Hell no!

You don't need automatic door locks or windows in your car either, the old crank, or manual unlock works just fine, you just have to reach over and do it......but how many of us insist on those features in our next car?

It's all about convenience.....

I think the Apple Watch is amazing. I'm tired of everyone who doesn't "get it", trying to convince the rest of the world why it sucks.

</rant>
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As evidenced by the blog reviewers we've enjoyed so much, dissing products and finding little nits makes insignificant people feel important. Really, have you ever seen anyone more self important than tech writers (only photographers come close)? They get miffed when they don't get a review item early in the release schedule because it lowers them on the nerd food chain. Often you'll detect it in their subsequent articles, and not subtly either. It is a race to appear more critical and aloof, than their rivals, but they can't quite pull it off. They all love appearing critical, but hate being criticized. Most of their world is incestusous- they reference other tech bloggers in a strange circle that doesn't understand the real world.

I've had my watch for less than a day, and unlike the reviews, find it easy to use. It is also useful and worthwhile as a decent fitness platform, something that despite the rhetoric is off many of the tech writer radar completely. It isn't overly sophisticated for advanced training, but good enough for what most need- motivation! Tech writers are more worried about engagiing Twitter wars than fitness.

As far as the real value of the watch- Most writers don't travel often or work at a high pace. They pretend to be busy answering important calls and constantly running from business trip to business trip for important meetings. Most work from home or in very small offices and attend one nerd conference per year after scraping scarce dollars,they should be spending together to go meet up with their friends. I spend 160 days per year on the road, flying hundreds of flights per year. The watch is going to help in ways I don't even understand yet . How can some snarky blogger or forum hero relate to the time pressure of constant travel ?

Read between the lines. The watch is far better than any review has revealed. Mine is quicker, easier to read and operate than any review revealed.

The one bit of advice I'd pass along is to avoid the stainless or edition versions for now. Not yet, those are better options for version 3 or 4. Buy a Sport and enjoy it as the software matures.
 
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xraydoc said:
The thinking by Apple is that the Apple Watch is a high-end watch like Movado. It may not be mechanical, but they consider it a high-end, precision crafted 21st century timepiece.

Your choice as to whether or not you agree with them.
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Apple Watch and Movado watch, are dramatically different. Comparing them is a waste of time.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
Your wife and I are of the same mindset. $350 is plenty enough, especially for a very much Gen 1 product. I haven't had mine 24hrs but it's doing what I thought it would do mostly. I'm not sure it's going to replace my running watch but it will replace my everyday watch. Happy with the $350 purchase and the SG BSB looks "professional," not toy-like for the price. If I'd spent more I'd probably feel very guilty and $ wasteful though.
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My thoughts as I read this thread - and your comments is Apple's marketing and perception of the watch going in. You (like I would have) go in with lower expectations - and also a deep(er) understanding of technology. However, the way a lot of the media and Apple has been talking about the device, is it setting expectations too high for the average consumer. Or does the average consumer concern themselves less with focusing on app load times, etc? I honestly don't know - a lot of parameters.

I don't have or plan on buying the Apple Watch. I've seen several videos, have a few friends that have it and to me it's too much kitchen sink for me. I was never really in the market for a smart watch anyway - but bought both the Pebble and LG G at a great discount when there was a sale. For me - I enjoy the simplicity of the UI and features vs having a (relative) mini phone on my wrist.

But I agree with several comments in this thread. Based on what we know now and the experiences I've read - while some may be very content at higher price points and their fashion statement... I think those that bought in at entry level are far more likely to have buyer's remorse.
 
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gusping said:
I knew everything it could do it's just some features are either super slow or not very useful.
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I would not call the inbuilt apps slow. You get haptic notifications within a few seconds of your phone; that's the USP of the device. You get Reminders, Timers, Alarms all on time too. What else were you expecting?
 
The newness wore off after a while, and I just couldn't justify the functionality for the cost. Yes, there were some helpful features, but for me, nothing worth $600+. The other issue was that I do not need another Apple product in my life that has a two-year upgrade cycle. A great watch should last a lifetime. This is a gadget with a life span. (Although, as a shareholder, I do appreciate their business model. :) )
 
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I do not need another Apple product in my life that has a two-year upgrade cycle. A great watch should last a lifetime.
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Are you required to upgrade?
Will the watch no longer work after 2 years?
Heck, even Rolex recommends that you have their watches serviced every 4-5 years which costs a lot more than an Apple watch costs.
 
Zeos said:
The other issue was that I do not need another Apple product in my life that has a two-year upgrade cycle. A great watch should last a lifetime. This is a gadget with a life span. (Although, as a shareholder, I do appreciate their business model. :) )
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You didn't realize there would be an "upgrade cycle" to the Apple Watch prior to ordering one? Or that it was a "Gadget with a life span"?
 
The battery only has so many cycles so there is a lifespan for the watch before service is needed. I'd like to see a 3-4 year span. I am still waiting on my watch but I fully expect to get a second gen product then I'll decide how to upgrade from there.
 
McDaddio said:
Are you required to upgrade?
Will the watch no longer work after 2 years?
Heck, even Rolex recommends that you have their watches serviced every 4-5 years which costs a lot more than an Apple watch costs.
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You are required when it no longer works, technology does that

A Rolex service will cost about the same ~$400, but that is Rolex. Typical mechanical watches cost around $100 for service.
 
At least you tried it and now you know smart watches aren't for you. I on the other hand freakin love this thing and find it super useful. Best, most functional piece of jewelry I've ever bought.
 
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Nothing wrong with that. It's clearly not for you.

For me though, it's helping me live a healthier, more productive life. It's helping me meet my calorie goals and I'm already starting to lose weight. I'm only quickly looking at my notifications and dismissing them, as opposed to looking at them on my iPhone and getting distracted. And my table manners have improved, haha. Out of all the Apple products I've owned, I'd say it's having the most positive influence on my life.
 
McDaddio said:
Are you required to upgrade?
Will the watch no longer work after 2 years?
Heck, even Rolex recommends that you have their watches serviced every 4-5 years which costs a lot more than an Apple watch costs.
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"Will the watch no longer work after 2 years?"
Yes, after the required watch os updates to improve performance, the first gen will no longer work satisfactorily. Also, apps will become stuff and require more processing power. No developer is going to make their app optimized enough for the 1st gen watch, they can't even do it today.

With that said, it's not about the cost, it's about productivity. If you can be more productive then maybe the cost is more of an investment...
 
Gromet said:
You didn't realize there would be an "upgrade cycle" to the Apple Watch prior to ordering one? Or that it was a "Gadget with a life span"?
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Sure, but the question for me was going to "is it worth it?". For an amazing product, yes. For a so-so product, no. The latter was my decision for me.
 
The iPhone 4S is running iOS 8. It shipped with iOS 5 in 2011. It probably won't get iOS 9 but it will have had updates through nearly four years by the time it's all said and done. I expect similar for the Apple Watch. It should be compatible with future iPhones and unlike the iPhone, it doesn't need a lot of horsepower to run so it might even have a slightly longer lifespan?
 
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