There is a difference in the haptic taps from one watch to another

[Newtons Apple]

My first Apple watch was Spaceblack with SB link bracelet. I was VERY disappointed in both the haptic tap and the "little ding" for notifications. Could not feel the tap if up and moving about and the little ding could not be heard in my work environment most the time. Could not deal with this as my phone runs my company. The SB AW is now gone!

Just received my new SS with brown loop a few days ago and the haptic tap is so much better I can feel it at even a lower setting. The little ding is no longer little and I can hear is much better though the tap is more than enough now and do not need to hear the ding anymore.

Do not understand how one watch can differ so much from the other but the difference is huge for me!

 

[Cpt. Gilgamesh]

My first Apple watch was Spaceblack with SB link bracelet. I was VERY disappointed in both the haptic tap and the "little ding" for notifications. Could not feel the tap if up and moving about and the little ding could not be heard in my work environment most the time. Could not deal with this as my phone runs my company. The SB AW is now gone!

Just received my new SS with brown loop a few days ago and the haptic tap is so much better I can feel it at even a lower setting. The little ding is no longer little and I can hear is much better though the tap is more than enough now and do not need to hear the ding anymore.

Do not understand how one watch can differ so much from the other but the difference is huge for me!

Well, if rumor is to be believed, haptic feedback was one of the reasons Apple Watch was only sold online initially as production started late. So perhaps it's not as consistent an experience across watches. When I first got mine, the sounds were barely noticeable. However, I had it on my left wrist and I am partially deaf in my left ear, so switching it to the right has helped. But haptics are still sort of weak

 

[Newtons Apple]

Well, if rumor is to be believed, haptic feedback was one of the reasons Apple Watch was only sold online initially as production started late. So perhaps it's not as consistent an experience across watches. When I first got mine, the sounds were barely noticeable. However, I had it on my left wrist and I am partially deaf in my left ear, so switching it to the right has helped. But haptics are still sort of weak

I would miss 4 out of 5 taps with my first watch set to maximum with prominent tap ON.

Now the haptic set at the middle and prominent haptic OFF, there is no missing the tap.

So if anyone had the same problem I had with my first watch, there is hope and you might want to try another.

 

[fischersd]

I wouldn't say it's SB vs SS. It's a difference between watch #1 and watch #2.

It could just as easily been a space grey sport vs a white sport. The same internals could have been put in any one of the watch bodies.

 

[NotSafeForWork]

My watch gets in to a funky mode where the taps and sounds get weak or absent.

A restart returns them to strong.

YMMV.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I wouldn't say it's SB vs SS. It's a difference between watch #1 and watch #2.

It could just as easily been a space grey sport vs a white sport. The same internals could have been put in any one of the watch bodies.

You are correct and knowing how "some" of the members here . . . i will try to change it.

Just tried to change the title but do not see how I can with the new format.

 

[Newtons Apple]

My watch gets in to a funky mode where the taps and sounds get weak or absent.

A restart returns them to strong.

YMMV.

I did everything to my first watch and it was just wimpy when it came to notifications!

 

[fischersd]

Just tried to change the title but do not see how I can with the new format.

Up at the top, there's a gear symbol beside "Watch Thread" - click the down arrow, then click on "Edit Title"

 

[Newtons Apple]

Up at the top, there's a gear symbol beside "Watch Thread" - click the down arrow, then click on "Edit Title"

The old dog (sorry kitty) learned a new trick! Thanks Sir!

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

It's the metal band that dissipates the haptic taps, making them weaker. Move your leather loop to the Space Black and you'll get stronger haptics. It's not a variation between watches but bands.

 

[IllusionEntity]

I have a BSB, GSB, BCB and a Link. And when I wear the link the haptic feedback feels weaker. But that's ok, because the link bracelet rattles instead

 

[ZEEN0j]

It's the metal band that dissipates the haptic taps, making them weaker. Move your leather loop to the Space Black and you'll get stronger haptics. It's not a variation between watches but bands.

Bingo. I noticed the same thing when I had the pebble steel. Using the leather band the vibrations where stronger. With the metal band it was weaker and the band rattled.

 

[Shinigami301]

It's fit related. Big difference in haptic feel between very slightly loose (normal for my SS link and correct fit for any type of link band) and snug (normal for my WSB)

 

[mightyjabba]

I have to go into an Apple Store for an iPhone issue and I'm thinking of asking about the taptic strength. What's the fastest and simplest way to compare my watch with a demo watch?

 

[CharlesShaw]

Make an appointment with the genius bar and tell them the reason for your visit is that you're not feeling the notifications?

 

[Shinigami301]

I have to go into an Apple Store for an iPhone issue and I'm thinking of asking about the taptic strength. What's the fastest and simplest way to compare my watch with a demo watch?

Simply run through the haptic settings on the respective watches, since every time you make an adjustment you will get a tap.

 

[Mobster1983]

I would miss 4 out of 5 taps with my first watch set to maximum with prominent tap ON.

Now the haptic set at the middle and prominent haptic OFF, there is no missing the tap.

So if anyone had the same problem I had with my first watch, there is hope and you might want to try another.

My haptics have been a bit weak and I miss them fairly often. It's too bad the Apple Watches you can try on at the store are not turned on. No other way to test a few other watches to see if mine is working correctly. I suppose I can go in and ask them to check it out and try to get a new one, but don't want to have to wait for a replacement if the SS is not in Stock.

 

[Newtons Apple]

It's the metal band that dissipates the haptic taps, making them weaker. Move your leather loop to the Space Black and you'll get stronger haptics. It's not a variation between watches but bands.

No so. My friend has the SS with SS link band and it was as strong as the watch I am wearing now. My SB watch simply had something wrong with the haptic motor as it was too weak.

 

[Newtons Apple]

It's fit related. Big difference in haptic feel between very slightly loose (normal for my SS link and correct fit for any type of link band) and snug (normal for my WSB)

I tried for over a week with tight and loose settings and could not feel the haptic tap on my SB AW 4 out of 5 times. Only time I could feel it is if I was sitting still and not moving. That is not good!

 

[iConnected]

Some think that haptics feel stronger on the Sport than on Stainless Steel.

That seems reasonable, all else being equal (ie same Taptic Engine unit, same strength settings), as the force is transmitted through a lighter weight material.

Some link band users (especially owners of traditional link band watches) may also wear their watches a little more loosely than those with Sport or other bands.

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...n-ss-watch-compared-to-sport-version.1891122/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/anyone-downgrade-from-ss-to-sport.1890982/

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

No so. My friend has the SS with SS link band and it was as strong as the watch I am wearing now. My SB watch simply had something wrong with the haptic motor as it was too weak.

Two different issues. It doesn't change the fact that metal bands dissipate the haptic taps. Several members have observed that they're weaker when wearing the link bracelet and become stronger when switching out to sport/leather bands.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Two different issues. It doesn't change the fact that metal bands dissipate the haptic taps. Several members have observed that they're weaker when wearing the link bracelet and become stronger when switching out to sport/leather bands.

I have read these but also other who went the other way so while the band might make a difference the haptic engines are STILL not all the same.

When I changed out my SB link band with a black leather loop it made zero difference for me. The tapper was simply not strong enough, even on the highest setting.