New here, just wondering if current watch owners would recommend buying now or waiting for future updates/versions. I'm really interested in the watch, but I've heard some negative feedback (as well as positive) about the OS and the watch itself. Curious what's the consensus here
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Watch owners: Buy now or wait
- Thread starter GaryNoine
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I've had my watch for nearly a month. Was going to wait for version 2 until Apple announced that Watch OS2 was coming out this fall. I'm glad I that I went ahead and bought version 1. Now that the novelty is wearing off, I find that it's a convenient and useful accessory to my iPhone.
This totally depends on everything personal... your budget and what you expect from a smart watch.
I bought it because I wanted the notifications and the toy factor. When the next gen comes out, I plan to sell this one and buy the next gen at launch.
If you read the feedback, you already know the watch's strengths and weaknesses. So, just map those to your expectations in a smart watch and go from there.
It depends on your budget. I really wanted one and I love my AW but I got a Sport because I knew I would want to Gen 2 later and would later want a nicer finish. So if you want one but are not 100% sure then get the Sport. Works just like the rest but not as pretty. And hey if you don't like it, return it within 14 days
There probably won't be a consensus here. But I always think it is best to form your own opinions, rather than rely on what others think. Remember, there is a return window.
The more extensively you use your iPhone, the more you will appreciate the AW now. The more casual of an iPhone user you are, the more likely holding off for the next version might make sense.
I agree with people that it heavily depends on your personal situation, but my recommendation is BUY. I have had my Watch since April 30th and love it still which certainly indicates that it has lasting powers- at least for myself (and, millions others too I'm sure). The fact that I not only still wear it nearly every waking minute, but also interact with it in numerous types of ways countless times thru a day after 3 months, speaks to its added value in my life. It's not simply a novelty item. THO, I still fully grasp that (to continuously beat a dead horse) it is not for everyone, and many won't derive the same value for the Watch as I.
And, to address "waiting for Apple Watch 2," in my opinion, it is not "worth" the wait. Of course the Apple Watch 2 will be an amazing product, and the jump in all areas (of user experience and user interface and design and quality and battery life, etc) from the Apple Watch "1" to the future Watch v2 could be huge if accounting for Apple's track record. But still, we do not know exactly when that Watch will be released. Sure the popular opinion says next Spring, but that's still months and months of waiting. And waiting for a product that you don't actually know will make the huge leaps forward.
And, to address "waiting for Apple Watch 2," in my opinion, it is not "worth" the wait. Of course the Apple Watch 2 will be an amazing product, and the jump in all areas (of user experience and user interface and design and quality and battery life, etc) from the Apple Watch "1" to the future Watch v2 could be huge if accounting for Apple's track record. But still, we do not know exactly when that Watch will be released. Sure the popular opinion says next Spring, but that's still months and months of waiting. And waiting for a product that you don't actually know will make the huge leaps forward.
This is my opinion. If the starting price of 349.00 going to set you back financially, then don't buy it. This is not a smart phone which I think are essential and worth every penny. That being said, I've grown to really love my watch and wear it on a daily basis. It's stylish enough for a smart watch that I can wear it to work and has enough features to keep my regular watch on my dresser. I find myself rarely taking my phone out of my pocket. And I find less distracting than I anticipated. From the vibration alone I can tell if it's worth lifting my wrist or just ignore it.
For the record, I got the SGS and bought the leather loop for work.
For the record, I got the SGS and bought the leather loop for work.
After a couple of months with my Watch I'm still loving it and consider it essential for my lifestyle - I run a consulting business with lots of clients and thus lots of notifications, reminders, texts, calls, etc. Plus a wife and kid.
In other words, lots of things the watch allows me to address quickly without pulling out the phone. I rarely even use apps on it. It's all about a fast interface for the constant bombardment of things.
Aside from that, it takes me back to the kid in the 80s who loved his calculator watch as he was falling in love with tech in general.
In other words, lots of things the watch allows me to address quickly without pulling out the phone. I rarely even use apps on it. It's all about a fast interface for the constant bombardment of things.
Aside from that, it takes me back to the kid in the 80s who loved his calculator watch as he was falling in love with tech in general.
Buy now if you want one. There will be an OS update in the Fall, and rumor has it that there will be more color options for the Apple Watch Sport... gold and rose gold colored aluminum Sport watches and more color options for the Sport band. The hardware will be the same though.
I have owned an Apple Watch Sport for two weeks now and I think it's fantastic. Yes there are a few frustrations here and there, but they are far outweighed by the benefits in my opinion. I had read reviews and queried a coworker that led me to expect that the watch would feel much more beta than it does. I think most features were well thought out and implemented. I do not think the watch is for everyone, but it sounds like you have already decided that you want one... it's just a question of timing.
Personally I don't see any reason to wait. OS2 will be here soon with more features, more customization options and more native apps for better app performance. I look forward to Watch OS2, but not so much that I'm willing to try the beta. I really don't feel like there is a lot in the current watch OS that needs fixing. It has been a pretty smooth experience for me and the watch has added a lot of conveniences for me throughout the day. I especially love getting silent notifications via the haptic engine. I use notifications a lot for meetings, reminders, incoming text messages, etc. and now my iPhone and watch are totally silent. Nobody else has to know when I get a notification. Of course I like other features as well, and I use Siri on the watch way more than I thought I would (even though I sometimes have to say "Hey Siri!" twice to get her to listen).
Sean
I have owned an Apple Watch Sport for two weeks now and I think it's fantastic. Yes there are a few frustrations here and there, but they are far outweighed by the benefits in my opinion. I had read reviews and queried a coworker that led me to expect that the watch would feel much more beta than it does. I think most features were well thought out and implemented. I do not think the watch is for everyone, but it sounds like you have already decided that you want one... it's just a question of timing.
Personally I don't see any reason to wait. OS2 will be here soon with more features, more customization options and more native apps for better app performance. I look forward to Watch OS2, but not so much that I'm willing to try the beta. I really don't feel like there is a lot in the current watch OS that needs fixing. It has been a pretty smooth experience for me and the watch has added a lot of conveniences for me throughout the day. I especially love getting silent notifications via the haptic engine. I use notifications a lot for meetings, reminders, incoming text messages, etc. and now my iPhone and watch are totally silent. Nobody else has to know when I get a notification. Of course I like other features as well, and I use Siri on the watch way more than I thought I would (even though I sometimes have to say "Hey Siri!" twice to get her to listen).
Sean
I don't know what your situation is (like how you use your iPhone and what benefits you'd get from the Watch) but I can say for myself, having mine for almost 2 months now that I don't regret getting a Gen 1. I use it every day and can actually say I enjoy having it.
I don't use other 3rd party apps right now and still find it extremely useful to me. As we get closer to rainy season I'll want the Dark Skies app, but I don't have need for Uber and am not traveling, so some of the apps others like using on their Watch I haven't experimented with.
I have a few Apple bands, which I find very comfortable BTW, and also have some 3rd party on adapters. With the ease of changing watch faces and customizing the complications to the ease of changing out bands, I'm very happy with the versatility of the Watch. Battery hasn't been a problem ever for me and never needed to go to reserve power.
I considered going with the sport to limit the cost on a first gen but really loved the SS when I tried it on. And honestly I don't think I'll feel the need to upgrade if Apple put in a bigger battery in the next one. It would really have to be a big feature I thought I couldn't live without to even consider it since I'm happy now. Besides I expect I'll enjoy a number of upgrades in software without buying the next gen anyway.
I don't use other 3rd party apps right now and still find it extremely useful to me. As we get closer to rainy season I'll want the Dark Skies app, but I don't have need for Uber and am not traveling, so some of the apps others like using on their Watch I haven't experimented with.
I have a few Apple bands, which I find very comfortable BTW, and also have some 3rd party on adapters. With the ease of changing watch faces and customizing the complications to the ease of changing out bands, I'm very happy with the versatility of the Watch. Battery hasn't been a problem ever for me and never needed to go to reserve power.
I considered going with the sport to limit the cost on a first gen but really loved the SS when I tried it on. And honestly I don't think I'll feel the need to upgrade if Apple put in a bigger battery in the next one. It would really have to be a big feature I thought I couldn't live without to even consider it since I'm happy now. Besides I expect I'll enjoy a number of upgrades in software without buying the next gen anyway.
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I wouldn't say the Apple Watch 2 will not come out, but even if it will, it will not be in the short term. The Apple Watch's position as a fashion product dictates that the internals is only a part of Apple's consideration. I think the upgrade cycle will be more like the iPod Touch or Apple TV. It can next fall or even later, who knows.
I've had the watch for more than a month now (yes I'm late to the party), and am quite satisfied for what it is in the current version. I think OS 2 will greatly improve the app launching speed. But I can't see how the battery life can dramatically increase if the underlying battery tech has not changed. If the battery problem can be solved, it will be a big revolution in smartphones, smart watches, electric vehicles, and any mobile device.
I've had the watch for more than a month now (yes I'm late to the party), and am quite satisfied for what it is in the current version. I think OS 2 will greatly improve the app launching speed. But I can't see how the battery life can dramatically increase if the underlying battery tech has not changed. If the battery problem can be solved, it will be a big revolution in smartphones, smart watches, electric vehicles, and any mobile device.
I think you just sold me. My personal life has been a two for so long, mainly due to my fear of the big "C" word.
The perennial question when it comes to Apple products (or indeed any tech item). The one thing you can be sure of is there will be a better/cheaper model around the corner.
In this case I think there will be quite a wait for the next version so I say go for it.
In this case I think there will be quite a wait for the next version so I say go for it.
This is the eternal question put to all 
products, iPhones, iPods, iPads, iMacs, etc. Normally it shows up the day after the product is released. I believe that if you were to search back through the threads for the Watch you would find it asked many times.
You will also find it asked over and over this fall when the new OS comes out. Should I buy now or wait until the new model watch is available, assuming that is going to update it every year. No one knows that.
I would say if you want, need, and can afford one then go for it. It's not that you'll lose that much even if you decide that it isn't for you, as you have a 14 day period to return it and even after that there is always eBay.
products, iPhones, iPods, iPads, iMacs, etc. Normally it shows up the day after the product is released. I believe that if you were to search back through the threads for the Watch you would find it asked many times. You will also find it asked over and over this fall when the new OS comes out. Should I buy now or wait until the new model watch is available, assuming that
is going to update it every year. No one knows that. I would say if you want, need, and can afford one then go for it. It's not that you'll lose that much even if you decide that it isn't for you, as you have a 14 day period to return it and even after that there is always eBay.
As others have said, how useful you'll find it will depend on your expectations pre-purchase. This will not replace your iPhone. It is not a toy you will spend hours playing with daily. It is, however, a more convenient way to get notifications, directions, activity tracking, and weather updates. If that sounds like something you'd appreciate, I think you'll find the current version of the Watch very useful. If this isn't what you're hoping for from it, you might be better to wait and see what the next version brings.
In general, though? My advice on this one is buy now if you can easily afford to do so.
Considering it's a new product with no established upgrade cycle, we can't be sure when the next gen will come out, so it could be a frustrating wait. Unless you really can wait for the next gen without knowing when it will come (which could be a year from now, or two-- potentially longer), the longer you hold off, the less time you'll have it before it's usurped by a newer version, and many people find that frustrating.
If you are not sure how much you'll use it, go for the Sport. At the end of the fortnight, you can swap for the SS version if you are loving it, stick with the Sport if you are liking it, or return if it's not for you.
In general, though? My advice on this one is buy now if you can easily afford to do so.
Considering it's a new product with no established upgrade cycle, we can't be sure when the next gen will come out, so it could be a frustrating wait. Unless you really can wait for the next gen without knowing when it will come (which could be a year from now, or two-- potentially longer), the longer you hold off, the less time you'll have it before it's usurped by a newer version, and many people find that frustrating.
If you are not sure how much you'll use it, go for the Sport. At the end of the fortnight, you can swap for the SS version if you are loving it, stick with the Sport if you are liking it, or return if it's not for you.
The way that Apple handled the rollout of Apple Watch completely stopped me from buying one initially. I have been observing feedback since the launch and at this point I will definitely wait for the second version.
Yeah, I think I have for the most part. I haven't bought it, but if I do decide to pull the trigger it will be within a month and I don't really see the point at this stage in waiting for the next generation.