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Mad Mac Maniac

macrumors 601
Original poster
I really do love my Apple Watch, but sometimes I wish Apple had made something closer to the Samsung Gear S (For Reference: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/01/samsung-gear-s-review/ ).

Before all of the psuedo fashionistas come out of the woodwork talking about how ugly and bulky it is, just think about it for a second. It has a huge display (and huge battery to go with it) and therefore is able to include cellular, 3G and GPS. It much more efficiently utilizes space by wrapping slightly around your wrist.

Apple very clearly went for the more understated design, but if there's anything the phablet craze teaches us it's that people are willing to change/look goofy to have a large screen with better battery and more capabilities. Sure, I've never been super stylish, but I saw someone (a female) with a Gear S the other day and my thought wasn't "Wow gee look at how ugly and bulky that looks on her wrist" but was more along the lines of "wow that looks very cool and technological, making the best use of the space on her wrist." The utilitarian engineering/nerd brain inside me just think that it's much more practical and makes more sense.

So how many of your would want a larger, wrap around design if it included large display, 3G, GPS, and (at least) the same full day battery life?
 

BlueMoon63

macrumors 68020
Mar 30, 2015
2,055
959
I really do love my Apple Watch, but sometimes I wish Apple had made something closer to the Samsung Gear S (For Reference: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/01/samsung-gear-s-review/ ).

Before all of the psuedo fashionistas come out of the woodwork talking about how ugly and bulky it is, just think about it for a second. It has a huge display (and huge battery to go with it) and therefore is able to include cellular, 3G and GPS. It much more efficiently utilizes space by wrapping slightly around your wrist.

Apple very clearly went for the more understated design, but if there's anything the phablet craze teaches us it's that people are willing to change/look goofy to have a large screen with better battery and more capabilities. Sure, I've never been super stylish, but I saw someone (a female) with a Gear S the other day and my thought wasn't "Wow gee look at how ugly and bulky that looks on her wrist" but was more along the lines of "wow that looks very cool and technological, making the best use of the space on her wrist." The utilitarian engineering/nerd brain inside me just think that it's much more practical and makes more sense.

So how many of your would want a larger, wrap around design if it included large display, 3G, GPS, and (at least) the same full day battery life?
The ratio of complaints about the Apple Watch being too big versus too small is probably 50:1 so I highly doubt it would be a big seller. Considering the Gear S sales are so bad that they lowered the price to $99 tells you something. I'm not sure how many people really want to be Dick Tracey and look weird talking to their wrist but the Gear S also needs a phone for Apps. However, that thing is ugly and I don't consider a larger iPhone the same as a larger hunk of metal on your wrist. Not the same.

Keep the Apple Watch this size and maybe thinner a little and add GPS as all it needs. Considering you only need GPS for an hour or two (fitness) the battery should be able to last all day still. Battery technology will continue to improve using less space and having longer life.
 

BlueMoon63

macrumors 68020
Mar 30, 2015
2,055
959
I really do love my Apple Watch, but sometimes I wish Apple had made something closer to the Samsung Gear S (For Reference: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/01/samsung-gear-s-review/ ).

Before all of the psuedo fashionistas come out of the woodwork talking about how ugly and bulky it is, just think about it for a second. It has a huge display (and huge battery to go with it) and therefore is able to include cellular, 3G and GPS. It much more efficiently utilizes space by wrapping slightly around your wrist.

Apple very clearly went for the more understated design, but if there's anything the phablet craze teaches us it's that people are willing to change/look goofy to have a large screen with better battery and more capabilities. Sure, I've never been super stylish, but I saw someone (a female) with a Gear S the other day and my thought wasn't "Wow gee look at how ugly and bulky that looks on her wrist" but was more along the lines of "wow that looks very cool and technological, making the best use of the space on her wrist." The utilitarian engineering/nerd brain inside me just think that it's much more practical and makes more sense.

So how many of your would want a larger, wrap around design if it included large display, 3G, GPS, and (at least) the same full day battery life?
 

bangers

macrumors member
Apr 24, 2015
66
4
Phoenix, AZ
So how many of your would want a larger, wrap around design if it included large display, 3G, GPS, and (at least) the same full day battery life?

I think it would be a losing proposition for Apple. That is my opinion of course. I didn't think the 6+ would be a good idea either, but it seems to be working ok for them. Competing in the $100 market and ditching the elegant design doesnt seem to be their thing.

I already have a full day battery life. I will wait while they improve the technology and add a GPS which will improve a wide range of features, while still keeping at least the same (or better) battery life and form factor. If they make it bigger I will probably go back to my phone for notifications/apps and get a fitbit for health. I am hoping they dont add a camera, but grudgingly admit that it is a feature that many are asking for.
 

Mad Mac Maniac

macrumors 601
Original poster
Considering the Gear S sales are so bad that they lowered the price to $99 tells you something. I'm not sure how many people really want to be Dick Tracey and look weird talking to their wrist but the Gear S also needs a phone for Apps.

Have ANY of samsung's wearable's sold well? I think the Gear S's failure to gain traction can't be wholly attributed to the large size. Plus, I'm sure Apple would make it slightly smaller and much better looking.

Regarding "Dick Tracey", the Apple Watch allows you to talk on it (and I've found it to be useful in a few occasions). Plus I'd still have my phone 90% of the time, I'd just feel more confident leaving my phone behind on runs, bikerides etc knowing that I had 1) GPS, 2) ability to call for help 3) ability to still receive important notifications

I think it would be a losing proposition for Apple. That is my opinion of course. I didn't think the 6+ would be a good idea either, but it seems to be working ok for them. Competing in the $100 market and ditching the elegant design doesnt seem to be their thing.

I already have a full day battery life. I will wait while they improve the technology and add a GPS which will improve a wide range of features, while still keeping at least the same (or better) battery life and form factor. If they make it bigger I will probably go back to my phone for notifications/apps and get a fitbit for health. I am hoping they dont add a camera, but grudgingly admit that it is a feature that many are asking for.

I wouldn't exactly call this competing in the $100 market... the wearable started at $350 and was one of (if not THE) most expensive wearables at the time. The andoid culture couldn't handle that price very well, but Apple would be better at making that fly (obviously, because that's the starting price of the Apple Watch).

It's no secret that the larger a device the more capability/battery you can pack into it. So sure maybe we'd be able to get 3G and GPS in the current size without sacrificing battery life in a year or two, but if it's slightly larger it (possibly) could be accomplished now and then there would be ever FURTHER enhancements in a year or two.

Also, I wouldn't suggest this as being the only option, but rather a potential PLUS version perhaps focused additional key features. I understand that might create some compatibility issues with apps because of such a large screen size difference
 
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friedmud

macrumors 65816
Jul 11, 2008
1,415
1,265
I would definitely think seriously about an Apple Watch Plus. I use my 42mm a _ton_... and having everything be larger would be a bonus. I'm a pretty large dude (6'4") but my wrists aren't all that big so the 42mm looks about right... but I think a 46mm or something wouldn't look out of place either...
 

friedmud

macrumors 65816
Jul 11, 2008
1,415
1,265
Oh - for the record I have an iPhone 6+ as well. When I first got it I almost returned it because it's just a little bit too large. Over time I grew to like the size... but it is definitely right on the edge for me.
 

bangers

macrumors member
Apr 24, 2015
66
4
Phoenix, AZ
I wouldn't exactly call this competing in the $100 market... the wearable started at $350 and was one of (if not THE) most expensive wearables at the time.

This is why I think it would be a non-starter. Samsung already has a bigger watch in that space at that price. Apple has to either lower its price to the market rate for the fat-watch, or try to sell something similar at the usual apple markup. Either would be a much harder task than selling a sleeker watch with obvious thinner/better looks at the usual apple prices. With so many skeptical that they can pull off the current incarnation of the apple watch long-term, I dont think they would consider adding anything that would make selling them more difficult, even as an addition to the fleet.

Apple collect all sorts of statistics. Im sure they have a way of measuring how many people have larger wrists and said they would like a bigger watch, along with people who have said they would prefer longer battery life in exchange for a bigger size. They likely already know if it is worth while. Hopefully they will surprise us with something new that we never thought of and turns out to be amazing. :)
 

sean000

macrumors 68000
Jul 16, 2015
1,628
2,346
Bellingham, WA
I wouldn't want one (the 38mm is perfect for me), but hey... if there is a demand for a supersize Apple Watch (not sure if there is or not) I don't have a problem with it being just another available model. Personally I don't see Apple going too much larger in the display size, but who knows what they are planning to bake into the rumored smart band? I saw a Gear-S (or maybe it was its predecessor?) in the AT&T store earlier this year. It looked huge on me... more like a smart "cuff" than a smart watch. I don't have large wrists though (170mm) and I'm sure you aren't the only one who would like the look of the larger display and the additional built-in features.

Sean
 

douglasf13

macrumors 68000
Jul 2, 2010
1,781
1,083
Apple very clearly went for the more understated design, but if there's anything the phablet craze teaches us it's that people are willing to change/look goofy to have a large screen with better battery and more capabilities.

You don't have to wear the phablet, which is the big difference. I'm a 6'1" male, and I still highly prefer the 38mm Apple Watch, let along something even larger. Plus, I still want a larger screen in my pocket for dealing with various applications.

At least until we have some kind of new display technology, like holograms or projections, I think it makes the most sense for the Watch to be a window into your pocket computer, rather than being the computer itself.
 

npolly0212

macrumors 65816
Sep 21, 2015
1,374
463
I really do love my Apple Watch, but sometimes I wish Apple had made something closer to the Samsung Gear S (For Reference: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/01/samsung-gear-s-review/ ).

Before all of the psuedo fashionistas come out of the woodwork talking about how ugly and bulky it is, just think about it for a second. It has a huge display (and huge battery to go with it) and therefore is able to include cellular, 3G and GPS. It much more efficiently utilizes space by wrapping slightly around your wrist.

Apple very clearly went for the more understated design, but if there's anything the phablet craze teaches us it's that people are willing to change/look goofy to have a large screen with better battery and more capabilities. Sure, I've never been super stylish, but I saw someone (a female) with a Gear S the other day and my thought wasn't "Wow gee look at how ugly and bulky that looks on her wrist" but was more along the lines of "wow that looks very cool and technological, making the best use of the space on her wrist." The utilitarian engineering/nerd brain inside me just think that it's much more practical and makes more sense.

So how many of your would want a larger, wrap around design if it included large display, 3G, GPS, and (at least) the same full day battery life?
When I purchased my note before switching years ago I really wanted one when they came out. But with being in college and being on my parents plan they wouldn't allow me to add it to there plan. Played with them a few times and I was in love with it. Not having to have your phone with you everytime you go somewhere make texts and whatnot from it
 

gsmornot

macrumors 68040
Sep 29, 2014
3,650
3,802
If this question were asked prior to ownership it would have been easier to say yes. As it is today, having had my 42 since launch, I am fine with the size. It's bigger than many of the analog watches I wore in the past or at least similar in size.
 

fanta88

macrumors 6502
Apr 10, 2015
304
171
No, one of the reasons why I like the watch is because it can pass as a watch. But then, I use a 38 and think the oversized watch trend is unappealing, so...
 
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btrach144

macrumors demi-god
Aug 28, 2015
2,984
7,432
Indiana
Isn't the 38mm similar to the 6s and the 42mm similar to the 6s Plus? Don't we already kinda have this?
 

Zune55

macrumors 65816
May 2, 2015
1,050
465
I really do love my Apple Watch, but sometimes I wish Apple had made something closer to the Samsung Gear S (For Reference: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/01/samsung-gear-s-review/ ).

Before all of the psuedo fashionistas come out of the woodwork talking about how ugly and bulky it is, just think about it for a second. It has a huge display (and huge battery to go with it) and therefore is able to include cellular, 3G and GPS. It much more efficiently utilizes space by wrapping slightly around your wrist.

Apple very clearly went for the more understated design, but if there's anything the phablet craze teaches us it's that people are willing to change/look goofy to have a large screen with better battery and more capabilities. Sure, I've never been super stylish, but I saw someone (a female) with a Gear S the other day and my thought wasn't "Wow gee look at how ugly and bulky that looks on her wrist" but was more along the lines of "wow that looks very cool and technological, making the best use of the space on her wrist." The utilitarian engineering/nerd brain inside me just think that it's much more practical and makes more sense.

So how many of your would want a larger, wrap around design if it included large display, 3G, GPS, and (at least) the same full day battery life?

Gear S looks Garbage, AW is both perfect in functionality and fashion wise. No phone features needed in watch.
 

Bigdog9586

macrumors 6502
Apr 15, 2015
338
112
I really do love my Apple Watch, but sometimes I wish Apple had made something closer to the Samsung Gear S (For Reference: http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/01/samsung-gear-s-review/ ).

Before all of the psuedo fashionistas come out of the woodwork talking about how ugly and bulky it is, just think about it for a second. It has a huge display (and huge battery to go with it) and therefore is able to include cellular, 3G and GPS. It much more efficiently utilizes space by wrapping slightly around your wrist.

Apple very clearly went for the more understated design, but if there's anything the phablet craze teaches us it's that people are willing to change/look goofy to have a large screen with better battery and more capabilities. Sure, I've never been super stylish, but I saw someone (a female) with a Gear S the other day and my thought wasn't "Wow gee look at how ugly and bulky that looks on her wrist" but was more along the lines of "wow that looks very cool and technological, making the best use of the space on her wrist." The utilitarian engineering/nerd brain inside me just think that it's much more practical and makes more sense.

So how many of your would want a larger, wrap around design if it included large display, 3G, GPS, and (at least) the same full day battery life?
I thought the 42 was the plus and the 38 is the regular.
 
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convergent

macrumors 68040
May 6, 2008
3,034
3,083
I just sat next to a pretty big guy at the airport that was wearing a Gear S. I had never seem one in the wild and thought about it before buying the Apple Watch. When I noticed it on his wrist it was shocking how ridiculously huge it was. I think I was staring at it for a while and just thinking OMG is that thing huge. I am sure he saw my 42 SS AW and probably thought I was stupid for buying it. These things are very personal but I can't see something that big having much of a market.

I think the AW looks stylish enough to "fit in" with most people's taste and that is why millions are buying it at a premium price.
 
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