Apple watch 3 what's new. Communication and connections. Unlock Mac with Apple Watch
We present to your attention a complete review of the new Apple Watch Series 3.
Apple Watch Series 3 is the third generation of smartwatches from Apple. The device was first presented at the annual WWDC conference on September 12, 2017. Sales of watches in the Russian Federation started at the beginning of October.
In Russia, you can purchase a new product for 24,000-27,000 rubles, depending on the modification of the gadget.
Today, the third generation Apple Watch is an innovative device on the market that can compete with other major smartwatch manufacturers.
Externally, Apple Watch Series 3 is no different from Series 2, however, the hardware and software capabilities of the gadget have changed.
Now users of the new watch will receive:
- Instant Notifications about all calls and messages. An already well-known function now works even faster and more accurately;
- Setting up a smart alarm, which is able to track all phases and quality of your sleep;
- Activity monitoring throughout the day using the built-in fitness tracker;
- Control other Apple gadgets using Apple Watch. Thanks to simple synchronization, you can control, iPod, and others apple devices, pressing the keys of the smart watch;
- GPS tracker. Users have the opportunity to download regular cards or special application for your car model. With its help, the watch will measure the temperature in the cabin, be able to lock/unlock doors, and monitor the fuel level.
Fig. 1 – appearance of the gadget
Comparison with competitive models
Below is comparison table Apple Watch Series 3 and other most popular smartwatch models.
Note that Apple Watch is the only series of watches that runs on Watch OS.
OS is installed on other devices Android Wear.
| Index | Apple Watch Series 3 | Samsung Galaxy Gear S | Asus Zen Watch | Sony Smart Watch 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU: | Apple S3 dual core | 1.2 GHz | 1.2 GHz | 1.2 GHz |
| Built-in memory: | 8 GB or 16 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| RAM: | 768 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Touchscreen: | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat |
| GPS: | Eat | No | No | Eat |
| NFC chip: | Eat | Eat | Eat | Eat |
| Voice control: | Siri | Google Now | Google Now | Google Now |
| Screen resolution: | 390×312 px | 360×480 px | 400×400 px | 320×320 px |
| Display type: | Color LED | Color LED | Color LED | Color LED |
| Battery: | 279 mAh | 300 mAh | 369 mAh | 279 mAh |
The lineup
Apple presented several specifications of smartwatches at once.
They all have the same characteristics, but There are significant differences in appearance:
- Apple Watch 3 – standard model. Two variations of body material - aluminum or stainless steel. There is a sports strap from Apple different colors;
- Apple Watch 3 Hermes - This is a collection that is made in a business style. The set includes leather straps from Hermes;
- Apple Watch 3 Nike – a specification created in partnership with Nike. The watch differs from the standard version only in the presence of a branded strap from a sports brand.
Unboxing
Consider the packaging of the Apple Watch Series 3 version with an aluminum case.
This modification of watches is the most popular in the Russian Federation and the entire CIS.
The equipment is no different from previous generations of Apple smartwatches. The box of the original product has a rectangular oblong shape. The device model is indicated on the front.
Inside the box we see the watch itself with a silicone strap from Apple already installed.
Also, the package includes a spare shorter half of the strap made of identical material.
You will need it in case you need to reduce the size of the strap or replace it.
The rest of the equipment is standard- this is a branded charger and, as well as instructions for setting up and operating the gadget.
Note that charging from the new watch is compatible with Apple Watch Series 2 and all mobile devices companies. This means that all popular accessories will work with the watch. For example, a docking station.
Design
Externally, the new product is in many ways reminiscent of the second generation of smartwatches. The same case material and dial shape make the Apple Watch recognizable among similar gadgets on the market.
The black watch case goes well with both a standard and any custom strap.
Even bright colors will not spoil the appearance of the gadget.
On right side the body contains two control buttons I. The round Digital Crown is reminiscent of the dial found on a regular watch. Both buttons different modes Pressing performs several actions at once.
For more information about how the keys work, read the section Performance.
The build quality matches Apple technology.
The first impression is that the case is very durable and solid.
It does not creak and gives the impression that the screen and back cover are solid.
This indicates the impeccable quality of the entire structure.
The thickness of the watch also remains quite impressive - 11.4 mm. On the one hand, such a gadget looks solid and weighty on the hand.
On the other hand, many users have long been waiting for a smartwatch from Apple with the thinnest case possible.
This is just a matter of personal preference, but note that this dial size is typical for most smartwatches and is one of the main features.
Compared with the previous generation of watches, the shape of the case has not changed. The only thing is that the developers preferred a neat glossy finish.
Apple does not limit its users in the ability to visually modify smartwatches.
Today on the market of accessories for smart devices you can find great amount universal straps for everyone Apple models Watch.
The material can also be completely different from leather to ordinary silicone.
The watch feels great on the hand. The gadget does not create any inconvenience and has a secure mount. Even during training or running, you can be sure that the gadget will not fall.
The inside of the watch is also an important element of the gadget’s operation.
There is a sensor here that measures the heartbeat. When activated, it lights up green.
Note that while wearing the device on your hand, this green light will not be visible. The round part around the sensor is made of ceramic.
Also, on back cover There are two buttons, the task of which is to fix or detach the strap. As you can see, the shape of these buttons is exactly the same as in previous generations of smartwatches, so you can easily use your old bands or buy parts for other Apple Watch models.
On the left side of the back cover there is a speaker and a microphone, which are used to record sound and voice control.
Screen
The screen resolution has not changed and remains the same as in previous models. Note that there are two modifications of the case. One with a 38 mm diagonal screen, the second with a 42 mm screen.
Depending on the screen size, the extension can be 272x340 or 312x390 pixels.
Externally, the display is not similar to the screens of modern smartphones and tablets. It is made in the form of a solid plate, the boundaries of which are curved and smoothly flow into the body material. As for tactile sensations, we note the smoothness of the surface. Also, the screen is scratch resistant.
This technology allows you to get rid of glare and has a grease-repellent property - traces of touches are removed very quickly and no streaks are visible on the screen.
It should also be noted that all oleophobic glass has one significant drawback - over time they fade a little. The saturation of shades and color rendition are lost. But with proper use, this problem can be avoided. It is enough not to exhibit maximum brightness and make sure that the watch is not under straight lines for a long time sun rays.
You can activate automatic brightness adjustment on your watch.
Thanks to the light sensor, the gadget will determine whether the brightness needs to be reduced or increased.
This allows you to save the device’s charge and protects the screen from premature burnout. Also, the user can adjust the brightness manually.
According to Apple, the Series screen has a . It works exclusively on LEDs, which do not affect humans in any way. Full color picture generated using RGB subpixels. They create an equal number of red, green and blue pixels on the screen. Micrography confirms the use of this technology Apple display Watch Series 3:
Any images on the watch screen acquire a natural color scheme and good saturation.
The viewing angle is excellent - the text of a message or any other information can be easily read from any angle, even if you are outside in very sunny weather.
Performance
The performance of Apple Watch 3 is on par with its competitors.
The gadget has a new built-in dual core processor S3, which was developed specifically for the new generation.
As the developers say, new processor provides performance that is 70% greater than in first and second generation gadgets. Also, today the S3 is one of the most powerful processors among all watches available on the market.
What does the new processor give?
- More quick opening applications;
- Smooth movement between windows (improved graphics);
- Rational distribution of battery resources;
- Improved Siri performance. Speech recognition and search queries are now even faster.
Also, yourself Apple users Watch 3 notes that in the new model the GSM network works an order of magnitude better (on average 30%-40%) than in previous models.
The battery drains less when constantly connected to a wireless network.
Memory
Apple simultaneously released two modifications of the Apple Watch 3, the only significant difference between which is the volume permanent memory. There are 8 GB and 16 GB watches.
Note that on this moment 16 GB of storage for the watch is the highest among all similar devices.
Brief summary of all model names and their distinctive characteristics:
- Apple Watch Series 3 42 mm – 16 GB of permanent memory. Plus there is support and . notice, that this model It is not yet officially sold in the CIS. You can order it on foreign websites. The promotion of this modification to the market is expected by the end of 2018;
- Apple Watch Series 38 mm – have a memory capacity of 8 GB.
As mentioned above, each of the two modifications can be made of aluminum or stainless steel.
Available colors: black, gray, light pink.
Battery
The battery of a smartwatch is one of the key parameters that all users pay attention to.
The battery capacity determines the operating time of the gadget and the ease of use.
The official Apple website states that the gadget can work without recharging for at least 18 hours under moderate use.
By 18 hours, the manufacturer means a test that was performed on hundreds of Series 3 gadgets.
Full discharge battery is equal to one of next steps:
The watch really uses charge efficiently, so you don’t have to worry about constant recharging.
It is worth noting that the battery life indicated by the developers may differ significantly from the actual indicators, because it all depends on how you use the gadget. Background work installed applications, constant pairing with a smartphone and connection to networks quickly drains the gadget.
The table below shows the average performance of the Series 3 smartwatch in various modes:
It is worth noting that such a discrepancy in operating time in the “Sports” mode depends on where exactly you are exercising – indoors or outdoors.
On the street it is possible to activate GPS, so charging is consumed faster.
The third generation of Apple Watch was introduced. In this review, I will try to highlight the main features of the Apple Watch Series 3 (AWS3).
AWS3 has acquired more powerful processor S3, which is 70% more powerful than the previous one.
AWS3 introduced an LTE module. The watch has a built-in electronic SIM card. The SIM card number will be identical to your SIM card in the iPhone. But at the same time, you no longer have to carry your phone with you. Calls can be received directly on the watch. You can also reply to messages using your watch.
LTE allows you to use Apple Music without an iPhone nearby. In AWS3 you can download maps and use GPS module without being tied to a phone. The watch also has a built-in altimeter.
Now Siri on the watch will be able to respond not only with text, but also with voice. Naturally, you need wireless headphones.
There are currently 3 main models in the Apple Watch line on official sale:
- Apple Watch Series 3 GPS + Cellular (from $399, not sold in Russia. And according to rumors, LTE will not support Russian networks)
- Apple Watch Series 3 (from $329, from 27,490 rubles in Russia)
- Apple Watch Series 1 (from $249, from 20,490 rubles in Russia)
Apple Watch Series 2 is officially no longer on sale...
Also in the USA you can buy Apple Watch Nike+, Apple Watch Edition, Apple Watch Hermes. Only Nike+ is available in Russia.
Impression
Finally, Apple Watch steel You can forget your stand-alone device and iPhone at home! On the other hand, there is some stagnation in the development of watches: the not very successful design has not changed in any way for three years, the battery still holds a charge for less than a day. The LTE version is not available for Russia.
The fact that the Series 2 line was cut to create a larger gap between AWS1 and AWS3 speaks volumes. Basically, watches are improved due to programmers: the next Apple Watch OS 4 will be released on September 19. It’s gratifying that even the most old Apple Watch supports it.
The announcement left a feeling of some kind of understatement... And not much time was devoted to the watch at the presentation.
As a result - good update Apple Watch, but of course I won’t buy it... :)
Side notes about the Apple Watch series 3 combat watch, let's talk about what watch to buy this year, about accessories, about performance, about why they are needed, and about some other things. Let's fly!
Which Apple Watch should you buy in 2018?
Any current watch is worth buying - you can check its relevance on the Apple website; if it is on the list, then everything is fine. If you have a lot of money, then you can safely take the Watch Edition from white ceramics of the second generation or from gray ceramics of the third generation. If you just want to try, feel free to take sports ones made of aluminum, I just wear these and don’t break off, the material doesn’t rub, the glass doesn’t scratch, you can choose a bunch of different straps, they hold a charge just like regular ones. The main question for many is whether to buy a Cellular watch or not? The fact is that if we expect support for models, it will be closer to the end of the year or even next year - our operators must do a colossal job of updating the equipment and we can talk about this in more detail. I note that the same technology is used in the iPad - remember about Apple SIM, the most convenient thing abroad. If I were buying a watch now, I would choose a third generation model made of steel, silver, I like to wear these with a metal bracelet, but as for the Cellular, I can easily do without this option. In general, I try to wear a smartwatch every other day, because the vibration on my wrist gives me a nervous tic - I want to somehow relax, the good old ones help mechanical watches. And when the smart watch starts ringing when separated from the smartphone, then all hell breaks loose.
Accordingly, choose Apple Watch is better and the easiest way is based on your budget. As a gift for a girl, for example, you can safely take the pink sports version, they look very cool, and they help in life.
Still, Cellular or regular?
Well, look, the main question is whether the Cellular version will be repaired in Russia - I called the authorized B2X service and asked a question, they say, I bought a watch with Cellular in the USA, they say, it stopped turning on, what should I do? They told me that they would take the watch for examination (2-3 weeks), the warranty is worldwide, repairs are possible. This made me think about whether I should hit the floor with my hat and please myself with gray ceramics with a red button. All other things being equal, I also advise you to take the Apple Watch series 3 with Cellular, someday it will work for us.
What if I like the Nike version?
Well, just buy it, the original strap with holes is easy to replace, this watch looks cool, the headband can also be changed. The photo shows not Nike, but Hermes (yyyy).
Which size should I choose?
This question is often asked about the Apple Watch, I see that many men also choose small watches because they look quite proportional on the hand. I always advise you to take it and try on both versions, then make a decision there. But, in general, my advice is this: I advise even girls to pay attention to 42 mm watches.
Straps
I tried almost all the original Apple Watch bands except Hermes and settled on following models. First of all, I really like the bracelet, aka Link, it looks great with a stainless steel watch, wears out over time but still looks great. Secondly, now with sports watches I wear a black Milanese loop, an ideal bracelet for any clothing and any situation - it dries instantly, does not press, does not pull hair, is very easy to adjust, fits well and is worth the money. Thirdly, the original silicone straps are still very good and are ideal as an initial option - in second place are nylon straps with Velcro, which are also cool. But, in general, everything is very good with Apple Watch straps, rich gentlemen and ladies can buy Hermes at the Central Department Store, but we, mere mortals, can easily buy a simpler strap. The industry is rocking and there are already a lot of offers, tons of straps for one hundred, two hundred, three hundred rubles, if you don’t want to buy them, please, there are small companies that produce high-quality leather straps. For example, there are such companies in the USA, I have a desire to try products from Grovemade, Pad&Quill, Nomad (very cool), crazy Casetify straps - just awesome.
The main thing is that all this magnificence fits watches of all generations, it’s easy to change with colleagues, the straps that I got my wife for her second-generation watch are perfect for the third. In short, the straps are in perfect order, the choice is huge and you don’t need to be afraid to experiment. If I suddenly forgot about some smart straps, write to me by email [email protected], I think we might even make a video about accessories for the Apple Watch.
Performance
To be honest, only the Apple Watch series 3 is so good that there are no questions about it at all, they turn on and off quickly, they update quickly, they charge quickly and work for a long time. The maximum in my case was about three days (!), when on Friday morning we went on another trip and I returned on Sunday night. There were ten percent left, but the “watches” clung to the battery until the last. I'm already used to taking a charging cable with me and using external battery quickly add hours to your life.
They do not sink in water, fresh or salt, and you can take a shower or sit in the bath with them, play sports or even sleep. I didn’t just put the word “tool” in the title, it really is a tool, although many perceive the gadget as some kind of image thing. Well, I don’t know what’s important about the image here - these are some smart Tag Heuers, all image. Here there are only functions - for me the most important thing is notifications, understanding whether I passed my quota today or not, the ability to answer a call without trying to frantically find a smartphone. Sometimes you wash the dishes, someone calls, runs your nose across the screen, talks, you continue to wash the dishes and calm your combed nerves. I really like the “Breathing” app, when I meditate for a minute I feel really good. I advise you to use the program too.
I don’t even know what to expect from the next watch, I can assume that the operating time will increase, the performance will improve along with the protection, they are unlikely to change the form factor, as you know, Apple tries to use a successful design for as long as possible. We are living with the series 3 until the fall and it is a very, very, very good smartwatch, in fact, the best on the market.
Apple Watch 3 was presented simultaneously with Apple TV 4K and new iPhones. Externally, the watch is barely different from the previous ones, but inside there are enough changes. Or is it still not? Let's figure it out.
Price: from 27,500 rubles
Compatibility: iPhone 5S+, iOS 11+ for version without LTE; iPhone 6+, iOS 11+ for LTE version
Neither the dimensions of the watch nor the display characteristics have changed when comparing the second and third versions of the Apple Watch. In principle, there is nothing wrong with this - their design is original and quite successful, there are no problems with existing models no, so there is no big reason to change anything. The display diagonal is 1.34 inches for the 38 mm version and 1.54 inches for the “male” 42 mm version. The resolution has not changed either - 272x340 and 312x390 pixels, respectively.
The only external difference between the version of the Apple Watch Series 3 with an LTE module is that part of its crown will be red (“When society has no color differentiation of the crowns of pants, then there is no purpose!” (c) film “Kin- dza-dza!"). Both generations of watches are capable of not drowning at a depth of up to 50 meters and are suitable for swimming.
But if you want to upgrade your old Apple Watch Series 2 just because the old one is boring in appearance, then you're better off just looking for a different strap.
Apple Watch Series 3
All the most important changes in the Apple Watch are on the inside. For example, the emergence of support for electronic SIM cards - Apple e-SIM. In fact, the card is not inserted into the gadget’s body, but is written into an already soldered chip. But this is by no means a plus for the Russian consumer - such SIM cards are not supported by our cellular providers.
But in countries where e-SIM has already been implemented, this means that you will not need a separate SIM card for your watch - Apple Watch Series 3 will duplicate your SIM and receive the signal as soon as the watch is out of sight of the smartphone. Interestingly, providers like AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon will charge about $10 per month for this. But it’s not clear why - just for the possibility of redirection?
So in the US, buying the LTE version of the Apple Watch Series 3 will not only cost you $70 more one-time, but also $120 more annually. As for the third Watch without an LTE module, they, like the Apple Watch Series 2, can communicate with the outside world via a smartphone, if it is nearby, or via a Wi-Fi network.
Apple Watch Series 3
What will the Russian consumer get? Regular version without an LTE module also has its advantages over the previous series. For example, the new S3 processor. True, all that is known about it so far is that it is supposedly 70% faster than the previous one - S2. The chip responsible for wireless communication via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth - now it will be more productive with less energy consumption.
Apple promises that the new watch will last up to 18 hours on a single charge. As for memory, the RAM remains the same as it was - 512 MB, but the permanent memory has doubled - 16 GB instead of the previous 8 GB, but only for the version with LTE. In addition, the new watch has a built-in bluetooth module 5.0 - this can be found in the Samsung Galaxy S8 or in the new iPhones that are being prepared for sale. Its “economical” component is faster than Bluetooth 4.2 and “hits” four times further.
Apple Watch Series 3
This time, Apple has built a barometric altimeter into its new smartwatch, a sensor that measures changes in altitude. With it, you can monitor your achievements in more detail, for example, when running on hilly terrain, skiing in the mountains, and so on. As for prices, the cheapest version of Watch Series 3 will cost 27,500 rubles.
That's basically it. Some more new features will appear with the release of watchOS 4, but they will also be available for previous series, so we won’t dwell on this, but will move on to competitors.
Samsung Gear S3
Price: 22,000 rubles for the version with LTE
Compatibility: Android 4.4+ with 1.5 RAM, iOS 9+, iPhone 5+
A direct competitor to the new Apple Watch Series 3 was announced last September, and has been on sale in Russia since December. These are watches stuffed with everything possible Samsung Gear 3. They are round and generally imitate regular watches much better than square Applewatches.
Among the advantages - convenient control with the help not only touch screen, but also the bezel - round frame, which turns in any direction. The Gear S3 has almost everything: GPS, altimeter, NFC, heart rate monitor, water protection and even its own operating system- Tizen. True, there are still not as many applications for the latter as there are for Android Wear or watchOS, which blurs the pleasure of use. In addition, they have less permanent memory - 4 GB versus 8 GB for the Apple Watch 3. An LTE module - also for e-SIM - is available in some versions, but they are not sold in Russia.
LG Watch Style
Price: 15,000 rubles
Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 9+
If you are put off by the prices of the Apple Watch Series 3 and Samsung Gear 3, then you can always just take the LG Watch Style - they will cost “only” 15 thousand rubles. Among the advantages: they are very compact and elegant, weigh a third less than Samsung Gear 3, look good even on a woman’s hand, and work in the operating room Android system Wear 2.0, and are also protected from dust and moisture.
True, they not only cost less, but also do much less than the already mentioned models. For example, the LG Watch Style does not have a GPS module, heart rate monitor, or even NFC. So if you like to run around, stopping at shops to pay for hours (a common activity modern man), then this model is unlikely to suit you. But if you want to quickly view notifications, switch tracks on your smartphone by hand, or simply change your grandfather clock to something more or less modern, then LG Watch Style is a good option.
Apple Watch Series 2
Apple Watch Series 2
Price: 23,000 rubles
Compatibility: iPhone 5+, iOS 10+
The Apple Watch Series 2 hasn't gone old school yet - this watch is only a year old. And, if you already have them, then switching to new ones is a very dubious idea. We most likely won’t see an Apple Watch Series 3 with an LTE module one way or another, but without it the difference is not that big. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are slower than the new model, there is no height sensor, and the processor is weaker. True, we will only find out whether a more powerful one is needed with the release of watchOS 4.
But the Apple Watch Series 2 has GPS, a heart rate monitor, and is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters. You can also pay with them using Apple Pay.
Along with the new iPhones, Apple has also updated its line of smartwatches. The third generation of Apple Watch cannot boast of radical improvements, but it pleases with additional sensors and operating modes, and also promises smoother operation thanks to the new SoC. We got acquainted with the clock and used it in real life. This article contains all the details!
Before moving on to a description of innovations and impressions of Apple usage Watch Series 3, let's deal with the current one model range Apple Watch.
As we remember, the first Apple Watch came in two sizes (42 and 38 mm) and two types of materials: aluminum Apple Watch Sport with Ion-X glass and steel Apple Watch with sapphire crystal. In addition to this, there was also an elite Apple Watch Edition series, but this can be ignored, since million-dollar watches are a very tiny segment.
When the manufacturer introduced the second generation of watches a year later, there was no longer a steel version, but the first generation was still on sale in all its variety. And now, with the release of the Apple Watch Series 3, it was decided not to confuse buyers completely and with a strong-willed decision to limit the choice by size (42 or 38 mm), generation (Series 1 or Series 3; Series 2 watches are no longer represented in Apple Store) and color (silver, gold, white or dark gray Space Gray).
Alas, you can no longer buy a watch with a stainless steel case and sapphire crystal, although this was a truly remarkable design decision. You can’t choose between Series 2 and Series 3. But the price of Series 1 has dropped to 18,490 rubles, so the choice strategy has become extremely simple: if you want to save money, take any version of Series 1; if you want much broader functionality, take Series 3. At the same time, In terms of appearance, they are practically the same (except for the color and straps, of course).
Let's explore Apple specifications Watch Series 3 and compare them with the two previous generations.
| Apple Watch Series 3 | Apple Watch Series 2 | Apple Watch Series 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | rectangular, flat, AMOLED, 1.5″, 272×340 (290 ppi) / 1.65″, 312×390 (304 ppi) | ||
| Protection | from water (5 atm) | from water (5 atm) | from splashes |
| Strap | removable, leather/silicone/metal/nylon | ||
| SoC (CPU) | Apple S3, 2 cores | Apple S2, 2 cores | Apple S1P, 2 cores |
| Connection | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, LTE (optional) | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Camera | No | ||
| Microphone, speaker | There is | ||
| Compatibility | devices running iOS 8.3 and later | ||
| operating system | watchOS 4.0 | watchOS 3.0 (upgrade to watchOS 4.0 available) | |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 279 mAh | 273 mAh | 205 mAh |
| Dimensions (mm) | 38.6×33.3×11.4 / 42.5×36.4×11.4 | 38.6×33.3×10.5 / 42.5×36.4×10.5 | |
| Weight (g) | 42 / 53 | 25 / 30 | 25 / 28 |
| Average price (38 mm)* | T-1732204347 | T-14207066 | T-14207064 |
| Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm) Retail Deals* | L-1732204347-5 | ||
| Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm) Retail Deals* | L-1732204394-5 | ||
*Prices and offers are based on models with aluminum case and silicone strap
Of course, based on the specified characteristics, little can be said about the innovations of the Apple Watch Series 3, especially in comparison with the Series 2. Apple does not disclose details about single-chip systems: even the frequency of the CPU cores is not reported. We only know that all SoCs have two of them, but Series 3 has the most powerful SoC.
We cannot verify this with any tests, but traditionally the difference will be felt with the release of new versions of watchOS. For example, on the very first Apple Watch, the new watchOS 4 slows down noticeably.
As we can see, the main difference is the potential availability of a cellular version. However, we must take into account that such options are not officially sold in Russia yet, since our operators do not yet support this option in the form that is implemented by Apple (via eSIM and using the same number with the iPhone). However, I think it’s a matter of time.
We will talk about other differences in this article.
Equipment
The packaging of the aluminum version of the Apple Watch Series 3 looks the same as the Apple Watch Series 2 and the first generation Apple Watch Sport. This is an elongated box made of thick cardboard.
The equipment of the new product is identical to that of models of previous generations: in addition to the watch itself, it includes a silicone strap (with a smaller spare half - so that you can choose the optimal one for your hand), Charger 5 V 1 A, USB cable with wireless charging tablet at the end and leaflets with user information.
The charger from the new Apple Watch is fully compatible with Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 1. And vice versa. Therefore, accessories will also work - for example, a convenient docking station.
Design
In appearance, the new product does not differ from its predecessor (Series 2). This is the same aluminum rectangular case with rounded corners and edges, as well as two buttons on the right side.
One of these buttons is oblong, the other is round, and at the same time serves as a wheel that can be rotated (Digital Crown). There is a feeling that the wheel scrolls more smoothly, and button presses, on the contrary, are a little tighter. But, firstly, we cannot compare directly, and secondly, even if this is so, then this is a plus, since it should have reduced the likelihood of accidental clicks and simplified the use of the wheel.
The screen size remains the same. We had the 42 mm version, and the 38 mm version is also available for sale. On the back we see a sensor heart rate, buttons for detaching the strap. The circular area around the sensor is ceramic. On the left side are the speaker and microphone holes.
The thickness of the new product is the same as that of the Apple Watch Series 2, which is a millimeter greater than that of the first Apple Watch and is apparently explained by enhanced moisture protection and the presence of a more capacious battery. However, the watch on your hand looks no worse than the first generation model. It’s just a pity that it’s not possible to select versions from other materials, but we’ve already complained about this and won’t repeat it.
Keeping the dimensions has one important advantage: absolutely all models of all generations of Apple Watch, including Series 3, are fully compatible with all released straps. Considering that some of these straps cost more than the watch itself (such as the steel block bracelet), it would simply be unfair to the people who bought them to change the way the straps are mounted on a new generation of watches.
At the same time, Apple continues to expand its range of straps. And we will talk about this in the next section of the article.
Straps 2017
Over the last half Apple of the Year expanded the line several times. The most Last update, timed to coincide with the release of the Apple Watch Series 3, became, as expected, the most radical, but there are many interesting things among the spring-summer models. We managed to get to know them and even used some of them in Everyday life.
Let's start with the most exciting new product: the nylon strap with Velcro. Apple is consistently expanding the types of clasps. Velcro fastening has been added to the magnetic clasps, classic buckle, butterfly buckle and sport strap button.
Here the strap is a continuous band without division into halves. It is attached to the watch using plastic blocks. And it is fixed on the hand, respectively, with the help of five Velcro. The advantage of this option is that you can adjust the size of the strap to your hand with maximum flexibility - down to the millimeter.
The surface of the strap itself is made of nylon threads of different colors, this creates interesting shades: for example, the photo shows a black strap, but thanks to threads of other colors (it’s difficult to even tell which ones), an unusual combination is obtained. In our opinion, this strap goes well with a sweater or any other fluffy fall-winter clothing.
Another new strap is a variation of the nylon straps. The essence is the same (fastening, clasp, combination of threads of two colors), but the arrangement of the threads itself is different, which is why the pattern turns out to be very different from what it was before.
To this is worth adding the spring-summer collection of nylon straps. They store old type weaving, but the approach to color is changing. If previously intertwined threads of two colors formed a single color field, now there are options with multi-colored stripes. For example, Apple calls the option in the photo below “yellow pollen.”
In the meantime, we were able to appreciate three color options in everyday life: “red”, “lake blue” and “pollen yellow” (in addition to the previously described black). They fit casual clothes and suggest the presence of some bright elements in clothing. Ideally, the same shades in other clothing items.
So this is, of course, an interesting task for fashionistas. But note that the colors do not look flashy or vulgar (for example, “wild berry” is a much more universal option than any other type of pink straps). And “blue lake” is a really great option for denim.
In addition, we note that when worn for a long time on the hand, nylon straps do not cause any unpleasant sensations. On the contrary, over time they take the shape of a hand - as if they were created especially for you. It's nice. And for those who do not plan to actively use the watch for sports, a nylon strap is a very good alternative to a silicone or Nike strap (their cost is identical - about 4,000 rubles at the time of writing).
These are, of course, summer decisions. However, they can also be relevant in the fall - you want to maintain a summer mood, even when it’s dark and slush outside.
New colors have also appeared for straps made of other materials. Moreover, along with the color, the surface texture was updated, so the straps began to feel different. A striking example is the yellow leather strap with a classic buckle.
First of all, it's actually three colors: outer color- yellow, the inner surface is natural (dark beige) color, and the edges are gray. And secondly, the leather here is softer and more elastic than in the case of a brown strap and, especially, a black one (we wrote about them earlier). In addition, oddly enough, the buckle itself is different, although it cannot be said for the worse or for the better. She's just a little different.
As for the color itself, it is a little lighter and brighter than in the photos, without an orange tint. And it looks very cool - it gives you a summer mood and becomes a great accent when worn with neutral clothes.
In addition, back in the spring, regular sports straps appeared in the colors "smoky blue", "pollen yellow" and "flamingo pink", and the most widely updated line of Nike straps. “Light Violet/White”, “Purple Dust/Plum Haze”, “Orbit Blue/Gamma Blue” and “Obsidian/Black” added variety to the previously limited selection of strict shades.
Screen
Size and resolution Apple screen Watch Series 3 has not changed compared to the first and second generations. The watch is available in two display sizes: 38mm and 42mm. Accordingly, their resolution also differs: 272×340 and 312×390, respectively. We had a 42mm watch with a screen resolution of 312x390.
We conducted a detailed examination of the screen using measuring instruments. Below is the conclusion of the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev.
The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a scratch-resistant glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface curved towards the edges. On the outer surface of the screen there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, slightly better than Google Nexus 7 (2013)), therefore fingerprints are removed much easier and appear at a lower speed than in the case of ordinary glass. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are slightly better than those of Google screen Nexus 7 2013. For clarity, here is a photo in which a white surface is reflected in the switched off screens:
The screen of the Apple Watch Series 3 is slightly darker (brightness according to photographs is 105 versus 113 for the Nexus 7). There is no double reflection, which indicates that there is no air gap between the layers of the screen. When displaying the white field in full screen, the maximum brightness value we recorded was about 650 cd/m² (with bright backlight on the screen), the minimum was 60 cd/m² (the first level of adjustment, office lighting).
It’s worth making a reservation here: Apple promises brightness up to 1000 cd/m², but it’s impossible to verify this, because when measuring brightness, the light sensor is partially blocked and the brightness is automatically reduced, and it’s impossible to disable this parameter. So we couldn’t confirm the numbers promised by the manufacturer, but we have no reason not to trust Apple.
As already mentioned, automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor always works. The user can only make adjustments to the operation of this function by choosing one of three levels. At any brightness level there is modulation with a frequency of 60 Hz, but its amplitude is small, so flickering is not visible. Graphs of brightness (vertical axis) versus time (horizontal axis) illustrate the above:
This screen uses AMOLED matrix— active matrix on organic LEDs. A full-color image is created using subpixels of three colors - red (R), green (G) and blue (B) in equal quantities, as confirmed by a fragment of a microphotograph:
For comparison, you can familiarize yourself with those used in mobile technology.
The spectra are typical for OLED - the primary color areas are well separated and appear as relatively narrow peaks:
However, there is also cross-mixing of components (programmatically), so the coverage is not overly wide, but adjusted to the sRGB boundaries:
Accordingly, typical images (with sRGB coverage) on the Apple Watch screen have natural saturation. Unfortunately, color profiles are not supported (or are not transferred when copying images to the watch), so even wide color gamut images are still displayed as sRGB. The color temperature of the white and gray fields is approximately 7350 K, and the deviation from the black body spectrum (ΔE) is 4.4-4.7 units. Color balance is good. Black is just black from any angle. It's so black that the contrast setting is in this case not applicable. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the white field is excellent. The screen has excellent viewing angles with a much smaller drop in brightness when viewed from an angle compared to LCD screens, but at higher angles the whites fade noticeably to blue. Overall, the quality of the Apple Watch screen is very high.
New opportunities
The watch comes preloaded with watchOS 4.0 operating system. You can read about its main innovations in, and what is said there is true for all generations of Apple Watch. Let us remind you that even the very first generation is compatible with the latest OS. Here we will look at those functions and features that apply only to the Apple Watch Series 3 and are not available on older models.
So, perhaps, the main innovation of the Apple Watch Series 3, not counting the LTE connection, which is not yet available to Russian users, is constant and rather in-depth monitoring of cardiac activity. As Apple rightly notes, cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of death today, especially among men. Moreover, their danger is that for quite a long time a person, already being unhealthy, may not feel any discomfort and, therefore, does not take any measures to prevent a heart attack or the like.
In addition, regular medical examinations in Russia are still not established, and obtaining health certificates is nothing more than a formality. And somehow it is not customary for us to go without any complaints and have our heart checked. Therefore, the importance of constant monitoring of heart function is difficult to overestimate. It is clear that this cannot be compared with diagnostics in medical centers and using professional equipment, and it is stupid to expect that a watch will immediately give us a diagnosis (although, who knows, maybe in 10 years we will live to see that). But Apple Watch Series 3 can alert you if it notices problems with your heart rate. And even if this is a mistake, it is better to be safe.
So let's take a closer look at how this happens.
While you're wearing Apple Watch Series 3, the watch automatically measures your heart rate every few minutes. At the same time, they correlate the information received with yours. current activity(which, of course, is reported by other sensors - the accelerometer and gyroscope), and if you sat still for 10 minutes, but your heart rate exceeded the specified threshold (by default it is 120 beats per minute), the watch will warn you.
You can view or change settings in Watch app on iPhone by going to the “Pulse” section.
The watch also measures heart rate variability, which is the difference in time between two heartbeats. This figure should be small.
All your heart monitoring information is automatically exported to the Health app. There, in a visual form, you can see to what values and when your pulse rose, what the average pulse was for a certain period of time and other useful information.
In fact, among non-professional household devices, the Apple Watch Series 3 now collects and provides maximum information about the functioning of the heart. And, what is important, without any user effort. That is, you don’t have to run measurements, then do anything with the results, etc. You just wear the watch - and then see all the results in the application on your iPhone.
Another innovation of the Apple Watch Series 3 is the appearance of an altimeter. Thanks to it, the watch can measure the number of floors climbed and generally record your ascents and descents. Note that when everyday use The same information can also be collected by the iPhone—and the Health app lists the iPhone as a priority source. But, for example, on a hike or when playing sports, a watch will clearly be a more convenient tool.
And the last innovation, available only on Apple Watch Series 3: Siri can now talk through the watch speaker (and the sound is quite clear and loud) or through AirPods headphones. The manufacturer claims that this became possible thanks to a new, more powerful processor. Of course, it is difficult to call this an important innovation, but in certain situations it can really be useful.
Autonomous operation
As before, we do not have the tools to test the duration with any precision. battery life Apple Watch Series 3 - only subjective impressions. But if you rely on them, it turns out that Apple really carried out great job, and three days of work without recharging is already quite a reality for her watch.
Note that the first Apple Watch, updated to watchOS 4.0, worked for us for no more than two days. So there is a positive trend. Of course, the more intensively you use the watch, the faster it will drain, but if you use the Series 3 solely for notifications and viewing the time, you can safely count on three days.
conclusions
If we talk about the version without LTE, the Apple Watch Series 3 is a rather modest update. The vast majority of innovations reported by the manufacturer are related to watchOS 4, and not to the watch itself. Therefore, if you have an Apple Watch Series 2, then there is undoubtedly no reason to update. If you Apple owner Watch Series 1, then it all depends on whether you need the innovations that we noted in Series 2, and whether watches with watchOS 4 slow down. The very first generation (which, we recall, was functionally identical to Series 1, but with twice the slower SoC) there were slowdowns and “thoughtfulness”. So if you have the very first Apple Watch, then it’s worth upgrading, but if you have Series 1, you still need to think carefully.
Perhaps the main one Apple feature Watch Series 3 - serious monitoring of cardiac activity. And this is perhaps an important argument, especially if you are a man over 40. But the main thing is that this is a very productive signal to the entire industry and an attempt to respond to the still topical issue: Why do we need smartwatches at all?
Other innovations - the appearance of an altimeter and Siri voice response capabilities - can hardly be considered truly significant. But, strictly speaking, Apple does not offer to compare Series 3 and Series 2. official store Now only Series 3 and Series 1 are sold, so the third generation just replaced the second, adopting all its features (moisture protection, GPS) and adding a few of its own. This is probably a boring situation for reviewers and tech geeks; I wish the Series 3 were a more serious step forward. But, on the other hand, we can’t help but be glad that Apple is developing not only hardware, but also software, and even owners of models of previous generations can take advantage of the innovations in watchOS 4.
From the same opera, there are new straps, of which there are many (if you count all those released after the Apple Watch Series 2). They, like the operating system, are suitable for absolutely all Apple Watch models ever released. And for this you can even forgive the lack of updating the watch design. Yes, again, a bit boring, but it is fully compatible with all existing straps. Apple is clearly trying to convey a message to doubters: buy our watches now, they will be relevant for a long time. And to make it easier for them to make such a decision, the manufacturer has lowered prices for Series 1, so that the threshold for entry into the “Apple Watch owner’s club” has become lower than ever.
