The Apple Watch 4 is the first big update to a device that the brand has abandoned for a number of years — in fact, we've had something different since the first model came out years ago.

We recently spent some time with the new device at Apple's launch event and added some additional thoughts based on our time in the demo area - there are a few new features on this new wrist.

The Apple Watch 3 recently lost the title of best smartwatch in our Samsung Galaxy Watch rankings - so what could the Watch 4 (or Apple Watch Series 4, to give it the full title) bring it to the top of the charts?

Below you can catch up with the Apple Watch 4 news with our handy video announcement

• Hands on iPhone XS review
• Hands on iPhone XS Max review
• Hands on iPhone XR review
• Apple Watch 4 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Apple Watch 4 vs Apple Watch 3

Apple Watch 4 price and release date

The Apple Watch 4 comes in four sizes: 40mm and 44mm, with or without LTE.

As for the Apple Watch 4 release date, we're looking at September 14th for pre-orders, but September 21st if you want to get this thing on your wrist.

The GPS-only version will start at $399 / £399 / AU$599 for the smallest version, starting in 26 territories. The cellular option will be $499 / $499 / AU$749 and will be available in 16 markets. We will update this section with more pricing and availability information as we receive it.

If you're looking for an LTE watch contract, you'll be looking at carriers like ATT, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile in the US. EE is offering deals for the LTE version of the watch, as it did for the Apple Watch 3 in the UK, plus Vodafone is now offering deals for the first time.

Design and screen

The new Apple Watch 4 comes in 44mm and 40mm.

If you ask most people what kind of upgrade they would like to get on their Apple Watch, most of them would say that they would like it to be round or have a large display.

Well, they're not going to get the former, no matter how many patents for Apple's rounder designs hold, but the latter has come true.

The design of the Apple Watch 4 is very similar to many of them: it's based on the previous four models (the first Watch was retooled and re-released, remember), but now it's a bit bigger, as you can see off to the side in the picture below.

42mm Apple Watch 3 left and 44mm Apple Watch 4 right

This means you get a rectangular OLED display with rounded edges that are curved and aimed at the wrist.

Those same fast(ish) straps will be making a comeback - it would be something of a surprise if they're gone given the Watch Band ecosystem Apple has built around them - and a heart rate monitor is present on the back of the device (more on that later). ).

The Digital Crown, the rotating watch face that lets you swipe through lists and press "enter" when pressed, is back (with a red-zoned version denoting the Watch 4 has LTE connectivity) and above/below that (depending on which one you wear on your wrist). you have a device) is the power/multitasking button.

It's also tactful now, which means you can scroll it and get a vibrating "tick" every time you scroll something on the screen - it's a really useful update that makes using the scrolling crown more useful, and there's even a slightly audible click. as it rolls.

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Everything feels polished, well made and light enough on the wrist. The back of the watch is even ceramic and sapphire to add some sparkle to it and make sure the cellular signal can get through well - and it's really visually amazing when you see it for the first time.

The speaker and mic have been moved too far, so the speaker can be 50% louder without mic interference - not that you'll be using it all the time, but it's a more useful way to have a conversation in the car or whatever.

But let's get on with this screen! New item! Visual change in Apple Watch, finally!

The change here is that the screen has been tucked in towards the edges of the Clock, so no more ugly black bezels around the sides of what you're watching.

Having said that, a lot of apps were already using a black background, so it was quite hard to see the border, but with a bigger screen, you can see a lot more information. On top of that, there's also that border - it's as much edge-to-edge as the iPhone XR.

Apple has used this to good effect, allowing more complications on the sides to watch so you can see more information at a glance - it will be interesting to see how long it takes for third-party apps to be redesigned to make full use of the extra display real estate.

Several new watches are also featured here: Apple has created new "beautiful" scenes to display on mobile, as well as new challenges thanks to the large space - for example, you can tag in friends, which provides easy access to calls and messages.

The Apple Watch 4 still uses the same OLED technology as before and still doesn't have that "always-on" display that many would like - you still have to lift your wrist to wake it up, and so far we haven't been able to test it in several scenarios in the demo area (e.g. sitting, standing, laying in bed), boost response has always been pretty good from Apple wristwatches in the past.

The screen is strong, dynamic and colorful, and the new Watch rollers really add to the mix. There are a lot more options that you can do to accessorize it and while it doesn't look any brighter, it does impress the eye just by getting bigger.

fitness

The Apple Watch has been gaining traction as a fitness device over the years, involving increasingly sophisticated tracking of your runs and cycles, connecting to separate gym equipment, and watching you for help.

Everything on offer here, but the fitness skill has been augmented in several ways. The main one is an improved heart rate monitor, and while that won't be of interest to many, there are plenty of people who want to know more about themselves, and that's where Apple is aiming this device.

We know someone with diabetes, and if the Apple Watch is ever able to monitor their blood glucose, they'll buy it right away.

Apple Watch 4 has an improved tracker to check how your ticker is beating using an ECG (electrocardiogram) monitor to give better readings in a medical scenario. It's still not certified as a medical device, of course, but it might give you better notifications for things you might want to get.

We haven't been able to verify yet that this feature isn't coming to the US for a month or two and coming elsewhere later, so the main heart rate monitor looked, well, basic.

It should also improve the overall functionality of the heart rate monitor when just exercising at all, which will be very welcome by fitness fans as the Apple Watch has never been the best at reading your heart rate when disturbed during a workout.

WatchOS 5 has also been added, which means more automatic exercise tracking, but this will come across the full range of Apple Watch devices in the near future.

battery

Apple Watch 4 battery life has improved yet again, thanks to the presence of the new S4 chipset in creating more efficiency and (presumably) for Apple to find a way to cram a little more battery into space by further reducing other components.

Currently, Apple claims that the Watch 4's battery life stays at 18 hours for all-day use, though this is a little disappointing and keeps it below the levels claimed by others like Samsung or more dedicated launched devices.

For some reason, however, Apple seems to be underestimating its battery life - when it first claimed 18 hours on a single charge, we found it to last a little longer. Plus you can now go for 6 hours in GPS mode which will make it attractive to more marathon runners.

However, with a more impressive heart rate monitor and the presence of GPS for tracking on the go, as well as connecting to your phone to show notifications, there's a lot going on with this watch.

The charging setup is the same as before: you have a wireless but magnetically connected charger that clips onto the back of the Watch 4 - it's a pretty solid connection despite the use of magnets, so you'll rarely be banging the watch off to turn it off at night.

early verdict

The Apple Watch does bring some updates, and the biggest and most important to this display. Finding a way to provide more information on the display is a big improvement here and will attract more users by bringing more information to their wrist.

The lack of dedicated apps remains a problem—brands have been slow to put their wares on the Watch and some older apps are being phased out—but as a standalone device, Apple has definitely improved its wristwatch in 2018.

• 5 things you may have missed during the Apple Watch Series 4 launch

What are the pros and cons. And about what you will do with them - from personal experience.

Ordinary life story

To be honest, for a long time I could not decide for myself - to acquire this new, unusual for Apple product, or not. On the one hand, I already have, and yet some Chinese noname; but the gadget addict in my soul whispered: “ It's an Apple watch! They are cool, most likely stylish, besides, in a couple of days they will officially begin to be sold in Moscow. You just go and look at them, you don't have to buy right away!”

And so, I went to explore; Yes, not alone, but with your soulmate. There were several reasons for this: firstly, of course, it is always interesting to listen to the opinion or impressions of another person, and if a person is reasonable, then he can listen to them; secondly, unlike me, the girl is not such an ardent lover of all kinds of electronic devices, and therefore there was a chance that she would dissuade me from rash or impulsive spending. Crossing the threshold of the store, I thought that everything was foreseen.

A few hours later I bought for both of us.

After half an hour we settled on models Sport 42mm with a black strap myself and Sport 38mm with a white strap. There were no particular objections from the second half, although at the beginning of our campaign, of course, there were promises to restrain me from rash spending :)

And what other smart watches should a girl buy?

I honestly tried to try on a woman's hand a lot of competing wearable gadgets - from to the most fashionable. But that's not it.

All other items except Apple Watch look and feel exclusively masculine. Alas, a girl with something on her arm looks in my eyes about the same as if she had, for example, mustache. It seems that such a thing can be, but it is ugly and somehow too muzhik.

Whoever says anything, but Apple made a revolution, creating almost a mimic device. chameleon gadget. It is worth putting it on a man's hand - and it complements the image, does not harm masculinity and does not look like an under-accessory or a toy. And if you put it on a woman's wrist - Apple Watch does not harm femininity in the least and looks no worse than any bracelet from pandora or any other fashionable decoration.

Women's impressions of the Apple Watch

It's easy to figure out how to turn on, pair and set up a freshly purchased watch for the first time. I didn't hear a single question. 9 out of 10 women of almost any age ( other than children or the elderly), will deal with them without our help.

Many months have passed since then. We are accustomed to our Apple Watch and take the convenience it brings to our everyday life for granted. The most interesting thing: the girl no longer wears other watches at all. I'll explain why, based on her words.

Design

I have already described my vision of the design of the Apple Watch above. I want to add only to all of the above that a device invented by a man, designed by a man, and then also surveyed mainly by men is of interest to girls and women. Is this not a victory for the unisex style from the depths of Cupertino? ;)

Convenience

Friends, look at the wrists of your companions. See those delicate, thin, fragile wrists? Now imagine how a mighty leather strap of the same ones is fastened on them. I think the discomfort from wearing such accessories is guaranteed. The Apple Watch has PTFE straps with an unusual clasp; I have not seen anything more convenient - the strap does not bulge and does not rub.

Even compared to Pebble's rubber bands, the Apple Watch wins in terms of comfort. It is clear that for us, with our hairy hands, this point is not so obvious, but this factor should be taken into account when trying on and buying wearable accessories for your beloved ladies.

Notifications

Okay, okay, now in the comments they will explain to me that I am wrong in everything written above. But haters have no arguments against this: taptic engine. Seriously, this has never been more delicate. All other smart devices vibrate and rumble like tractors. Vibrator - sounds awesome! But Apple Watch gently tapping by hand. This is much more pleasant than vibrations, from which not only the hand trembles, but also the table on which this hand lies, and dogs begin to bark for a kilometer around.

If you still periodically touch your finger to her wrist on the other hand, imitating the “touches” of the Apple Watch, then after a while she will associate every tactile notification from the watch with your touches, which means she will remember her beloved more often, and it’s so nice, right?

Motivation

Apple watch. This is an indisputable fact, confirmed by studies, articles and statistics. After acquiring watches for two, with double zeal, we rushed to torment bicycles, scooters, jogging and began to go to the gym more often, although this applies more to me (let Roman Yuryev not judge me!).

The gadget from Apple magically rallied me and my significant other in terms of a healthy lifestyle, and looking back, I understand what a desire arose, and then a bit of sports and healthy eating firmly entered our lives. It happened by itself, and for that thanks Apple Watch.

Investment in the future

I'm sure that on the eve of every holiday, whether it's a birthday, a new year, Valentine's Day or any other, everyone is puzzling over what to give to their chosen one? So: with the Apple Watch, this problem disappears by itself. Gift solution - a new strap! Due to the fact that they can be easily changed, and the Internet and various marketplaces offer the most beautiful and stylish straps of any color from any material, there will never be a shortage of ideas for the next gift. That is, by purchasing an Apple Watch for yourself and her, you are making an important strategic move for the future.

Stop exchanging razors, socks and toilet water. Get new straps!

Technology

We use this all the time when we are not together, no matter within the same city or during business trips to other villages and villages. Transmission of pulse rhythm and graphic cute “ scrawl" each other. Believe me, even in the days of terrible congestion at work, worth spending just 8 seconds to convey your heartbeat to your beloved. No need to scribble novels in iMessage or VKontakte, because the main thing is attention.

It's like flowers: there is no practical use, but a loved one immediately understands what you think of her. So transferring heart rate from one Apple Watch to another are equated to a digital bouquet. That's how it is. Well, graphic hearts that can be addressed from your watch to the watch of a beautiful lady are a very nice feature of the Apple Watch; touches me every time I get something drawn.

Conclusion

Apple Watch has released a new series of smart gadgets in two sizes - 38mm or 42mm. This gives the buyer the opportunity to choose a model in accordance with the individual parameters of the wrist. Sample in is preferred by girls, and in - 42mm by the opposite half of the floor. The selection criteria is not limited to these parameters. Let's talk about which Apple Watch is better to choose.

Comparison of Apple Watch 38mm and 42mm

Comparison of Apple Watch showed that representatives of different sizes are similar in characteristics. The samples were developed at the same time, and they arrived on the shelves with a difference of one month. Let's figure out what the indicators 38 and 42 mean.

The numbers next to the name of the gadget indicate the size of the screen. Each user, regardless of gender, has certain tastes. Some like the big screen, others like the miniature version. It is worth remembering about the different parameters of the strap. Size 38mm is designed for a wrist circumference of 130-200mm, and 42 for 140-210mm.

Good day!

Apple Watch 3 went on sale recently and I was already lucky enough to become their owner! I already have experience with the Apple Watch Series 1 Sport 38mm in silver case, so I decided to upgrade the next model and chose the steel 42mm.

In Russia, the steel version of the watch is not yet available for sale, my model was bought in Japan.

The steel version of the watch is available in two colors: black and white.

Spot series in three: black, silver and rose gold.

Previously, it seemed to me that the size of 42 mm is a version exclusively for men, that they will look heavy on a fragile female hand, and this is true, but now it doesn’t bother me, all the same, with a 42 mm screen, I’m much more comfortable, and to give the watch more feminine look - I ordered some beautiful feminine straps on ebay.

Agree that for girls the ability to change straps is very useful, because we love different styles of clothing, as well as our mood and color preferences are changeable. And the Chinese brothers help us save on original straps, which gives us the opportunity to have 3-4 interchangeable accessories in reserve, for the price of one original (and after buying a watch, there is hardly any money left for interchangeable accessories)

New Apple Watch Series 3 manufacturer positions an order of magnitude higher their younger counterparts, for the following reasons:

• more powerful processor;
• in this regard, Siri began to speak, i.e. respond with a voice to a voice request (previously the answer was only in the form of text);
• Improved retina screen, it has become twice as bright (this is useful in bright sunshine);;
• More powerful battery (should be enough for 2 days of active use, to be honest, the Apple Watch Series 1 Sport was also enough for me for 2 days);
• Waterproof: you can swim and take a shower in the watch (it is better to swim in fresh water, sea water will easily damage the watch case);
• Built-in GPS module;
• Barometric altimeter (the watch is sensitive to changes in altitude, i.e. it understands movement up or down and can take this into account when measuring physical activity);
• A microchip for wireless communication (the ability of the watch to work autonomously from the phone, but this is only possible if your operator supports this function. In Russia, not a single mobile operator supports this function yet and it is not known when it will be)

This is what the packaging looks like now:

For comparison, the previous model had a completely different box shape, in my opinion, less compact:

When you open the box, you immediately see the clock in this form:

The watch lies on such a plastic stand, which can later be used as a "base" for this watch:

Included as usual two sizes of straps S/M and M/L:

Station for wireless charging (with the help of a magnet it is attached to the back of the watch and thus charges it):

The charging wire is now 1 m long, my previous Apple Watch Series 1 Sport had a wire length of 2 meters, but for me it doesn’t matter, so charging will take up less space on the road.

New and old clocks side by side:

If you, like me, change the watch model, then when you link it to your iphone, all the settings of the old watch will switch to the new ones, i.e. those screens that you set up earlier will automatically appear on the new watch.

By the way, Apple Watch Series 3 is compatible with iphone models starting from 5S and needs to be updated to the latest IOS 11.0.1 to sync.

For those who are not familiar with Apple smartwatches, I will explain: on your phone, you can customize a great many screens on your watch to your taste and color, so that it becomes clearer I will show how it looks in the phone menu:

You can change screens according to your mood and need by simply swiping, here are possible variations on this theme:

Screens with views of nature and various world megacities change with the course of the day and the time of sunrise and sunset in your area, i.e. for example, you have a London screensaver, when morning - it gets light on your screensaver, in the afternoon - the sun is at its zenith and at sunset on the clock screen there is a gradual sunset and a night city appears, this is how it looks:

To be honest, I really like this piece. A trifle, of course, but very pleasant!

Another important feature of the "smart watch" is that when you slightly change the angle of your hand to see the time, the screen lights up automatically and you see the time and other information from the screen (weather or physical activity, time in another region, etc.). ).

This is how a 42mm watch looks on my hand:

For comparison, I show the dimensions of 42mm and 38mm on my hand with the same splash screen:

The button for turning on the main menu (wheel) is now colored red for some reason:

To be honest, I was very surprised by such a design decision, it looks like an amazing red spot on a strict black color (on the steel color of a light watch model, in my opinion, red is even more ridiculous), I decided this issue for myself - I ordered a red strap, later I will add a photo with red strap in the review (when it reaches me).

An example of working with applications on the watch:

As I mentioned, pressing the "red button" takes us to the main menu, in which we see the icons of all the applications available on the watch:

I chose the weather (the cities that interest you in this menu can be customized to your liking)::

I selected the Google map menu and set the object I want to get to, the watch gives out the route:

This is what the back of the clock looks like (absolutely the same as before, nothing has changed):

In the basic configuration, there is a black silicone strap, which has a very comfortable clasp, everything is thought out so that the clasp cannot be wrinkled or deteriorated in use:

When swiping the screen from top to bottom: we see the latest notifications (messages of messengers, sms, missed calls, activity update progress).

Swipe up from the bottom of the screen we see this menu:

Top lefticon- operation of the watch from cellular communication autonomously (a function that is not yet supported by cellular operators in Russia).

A drop- cleaning the wheel from moisture after the interaction of the watch with water. By clicking on it, the phone says the actions that need to be carried out with the wheel so that the water comes out.

AND flashlight mode added from works in three variations: just a white screen, a flickering screen and a red screen. I checked the mode - it really works like a flashlight in a dark room (another trifle, but pleasant).

flashlight mode

For comparison, the same menu of the first model looked like this:

Useful features of the Apple Watch:

• answer calls without taking out the phone (conveniently while driving);
• receive SMS messages from messengers on the watch and display them on the screen, the ability to answer messages with short options (ok, okay, no, of course, no problem) or the answer can be dictated, the watch transforms voice into text (convenient in classes, meetings, cinema, theater);
• monitoring daily activity, counting the calories spent per day;
• the clock reminds you of the necessary rest or planned training;
• pulse control;
• mobility (using maps, weather, Siri, making phone calls from the watch using Siri)

Summing up, the fundamental differences for me personally between new and old watches:

• large screen - for me it is much more convenient and useful;
• in a steel case, I like watches more, firstly, this model has sapphire glass, and secondly, you feel that you have a serious watch on your hands, in an aluminum case I had a feeling that the watch is plastic and very fragile, the glass and the case are also easily scratched, so I had to use a cover. Now I don't need a cover.
• water resistance - when exposed to rain, washing dishes and in other cases of contact with water, the watch is protected!
• the possibility of autonomous operation of the clock from the phone (I think soon many operators will begin to support this function);
• improved calorie counting and heart rate measurement system;
• response time - the clock works many times faster than its younger brothers.

It seems to me that the differences between the models of the old and new watch series are not fundamental at the moment (given the controversial situation with support for copying a SIM card to a watch).

Personally, the watch case and the screen size are more important, which significantly affects the functionality.

But in any case, "smart watches" are more of a toy than a really necessary thing, although in our rhythm and lifestyle, they may soon become a necessity!

The price for my watch model in the official Apple Store was 79,000 Japanese prices, which is 40,000 in terms of rubles at the current exchange rate.

Update from 10/16/2017, as promised - photos of the interchangeable red strap in Hermes style:

But you understand that, in fact, you are waiting for the acquisition of a "pig in a poke", in today's article we will try to solve the main problem and decide on what what size smartwatch is right for you.

More than six months have passed since Apple announced its first smartwatch. At the March presentation, Tim Cook introduced the new product a little closer, but those who were ready to go to the official online store immediately after the end of the event and order the Apple Watch were disappointed. Pre-order for the long-awaited novelty will begin only from April 10, and direct deliveries from 24.

The presence of a wide range of bracelets and two options for the size of the gadget's body (38 and 42 mm), which in Russia is unlikely to be felt in the nearest electronics store with one's own hands, somewhat confuses the user. Well, let's try to unravel the tangle of sizes and lengths of the straps in the old-fashioned way that we used when we bought it.

Using the Apple Store app

The first way to check the current size of Apple Watch involves installing the official application Apple Store. Download it from the app store ( available through US account).

Launch the application and on the smart watch model you are interested in, press learn more, and on the tab that opens, select View Pricing. A list of available models for that specific Apple Watch series opens.

Choose an item Compare case sizes(Compare sizes). We will see a picture with the image of two versions of smart watches: 38 and 42 millimeter.

Regardless of which iOS device you're using the Apple Store app on, the image will match their actual physical size. Checking with a simple ruler confirms this.

By placing your iPhone on your wrist, you can get a distant picture of what the Apple Watch will look like on your wrist.

Dealing with straps

Another issue that will be relevant when buying an Apple Watch smart watch is the size of the strap. The presented assortment of bracelets is described in detail on the company's website. The size of each strap model is not only presented in several options, but also depends on the size of the smart watch case. For your convenience, we have adapted the original PDF file.

Arm yourself with a meter and measure your wrist. The summary table clearly shows all the possible options for the straps that come with the Apple Watch. Alas, the scale of the PDF file does not reflect the actual physical dimensions of smart watches and bracelets, so let's move on to the next step.

Printing a paper layout on a printer

Until we have a real opportunity to touch the Apple Watch, inspired by the art of origami, let's make our own. However, the guys from GH and developed a PDF layout that will help you choose a smartwatch specifically for your wrist.

When printing the layout, pay attention to the actual scale, which should be equal to exactly 100% (print on sheet A4). Do not stretch the image and in the print settings uncheck the box next to "Fit to Page Size". You now have a paper copy of your Apple Watch.

Of course, comparing the actual image of the watch and the paper layout will not replace the real feeling of wearing the Apple Watch, but if you plan to purchase a smart watch on pre-order or ask a friend who suddenly leaves for the United States to bring a long-awaited gadget, you will definitely not go wrong with the size. That's how I decided on the choice of iPhone 6 and received it a few days after the start of sales in the US. Have a nice shopping!