How Good is the New iWatch 6?

The new iWatch 6 has already become the king of standout wearables.

14:42 23 October 2020

Apple has built in several notable features to this gadget to improve its performance. Some of these features include a Blood Oxygen sensor, a faster chip, and a brighter display.

 

Still, we can tell there’s some room for improvement here (such as battery life and a sleep tracking upgrade). This smartwatch can provide a deeper insight into our well-being. But could Apple have taken a larger leap?

 

What We Like About the iWatch 6

 

It’s been a little over a month since Apple launched the iWatch 6. This was more than enough time to tell whether it could truly provide a massively alluring experience. Here are the reasons why you might want to consider upgrading from an older model.

 

Always-On Altimeter

 

The always-on altimeter detects the slightest elevation changes. It uses Wi-Fi and GPS networks and an advanced barometric altimeter. If you are an avid skier or enjoy hiking and similar activities, this feature could be of great use.

 

Always-On Display

 

The iWatch 6 shines two and a half times brighter than the previous model, the Apple Watch 5. Despite the fact that this difference is more noticeable indoors, you can tell the Apple Watch 6 shines brighter in direct sunlight as well.

 

This also means it is easier to keep track of your workout metrics such as for how long you have worked out or how many calories you have burnt while outdoors and see the time of the day without raising your wrist.

 

Blood Oxygen App

 

The Blood Oxygen app is a game-changer when it comes to Apple watches and the massive reason why athletes are falling head over heels for it. It guides you through a brief blood oxygen reading and provides accurate data.

 

If your readings go beyond 95%, that’s a good sign! Yet, if the percentage drops below 95%, it could point out an immediate health problem that requires immediate attention. The new Apple watch provides reading between 70 and 100%. It measures blood oxygen levels even when you are not moving unless you turn Theater or Sleep Mode on.

 

Colourful Casings

 

The iWatch 6 comes in blue, red, gold, silver, space grey, and graphite. Red is the most striking so far, yet other casings boast a premium look and fit nicely, too. What’s special about the red casing is that Apple designed this option to promote the fight against AIDS.

 

Water Resistance

 

You can dive into a depth of 50 meters and remain there for up to 10 minutes with your iWatch 6. This device is 5ATM certified, so you can wear it for as long as you would like while swimming in a pool or in the sea and up to 10 minutes when diving.

 

Apple has designed the iWatch 6 speakers to expel water and moisture by using sound vibrations. Note that Apple doesn’t cover water damage so we highly recommend using the iWatch 6 for shallow-water activities only.

 

Faster Charging

 

It takes one and a half hour for the iWatch 6 to fully charge. When we compare it to the Watch SE Apple released the same day, that’s 25 minutes less. The Apple Watch 6 uses 20% less battery than its counterpart in the same usage conditions. You can turn off the always-on display and oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensor and get almost the same functionality out of these two models.

 

Using the iWatch 6 as a phone or when doing a workout can drain the battery faster. However, it still provides better longevity while listening to music or working out than the SE Apple Watch.

 

What We Didn’t Like About the iWatch 6

 

Is the new Apple watch just a marketing buzz or a noteworthy, revolutionary gadget? Conclude for yourself!

 

Battery Life

 

Apple hasn’t solved one of its key issues – battery life. For some reason, they neglect the importance of improving their watches’ battery life. The iWatch 6’s battery lasts for up to 18 hours, which is no different than the Apple Watch 5.

 

Apple conducted battery life testing in August 2020. According to results, the all-day iWatch 6 battery can handle 45 minutes of app use, 90 notifications, 90 time-checks, and 60 minutes of workout with music playback via Bluetooth.

 

Typically, you won’t even need your watch for more than 18 hours a day. However, it’d still be nice knowing you can get longer battery life for the price it comes at. Do you know the latest tech gadgets, including the Apple Watch 6, can be bought at John Lewis at the best deals?

 

Sleep Tracking

 

If you are trying to establish a healthy bedtime routine, the new Apple Watch might seem like the thing that can take you there. Although it can help you stop sabotaging your sleep schedule, we believe it is not as insightful as it could be. Buying an Apple Watch for sleep tracking would likely dampen your efforts.

 

Design

 

We wish the iWatch 6 was a bit different than the Series 5 when it comes to design. If it wasn’t for the colourful casing and the Blood Oxygen app, many users wouldn’t even notice the difference between the two. Both series feature the same square-shaped design, 40 and 44mm-sized displays, and black ceramic or crystal back.

 

Almost Identical Health Features to the Previous Model

 

Series 5 and 6 offer almost identical health-related features. Some of these include the electrical heart rate sensor, resting, high, abnormal and low heart rate, and calorie burn. The only difference is in the infrared LED lights that monitor blood oxygen.

 

Summary

 

The growing emphasis on personal health brought immense popularity to the iWatch 6. Apple never misses when it comes to seamless integration, slim and sleek design, and clean software.

 

Still, users appreciate the convenience Apple offers rather than their generous updates. If you believe the SpO2 check could bring a change to your well-being, then the new iWatch 6 might be a worthwhile purchase. Except for that, it is no much different than its predecessor – the Apple Watch 5.