Apple launched a slew of new iPhones yesterday, as well as a couple of new services like Apple TV+ and Apple Arcade.
But another device that deserves a mention is the new Apple Watch Series 5. More because it begs the question, is the new smartwatch worth it?
Images courtesy: Apple
There's not a lot different here from the Series 4 as far as the build is concerned. It's still got the same 40 and 44mm sizes, the same rounded corners, and the same Digital Crown. It also has the same low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) display as the Series 4. However, this time the device has an "always on" screen.
Previously, lowering your arm meant the screen would turn off to save power. Now, it just sort of goes into a low power mode at a dimmer brightness until you tap the display or lift your arm up. That way you can discreetly check the time or whatnot without having to make an awkward movement. Convenience-wise. that's great.
Additionally, aside from the pre-existing, aluminium, stainless steel, and ceramic finishes, this time we also have a new titanium body, and a wider range of strap and chain options as well. Apple has also added a few new features to the Watch Series 5.
One of those is a compass mode, which is probably not going to see any use at all. It does however at least tie into Apple Maps on the Watch, to show you how accurate the directional navigation is.
The real stars of the show here however are the various health and safety features stuffed into the Apple Watch. In the past, we've seen how its heart rate monitoring and EKG readings have saved lives, by alerting people of conditions and oncoming symptoms they didn't even know they had. That continues of course, and that's frankly the biggest selling point of the Apple Watch.
This time however there's so much more. Apple has added access to international emergency numbers for the SOS calling feature. This is triggered by the Watch's fall detection. If it detects the Watch is falling, and they you don't respond to prompts to touch the display and turn off a notification, it assumes you're unable to get up or unconscious, and automatically dials emergency services. So it's great that this feature can also work now if you're in a foreign country as well.?
The company has also upped the number of health features in watchOS 6. There's now a noise tracker to measure the noise levels around you everyday, seeing as the device has a microphone and is sitting on your wrist anyway. It tracks the amount of noise pollution you're exposed to daily, and shows you how it can affected your hearing over time. Great for a reminder that maybe you shouldn't stand so close to the speakers at a concert, or you need to wear earplugs when taking public transportation to work.
Meanwhile a new Cycle Tracker can help women keep track of their menstrual cycles, timing for both periods and fertility windows. It's unclear whether there's any special technology at play here, right now it just seems to be tracking your periods by estimating based on a first reference cycle you program in. If that's the case, this is pretty much useless for the majority of women with PCOS/PCOD; it won't tell you what you don't already know.
All in all though, there's nothing here that really warrants an upgrade, not that many of you look to upgrade your Apple Watch that often anyway. It starts at Rs 40,900 and Rs 49,900 for the cellular version.
Stick with the Series 4 if you have it. But if you don't the Apple Watch Series 5 is cheaper right now, and those health feature never go to waste. You don't know just how useful a device tracking your heart rate in the background is until it points out your dangerous arrhythmia.