Apple Watch Series 4 has 10 features that set it apart from your older model
Apple Watch Series 4 marks the the first redesign to Apple's popular wearable. AppleInsider walks through the top ten features that make it worth a purchase for users new and old.
This nearly edge-to-edge display is more than 30-percent larger than previous Apple Watches. Even though the display is larger, the size of the Apple Watch overall has only grown ever-so-slightly outwards, while getting a tad thinner.
The swap allows for the new ECG sensor, which Apple will take live in a software update later in the year.
Cellular models no longer have a large red dot, instead adopting a more subtle red ring.
There is also improved haptic feedback, which is very much akin to the glass trackpads on the MacBook Pros. As you rotate the crown, you will feel a tapping, very much making it feel as if there are mechanical notches that are being tripped.
There is also a new metal cap on the crown that acts as an electrode for taking that ECG we mentioned earlier.
After the software patch rolls out, users can simply hit start, hold a finger on the side of the Digital Crown, and it will take your reading.
This is endorsed by the American Heart Association as well as approved by the FDA. It won't replace a doctor's visit, but it does add a lot to the Apple Watch.
The exclusive ones include Infograph and Infograph Modular. Infograph is the most complication-dense face Apple has created, with support for roughly nine complications -- depending on what you count as a complication.
Infograph Modular is a slightly updated version of the popular Modular watch face we've seen many times.
Also new are edge-to-edge version of Vapor, Liquid Metal, and Fire & Water. Older models restrict these to a circle within the display, so they look much more at home on the Series 4.
Available in either stainless or aluminum, these new color isn't a gaudy yellow, but more of a subtle tint instead. It also has a slightly copper hue, which should increase the broad appeal.
Bluetooth 5 has increased throughput and range which should be helpful with any Bluetooth connected accessories or when paired to the latest iPhones.
Whether you slip, trip, or fall, the Apple Watch's new gyroscope accelerometer will detect it, and alert you on your wrist. It will give you the option to say you're ok, or to call emergency services. If the Apple Watch doesn't detect any movement within 60 seconds, emergency services will automatically get that call.
The "Silicon in Package" in the S4 incorporates some other previously discrete chipsets, and takes up much less space than in the past. According to Apple, it is the only product in the world that runs completely on a SiP.
Apple has now tuned the speakers to improve the audio quality, as well as boost the volume by 50-percent. This is instantly noticeable as soon as you try them out.
As a bonus, Apple moved the microphone to the opposite side to help reduce echos during phone calls.
Display
The new display is the first, and most obvious, new feature of the Apple Watch Series 4This nearly edge-to-edge display is more than 30-percent larger than previous Apple Watches. Even though the display is larger, the size of the Apple Watch overall has only grown ever-so-slightly outwards, while getting a tad thinner.
Ceramic back
On previous iterations of Apple Watch, the back case was metal, with a glass cover for the heart rate monitor, Ceramic is now swapped for the glass on the higher-end stainless and Edition models.The swap allows for the new ECG sensor, which Apple will take live in a software update later in the year.
Digital Crown
Apple made a big deal about the Digital Crown this year. It actually has more parts, but is overall able to be smaller and more compact.Cellular models no longer have a large red dot, instead adopting a more subtle red ring.
There is also improved haptic feedback, which is very much akin to the glass trackpads on the MacBook Pros. As you rotate the crown, you will feel a tapping, very much making it feel as if there are mechanical notches that are being tripped.
There is also a new metal cap on the crown that acts as an electrode for taking that ECG we mentioned earlier.
ECG
Speaking of the ECG functionality... this is entirely new on the Apple Watch Series 4.After the software patch rolls out, users can simply hit start, hold a finger on the side of the Digital Crown, and it will take your reading.
This is endorsed by the American Heart Association as well as approved by the FDA. It won't replace a doctor's visit, but it does add a lot to the Apple Watch.
New watch faces
Series 4 contains two exclusive watch faces, as well as several slightly modified ones introduced with watchOS 5.The exclusive ones include Infograph and Infograph Modular. Infograph is the most complication-dense face Apple has created, with support for roughly nine complications -- depending on what you count as a complication.
Infograph Modular is a slightly updated version of the popular Modular watch face we've seen many times.
Also new are edge-to-edge version of Vapor, Liquid Metal, and Fire & Water. Older models restrict these to a circle within the display, so they look much more at home on the Series 4.
Gold color
Just like with the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, Apple Watch Series 4 got the gold color treatment.Available in either stainless or aluminum, these new color isn't a gaudy yellow, but more of a subtle tint instead. It also has a slightly copper hue, which should increase the broad appeal.
Bluetooth 5
In 2017, the iPhone X got Bluetooth 5, but the Apple Watch Series 3 stuck with 4.2. Series 4 brings Bluetooth to parity with the iPhone.Bluetooth 5 has increased throughput and range which should be helpful with any Bluetooth connected accessories or when paired to the latest iPhones.
Gyro
Apple has upgraded the gyroscope accelerometer to now detect twice the dynamic range and up to 32 g-forces. Paired with the faster processor, it can sample eight times faster, which allows it to add new features, such as fall detection.Whether you slip, trip, or fall, the Apple Watch's new gyroscope accelerometer will detect it, and alert you on your wrist. It will give you the option to say you're ok, or to call emergency services. If the Apple Watch doesn't detect any movement within 60 seconds, emergency services will automatically get that call.
S4 chip
S4 is the brains behind the Apple Watch, and is now twice as fast as its predecessor in the Series 3. We especially noticed this speed when launching apps, or querying Siri.The "Silicon in Package" in the S4 incorporates some other previously discrete chipsets, and takes up much less space than in the past. According to Apple, it is the only product in the world that runs completely on a SiP.
Speakers
Walkie-Talkie is a new feature in watchOS 5. That, coupled with the ability to answer FaceTime calls, chat with Siri, make phone calls -- all over Wi-Fi or cellular -- speakers are more important than ever for Apple Watch.Apple has now tuned the speakers to improve the audio quality, as well as boost the volume by 50-percent. This is instantly noticeable as soon as you try them out.
As a bonus, Apple moved the microphone to the opposite side to help reduce echos during phone calls.
Comments
Yes the engineering is impressive, but I’m not sure what the point is. All those parts have to be expensive to manufacture and assemble, all to get the equivalent experience of an analogue watch. And I’m not sure it’s really necessary. Considering Apple is eliminating hardware buttons across all of its devices, it really does seem anachronistic — the physical equivalent of a skeuomorphic display. Again, maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the same thing could be handled by sliding ones finger along the edge of the bezel, and with much less potential for something to go wrong mechanically. Anyway, YMMV.
You can clean the Digital Crown under "lightly running, warm, fresh water from a faucet" ! That... is design.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204522
https://vaultcanada.org/FallCalc
I also understand the individual users preferences, and I’m not knocking that. I actually kind of like the way it looks (for right handed users, not so much in the inverted left handed orientation). But again, the crown is mainly used for scrolling, which could easily be accomplished by turning the edge of the bezel into a touch strip, not unlike that on the MacBook. Essentially it keeps the finger off the display, and could give the user he same incremental control without moving parts.i also find it a bit tedious to rest the finger on such a tiny pivot point, but that’s just me.
There was romored talk of removing the second button altogether and making it a touch/haptic virtual button, which didn’t materialize. But that seems the logical future for the watch, just as Apple allegedly seeks to remove the volume buttons from the iPhone. The crown then is the last vestige of that mechanical legacy that to me seems totally unecessary. But again maybe that’s just me.
2) While I wear my Watch on my left wrist (because I'm mostly right handed), I do have the orientation swapped so that the crown is proximal which requires my thumb to rotate. I find this set up preferable. If your complaint is that you don't like the Crown closer to you then trying flipping it to see how that works. Find solutions, not problems.
On the Series 4 Apple Watch, the metal casings do not surround the circular sensor housing anymore. Instead, like iPhone models with glass backs, the frame is metal, while the back is a separate ceramic piece with sapphire sensor windows. Here is an image below. Not sure is the circular sensor housing is ceramic, but the back looks ceramic.
In addition to providing a bigger window for wireless signals, maybe this new back design fixes the issues with the sensor housing becoming unglued in the prior Watch models.
i would also guess that spreading the glue points across the entire watch edge give it much greater strength compared to the circle in the middle, which is also subjected to a great bit of stress being compressed against the arm.
ill be very interested to see the iFixit tear downs of the Series 4
I couldn't.
If I didn't have a watch already I would buy the series 4 for sure but the extra features just aren't worth the differential of trading in my s3 and paying the extra.
And at this point I don't think the ECG feature even works in the UK with no date for it either.
It looks like the sensor house and ceramic back are separate parts, both likely to be glued in. The sensor housing becoming unglued is likely an assembly issue with an improper amount of glued was used or there was improper assembly - just good enough to pass quality checks, but not really good enough to handle certain people’s usage.
Yeah, wondering why ifixit is taking so long.
Anyways, too many people are jumping on pillows and mattresses trying to get it to activate. Just a swing of the arm and hand plant onto a table or ground should do it. Soft surfaces won’t.