Our Verdict
With the Apple Watch Series 3 it does feel like Apple has finally issue a wearable that realises its electric potential . The LTE - equipped modelling have a exemption that is truly utile , particularly in condition of health and fitness , but also for conveniently staying in sense of touch without the need for your iPhone . Not only that , but to increase performance and feature , all without sacrificing barrage life or size , is truly impressive . If you could find a dear business deal on the Apple Watch 2 then it ’s still a very good twist , but the new example are a big step forward for the platform and would definitely be the ones we ’d choose .
The recent inaugural effect at the Steve Jobs Theatre see Apple uncover the mass of its product line - up for the yr ahead . Among the new devices announced were theiPhone X , iPhone 8and8 Plus , theApple telecasting 4 K , plus a pregnant step onward for the Apple Watch .
In this clause we look at how the newest version of Apple ’s timepiece compares to its harbinger , and whether you should be look to upgrade from theApple Watch Series 2to theApple Watch Series 3 .
Apple Watch History
These Apple Watches are soon to be replaced with new models . We ’re expecting to seeApple Watch Series 10 , Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3rd generation , runningwatchOS 11 , found in September 2024 at the company’sGlowtime event(seehow to watch the September event ) . If you ’re in the market for a new Apple Watch , see ourApple take in purchasing pathfinder , round - up of thebest Apple Watch deals , and advice on whether you shouldbuy Apple Watch now or wait . You might also be interested in what othernew Apple productsare come this year , and when is thenext Apple result . you could regain links to all our Apple Watch retrospect below
Apple Watch 3 release date
The Apple Watch 3 was released on September 22 . As usual a bit of configurations are available , but the flash non - cellular model cost £ 329 ( US $ 329 ) for the smaller 38 millimetre version , and £ 359 ( $ 359 ) for the 42 mm .
If you require the LTE equipped models – and as that ’s one of the crowing merchandising points of the Apple Watch 3 we ’re imagine you might – then the starting prices are a little high , with the 38 millimetre be £ 399 ( $ 399 ) and the 42 mm coming in at £ 429 ( $ 429 ) .
regularise the Apple Watch Series 3 from Apple
Apple has retire the Apple Watch 2 now , so buying one will require source other retailer who are sell off older store – at the meter of writing , you could stillpick one up from Argosin the UK .
The Series 1hassurvived the cull , though , and at £ 249 ( $ 249 ) for the 38 mm and £ 279 ( $ 279 ) for the 42 millimeter , it seems a salutary deal for those who are n’t too fuss about GPS tracking .
Buy Apple Watch Series 1 from Apple
What’s new in the Apple Watch 3?
LTE capabilities
The most obvious advancement offered by the latest model is that of LTE cellular compatibility on the GPS + Cellular var. . This is quite a expectant slew as it moves the watch closer to being a standalone gimmick – but only in your home plate country , because they do not digest roaming .
The Apple Watch 2 brought built - in GPS , permit wearers to go for a run without their iPhone and still immortalise the information . This would then be transfer to the iPhone once the two were reunited .
The Apple Watch 3 take on this independence a step further by including a rather clever electronic SIM , which shares your iPhone ’s number , so the equipment can connect to the internet over 3 G or 4 G signal .
The divided up number also means you ’ll be able to encounter call on the Apple Watch 3 , as well as welcome messages and notification , all while in the swim puddle , gym , or anywhere that iPhones fear to step .
have internet access will enable you to teem songs from Apple Music on the Modern gadget , which can be played back on your Apple AirPod phone , or other compatible Bluetooth headsets .
Of naturally , these feature article will involve data usage . The Apple Watch 3 will need to be on the same carrier as your iPhone , and at the moment EE is the only choice useable in the UK .
You canbuy an Apple Watch 3 straight from EEon a £ 25 per calendar month declaration include unlimited data , or if you corrupt from another retail merchant , such asAppleorJohn Lewis , you canadd it to your existing EE programme . That will cost £ 5 per calendar month for 10 GB of data , though the first six months are barren and included unlimited data .
Improved hardware
Internally the Apple Watch 3 has seen some important computer hardware upgrades , with the new dual - core S3 central processor being claimed to offer a 70 pct betterment in speed over the Apple Watch 2 .
Wi - Fi and Bluetooth connectivity also received a boost , thanks to the introduction of the W2 wireless chip . Apple states this will better Wi - Fi performance by around 85 pct , while halve the zip demands .
A new barometric altimeter has also been include , which can feel when you ’re go up and down stair . This is great intelligence for those who chase their tone and have antecedently been short - convert for their efforts .
Finally , Siri can talk to you on the Apple Watch 3 , as well as being accessible away from the comrade iPhone .
Is it bigger than the Apple Watch 2?
With all these hardware procession , it would be fairish to expect that the shell could also show signs of growth . But , in a feat of engineering that should be applauded , Apple has manage to keep the human body almost precisely the same .
To accomplish this the conception squad turned the blind itself into the LTE aerial . They really do have some clever citizenry over in Cupertino .
Apple did make one change to the casing , though , and that was to put a red dot at the end of the Crown on cellular models . As far as we can severalise this is purely an aesthetic choice , but it does mean that people will be able to tell at a coup d’oeil that you ’re wearing the modish and greatest .
Surely all of these extra features will drain the battery faster?
Again , a absolutely sensible and valid assumption . Therefore , it came as quite a surprise when Apple revealed that , thanks to the various energy efficiency institute by the new chips , the Apple Watch 3 will return the same barrage fire life as the Apple Watch 2 .
Official shape are 18 hours when a intermixture of Wi - Fi and LTE are used , the same as for the Apple Watch 2 . However , in practicewe foundthat the Series 2 was capable of running for much longer than that , and the Series 3 – at least using an LTE exemplar – ca n’t quite off the same tallness , so there ’s definitely a shelling strike from opting for cellular at least .
