The Apple Watch may be publicize as a gimmick for virile young twenty - somethings who are always out running or climbing stack , but that ’s not really the profile of most the great unwashed who wear them . At least , not at the Macworld business office . But , they are wild machine if you desire to keep an middle on your wellness , be sure not to neglect notifications on your iPhone and in the case of the elderly they can also be something of a life belt . If you ’re thinking of whether to get one of your honest-to-goodness family extremity an Apple Watch , then here ’s all you need to know .
Do they need an iPhone?
It might seem a basic question , but the Apple Watch is n’t that useful if you give it to someone with an Android phone or even a Graeco-Roman non - smartphone . They only work with iPhones and that ’s very likely the way of life it will stay . So , the most of import first question to answer is whether the person in enquiry has an iPhone or not . If they do , nifty , otherwise we ’d recommend see for one of the alternative smartwatches on our sister - site Tech Advisor’sbest smartwatchorbest fitness tracker roundup .
That being said , you may set up an Apple Watch on your iPhone and then give it to your elderly relative or friend . The iPhone is call for for Apple Watch setup and any subsequent software system update , but beyond that it does n’t matter . Once the Apple Watch is set up and they are wear thin it , you could then apply the wellness monitoring boast to ensure they ’re good . Here ’s a rundown ofall the things an Apple Watch can do without an iPhone . If you do this , you ’ll require to ensure the Apple Watch is n’t blasting your relative with all the telling from your iPhone .
For more selective information about the current mountain chain of Apple Watches read ourguide to the Best Apple Watch . We can also help you save money , translate : The best Apple Watch slew this month .
Why is an Apple Watch good for older people?
apart from the useful ability of not having to keep getting your iPhone out of a bag or pocket when subject matter come in , an Apple Watch can also be very useful in terms of supervise the current health of an elder person . Some models come with anECG detector , which can observe a specific variety of heart problem or variance that might suggest condition such as atrial fibrillation . Some have SpO2 sensing element tomeasure blood oxygen levels , again this can warn if the wearer is aim into difficulties , potentially due to respiratory problems . There ’s also afall detectionfeature that can feel when someone takes a tumble and might not be all right – it can even alert the exigency services . you could input crucial aesculapian information so that it can be displayed on the Watch if required . And if they do need tocall the emergency services they can do so from an Apple Watchit is leisurely to do so ( if it has cellular connectivity or a nearby iPhone to route via ) .
you’re able to also place up theFind Myto show you someone ’s current location and can be very helpful if the individual in question suffers from memory issues and may wander off .
We should observe that , in the United States , Apple is currently in the middle of apatent difference with a company key out Masimoover its implementation of the lineage atomic number 8 sensor . All fresh Apple Watches sold in the U.S. , regardless of mannikin , have this functionality disabled . The ironware is still there , and Apple will in all likelihood be able to re - activate the feature when the patent conflict is resolved .
Aside from these more serious use cases , there ’s also the uncomplicated Sojourner Truth that as find out set forth to diminish , having a notification come up on your wrist joint can mean you do n’t miss important call or content .
Which is the best Apple Watch for seniors in 2025?
As with most tech purchase , this calculate on what you want and the budget you have available . We ’d say that unless your home appendage or booster is the outward - bound eccentric that ’s probable to go canoe through ravines , theApple Watch Ultrawill be overkill . It ’s gravid , heavy and costs a small lot . So , here ’s our pick of the current crop :
1. Apple Watch Series 10
The belated Apple Watch has the best blend of new features and a significantly big display than earlier models . That get to school text a niggling easy to read , which is good for old eyes . There ’s a 42 mm or 46 mm manikin , so if you do n’t mind a bulkier watch , you could always choose the bigger screen if you reckon that will benefit you .
It has all the prophylactic features you ’d require , let in declivity detection ( but all Apple Watches offer this feature ) . You ’ll also benefit from wellness features including the ability to take an ECG , supervise your marrow charge per unit and notify you if that is unorthodox , the ability to check your whether the O levels in your blood are ok , plus it will notify you of slumber apnoea and monitor your temperature while you sleep . These feature article are shared with the Apple Watch Ultra ( and were also available on the Apple Watch Series 9 ) , but some are lacking from the Apple Watch SE .
The improved sound quality from the speaker makes it soft to take calls right in your wrist . It ’s brighter and offers up to 2,000 nits , which means it will be easy to read when you are outside in shiny sunniness .
The double dab gesture , where you could answer calls and perform other functions just by tapping your thumb and finger together , makes it easier to utilise the watch without tap directly on the sieve .
Battery life is the same as ever , which means you ’ll need to charge it every day . But with a good power arranger , the charge speed is quick than ever before , which means you ’ll only need to leave it on the charger for 30 - 45 minutes a day .
2. Apple Watch SE (2nd-generation)
While the Apple Watch SE might not boast as many sensors as its boastful sidekick , there ’s still raft to love about this less expensive fashion model . You still get the heart monitoring feature , albeit with the second - propagation optical sensor . Unfortunately , there is no ECG feature of speech to admonish against unorthodox warmheartedness rhythms and there is no blood O monitoring . But there is Fall Detection and Crash Detection onboard , plus the SE is waterproofed up to 50 meters , just like the Series 10 .
The show is belittled than the Series 10 , which could be an issue if the intended recipient has misfortunate eyesight , but the 41 mm and 44 millimeter poser still have clean and lustrous gore that do a with child task of relaying information .
GPS is received and you’re able to addcellular capabilitiesto increase what the Watch can do without an iPhone ( the Series 10 has this option too ) . The chip is the S8 , the same as the Apple Watch Series 8 .
For many of the lineament sometime users would require , such as fall detection and exigency SOS , the Apple Watch SE is a very good option , particularly as it be quite a lot less than the Series 10 .
3. Apple Watch Ultra 2
Though it is the most expensive option at $ 799 , the bulky Apple Watch Ultra 2 is not needfully a bad idea for the elderly , particularly if they do n’t mind wearing a larger ticker .
The filmdom is large and gentle to learn , the buttons are more prominent , and the extra Action clit may facilitate get affair done without goldbrick with a tiny video display . All Apple Watch Ultra models include cellular ironware ( cellular service always costs surplus ) , too .
It ’s surplus - rugged and long-wearing , which may be just the thing for someone who is more accident - prone . It has all the affair of the Apple Watch Series 10 , and even more accurate GPS trailing .
Best of all , it ’s got much longer electric battery life — you may only require to charge it every two or three days .
Wondering if you need cellular ? Read : The pro and confidence game of a cellular Apple Watch .
