The first real battery upgrade

• The Apple Watch Sequence 11 goes to be recognized for one factor and that’s for lastly aligning Apple’s claims of all day battery life with the precise size of a 24-hour day.

Whereas this isn’t a groundbreaking quantity, it’s good to see the corporate lastly push the watch battery a number of hours longer to assist differentiate it from the SE. That’s particularly vital this yr, contemplating the SE has gotten an enormous improve unlocked by the S10 system-in-package (SIP) — Apple’s title for the gathering of chips operating the watch.

Since most individuals use their Apple Watches for a median of 5 years or extra, that is certain to be an enormous improve for anybody coming from a Sequence 5/6/7 or older. Not solely is the battery longer and the display screen bigger, but it surely’s additionally received help for all of the latest Apple Watch gestures, which actually improve the watch expertise. They’re small issues, however I can’t think about going again to a watch with out gesture management now.

The brand new watch additionally has a brand new type of Ion-X glass that Apple says is 2 instances extra scratch-resistant than earlier than, because of a brand new ceramic coating. Apple advised me that is barely totally different than Ceramic Protect 2 used on the brand new iPhones, so it stays to be seen which of the 2 supplies will likely be extra scratch-resistant. That mentioned, all the things will likely be getting stronger cowl glass this yr, which is sweet information. On the Sequence 11, the display screen nonetheless feels as good to the touch as ever, however I’ll have to put on it longer to see how nicely the display screen really holds as much as every day use.

Like the opposite new watches, this one helps 5G, however no carriers in Canada at present provide 5G watch plans, so it’s not an enormous improve for many Canadians proper now. The opposite function lacking at launch would be the new Hypertension notifications, which may help your watch observe your blood strain. Apple says it expects Well being Canada to approve the function by the tip of the yr, and notably, it should ready be out there on the Sequence 9 and Sequence 10 as nicely.

Past all of that, probably the most compelling causes to purchase this watch are all the identical as final yr. The thinner design is extra snug, the depth/watch temperature sensor is admittedly cool, and Apple’s digital watch face gallery is second to none. Personally, I might have beloved to see some Liquid Glass font choices on older watch faces like Movement and Astronomy. That mentioned, with watchOS 26 Apple did add AOD second hand support to a lot more watch faces.

One enchancment that I used to be shocked by was the speaker. Whereas nonetheless not good by any means, the Sequence 11 sounds way more detailed and clear, even when it solely will get a tiny bit louder than the Sequence 1o from final yr. I nonetheless don’t know what I’d use the speaker for actually, but it surely’s an attention-grabbing feat of engineering to make a speaker that tiny sound that good. I can even caveat this with the truth that I’ve been carrying my Sequence 10 for a yr, and whereas I don’t get it moist typically, there’s a likelihood that there’s some gunk within the speaker grills.

The brand new gray aluminum color this yr known as Slate for some purpose as a substitute of Area Gray. That is more likely to be extra in keeping with the Slate titanium watch launched final yr with the Sequence 10, however I simply discover it somewhat humorous how inconsistent Apple is with its naming schemes now. Regardless, I believe Area Gray was all the time somewhat infantile to say, so I’d be comfortable if this implies it’s lastly fading out of the Apple lexicon.

Many of those features are coming to Apple Watches as previous because the Sequence 6, in addition to the three new ones. This begins with the gorgeous new Liquid Glass, but in addition provides a number of new instruments to the Apple Watch utility belt. Whereas I want there was extra Liquid Glass utilization across the OS, I’m proud of how dedicated Apple is to unifying all of its working techniques with design. It may not matter to some, however the unified clear design language is a giant purpose I like Apple merchandise.

A shock new watchOS 26 function proven off on the iPhone occasion was the Sleep Rating. Apple has simplified its sleep monitoring with a rating that evaluates how deep you sleep, how constant your bedtime is and the way lengthy you sleep for. This can be a good option to make the sleep knowledge somewhat extra digestible by breaking it up into three areas to concentrate on. Nevertheless, all watches that observe sleep levels in the identical approach as Apple can even generate a sleep rating as soon as they offload their knowledge to the Apple Well being app.

Exercise buddy works the most effective with distance actions like operating and biking, but it surely’s supported in lots of extra.

Should you work out so much, Apple has a brand new function referred to as Exercise buddy that may solely apply in the event you even have a cellphone that helps Apple Intelligence. Should you do, it should notify you of milestones throughout your exercise and offer you somewhat little bit of motivation. That is fairly cool and a enjoyable function for individuals who work out in one of many supported exercise varieties. It’s going to additionally work in your cellphone for some exercises in the event you don’t have an Apple Watch.

Along with the double pinch gesture from final yr, now Apple Watch Sequence 9 and newer may also ‘wrist flick.’ This dismisses notifications by twisting your watch away from you and it’s tremendous helpful. I’d argue that I take advantage of it much more than Double Faucet, however I nonetheless use each fairly often.

Like the brand new AirPods function, watches linked to telephones with Apple Intelligence will be capable of use stay translation. That is one space the place the audio system on the watches are helpful since they mean you can play the translations out loud.

There may be lastly a Notes app on Apple Watch, which is dangerous information for the voice memos app that may most likely by no means get used on my watch once more.

Lastly, I simply need to point out Liquid Glass. Whereas it’s the least noticeable on the watch in comparison with Apple’s different working techniques, I’m comfortable that Apple unified all of the techniques with out leaving the be careful.

Who is that this look ahead to?

The Sequence 11 continues to be the thinnest Apple Watch available on the market.

There’s a little bit of a wrinkle thrown into the Apple Watch Sequence 11 advice this yr as a result of the SE 3 is so good, however I nonetheless suppose for many Apple Watch house owners its price upgrading to the Sequence 11 if you understand that you just’re going to put on it typically. The slim design and bigger display screen actually make it really feel somewhat bit extra like a traditional timepiece in your wrist, and the added battery life is nothing to scoff at.

In case you are seeking to purchase your subsequent Apple Look ahead to the next 5 years or extra, the Sequence 11 will likely be a implausible alternative. Whereas the Ion-X glass is a considerable improve, it’s additionally price noting that in case your price range permits for it, the titanium Sequence 11 fashions have a Sapphire Crystal show, which is even stronger. I’ve been testing a Sequence 10 because the finish of September 2024 and it nonetheless seems to be model new. There are extra small scratches on the steel body than on the crystal display screen.

For followers of the Apple Watch, the Sequence 11 ($549) mainly has all of it and is available in 4 colors; Rose Gold (my favorite), Slate (pictured all through this evaluate), Silver and the shiny Jet Black. I examined the black mannequin final yr with the Series 10, if you’re curious what it looks like. Should you go for titanium ($999), you may get a shiny watch that appears somewhat extra like jewellery. It is available in Slate, Gold and Pure Titanium.

Should you’ve by no means owned an Apple Watch earlier than, I’d suggest this yr’s stellar SE 3. Should you’re outdoorsy or a hardcore athlete, you is likely to be extra within the Apple Watch Extremely 3.