The Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches, and for a good reason. It has an intuitive design and a durable build, making it a favorite among users. If you own an iPhone and want a smartwatch, the Apple Watch may seem like the obvious choice.
However, there are plenty of high-quality smartwatches, so what makes the Apple Watch the best choice? For starters, it looks fantastic and works seamlessly with iPhones. However, if you’re still hesitant, a brief look into the Apple Watch’s best little-known secrets and tips may help you decide.
There’s a feature on the Apple Watch known as Scribble that lets you send messages by swiping your finger across individual letters to form words. However, it can take a while to type with Scribble, making it best only for short messages. To speed things up, swipe down as you type and you’ll be shown a list of predictive words.
Gone are the days when you had to use your phone to set a timer. If you have Raise to Speak enabled on your Apple Watch, all you need to do to set a timer is move your wrist close to your mouth and specify for how long. When time is up, your watch will alert you so you don’t need to keep tabs on your phone.
One of the most impressive and intuitive features of the Apple Watch is its built-in accelerometer and gyroscope that can be used to detect when you’ve fallen. It’s a helpful function for those who live alone — it lets you call a preset emergency contact or 911.
Some BMW cars manufactured after July 1, 2020, support the Apple Watch car key feature. However, your Apple Watch needs to be running watchOS 6.2.6 or higher. With this feature, you can lock and unlock your car and even start it.
Unlike other smartwatches that require you to keep your phone nearby to use GPS services, the Apple Watch has an integrated GPS, so you can lighten the load and leave your phone at home when you go out for a run or bike ride.
You can store music directly on your Apple Watch and listen to it by connecting Bluetooth headphones. The best part is you don’t need to have your phone around — or even an internet connection — if you’ve previously downloaded music to listen to while offline.
Some hotels let you use your Apple Watch as a room key. You have to download an app and tell the desk clerk that you want to use your Apple Watch as a key when you’re checking in. Not all hotels support this feature, but if you’re staying at one that does, you can say goodbye to fumbling for your key every time you need to get in your room.
A. Although most Apple Watches can be submerged up to 50 meters and are suitable for swimming, it’s best to avoid showering while wearing one since exposure to soaps, shampoos or conditioners can damage it.
A. It depends on the model, but it should last 12 to 18 hours.
The Apple Watch Series 7 has a crack-resistant front crystal and a screen that’s 20% larger than its predecessor. It has an IP6X dust resistance rating and can track health and fitness metrics, including heart rate and sleep quality.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
The Apple Watch SE is a good choice for those who want a stylish and affordable Apple smartwatch. It lacks an always-on display and an electrocardiogram app, but it has many of the same features as the Series 7, including a heart rate tracker and GPS.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
The Apple Watch Series 5 is excellent if you’re looking for a high-end smartwatch but don’t necessarily want or need premium features offered by the newer Series 7 watches. This watch has an always-on display, an optical heart sensor and built-in GPS.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
This band is made with high-quality Venezia leather and comes in three stylish colors: black, Meyer Lemon and Diver Blue. It has a pebbled texture for a premium feel and magnets embedded in the leather for a precise and comfortable fit.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
You’ll love this sports band if you’re an athlete or wear your Apple Watch at the gym. It consists of three pieces of fluoroelastomer that are compression-molded into one durable and flexible band, and it’s compatible with 42-millimeter and 44-millimeter models.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
This stand is a solid buy if you’re looking for a cheap place to hold and charge your Apple Watch. It is made with durable thermal polyurethane, has a nonslip base and is compatible with the Apple Watch Nightstand mode.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Tranesca Apple Watch Charger Stand
It’s a simple charging stand for the Apple Watch, but its futuristic design makes it perfect for small nightstands. It is made with durable aluminum and has a tailor-made rubber holder that keeps your watch secure.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
This tempered glass screen protector keeps dust and debris from damaging your watch’s display and has a snap-on design for easy installation. It provides full-frame coverage and is compatible with the Series 6 and SE Apple Watches.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
ArmorSuit 6-Pack MilitaryShield Screen Protector
This screen protector offers military-grade protection and works with every Apple Watch, from the Series 4 to the Series 7. It has self-healing technology for removing minor scratches, and the flexible material provides full coverage on corners and edges.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Kevin Luna writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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