After a six month wait, the Apple Watch (yep, not iWatch) is about to go on sale. Here's what you need to know.
The Apple Watch will be here soon, Apple has confirmed shipping date, pricing and more, read on to find out what to expect.
It’s been a long time coming but the Apple Watch will soon be here. We were first treated to our first look at Apple's first foray into wearable technology at Apple's September iPhone 6 event. Now, six months later, we will soon be able to buy the Apple Watch (yep, not the iWatch).
Apple has now finalised all the details including Apple Watch release date and UK price information.
The announcement was made at the Spring Forward event on 9 March, which was attended by analysts and media and took place in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. The event shed light on the exact release date for the Apple Watch, as well as the final pricing structure for the various different models on offer.
Apple Watch launch date
Rumours had suggested that the Apple Watch would launch in the US first, with a staggered worldwide launch. Apple even told our sister site Digital Arts that the Apple Watch wouldn’t launch in the UK in April. Then a few days ago, Apple CEO Tim Cook took a trip to the flagship AppleStore in Berlin, Germany and while there, conversed with employees and allegedly told them that the Watch isn’t an exclusive device to the United States when it launches in April.
The good news is that the Apple Watch will launch in the UK and the US at the same time, indeed, it will launch on 24 April in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the US.
This shows that Apple is being very aggressive to get the Watch on as many wrists as it can, right from the off. Is Apple feeling the pressure from other smartwatches like the Pebble Time? Find out more in ourApple Watch vs Pebble Time comparison.
Apple Watch Design: How many different Apple Watches are available?
There are three categories of watch available, in two different sizes, but there are actually about 38 different combinations based on the different finishes and straps you can purchase it with.
Finishes include: Stainless Steel, Silver Aluminium, 18-Carat Yellow Gold, Space Black Stainless Steel, Space Gray Aluminium and 18-Carat Rose Gold. This 18k gold is up to twice as hard as standard gold apparently.
The watch face itself comes in two sizes, as we mentioned above. One is 42mm high; the other is 38mm.
The Watch is the standard model of Apple's smartwatch, with a polished case made from a custom alloy of stainless steel.
The Watch Sport is ruggedised and features strengthened Ion-X glass face so it should be able to take some bashing. It's the lightest of the three Apple Watch editions because its case is made from anodized aluminium.
The Watch Edition is designed for the fashion-conscious, with its beautiful 18-carat gold case available in yellow or rose gold. That model even comes in a fancy leather box that doubles as a charging cradle.
There are six different, interchangeable straps available for the Apple Watch. These include the Link Bracelet, Sport Band, Leather Loop, Classic Buckle, Modern Buckle and Milanese Loop.
As a result of all these options their should be an Apple Watch for all tastes. This was Apple's aim, at least. "One of the biggest challenges that we found was that we couldn't all be sitting there wearing the same thing. I don't think we want to wear the same thing," said Jony Ive in an interview at the London Design Museum, talking about Apple's decision to make the design of the Apple Watch so customisable. "Which is why we developed this system, not a single product."
"It is a flexible system, so hopefully it will be appealing, but there's still a very singluar idea," Ive said during the presention back in September 2014, adding: "We're not just throwing a whole bunch of ideas against the wall to see which one sticks... like some people." (We're looking at you, Samsung).
"It is a flexible system, so hopefully it will be appealing, but there's still a very singluar idea," Ive said during the presention back in September 2014, adding: "We're not just throwing a whole bunch of ideas against the wall to see which one sticks... like some people." (We're looking at you, Samsung).
Apple Watch price UK: How much will the iWatch cost?
The Apple Watch price will start at £299 in the UK, which is exactly what we estimated based on the announced $349 start price in the US.
Our UK pricing estimate was based on the conversion of $349 to £216 plus 20% VAT and a little more 'Apple Tax'. We also looked for comparably priced products: the 64GB iPod touch costs $299 in the US and £249 in the UK. While the Retina iPad Mini costs $399 in the US and £319 in the UK. So pick a number in the middle of the two, about £294.
Prior to the event on 9 March this was the only price people were aware off. What people wanted to know though, was how much the other Apple Watch models would cost, especially the gold Apple Watch Edition which people were estimating would cost around the $10,000 mark. Well now we know, and the prices aren’t far of those estimations.
Apple Watch is available in three collections at various prices:
- Apple Watch Sport is priced at £299 inc VAT and £339 inc VAT, depending on the face size.
- Apple Watch is available from £479 inc VAT to £949 inc VAT.
- Apple Watch Edition, in 18-karat gold alloys, starts at £8,000 inc VAT.
In the US those prices are as follows:
- Apple Watch 38mm $549 to $1049, Apple Watch 42mm $599 to $1099
- Apple Watch Sport $349 to $399
- Apple Watch Edition will cost from $10,000
There are 20 combinations of faces and strap for the Apple Watch available, including:
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and white sports band costs £479
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and white sports band costs £519
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Black Classic buckle costs £559
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Black Classic buckle costs £599
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Milanese Loop costs £559
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Milanese Loop costs £599
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Black Modern Buckle costs £649
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Midnight Blue Modern Buckle costs £649
The 38mm Apple Watch with Space Black Case and Stainless steel Link Bracelet costs £899
The 42mm Apple Watch with Space Black Case and Stainless steel Link Bracelet costs £949
Note that the 38mm version costs less than the 42mm version, with various watch straps costing more than others.
There are 10 combinations of faces and strap for the Apple Watch Sport available, including:
The 38mm Apple Watch Sport with Silver Aluminium Case with White Sport Band costs £299
The 42mm Apple Watch Sport with Silver Aluminium Case with White Sport Band costs £339
There are are 8 versions of the Apple Watch Edition available, including:
The 18-carat rose gold with white sports band 38 mm: £8,000
The 18-carat rose gold with white sports band 42 mm: £9,500
The 18-carat yellow gold with black sports band 38 mm: £8,000
The 18-carat yellow gold with black sports band 42 mm: £9,500
The 18-carat rose gold with rose grey modern buckle 38 mm: £13,500
The 18-carat yellow gold with black classic buckle 42 mm: £12,000
The 18-carat yellow gold with bright red modern buckle 38 mm: £13,500
The 18-carat yellow gold with midnight blue classic buckle 42 mm: £12,000
There are 20 combinations of faces and strap for the Apple Watch available, including:
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and white sports band costs £479
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and white sports band costs £519
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and white sports band costs £519
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Black Classic buckle costs £559
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Black Classic buckle costs £599
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Black Classic buckle costs £599
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Milanese Loop costs £559
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Milanese Loop costs £599
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Milanese Loop costs £599
The 38mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Black Modern Buckle costs £649
The 42mm Apple Watch with stainless steel face and Midnight Blue Modern Buckle costs £649
The 38mm Apple Watch with Space Black Case and Stainless steel Link Bracelet costs £899
The 42mm Apple Watch with Space Black Case and Stainless steel Link Bracelet costs £949
The 42mm Apple Watch with Space Black Case and Stainless steel Link Bracelet costs £949
Note that the 38mm version costs less than the 42mm version, with various watch straps costing more than others.
There are 10 combinations of faces and strap for the Apple Watch Sport available, including:
The 38mm Apple Watch Sport with Silver Aluminium Case with White Sport Band costs £299
The 42mm Apple Watch Sport with Silver Aluminium Case with White Sport Band costs £339
The 42mm Apple Watch Sport with Silver Aluminium Case with White Sport Band costs £339
There are are 8 versions of the Apple Watch Edition available, including:
The 18-carat rose gold with white sports band 38 mm: £8,000
The 18-carat rose gold with white sports band 42 mm: £9,500
The 18-carat rose gold with white sports band 42 mm: £9,500
The 18-carat yellow gold with black sports band 38 mm: £8,000
The 18-carat yellow gold with black sports band 42 mm: £9,500
The 18-carat yellow gold with black sports band 42 mm: £9,500
The 18-carat rose gold with rose grey modern buckle 38 mm: £13,500
The 18-carat yellow gold with black classic buckle 42 mm: £12,000
The 18-carat yellow gold with bright red modern buckle 38 mm: £13,500
The 18-carat yellow gold with midnight blue classic buckle 42 mm: £12,000
Can I buy an Apple Watch and the strap I like separtely?
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We thought that when the Apple Watch went on sale it would be possible to select the watch body of your choice, unfortunately it looks like Apple is set on making the decision of which strap goes with which watch for you: all the various Apple Watch choices are outlined on the Apple Store, as you can see above. That's still 38 combinations available, though.
You can however, purchase additional watch straps, if you fancy one for the gym and one for going out. The straps also come in at different prices.
- The Sports Band, available in blue, pink, green, black, white, and black with space grey pin, costs £39.
- The Classic Buckle in black costs £129.
- The Milanese Loop costs £129
- The Leather Loop in Stone Leather, Light Brown, black, and Bright Blue costs £129.
- The Modern Buckle, in brown, black, Soft Pink and Midnight Blue, costs £209.
- The Link Bracelet, costs £379
We thought that when the Apple Watch went on sale it would be possible to select the watch body of your choice, unfortunately it looks like Apple is set on making the decision of which strap goes with which watch for you: all the various Apple Watch choices are outlined on the Apple Store, as you can see above. That's still 38 combinations available, though.
You can however, purchase additional watch straps, if you fancy one for the gym and one for going out. The straps also come in at different prices.
- The Sports Band, available in blue, pink, green, black, white, and black with space grey pin, costs £39.
- The Classic Buckle in black costs £129.
- The Milanese Loop costs £129
- The Leather Loop in Stone Leather, Light Brown, black, and Bright Blue costs £129.
- The Modern Buckle, in brown, black, Soft Pink and Midnight Blue, costs £209.
- The Link Bracelet, costs £379
Is my wrist too big/small for Apple Watch
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If you have a slender wrist you may be wondering whether the Apple Watch will be too big for you. Apple claims that most women's wrists are within the range of 140mm to 175mm. The company also suggests that most men's wrists are from 165mm to 195mm. The watch straps on offer cover wrists from 125mm to 210mm.
As a result the measurements of the different straps are as follows:
The small/medium Sports Band for the 38mm watch body fits a 140-180mm wrist
The medium/large Sports Band for the 38mm watch body fits a 150-200mm wrist
The small/medium Sports Band for the 42mm watch body fits a 140-185mm wrist
The medium/large Sports Band for the 42mm watch body fits a 160-210mm wrist
The small Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 135-150mm wrist
The medium Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 145-165mm wrist
The medium Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 160-180mm wrist
This strap doesn't appear to be available for the 42mm Apple Watch.
The 42mm medium Leather Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 150-185mm wrist
The 42mm large Leather Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 180-210mm wrist
This strap doesn't appear to be available for the 38mm Apple Watch.
The 38mm Milanese Loop for the 38mm watch body fits a 130-180mm wrist
The 42mm Milanese Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 150-200mm wrist
The 38mm Link Bracelet for the 38mm watch body fits a 135-195mm wrist
The 42mm Link Bracelet for the 42mm watch body fits a 140-205mm wrist
The 38mm Classic Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 125-200mm wrist
The 42mm Classic Buckle for the 42mm watch body fits a 145-215mm wrist
My wrist is 150mm and that would be quite a tight fit, so I think that for all but the skinniest of wrists, Apple Watch should be ok.
If you have a slender wrist you may be wondering whether the Apple Watch will be too big for you. Apple claims that most women's wrists are within the range of 140mm to 175mm. The company also suggests that most men's wrists are from 165mm to 195mm. The watch straps on offer cover wrists from 125mm to 210mm.
As a result the measurements of the different straps are as follows:
The small/medium Sports Band for the 38mm watch body fits a 140-180mm wrist
The medium/large Sports Band for the 38mm watch body fits a 150-200mm wrist
The small/medium Sports Band for the 42mm watch body fits a 140-185mm wrist
The medium/large Sports Band for the 42mm watch body fits a 160-210mm wrist
The medium/large Sports Band for the 38mm watch body fits a 150-200mm wrist
The small/medium Sports Band for the 42mm watch body fits a 140-185mm wrist
The medium/large Sports Band for the 42mm watch body fits a 160-210mm wrist
The small Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 135-150mm wrist
The medium Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 145-165mm wrist
The medium Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 160-180mm wrist
This strap doesn't appear to be available for the 42mm Apple Watch.
The medium Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 145-165mm wrist
The medium Modern Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 160-180mm wrist
This strap doesn't appear to be available for the 42mm Apple Watch.
The 42mm medium Leather Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 150-185mm wrist
The 42mm large Leather Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 180-210mm wrist
This strap doesn't appear to be available for the 38mm Apple Watch.
The 42mm large Leather Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 180-210mm wrist
This strap doesn't appear to be available for the 38mm Apple Watch.
The 38mm Milanese Loop for the 38mm watch body fits a 130-180mm wrist
The 42mm Milanese Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 150-200mm wrist
The 42mm Milanese Loop for the 42mm watch body fits a 150-200mm wrist
The 38mm Link Bracelet for the 38mm watch body fits a 135-195mm wrist
The 42mm Link Bracelet for the 42mm watch body fits a 140-205mm wrist
The 42mm Link Bracelet for the 42mm watch body fits a 140-205mm wrist
The 38mm Classic Buckle for the 38mm watch body fits a 125-200mm wrist
The 42mm Classic Buckle for the 42mm watch body fits a 145-215mm wrist
The 42mm Classic Buckle for the 42mm watch body fits a 145-215mm wrist
My wrist is 150mm and that would be quite a tight fit, so I think that for all but the skinniest of wrists, Apple Watch should be ok.
How can I order the Apple Watch?
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On 10 April the Apple Watch will be available for pre-order through theApple Online Store.
You will be able to order yours here.
On 10 April the Apple Watch will be available for pre-order through theApple Online Store.
You will be able to order yours here.
How can I see the Apple Watch now?
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On 10 April you will be able to try-on an Apple Watch by appointment at Apple’s retail stores, Apple Watch will also be available to preview or try on at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Isetan in Tokyo and Selfridges in London on the same day.
In the meantime read our first look review of the Apple Watch based on hands on time with the device.
How long is the Apple Watch battery life?
On 10 April you will be able to try-on an Apple Watch by appointment at Apple’s retail stores, Apple Watch will also be available to preview or try on at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Isetan in Tokyo and Selfridges in London on the same day.
In the meantime read our first look review of the Apple Watch based on hands on time with the device.
How long is the Apple Watch battery life?
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Apple CEO Tim Cook claimed at the Spring Forward event that the Apple Watch will offer a battery life of 18 hours in a "typical day." We will be testing this as soon as we can get our hands on the watch.
The company claimed the Apple Watch will offer 18 hours on stage. On Apple’s website the battery life is broken down into more detail:
- All Day Battery Life, 18 hours: this includes 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and 30 minutes working out with music playing via Bluetooth.
- Audio Playback, 6.5 hours: Apple played music on an Apple Watch via Bluetooth.
- Workout, 6.5 hours: Apple managed 6.5 hours working out (we wonder who had that job) the heart rate monitor was on during the workout.
- Watch, 48 hours: If you just check the time five times every hour then the Apple Watch should last two days, 48 hours.
- Power Reserve: if the battery gets too low rather then switching off the Apple Watch will go into Power Reserve mode, so that you can still see the time. This can last for 72 hours.
- Talk Time, 3 hours: Apple paired an Apple Watch with an iPhone and managed to place a three hour call from the Apple Watch.
According to Apple charging the watch to 100% takes 2.5 hours, although you can get to 80% in 1.5 hours.
When he announced the watch in September 2014, Cook suggested that you'll need to charge your Apple Watch every night. "We think people are going to use it so much that you're going to wind up charging it daily – overnight… Given my own experience and others around me, you're going to wind up charging every day because you're using it so much that it's going to need to be charged," he later said in an interviewat the Wall Street Journal Live technology conference on 28 October.
A report that emerged in late January 2015 suggested that Apple is aiming to give the Apple Watch a 19 hour battery life for mixed use, but that it might only last for 2.5 hours with 'heavy' use.
9To5Mac reported that people with knowledge of the smartwatch's development have said that the processor and screen Apple has chosen are particularly power-hungry, which poses a problem when it comes ot battery life. Apparently, Apple is set to achieve a 2-3 day battery life for standby or low power modes, but just 2.5 hours for game-play or 3.5 hours of standard app use. Fitness tracking apps will drain the battery in 4 hours. Most poeple won't be using apps for that long each day, so a 19 hour battery life is more likely for mixed use, with the majority of the time in idle use.
These figures have been determined thanks to the 3,000 Apple Watches that were believed to be in the wild for testing in the first couple of months of the year.
Apple CEO Tim Cook claimed at the Spring Forward event that the Apple Watch will offer a battery life of 18 hours in a "typical day." We will be testing this as soon as we can get our hands on the watch.
The company claimed the Apple Watch will offer 18 hours on stage. On Apple’s website the battery life is broken down into more detail:
- All Day Battery Life, 18 hours: this includes 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and 30 minutes working out with music playing via Bluetooth.
- Audio Playback, 6.5 hours: Apple played music on an Apple Watch via Bluetooth.
- Workout, 6.5 hours: Apple managed 6.5 hours working out (we wonder who had that job) the heart rate monitor was on during the workout.
- Watch, 48 hours: If you just check the time five times every hour then the Apple Watch should last two days, 48 hours.
- Power Reserve: if the battery gets too low rather then switching off the Apple Watch will go into Power Reserve mode, so that you can still see the time. This can last for 72 hours.
- Talk Time, 3 hours: Apple paired an Apple Watch with an iPhone and managed to place a three hour call from the Apple Watch.According to Apple charging the watch to 100% takes 2.5 hours, although you can get to 80% in 1.5 hours.When he announced the watch in September 2014, Cook suggested that you'll need to charge your Apple Watch every night. "We think people are going to use it so much that you're going to wind up charging it daily – overnight… Given my own experience and others around me, you're going to wind up charging every day because you're using it so much that it's going to need to be charged," he later said in an interviewat the Wall Street Journal Live technology conference on 28 October.A report that emerged in late January 2015 suggested that Apple is aiming to give the Apple Watch a 19 hour battery life for mixed use, but that it might only last for 2.5 hours with 'heavy' use.9To5Mac reported that people with knowledge of the smartwatch's development have said that the processor and screen Apple has chosen are particularly power-hungry, which poses a problem when it comes ot battery life. Apparently, Apple is set to achieve a 2-3 day battery life for standby or low power modes, but just 2.5 hours for game-play or 3.5 hours of standard app use. Fitness tracking apps will drain the battery in 4 hours. Most poeple won't be using apps for that long each day, so a 19 hour battery life is more likely for mixed use, with the majority of the time in idle use.These figures have been determined thanks to the 3,000 Apple Watches that were believed to be in the wild for testing in the first couple of months of the year.
Can the Apple Watch Battery be replaced?
One concern is the longevity of the battery in the watch - it may last 16 hours a day, but will the battery still be performing as well years later. The good news is that an Apple spokesman has told TechCrunch that the Apple Watch's battery is replaceable. It's unclear how much a fresh battery will cost, or what the replacement procedure will be, though.
How do I charge the Apple Watch battery?
When it comes to charging, a magnetic charger snaps on to the back of the watch. This inductive charging feature means that no alignment or exposed contacts are necessary. It uses MagSafe technology that lets you hold the connector near the back of the watch and let the magnets snap it into place automatically.
Is the Apple Watch waterproof?
Apple made no claims that the Apple Watch is waterproof in either the September or March events, however, Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly been overheard mentioning to employees in a German Apple Store that he wears his Apple Watch in the shower, hinting that the waterpoofing is offered.
This slightly contradicts an Apple representative, who mentioned in 2014 that you'd be able to wear the Apple Watch in the rain or during a particularly sweaty workout, but not in the shower or while swimming, but if what Cook said is true then that may now have changed.
How good will Apple Watch be at telling the time
The Apple Watch will be "Precise and customisable", according to Tim Cook. It will be accurate to within 50ms.
Do I need an iPhone to use the Apple Watch?
You'll need to own an iPhone in order to use the Apple Watch. The Watch is compatible with the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
However, while the Apple Watch requires the iPhone, you don't have to have the two together all the time. Watch pairs with your iPhone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. So you don't have to be in Bluetooth range of your iPhone when you're at home.
This means once you're home, on on the office network, you can dock the phone and just use the watch.
How do I get the Apple Watch App?
The Apple Watch app will appear on your iPhone when you have downloaded iOS 8.2, which is available now.
Apple Watch design & features: How does the Digital Crown work?
The Apple Watch has a dial on the side, much like the one found on traditional watches, which Apple has called the Digital Crown. This Digital Crown contains sensors that turn movement into data, so will be the main input method for the Apple Watch rather than the touchscreen display. You'll be able to scroll, zoom and navigate using the Digital Crown.
Apple makes a valid point about a touchscreen display on a smartwatch, suggesting that using pinch-to-zoom gestures on such a small display will simply cover up the content.
"The Digital Crown is Apple's most revolutionary navigation tool since the iPod Click Wheel and iPhone Multi-Touch," writes Apple in its press release.
The Digital Crown also acts as a Home button, and a way to access Siri.
Apple Watch design & features: What features does the Apple Watch display have?
The Apple Watch will be available with two different screen sizes. The first measures 38mm tall, while the second is slightly bigger at 42mm tall.
The flexible Retina display of the Apple Watch is made from a single crystal of sapphire, or if you opt for an Apple Watch from the Sport Collection, it'll be strengthened Ion-X glass. This display is designed to be able to detect force, too.
"In addition to recognising touch, Apple Watch senses force, adding a new dimension to the user interface," says Apple. Force Touch uses tiny electrodes around the flexible Retina display to distinguish between a light tap and a deep press, and trigger instant access to a range of contextually specific controls.
The Apple Watch's display will activate when you move your wrist.
