14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has just announced the third-generation Apple Watch, officially called the Apple Watch Series 3, which comes with a series of hardware improvements and the updated watchOS 4.
The new Apple Watch looks similar to the existing models, and this can only be good news for those who have already purchased a previous model because the same bands can be used as well.
Apple has upgraded the heart rate sensor with BPM information that’s displayed right on the Watch face as a complication, while also displaying the rest rate and the recovery information – these are features that are available on the more powerful activity trackers, so Apple is clearly looking into investing in this side of the market.
The new-generation Apple Watch is powered by watchOS 4, which will launch on September 19 for all existing models as well.
Apple Watch 3 features
The biggest improvement coming with the new generation is support for LTE, which basically makes the Watch completely independent from the iPhone. This means it will be able to start and respond to calls without a Bluetooth connection.
There are several hardware upgrades, including a new chip that makes the device 70 percent faster, according to Apple. Siri is getting new capabilities and can talk, which brings the device in line with the iPhone when it comes to digital assistant.
Apple has developed its own chip for Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, the so-called W2, which is 75 percent faster and 50 percent more power efficient.
The Apple Watch comes with an eSIM for saving space under the hood, which allowed Apple to make the device the same size as Series 2.
Series 3 comes in a new gold aluminum finish, plus new bands as part of the Nike fitness collection. There are new colors of bands as well, and all will be available from the Apple Store. A ceramic version in a gray finish is also introduced in addition to the white one launched last year.
Prices will start from $329 without cellular, and from $399 with LTE support. Series 1 will cost just $249. The devices will go on sale in the biggest US and European markets on September 15 as pre-order, while the device will hit the shelves on September 22.
