The Apple Watch has become over the years essential for many users in terms of health and productivity. That is why to improve this experience, the Cupertino company has launched the new Apple Watch Series 6. In this article we analyze all its most notable features.
Design that reminds us of other generations
This new Apple Watch Series 6 can hardly be differentiated from the previous two generations in terms of design. The same dimensions are kept and also the same screen size. Undoubtedly, they have wanted to maintain the measures to which users have become accustomed. The problem that arises in this case is that you can hardly tell that you have a new Apple Watch as they are identical. Where they differ the most is undoubtedly in the back where the design of the sensors has been changed as we will comment below.
This is a generation that has marked a before and after especially in the colors that have been included in the boxes. They can now be found in a brand new blue and red color (PRODUCT) RED. Different editions are included in regards to the materials with which the Apple Watch has been built, keeping the titanium, stainless steel and 100% recycled aluminum.
Much brighter screen
The ‘Always on display’ function that was included in the previous generation has also been maintained in the Apple Watch Series 6 but improved. One of the shortcomings that was found is that the screen in standby mode could not be displayed correctly due to the lack of good lighting. That is why it is now much brighter, something ideal when you can find yourself on the street with a lot of ambient light. The display has been greatly improved in this way to see the information in an easy way without lifting a finger.
In addition, new functions have been added to the ‘Always on display’ mode. Now you can open the control center by sliding up or down to open the notification center. This is something tremendously interesting to make more sense of this mode that could be a bit deprecated due to the lack of functions present.
Oxygen saturation measurement
One of the most important features of this new Apple Watch Series 6 lies in the new sensors that are included. Now in addition to being able to perform a real-time heart rate measurement or take a lead ECG, it is also possible to measure oxygen saturation in the blood. A new native application has been included that allows you to take a measurement in just 15 seconds. After this time, a value is displayed in percent with the specific saturation. These data are obtained with LED assemblies and four photodiodes built into the back glass of the watch. With these the green, red and infrared LEDs project light to the blood vessels of the wrist to be able to measure the amount of reflected light. Obviously, these data cannot be analyzed in isolation, but a doctor must always be called upon to make a proper interpretation.
The Apple Watch should never be considered as a totally reliable medical device since the measurement is merely indicative. As we have said before, whenever there is any kind of suspicion, the devices found in medical centers should be used. It must be taken into account that oxygen saturation is a value that must be taken into account to detect some specific diseases. For example, sleep apnea can be detected with this sensor as measurements are taken at different points of the night while resting to give you a view of the values obtained in the morning. But other diseases like COVID-19 are not detected through this application.
In the end, this is a sensor that is designed for people who have lung or circulation problems, something very present in dependent people. It is true that there is a lack of a warning system for emergency persons in the event that a drop in this value is detected.
ECG function is maintained
Apple is committed to maintaining health-related functionalities that are working quite well. The possibility of performing ECG is also present in this new Apple Watch Series 6 but it is still limited. Only single lead electrocardiograms can be performed, but as we say, it is totally logical. There is only a single electrode that has not been expanded in this generation.
Additionally, the heart rate sensor is also maintained, a classic in Apple Watch, which has now also been enriched with the native sleep measurement function that has been included with watchOS 7.
Now if: a better processor is included
Something that might surprise many previous generation users is that the processor remained from the Series 4 except for a few minor tweaks. This is something that has been solved in the Series 6 with the integration of a dual-core S6 chip that is based on the A13 Bionic present in the iPhone 11. With this processor, Apple guarantees that the speed has increased by 20% with respect to to the previous generation. In this way, the fluidity that is available in this Series 6 will be significantly increased. This makes a lot of sense since with all the sensors that are included and the algorithms that must be carried out to produce all the necessary data, it is necessary to have a competent processor.
New one-piece strap
Together with this Apple Watch Series 6, a new strap named Solo Loop has been presented in a single piece. In this way you can forget about all the closures and buckles that can be somewhat annoying when putting on and adjusting to the wrist. It is available in two different materials and in nine sizes that will fit your wrist perfectly. On the Apple website and in the company’s own stores, a guide is made available to users to choose the size that best suits your wrist.
Going into the materials, you can find a strap made of elastic and light silicone and another that has a braided texture. The latter achieves such a characteristic texture by braiding silicone threads with more than 16,000 recycled polyester filaments.
Independent Apple Watch from iPhone with LTE
In this generation of Apple Watch, the possibility of having LTE connectivity has also been maintained. In this way you can have an internet connection outside the home without having to be connected to the iPhone. This allows you to receive notifications and phone calls without any problem. Obviously this is an option for which you will have to pay extra money and for which you must analyze if it is worth it or not. It is undoubtedly indicated in the case that you do sports outside the home regularly and want to be connected without having to carry the iPhone always with you, which can be somewhat annoying.
The charging system is now more efficient
One of the most criticized points of the Apple Watch is undoubtedly the battery that does not last more than a day and a half. This is quite a problem if you need to use your Apple Watch to monitor your sleep throughout the night for several hours. This is why the Cupertino company has optimized induction charging to make it much more efficient. Now in just one hour the clock can reach 80% charge in just one hour. This is ideal for the situation that has been raised above to have the watch fully recharged to go to bed or put it on in the morning to have it ready to go out to work.
One thing to keep in mind regarding Apple Watch recharging is that you won’t find a charger in the box. The corresponding charging base is included but not the head to connect it to a socket. From Apple, due to environmental commitments, they have wanted to remove it from the packaging so that each user can choose whether or not they need it, depending on whether they already have one to spare at home.
The price remains stable
The price of these Apple Watch Series 6 has remained stable as in the previous generation, although in some EU countries it has been reduced by € 20 due to the devaluation of the dollar against the euro. The price range varies depending on the type of material with which it is built, its size and also the connectivity that is included.
Aluminum box in different colors
- 40mm size:
- GPS model: € 429.
- GPS + LTE model: € 529.
- 44mm size:
- GPS model: € 459.
- GPS + LTE model: € 559.
Stainless steel case in different colors.
- 40mm size:
- GPS + LTE model: € 779.
- 44mm size:
- GPS + LTE model: € 829.
Titanium case in different colors.
- 40mm size:
- GPS + LTE model: € 879.
- 44mm size:
- GPS + LTE model: € 929.
Hermès exclusive model
- 40mm size:
- GPS + LTE model: € 1,329.
- 44mm size:
- GPS + LTE model: € 1,379.
It should be taken into account that as it is traditional, the Nike edition is also included, which has the same price as all the aluminum models that we have discussed. The Nike versions exclusively include different spheres as well as standard straps that are unique to Nike.
