See the new Apple Watch SE and Watch Series 6
Apple has announced two new smart watches which are the Apple Watch Series 6, the latest in its line of popular smartwatches and the Apple Watch SE, a lower-cost model.
Firstly, we'll focus on the lower-cost model, the Apple Watch SE which will cost $279 and the cellular models start at $329.
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(Image: Apple Watch SE.)
The Apple Watch SE mostly has similar features to last year’s Series 5 but also shares some of the features of the new Apple Watch Series 6 such as a built-in accelerometer, gyroscope, and always-on altimeter, as well as sleep tracking and hand-washing detection.
The company notes that cellular models of the device can be used to make emergency calls, even internationally, with the Emergency SOS feature.
It also comes with the System in Package (SiP) and dual-core processor featured on the Series 5 Watch but will provide two times better performance than the Series 3.
According to Apple, the new SE Watch will feature a Retina display that is 30 percent larger than that of the Series 3. It’s also compatible with all Apple Watch bands, including the new silicone Solo Loop and yarn braided Solo Loop that Apple announced today and be available in three different cases that are all made from recycled aluminium.
The SE will run on watchOS 7 which will be updated to feature a new activity app called Fitness Plus, which includes workout tracking and virtual classes.
Fitness Plan will cost $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year and can also be purchased in a bundle, called Apple One, with Apple’s other subscription services, such as Apple Music, News Plus, and TV Plus.
In addition, The Watch SE will also support Apple’s new Family Setup, which allows parents to set up and manage Apple Watches for their kids, including features like message monitoring and location alerts.
Parents will be able to manage who the child can message or call from the watch, set up location alerts, and add do not disturb modes for school time.
Apple says the Series 6 can measure blood oxygen levels in about 15 seconds, using both red and infrared light.
It also announced that it would be partnering with health networks to start large-scale studies using the new blood oxygen measurement feature, including testing to see if it can detect if a person is infected with COVID-19.
The Series 6 also comes with the new S6 processor, which promises up to 20 percent faster performance and features Apple’s in-house A13 chip.
The device comes with 18 hours of battery life and can recharge faster, going from zero to full in about 1.5 hours.
The always-on display is said to be 2.5 times brighter than the one on the Series 5 and it will be possible to access notifications, Control Center, change watch faces, or tap on complications without fully waking the screen.
The Series 6 will be available in the colours; grey, silver, gold, blue aluminium or a new Product (RED) version that has a striking red finish on it.
The stainless steel model is available in either graphite or yellow gold and the top-end Edition model is available in natural or black titanium.
Apple says the aluminium models are made of 100 percent recycled aluminium, much like the newer MacBook Pro models.
In addition, Apple is announcing a new strap called the “Solo Loop” that is made from one piece of silicone, without any buckles or adjustments. It is available in a range of styles and seven different colours.
The Series 6 will run watchOS 7, a new update that will be available for all models dating back to the Series 3 — adds native sleep tracking support, a rebranded Fitness app with new workouts, a hand-washing feature tailored for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, richer complications, and the ability to share watch faces with others.
The Apple Watch Series 6 will be available starting at $399 for a 40mm model and Cellular models start at $499.
The Series 6 is available to order starting today, September 15th and will start shipping on Friday, September 18th.
Apple also noted that it will not be including a USB power adapter in the box with the Series 6 watch, just the charging cable because falls part of its efforts to reduce waste.
(Image: Apple Watch Series 6)
Local pricing and availability for these devices are yet to be announced.
Written by: Gabriella Steyn.
Guzzle Media
