The Apple Watch Sequence 11 is probably the simplest overview I’ve ever had. The brand new Apple smartwatch is essentially the identical as final yr’s Sequence 10 (which I additionally reviewed). It appears to be like the identical, performs equally, and has virtually the identical performance (with a couple of unique additions; extra on that later).
Nevertheless it has one extraordinarily essential enchancment: Longer battery life.
And when you’ve ever used an Apple Watch, you understand how big that’s.
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Value and specs
The specs for the Sequence 11 are eerily much like the specs of the earlier mannequin, the Apple Watch Sequence 10. The scale, chip, storage, show — every part is identical apart from minute variations in weight (the brand new mannequin is ever so barely heavier). The one actual distinction you’ll discover is the addition of a brand new colour (for the Aluminum case), House Grey.
Listed here are the highlights:
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Show measurement: 42/46mm
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Chip: S10
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Storage: 64GB
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Show decision: 416×496 pixels
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Colours: Rose Gold, Silver, House Grey, Jet Black (Aluminum), Gold, Pure, Slate (Titanium)
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Water resistance: 50m
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Mud resistance: IP6X
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Design and show
The show is strictly the identical measurement as earlier than, as is the design. The Watch Sequence 11 remains to be extremely cozy, virtually disappearing as quickly as you place it on. The added weight (which is minute) makes no distinction. The one approach I’d have the ability to inform the Sequence 11 from my outdated Sequence 10 Watch is the colour. Apple despatched me the overview unit within the new House Grey Aluminum end. I’ve all the time been a sucker for Apple’s House Grey colour, and the distinction between the case and the black show is sweet, although I reckon not vastly totally different from the beforehand out there Silver end.
The House Grey colour is a pleasant change from my earlier all-black Watch.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
Apple Watch Extremely 3 battery life will get large enhance over Extremely 2
To go together with the brand new Watch, Apple despatched me a House Black Sport Band. It’s alright, however I choose the less-rubbery really feel of Apple’s Sport Loop. Apple makes sufficient totally different wristbands (to not point out the 1000’s of third-party choices) that everybody will certainly discover one thing they like.
Apple says the brand new show is 2 occasions extra scratch-resistant than the earlier one, due to one thing Apple calls Ion-X glass. Whereas that’s arduous to check with out damaging the watch, it’s a pleasant enchancment, particularly since I do are likely to hit varied objects (comparable to partitions and closets) with my hand, together with with the brand new Sequence 11.
Although the show isn’t significantly new, it’s nonetheless extremely sharp and vibrant, even when seen from an angle. It’s the very best show I’ve ever seen on a smartwatch, and one of many key the explanation why I’d have a tough time switching to a non-Apple smartwatch just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Efficiency
Don’t fret, the Apple Watch remains to be snappy, due to the S10 chip inside. I’ve by no means needed to fear about reminiscence on an Apple Watch (64GB is included). Varied measurements, comparable to blood oxygen monitoring and coronary heart fee measurements, nonetheless work pretty precisely, so far as I can inform.
Nevertheless, there are a few completely new options, comparable to hypertension notifications and Sleep Rating, however these are additionally out there on a number of older fashions now with watchOS 26. I didn’t obtain any hypertension notifications whereas sporting the watch, which is an efficient factor for me personally, however maybe not so good for this overview. As for the brand new Sleep Rating, I loved having an in depth overview of simply how abysmally poorly I slept, due to the tiny particular person (my son) waking me up each hour or two throughout the night time.
Glorious, however solely when put next with my usually abysmal sleep high quality.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
Exercise Buddy is one other new characteristic, an AI-powered, digital exercise coach and companion. It does not actually work for my exercises, which contain calisthenics and energy coaching; in reality, I could not get it to say something of curiosity in any respect. Apple’s promotional supplies principally deal with actions like working, and the Exercise Buddy is perhaps a greater match for these.
So far as new watch faces go, Apple’s watchOS 26 brings two new ones: the colourful Move and the Exactograph. I did not like Move a lot at first because it made time barely legible, however taking part in with the settings (strive eradicating the background, for instance) could make it quite a bit nicer. The Exactograph is a geeky triple chronograph, with separate dials for hours, minutes, and seconds. Faucet on it a few times to “explode” the minutes and the seconds dial — it is actually cool.
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Battery life
Final yr’s Apple Watch had 18 hours of battery life. Apple says the Sequence 11 has 24 hours of battery life. For a tool that’s with you (on you) more often than not, it is a massive step up in efficiency. However how do Apple’s figures translate into actual life use?
The Sequence 11 now tracks your coronary heart fee, blood oxygen, blood strain, and temperature, amongst different metrics.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
I’m joyful to report that Apple wasn’t mendacity in regards to the elevated battery life. Once I received my unit, I charged it to one hundred pc and began sporting it at about 4 p.m. I wore it throughout the night time (my sleep rating was 81, which sounds quite a bit higher than it felt), and the following day at 4 p.m. it was nonetheless at 38 %. That day, I charged it to full energy late within the night, and I solely needed to cost it once more two days later. After practically a full week of use, I can say that the Apple Watch Sequence 11 is definitely a one-and-a-half-day smartwatch now, and it is potential to increase that to a full weekend when you rigorously use Low Energy mode.
My outdated Apple Watch Sequence 10 would generally final a full 24 hours, however principally not. Typically, it could change to power-saving mode simply earlier than I went to mattress — goodbye, exact sleep monitoring. Most annoying had been quick weekend journeys, which I do fairly often. I’d should convey a charger each single time, even when I used to be cautious to make use of the Low Energy setting typically.
Move is among the two new watch faces you get with the Sequence 11 (or, extra exactly, with watchOS 26).
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The Sequence 11 is a major improve on this regard. My sleep was tracked each night time, and even a weekend away from a charger appeared potential (although, not if I used GPS quite a bit). Truthfully, I’d nonetheless choose if Apple someway discovered a strategy to make this stuff final per week, however a minimum of now the corporate’s claims of a full-day battery life aren’t ridiculous anymore.
Is the Apple Watch Sequence 11 value it?
Sure. Even when you have already got a Sequence 10, which has practically all the identical options, the brand new Apple Watch Sequence 11 doesn’t require you to cost it mid-day with a view to hold it going by the night time. With the brand new Sleep Rating characteristic, that is extra essential than ever. And in my testing, the battery life enhancements had been completely actual. It’s easy: Commerce your outdated Watch in, and get the brand new one, particularly when you use your Apple Watch as a sleep tracker or health tracker.
The improved battery life makes this one a winner.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
There may be one exception, nonetheless. In the event you’re into sports activities comparable to long-distance working, swimming, or diving, you must also take into account Apple’s new Extremely 3 over the Sequence 11. It, too, has even longer battery life this yr, and also you’ll really feel the distinction. It’s additionally quite a bit heavier and bulkier than the Sequence 11, which can or will not be a tradeoff.
You should buy the brand new Apple Watch (beginning at $399) at Amazon, the Apple Retailer, or wherever Apple Watches are bought.
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