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amazon Apple Watch Series 6 GPS + Cellular 44mm reviews
The reason is probably known to many readers due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to this year’s Apple Watch Series 6 was introduced with four main versions, including Apple Watch Series 6 Aluminum. Apple Watch Series 6 Steel, Apple Watch Series 6 Titanium (EDITION), and Apple Watch Series 6 Hermès.
The version that I unboxed in this article is Apple Watch Series 6 Silver Steel (Silver) size 44mm; since Series 5, Apple has added a new frame version of Titanium, but I still find Steel is still The best version the Apple Watch. In Series 5, there is also a more special version, Ceramic, but Apple did not introduce this Ceramic version on Series 6 at the recent launch event.
This year’s Apple Watch Series 6 box is also more compact and shorter because Apple has removed the 5W charging cup to reduce environmental waste and only retains the Apple Watch wireless charging dock.
The packaging is still the same as the Apple Watch Series 4, with a piece of paper wrapping the two Apple Watch boxes and the strap inside. This year’s Apple Watch Series 6 wrap also has a new color pattern on the Apple Watch along with a new Solo Loop strap. The watch face on the box also displays the right color with the color you choose, the color I chose is Silver Steel.
Apple Watch Series 6 Steel watch face will be placed separately like before and covered with a thin layer of paper instead of velvet fabric; next to it will be the user manual and the charging cord.
The Apple Watch protective paper will also be printed in the size you choose.
The “main character” Apple Watch Series 6 Silver steel; this is the color available on Apple Watch from day one. The Steel version also has two new color options, Graphite or Gold. These two versions on Series 6 are more shiny and luxurious than Series 5.
The back where the “heart” of the Apple Watch Series 6 is located with a new sensor cluster supports measuring Blood Oxygen.
Since Series 4, all Apple Watch versions will have a ceramic back with a sensor cluster surrounded by curved sapphire glass.
The right side with the Digital Crown button and the multitasking button and microphone has not changed in design since Series 4. The Steel version will have only one GPS + LTE option, so there will be an additional red ring on the Digital Crown button.
The left edge will be the speakerphone that is still very familiar since Series 4; Apple also has no improvements in sound quality on Series 6.
Except for the Aluminum version, the remaining three versions of the Apple Watch Series 6 are equipped with Sapphire glass watch face instead of Ion-X glass. Offers greater durability, scratch resistance, and transparency than the Aluminum version.
Coming to the box containing the remaining strap, the version that I chose is still the familiar Milanese Loop steel strap.
Overall Apple Watch Series 6 Steel wire attached.
Regarding the rest of the parameters, the Apple Watch Series 6 will still have an Always-on Display with 25% higher brightness than the old generation, 20% better performance with the new S6 processor, and less battery life change.
where can you get a Apple Watch Series 6 GPS + Cellular 44mm online
New Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 44mm) – Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band: Buy it now
Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 44mm) – (Product) RED Aluminum Case with RED Sport Band (Renewed): Buy it now
(Refurbished) Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 44mm) – Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band: Buy it now
Display
The Apple Watch Series 6 features a Retina LTPO OLED display, which is one of the best displays you’ll find on any smartwatch. The 44mm version offers a larger display area compared to the 40mm model, making it easier to read text, view notifications, and interact with apps. The always-on display is a standout feature, allowing users to check the time and other information without having to raise their wrist or tap the screen.
The brightness of the display has been improved in the Series 6, with a maximum brightness of 1000 nits. This makes the watch easy to read even in bright sunlight, which can be a challenge for some smartwatches. The colors are vibrant, and the text is crisp and clear, thanks to the high pixel density.
The always-on display also supports complications, which are small widgets that provide information at a glance, such as weather updates, activity rings, or calendar events. This feature enhances the usability of the watch, as you can quickly access important information without having to wake the display.
Performance and Hardware
The Apple Watch Series 6 is powered by the S6 SiP (System in Package), which is based on the A13 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 11. This makes the Series 6 one of the most powerful smartwatches on the market. The S6 chip delivers faster performance and improved energy efficiency compared to the previous generation, ensuring that apps load quickly and the watch runs smoothly.
The watch also features a new U1 Ultra-Wideband chip, which enables more precise location tracking and improved communication with other U1-equipped devices. This chip is expected to play a significant role in future Apple ecosystem features, such as enhanced AirTag functionality and more accurate handoff experiences between devices.
In terms of storage, the Apple Watch Series 6 comes with 32GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for storing apps, music, podcasts, and other data. This is particularly useful for those who want to download music or podcasts for offline listening during workouts or when away from their iPhone.
Health and Fitness Features
One of the main selling points of the Apple Watch Series 6 is its extensive health and fitness features. Apple has continuously expanded the health monitoring capabilities of its watches, and the Series 6 takes this to the next level with the introduction of a blood oxygen sensor and improved heart rate monitoring.
Blood Oxygen Monitoring
The blood oxygen sensor is one of the most significant additions to the Apple Watch Series 6. Using a combination of red and infrared light sensors, the watch can measure the oxygen saturation level (SpO2) in your blood. This is an important metric for assessing your overall respiratory and cardiovascular health.
The blood oxygen monitoring feature can be used on-demand through the Blood Oxygen app, or it can take measurements periodically throughout the day and night. The data collected is stored in the Health app, where you can view trends over time and share the information with your healthcare provider if needed.
While the blood oxygen sensor is not intended to be a diagnostic tool, it provides valuable insights into your health, particularly in relation to conditions like sleep apnea or respiratory issues. However, it’s important to note that the accuracy of the readings can be affected by factors such as skin perfusion, body temperature, and the positioning of the watch on your wrist.
ECG and Heart Rate Monitoring
The Apple Watch Series 6 also features an ECG (electrocardiogram) app, which can detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder. The ECG feature uses electrodes built into the Digital Crown and the back of the watch to measure the electrical activity of your heart. The results are displayed as a waveform on the watch, and you can export a PDF of the ECG to share with your doctor.
The heart rate monitor on the Series 6 has been refined for greater accuracy, particularly during workouts. The watch can track your heart rate throughout the day, providing alerts if your heart rate is too high or too low, which could indicate underlying health issues. The heart rate data is also used to calculate metrics like calories burned, recovery time, and heart rate variability (HRV).
Sleep Tracking
Sleep tracking is another feature that has been improved in the Apple Watch Series 6, thanks to the watchOS 7 update. The Sleep app tracks your sleep duration and quality, providing insights into your sleep patterns and offering tips to improve your sleep hygiene. The watch uses motion sensors and heart rate data to determine when you’re asleep, and it can also detect when you wake up during the night.
While the sleep tracking on the Apple Watch Series 6 is useful, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t provide as much detail as some dedicated sleep trackers. For example, it doesn’t break down your sleep into different stages (light, deep, REM), which is a feature found in some other wearables. However, it’s still a valuable tool for getting an overview of your sleep habits.
Activity Tracking and Fitness Features
The Apple Watch Series 6 excels in activity tracking, making it an excellent companion for fitness enthusiasts. The watch tracks your daily activity through the three Activity rings: Move, Exercise, and Stand. These rings provide a visual representation of your daily goals, encouraging you to stay active throughout the day.
The watch supports a wide range of workouts, from running and cycling to swimming and yoga. It can automatically detect when you start a workout and prompt you to start tracking, ensuring that you don’t miss out on any activity data. The watch also provides real-time metrics during workouts, such as pace, distance, heart rate, and calories burned.
The GPS + Cellular model allows you to track your outdoor workouts without needing to bring your iPhone along. This is particularly useful for runners and cyclists who prefer to leave their phone behind during their workouts. The built-in GPS provides accurate tracking of your routes, and you can view a map of your workout in the Fitness app on your iPhone.
For those who enjoy swimming, the Apple Watch Series 6 is water-resistant up to 50 meters and can track both pool and open water swims. The watch measures metrics such as distance, laps, stroke type, and calories burned, making it a versatile tool for swimmers.
Connectivity and Cellular Features
The GPS + Cellular model of the Apple Watch Series 6 offers the added convenience of cellular connectivity, allowing you to make calls, send texts, and stream music without needing to have your iPhone nearby. This is particularly useful for those who want to stay connected while on the go, such as during a run or while working out at the gym.
Setting up the cellular functionality is straightforward. You can activate the cellular plan directly from the Watch app on your iPhone, and the process typically takes just a few minutes. The watch uses the same phone number as your iPhone, so you don’t need to worry about managing multiple numbers.
The cellular connection is reliable, with good signal strength in most areas. The watch automatically switches between Wi-Fi, cellular, and your iPhone’s connection, depending on what’s available, to ensure that you always stay connected.
The Apple Watch Series 6 also includes other connectivity features such as Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz and 5GHz), and support for Apple’s Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. These features enhance the overall connectivity experience, allowing the watch to communicate seamlessly with other devices in the Apple ecosystem.
Battery Life
Battery life has always been a concern for smartwatch users, and the Apple Watch Series 6 makes some improvements in this area. Apple claims that the Series 6 offers up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is consistent with the battery life of previous models.
In real-world usage, the battery life of the Series 6 can vary depending on how you use the watch. For most users, the watch will comfortably last a full day, even with moderate to heavy use, including workouts, notifications, GPS usage, and app interactions. However, if you frequently use the cellular connection, always-on display, or engage in prolonged workout sessions, the battery life may be slightly reduced. For instance, streaming music over LTE, making phone calls, or using the watch’s GPS extensively can drain the battery faster.
One of the advantages of the Apple Watch Series 6 is its faster charging time compared to its predecessors. Apple claims that the Series 6 can charge from 0% to 80% in about an hour, and a full charge takes around 90 minutes. This means you can easily top up the battery during a quick break or while getting ready in the morning.
For those who want to use the watch for sleep tracking, the improved charging speed is particularly beneficial. You can wear the watch throughout the night, charge it in the morning while getting ready, and have enough battery life to last the entire day.
Despite the improvements in charging speed, the overall battery life of the Apple Watch Series 6 still lags behind some competitors, particularly those that offer multi-day battery life. However, considering the rich feature set and the always-on display, the battery life is reasonable and should meet the needs of most users.
Software Experience
The Apple Watch Series 6 runs on watchOS 7, which brings a host of new features and improvements to the Apple Watch experience. The software is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate through apps, notifications, and settings.
One of the standout features of watchOS 7 is the introduction of new watch faces and complications. Users can customize their watch face with a variety of styles, colors, and widgets to suit their preferences and needs. Apple has also introduced the ability to share watch faces with others, allowing you to send your custom watch face configuration to friends or family members.
The software experience is further enhanced by the deep integration with the Apple ecosystem. The Apple Watch Series 6 works seamlessly with other Apple devices, such as the iPhone, AirPods, and HomePod. You can use the watch to control your smart home devices, unlock your Mac, and even use Apple Pay for contactless payments.
The watchOS 7 update also introduces new health and fitness features, such as sleep tracking, handwashing detection, and cycling directions. The handwashing detection feature automatically detects when you start washing your hands and encourages you to wash for the recommended 20 seconds. This is a small but thoughtful addition that reflects Apple’s focus on health and wellness.
Another notable feature is Family Setup, which allows you to set up and manage an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t have an iPhone. This is particularly useful for children or older adults, as it allows them to stay connected and use the watch’s features without needing their own iPhone.
Health Ecosystem and Integration
The Apple Watch Series 6 is a key component of Apple’s broader health ecosystem, which includes the Health app, the Fitness app, and various third-party health and fitness apps. The data collected by the watch is automatically synced with the Health app on your iPhone, where you can view detailed reports on your health metrics, activity levels, and fitness progress.
The Health app serves as a central hub for all your health-related data, allowing you to track metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep patterns, and more. You can also integrate data from other health devices, such as blood pressure monitors, smart scales, and glucose meters, to get a more comprehensive view of your health.
The Fitness app, formerly known as the Activity app, provides a more detailed breakdown of your workout data, including metrics such as VO2 max, cadence, and elevation. The app also offers a variety of workout challenges and achievements to keep you motivated and engaged.
For those who subscribe to Apple Fitness+, the Apple Watch Series 6 is the perfect companion. The watch integrates seamlessly with the Fitness+ service, displaying your workout metrics in real-time on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The watch also tracks your progress throughout the workout and provides personalized coaching tips based on your performance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Advanced Health Monitoring: The Apple Watch Series 6 introduces new health features like blood oxygen monitoring and improved heart rate tracking, making it one of the most comprehensive health-focused smartwatches on the market.
- Always-On Display: The always-on Retina display is bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight. The display quality is excellent, with vibrant colors and sharp text.
- Fast Performance: Powered by the S6 chip, the Series 6 delivers snappy performance, with quick app launches and smooth navigation.
- Cellular Connectivity: The GPS + Cellular model allows you to stay connected without needing your iPhone, making it ideal for those who want to go phone-free during workouts or while running errands.
- Seamless Integration with Apple Ecosystem: The watch works seamlessly with other Apple devices, offering a cohesive and user-friendly experience across the Apple ecosystem.
- Improved Battery Charging: Faster charging times mean you can quickly top up the battery, making it easier to use the watch for sleep tracking and throughout the day.
- Wide Range of Customization Options: The Series 6 offers a variety of case materials, colors, and watch faces, allowing users to personalize their watch to suit their style.
Cons:
- Battery Life: While the battery life is sufficient for a full day of use, it still falls short compared to some competitors that offer multi-day battery life.
- Price: The Apple Watch Series 6 is a premium product, and the price may be a barrier for some users, especially if you opt for the stainless steel or titanium models.
- Limited Sleep Tracking Data: While the watch offers sleep tracking, it lacks the detailed sleep stage data that some other wearables provide.
- Incremental Upgrades: For users who already own the Apple Watch Series 5, the Series 6 offers only incremental upgrades, which may not be enough to justify the cost of upgrading.
- Compatibility Limited to iPhone: The Apple Watch is designed to work exclusively with iPhones, so it’s not an option for Android users.
Final Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 6 GPS + Cellular 44mm is a feature-rich and highly capable smartwatch that excels in health and fitness tracking, connectivity, and overall user experience. It’s an ideal choice for those who are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and value the convenience of cellular connectivity.
The watch’s advanced health features, including blood oxygen monitoring and ECG, set it apart from many competitors and make it a valuable tool for monitoring your overall well-being. The always-on display, fast performance, and seamless integration with other Apple devices further enhance its appeal.
However, the high price point and limited battery life may be drawbacks for some users. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, the Apple Watch SE offers a similar experience at a lower cost, though it lacks some of the advanced health features of the Series 6.
Ultimately, if you’re in the market for a premium smartwatch that offers a comprehensive set of features and integrates seamlessly with your iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 6 GPS + Cellular 44mm is an excellent choice. It’s a device that not only keeps you connected but also empowers you to take control of your health and fitness in a way that few other wearables can match.