Whenever there is a conversation around a smartwatch, the first name to pop into everybody’s head is the Apple watch. A pinnacle in the world of smartwatches, Apple watches are admired for combining ultimate functionality, high performance and understated luxuriousness in a design. And, saying that the brand champions the art of smartwatch-making to a tee won’t be incorrect.
An Apple watch is the wearer’s companion and guide first and a tech gadget later. Equipped with features that aid one in tracking their lifestyle, fitness routines and daily schedules, it is a saviour on the wrist with the world at their fingertips; just a touch away. No wonder everybody everywhere is always at the edge of their seats whenever it’s time for a new release.
What makes Apple watches so costly?
The watch landscape is brimming with a sea of smartwatch options for one to choose from. And yet, Apple manages to be a premium choice for most even though they’re priced higher than many others. Here are some of the reasons why Apple watches are expensive and still one of the most popular picks.
- One of the most crucial factors that account to an Apple watch being expensive is its quality and durability. The watches are made with the toughest materials like high-quality aluminium, polished stainless steel or titanium that lends the design sturdiness and a tough body. Additionally, the display is fashioned in Sapphire crystal that’s crack, dust and water-resistant. For instance, Apple Watch Ultra boasts of a robust and strong design that makes it safe to be worn for outdoor adventure activities or even underwater.
- The accuracy of fitness tracking in these smartwatches is at par with the rest. One of the main reasons people invest in a smartwatch is the fitness and health tracking feature, which Apple is a pioneer in. From real-time monitoring of heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep stages, temperature sensing and stress levels to enhancing training sessions with different workout modes, this watch does it all. And gives the most detailed and precise insights and analysis to better your lifestyle.
- Yet another aspect that makes them expensive is the brand value. Apple represents a luxurious and polished product that’s designed with cutting-edge technology and innovation.
- They are also equipped with powerful and precise GPS that helps in tracking distance, speed, pace and Maps app with complete accuracy. If you’ve forgotten your phone at home or if its battery is about to die, your watch can guide you even in deserted areas and give directions with just a voice command.
- Apple’s ecosystem is also a major reason for its cost and people’s willingness to splurge on. The safety and security features that this ecosystem has to offer are some of the best in the industry. However, to own an Apple watch you need to have an iPhone as it is not compatible with an Android phone making their ecosystem an exclusive one. Another example of this exclusivity are the Apple AirPods. Although they get connected with an Android phone using bluetooth, not all features of the AirPods work properly.
- The app accessibility in Apple watches is also commendable. They offer a huge selection of pre-installed apps across categories including fitness, entertainment, work and schedule. Additionally, you can also download other apps from the App Store that you desire since the watches come with built-in storage.
- The recent watch models are also equipped with emergency features like SOS, fall detection and crash detection which can be life saving. In such cases the watch connects you with nearby emergency services and also notifies your emergency contacts with your location.
The latest Apple watch launched
On 12 September 2023, at its event ‘Wonderlust’, Apple released two new additions to its watch family— Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
With upgraded features and the most powerful chipset (S9 SiP) in an Apple watch yet, the new models are also available in different colours.
Where to buy the watch?
You can buy an Apple watch online from their official website or their official stores.
Check out some of the best Apple watches to invest in right now
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Apple Watch Series 9
HKD 3197
With S9 SiP, their most powerful chip ever that’s also 60 per cent faster, Apple brings to you the world of endless possibilities and a unique way of using your watch without touching the screen with the Series 9 model. What sets this watch apart from its counterparts is the new and unique hand gesture control called ‘double tap’. This feature lets you access and manage functions like answering and disconnecting calls, replying to messages and playing music simply by double tapping your index finger and thumb together.
While the signature features (blood oxygen and heart rate monitoring, ECG generation, sleep tracking, fall detection) have all been upgraded with innovative sensors, the workout modes and mindfulness app have also been enhanced.
Additionally, the advanced display system features the always-on retina display while ensuring legibility even in broad daylight by boosting the maximum brightness up to 2,000 nits. It also has the new Name Drop Feature that allows sharing personal information with another user when their device is close to yours. While the watch is also available in carbon-neutral case and strap combinations, the aluminium chassis is available in pink, midnight, starlight, silver and red hues.
Image: Courtesy Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 2
HKD 6397
Crafted for an unparalleled performance in a robust and extremely durable titanium case is the Apple Watch Ultra 2 that’s resistant to corrosion, water and dust. Featuring the S9 SiP chipset and the always-on retina display, its brightness peaks at 3,000 nits. While the physical action button gives quick control over various functions, like Series 9, it also has the ‘double tap’ hand gesture to let you manage the device with ease.
The enhanced training and workout modes enable you to reach your goals and improve performance with detailed metrics whereas its dual-frequency GPS system is one of the most accurate ones ever in a sport watch. It’s the perfect exploration tool that every adventure enthusiast needs owing to its reimagined compass for accurate navigation, backtrack feature, advanced topographic map, upgraded dive computer and three-dimensional view iterating details like longitude, latitude, elevation and incline.
The watch also features the usual functions monitoring ECG, blood oxygen, heart rate, temperature and sleep along with fall detection, crash detection and emergency SOS. This watch too, is available in case and strap combinations that are carbon-neutral.
Image: Courtesy Apple
Apple Watch Ultra
HKD 3199
The most rugged and reliable smartwatch in a robust design, the Apple Watch Ultra is the ultimate sports watch designed to deliver unparalleled performance. It is fashioned in a corrosion-resistant titanium case and three different strap types for different athletic pursuits — Alpine Loop (for outdoor adventures), Trail Loop (for endurance training) and Ocean Band (for underwater activities). This water and dust-resistant watch features the new Always-On Retina display and a battery life that lasts up to 36 hours of normal use.
It is a training partner that an athlete and an adventurer needs for how it helps them in pushing their limits and recording necessary data and insights. From maintaining running power and enhancing training sessions for athletes to being an essential exploration tool and aiding divers with the new depth gauge, this Apple watch does it all. The action button makes controlling the watch and its various features easier with just a single press. Whether it’s managing a workout session, quickly dropping a Compass Waypoint, backtracking to maintain focus on your journey or starting the depth app, the button makes this watch the only companion you need.
Other features of this smartwatch include a precision dual-frequency GPS system, redesigned Compass app, temperature sensing, sleep tracking, ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, crash and fall detection, emergency SOS and cellular functions including calling, texting and streaming music.
Image: Courtesy Amazon
HKD 2925
The Apple Watch Series 8 is an essential and powerful companion that helps one in maintaining their overall health and well-being and staying connected with your loved ones. With the Always-On Retina display that makes watch faces look stunningly easy-to-read, this iWatch is also crack, dust and water-resistant. Featuring advanced health sensors like temperature sensing and menstruation predictions, the watch lets women track their cycle easily and even share those insights with their healthcare provider.
It also outlines a detailed analysis of one’s sleep cycle, takes the ECG any time and measures blood oxygen levels. To ensure you give your personal best when training or working out, the enhanced Workout app offers new ways to train and even lets you customise your sessions. Equipped with a high g-force accelerometer that detects up to 256 Gs of impact, the Series 8 watch is able to detect a severe crash and a hard fall. In such scenarios, the watch automatically connects you with emergency services if you’re immobile and also notifies your emergency contacts.
From making calls and sending texts to streaming music, using Apple Pay and Maps, the watch lets you do a lot as it offers a battery life of up to 18 hours of normal use and 36 hours on the new Low Power Mode.
Image: Courtesy Amazon
HKD 2764
One of the most durable Apple watches ever, the Series 7 combines a fundamental design and breakthrough features that keep a track of your health and your connectedness with the world. While the dust, crack and water-resistant (up to 50 metres) display enhances the experience of using the watch, the redesigned buttons across the system makes using apps like Calculator, Stopwatch and Timer way easier.
This strong and sturdy watch has a robust geometry. From measuring blood oxygen levels and taking an ECG to tracking your sleep stages, this watch keeps a check of your vitals and gives detailed analysis of your health. The Apple Fitness+ ensures your body and mind’s health in a great way. While it lets you track and enhance your workout sessions, it also upgrades your overall well being with themes like calm, kindness or gratitude, supported by The Mindfulness App.
With 33 percent faster charging than Apple Watch Series 6, it lets you stream music, podcasts and even audiobooks. Its cellular version also allows you access to phone calls, messages, photos and much more.
Image: Courtesy Amazon
HKD 2001
A previous version of the Second Generation model, the Apple Watch SE First Generation is an equally impressive, reliable and durable watch. While it lets you stream music and audiobooks on-the-go, it also lets you stay connected to your loved ones through cellular functions even when you don’t have your phone with you. From tracking daily activity to workouts on the Fitness app, from giving you real-time elevation readings and Compass feature to aiding you in hiking, this watch does it all.
Water-resistant up to 50 metres, the watch also tracks your heart rate and informs you of discrepancies in the rhythm. It also detects a hard fall and makes emergency calls to services for you automatically. It offers a battery life of up to 18 hours.
Image: Courtesy Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What is special about the Apple watch?
Apart from its operating system and ecosystem that ensures a seamless user experience across all their Apple devices, what also makes an Apple watch special is that it’s the ultimate health device. With features including electrocardiograms, fall detection, atrial-fibrillation detection and heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, it is worth buying for anyone who’s proactive about their health.
Additionally, the brand also diligently ensures that your devices and their systems are secure while always aiming to further improve it. Apple watches are also extremely durable and flaunt a strong build made with premium quality.
– How long does the Apple watch charging last?
The watch lasts for approximately 18 hours on a single charge.
– What are the Apple Watch Ultra colours?
While the Apple Watch Ultra is available in starlight, midnight, orange and yellow-beige colours, the Ultra 2 is available in blue, indigo, olive, green-grey, blue-black, orange-beige, white and orange hues.
(Main Image Courtesy: Apple ; Featured Image Courtesy: Amazon)
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With an academic background in Public Relations, Divya has a flair for writing about topics spanning genres like lifestyle, beauty, fashion, travel, FnB, tech and entertainment. She fancies everything that's a wholesome blend of contemporary finery and timelessness. Quirky earrings and tees are her weakness. When not creating content, you will find her devouring food, snuggling in with a book and a cup-a-chai, admiring skies or revisiting Hogwarts.