The Apple Watch is likely one of the most recognizable items of tech on the earth (simply ask the numerous copycat units), and it’s been widespread sufficient to warrant loads of revisions within the final eight years.
As we method its eighth birthday, it’s placing to see how a lot the Apple Watch has grown from being an extension of the iPhone, to a standalone machine in its personal proper.
Positive, these apron strings could by no means be severed (even with household setup), however the Apple Watch Sequence 8 is a a lot, far more competent machine than the Sequence 0 – though there are nonetheless some similarities.
Be a part of us as we take a stroll down reminiscence lane, wanting on the Apple Watch from its inception to the place it exists in 2023.
Early rumors
It’s all the time enjoyable to look again on product strains, with loads of rumors seeming fairly large of the mark as soon as we’ve got the units in our palms (or on our wrists). Within the run-up to the Apple Watch’s debut, it was rumored the corporate was engaged on a wearable, wrist-mounted iPod. Different rumors advised it could run a model of iOS.
When the sixth-generation iPod nano landed in 2010, it was already seen as a precursor to the Apple Watch. There have been straps you can purchase to have it in your wrist earlier than it was socially acceptable, and even then, many questioned if Apple would go into the wearable area.
In 2012, Kevin Lynch led the event of the Apple Watch, and whereas it was initially marketed for trend simply as a lot as perform, it’s turn out to be a good way to work together with tech with out reaching in your telephone.
“Individuals are carrying their telephones with them and looking out on the display a lot. Folks need that degree of engagement. However how do we offer it in a approach that is a bit extra human, a bit extra in the mean time if you’re with any individual?” Lynch mentioned in a Wired Interview again in 2015 (opens in new tab).
Then, in September 2014 on the iPhone 6 occasion, there was a ‘One Extra Factor’ phase, and Tim Prepare dinner introduced the Apple Watch (opens in new tab).
Apple Watch (Sequence 0) – April 24, 2015
The unique Apple Watch, dubbed the Sequence 0, really wasn’t all that totally different to take a look at from the Apple Watch we’ve got immediately. There’s a rounded sq. (typically often called the squircle) OLED show, the digital crown, and an array of swappable bands that persists to today. When you went wild in 2015 and preordered many bands, you may nonetheless use them immediately.
Apple Watch Sequence 0 noticed two important OS releases, with the primary model of watchOS launching with 9 watch faces and 20 inventory apps however restricted complication assist. It wasn’t till watchOS 2 that we bought photograph watch faces, the now default nightstand mode for charging, and the choice to make use of third-party issues.
One in every of watchOS 2’s most weird options was Time Journey, which might allow you to see upcoming appointments by rotating the digital crown. It was a properly animated characteristic, however its utility was restricted, and the characteristic was axed by the point watchOS 5 arrived.
This marked the one time an Apple Watch was revealed in April, earlier than shifting to a Q3 announcement/launch cadence that falls extra intently in keeping with the iPhone.
On the time, we famous the spectacular construct high quality and iPhone integration however have been disillusioned within the lack of GPS and sluggish efficiency of the S1 chip.
Apple Watch Sequence 1 & Sequence 2 – September 16, 2016
Right here’s the place issues get a bit extra advanced, as Apple opted to revamp the Sequence 0 not as soon as, however twice. Consequently, the Sequence 1 and Sequence 2 arrived and should have ended up complicating the lineup additional regardless of trimming down the casing choices.
In reality, the Sequence 1 is, in some ways, a Sequence 0 – simply with a brand new S1P processor that vastly improved on-device efficiency. Sequence 1 was restricted to the aluminum variant, so something above that fell into the realm of the Sequence 2 mannequin.
The most recent Watch that yr packed the (even sooner) S2 SoC, and arguably formsd the bottom Apple would proceed to refine up till the current day – the Apple Watch Sequence 2 was swim-proof as much as 50m, and eventually noticed the introduction of GPS into the lineup. It additionally additional curved the chassis.
Each units shipped with watchOS 3, which launched Exercise Ring sharing, and the Dock – one thing we all the time neglect to make use of when switching between apps. It additionally added the Minnie Mouse face, which wouldn’t be Apple’s last dalliance with licensed choices.
Apple Watch Sequence 3 – September 22, 2017
It’s laborious to imagine the Apple Watch Sequence 3 solely stopped receiving main OS updates and was shuffled off Apple’s retailer pages in 2022, but it surely confirmed exceptional endurance.
A giant a part of that’s because of the energy effectivity of the S3 SoC and the addition of an non-compulsory Mobile mannequin, that means customers may feasibly depart their telephone at dwelling and nonetheless be contactable. That made it essentially the most self-sufficient Apple Watch thus far, and whereas the battery life nonetheless paled compared to devoted health trackers, the highly effective chip meant many customers merely didn’t thoughts in any respect.
The most recent replace right here, watchOS 4, added the choice to sync music to the machine (from Apple Music solely at first, naturally), and added the Now Taking part in app alongside it. It additionally added the Toy Story watch faces.
Alongside Buzz Lightyear and Woody, watchOS 4 additionally improved the Coronary heart Fee app with extra metrics and launched customized exercise teaching to assist push the Apple Watch nearer to a extra complete health monitoring and wellness machine – one thing that’s improved annually since.
Apple Watch Sequence 4 – September 21, 2018
Apple Watch Sequence 4 arrived using a wave of positivity because of the Sequence 3, and felt in some ways like a supercharged model of what got here earlier than.
A revised kind issue allowed for a bigger show inside the same footprint, with the Sequence 4 arriving in 38mm and 42mm variants with out including extra heft. The large draw of the Sequence 4, nonetheless, was efficiency – the Sequence 3 had been seen as an enormous step in the best route for working apps on the watch itself, however the S4 chip of the Sequence 4 doubled it once more.
The Apple Watch Sequence 4 was a landmark in each its area and past, too, with its included ECG utility making it the primary shopper machine to obtain clearance from the US Meals and Drug Administration.
The replace that arrived alongside Sequence 4 was no slouch both, with watchOS 5 including computerized exercise detection, the flexibility to problem buddies in Exercise competitions, on-device podcast streaming, and, lastly, a “Do Not Disturb” mode.
It additionally added Walkie-Talkie performance, which nonetheless seems like a puzzling addition 5 years on, and commenced grouping notifications collectively.
Apple Watch Sequence 5 and SE – September 10, 2019
Many critics famous that the Apple Watch Sequence 5 didn’t supply an enormous quantity that the Sequence 4 didn’t have, and it’s laborious to argue. The primary new addition, nonetheless, was the At all times-On show.
Whereas it could naturally eat into your battery life, private data in issues could be robotically hidden if you lowered your arm, which felt like a really neat trick on the time.
Sequence 5 additionally upped the included storage to a sizeable 32GB and added a built-in compass for improved instructions.
Whereas watchOS 6 was a minor launch this time, it could be paradoxically outlined by one main characteristic alongside smaller enhancements – the App Retailer. Apple’s dwelling for apps lastly got here to the Apple Watch via an on-device storefront, alongside new options together with Cycle Monitoring, loud noise warnings, and a calculator.
Oh, and there was the small matter of the Apple Watch SE, which was solely refreshed in 2022. It provided a less expensive technique to get on board with watchOS, at the price of the always-on show, an ECG sensor, and any case materials apart from aluminum.
Apple Watch Sequence 6 – September 15, 2020
Apple Watch Sequence 6 is remembered simply as a lot for what it added as what it eliminated, as Apple started to hit its stride and work out what customers wanted – and what they didn’t.
To that finish, the blood oxygen sensor was added, in tandem with improved coronary heart charge sensors to assist with Sleep Monitoring on watchOS 7.
It additionally eliminated Drive Contact, which had turn out to be the de facto technique to clear reams of notifications directly, one thing that took quite a lot of customers without warning.
As talked about, watchOS 7 added Sleep Monitoring, but it surely additionally introduced handwashing reminders, an essential characteristic in 2020. On the tech facet, customers may now lastly change the colour of watch faces, share them with buddies, and populate them with multiple complication from the identical app.
It was extra of the identical hardware-wise, however watchOS 7 made this a very strong yr for Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Sequence 7 – September 14, 2021
Many leaks had pegged the Sequence 7 as the primary main {hardware} revision for the Apple Watch because the Sequence 4, however these studies have been large of the mark.
Whereas the Apple Watch Sequence 7 did get some bodily adjustments, it primarily boiled all the way down to the show spilling over onto the chassis for an additional show measurement enhance with out the necessity to increase the chassis. The display was additionally 70% brighter, which was actually welcome.
Battery life nonetheless didn’t see a big enchancment, however new charging methods meant that the Sequence 7 can cost a lot sooner than prior fashions. There’s additionally ultra-rapid wi-fi information switch performance built-in, however Apple nonetheless hasn’t clarified its objective.
Nevertheless, watchOS 8 provided the same refinement of present options, with enhancements to the Exercise and Sleep apps, the brand new Portrait watch face, and an up to date House app.
Apple Watch Sequence 8, SE (2nd Era), Extremely – September 14, 2021
It’d be honest to say that the Sequence 8’s thunder was stolen considerably by the arrival of the Apple Watch Extremely, however that’s to not say it didn’t supply loads in its personal proper.
The Sequence 8 makes use of an improved accelerometer and gyro devices to assist notify emergency companies when the consumer has been in a automobile crash, whereas a brand new temperature sensor may also help determine when a consumer is ovulating.
Nonetheless, the Apple Watch Extremely took all of the plaudits for its a lot brighter show, vastly improved battery life, and titanium chassis. It additionally added an motion button (the primary new button to be added because the Apple Watch’s debut).
Sneaking in to exchange its predecessor (and the Sequence 3 that had been clinging on for some time), the SE (2nd Era) presents watchOS 9 performance however forgoes the ECG, Blood Oxygen and temperature sensors, and another options just like the always-on show.
Talking of watchOS 9, customers can monitor new exercise metrics, sleep phases, and AFib historical past, and eventually create Calendar occasions on their wrist amongst a bunch of different options.
With Apple Watch Sequence 9 hypothesis beginning to construct, we hope you’ve loved this look again at a product line that’s risen to prominence in an impressively quick timespan.
