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Apple Watch is Apple's wearable is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. It runs watchOS, and it comes in 40mm and 44mm size options.

How to see all Apple Watch apps

History

The original Apple Watch (later called Series 0) was released on April 24, 2015, after years of rumors. While there was a lot of initial hype around it, the third-party watchOS apps were slow to launch due to API limitations. Native apps were available in watchOS 2. The original watch came in 38mm and 42mm sizes.

The Series 2 Watch was released on September 16th, 2016 along with a Series 1 Watch. The Series 2 included the S2 chip, built-in GPS, and water-proof construction. The Series 1 included the S2, but lacked GPS and waterproofing.

The Series 3 Watch was released on September 22, 2017, and it included an LTE option and the S3 chip. The Series 4 Watch was released on September 21, 2018. New hardware included the S4 Chip, Electrical heart sensor w/ ECG app, and larger display (40mm and 44mm sizes).

Apple Watch Series 5 was announced during Apple’s fall event on September 10, 2019. Customers were able to purchase the device later that day, and it was released on September 20. The headline feature for this model was the wearable’s always-on display. The new display always shows the time and complications and is also the first from the company to include a built-in compass.

Apple launched international emergency services to every cellular model. Series 5 also brought back ceramic white, and new natural brush and space black titanium models.

Apple Watch Series 6 was unveiled on September 15, 2020 at the “Time Flies” event alongside the more affordable SE and new iPad Air. New features of the Series 6 include blood oxygen monitoring, new watch colors, faster S6 chip, new watch faces, and more.

Apple Watch features

Apple Watch is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. The newest versions are Series 6 and SE while Apple still sells Series 3 as the most affordable option.

Features include:

  • Heart rate monitoring (all models)
    • Including high, low, and irregular heart rate notifications
  • ECG readings (Series 4 and later)
  • Blood oxygen monitoring (Series 6)
  • Workout tracking, Activity Rings, competitions, and awards
  • Works with Apple Fitness+
  • Sleep tracking (with watchOS 7)
  • GPS and GPS + Cellular models
  • Always-on display (Series 5 & 6)
  • Water-resistant to 50 meters
  • Emergency SOS and fall detection
  • Phone calls and Messages
  • Music, Podcasts, and more
  • Third-party apps available through App Store built into watchOS

watchOS

watchOS is the dedicated software that runs on Apple Watch. The current version is watchOS 7 that was released in fall 2020 and is compatible with Series 3 and later.

watchOS 7 brought new features like native sleep tracking, Family Setup, watch face sharing, new workout tracking types, cycling directions in maps, and automatic handwashing reminders.

Apple Fitness+ support and new cardio fitness notifications came with watchOS 7.2 And watchOS 7.4 is coming with the exciting new Apple Watch unlock for iPhone feature.

Current Apple Watch lineup

For all the latest deals on Apple Watch, bands, and accessories, check out 9to5Toys.com.

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A plastic Apple Watch SE doesn’t make sense – and Apple may have given up on the idea

apple watch se 2

A Bloomberg report last year revealed that Apple had been experimenting with the idea of building an Apple Watch SE made of plastic in an effort to cut costs. However, it seems that the company has now given up on changing the material of the entry-level Apple Watch, which, let’s be honest, should always be metal.

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AirPods and Apple Watch cameras could make Apple Intelligence much smarter

AirPods and Apple Watch cameras could make Apple Intelligence much smarter | Apple Watch with sunset view

A report earlier this month suggested that Apple is working on embedding cameras into AirPods, followed yesterday by another suggesting the inclusion of Apple Watch cameras too.

Apple has for many years been exploring the idea of adding a camera to the Apple Watch, but the latest report suggests a very specific usage …

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Here are 10 Apple Watch features I use everyday & you could too [Video]

I have been an Apple Watch user since the original Series 0. It’s been awesome to see the evolution of the Apple watch and what it is today. It’s essentially a wellness computer on your wrist that is also an extension of your entire Apple Ecosystem. I wear this thing every day for many reasons, from wanting to close my rings to controlling my smart home to unlocking all my other Apple devices. It makes my life much easier just because its on my wrist. These are 10 features I wanted to share that you could easily implement.

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New lawsuit alleges Apple Watch carbon neutral claims are ‘false and misleading’ [U]

watchOS 9 Apple Watch series 8

Apple has a big goal of making all its products carbon neutral by 2030. But the company is now being sued over claims that its first such product to hit that goal—Apple Watch—isn’t actually as carbon neutral as Apple says. Here’s what you should know about the new Apple Watch carbon neutral lawsuit.

Updated 2/28 11:45 a.m. ET to include Apple’s statement in response below.

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Best Apple Watch for kids and which to avoid

How to use Apple Watch Schooltime feature

Apple Watch for kids is something parents are embracing more and more. The New York Times once reported that Apple Watch adoption is happening among children as young as five. Parents are finding the Apple Watch more appropriate for kids wanting smartphones.

The Apple Watch gives kids a way to stay in touch with parents, share location, and build responsibility without the full cost and complexity of a smartphone. Wondering if it may be time to consider adding more connectivity without the commitment of a smartphone? Read this first…

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Wireless reverse charging being tested in the iPhone 17 Pro – leaker

Wireless reverse charging being tested in the iPhone 17 Pro | AirPods case on an iPhone

Wireless reverse charging is a long-awaited feature which we know Apple has been working on for a long time, and which it partly implemented back in 2020. However, it hasn’t been fully activated in any iPhone model, despite widespread adoption in Android smartphones.

Our own sources have indicated that Apple is working on a more advanced version, and a new report says that the feature is currently being tested in prototypes of the iPhone 17 Pro

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Nomad just launched an accessory I have never seen before

In today’s Apple accessory landscape, it seems to be getting harder and harder to make a product that has not been made before. There are so many brands, so much competition and only so many types of accessories that are needed. But all that competition ends up being great for the consumer because it forces brands to think outside of the box. That is exactly what Nomad did with their new Universal Cable for Apple Watch. Again, I have never seen a cable look like this or do what it does.

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Poll: Apple has been making unity bands for five years now, which one is your favorite?

Ever since early 2021, Apple has been releasing new Black Unity bands for the Apple Watch. 2025 marks the fifth year of this tradition, giving a number of options to pick from. Among the five bands, Apple has released two sport bands, two sport loops, and one braided solo loop. All of them remain available for purchase on the Apple Store today.

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Check whether you qualify for share of $20M Apple Watch payout

Check whether you qualify for share of $20M Apple Watch payout | Image shows Apple logo with cracked glass

Way back in 2018, a class action lawsuit was filed against Apple, alleging a defect in early Apple Watch models that could cause the display to crack or detach from the casing.

While Apple has acknowledged some issues related to swollen batteries, and offered free service, it refused coverage for cracked or detached screens. The company has now agreed to a financial settlement for this …

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Super Bowl Sundays are really noisy everywhere in the US – Apple Watch study

Apple Watch study finds that Super Bowl Sundays are really noisy everywhere in the US | Stylized image of soundwaves

You don’t have to be in the Super Bowl stadium to be exposed to a lot of noise during the game. A new Apple Watch study found that noise levels across America are significantly higher than normal for about nine hours on Super Bowl Sundays.

On average, across the US, you’re likely to be exposed to noise levels between 1.5 and 3 decibels higher than usual – which is a lot worse than it sounds when it comes to potential hearing damage

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Apple Watch bands safe to wear, says company, after toxic chemicals report and lawsuit

Apple Watch bands safe to wear, says company, after toxic chemicals report and lawsuit | Sports Bands shown

Apple Watch bands are safe to wear, says the company, after concerns were expressed about the presence of PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) in a number of smartwatch bands.

PFAS has been linked to a number of health concerns, and is known as a “forever chemical” as it doesn’t break down in the body or the environment …

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