Diehard Apple followers pay double for the Apple Watch Extremely 2 for its 36-hour battery life and big show. Little question most Put on OS followers will scoff, since you will get comparable battery life at lower than half the worth with a Galaxy Watch 5 Professional. Nonetheless, after months of utilizing the Extremely 2, my largest hope is that we see extra Extremely-style Android watches.
Regardless of being a lifetime iPhone proprietor, I by no means used an Apple Watch earlier than the Extremely 2 as a result of the Collection watches lacked the battery and health methods to tempt me. However I pestered the Apple PR group for a six-month mortgage after seeing watchOS’ health pivot and the way the Extremely 2’s dual-frequency GPS gave me confidence it may compete with the finest health watches.
Google’s Fitbit acquisition and Samsung’s upcoming pivot so as to add AI-based “Vitality” knowledge to Samsung Well being show that each one mainstream smartwatch manufacturers see health as a key basis. Apple itself hasn’t fairly hit the Garmin customary I am on the lookout for. However I believe future updates will carry it throughout the end line, and its third-party exercise apps tip the scales for athletes.
As is, the Apple Watch Extremely 2 places strain on future flagship watches just like the Galaxy Watch 7 Professional or Pixel Watch 3 to do greater than their predecessors for severe (or informal) athletes.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Worth and bands
The Apple Watch Extremely 2 retails for a whopping $799, double that of the Collection 9. Bear in mind, nonetheless, that the 45mm stainless-steel Collection 9 with mobile prices $749 or extra (relying on the band kind). The 49mm titanium Extremely 2 with built-in LTE would not truly fall removed from that premium vary.
Courts briefly banned Apple Watch S9 and Extremely 2 gross sales on the finish of 2023 over alleged patent infringement, and Apple’s authorized woes are ongoing. For now, Apple will proceed to promote the Extremely 2 legally by disabling its blood oxygen function, circumventing a attainable ban.
You will have three band choices: Path Loop (Inexperienced/Grey, Blue/Black, or Orange/Beige), Alpine Loop (Blue, Indigo, or Olive), or Ocean Band (Blue, White, or Orange).
Of the three, the Path Loop is our really useful “default” choice for most individuals, because the nylon is snug and simply adjustable. The Alpine Loop has a titanium G-Hook that retains it rigidly safe, which is vital for adventurer varieties however much less handy in on a regular basis eventualities. The Ocean Band is particularly for swimmers, with a water-repelling fluoroelastomer as a substitute of water-absorbant nylon.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Specs
| Class | Apple Watch Extremely 2 |
|---|---|
| Show | 1.92-inch (502 x 410, 338ppi) Retina LTPO OLED; 3,000 nits |
| Supplies | Aerospace grade titanium, sapphire crystal glass |
| Safety | WR100, IP6X, EN13319, MIL-STD 810H (altitude, excessive temperature, low temperature, temperature shock, immersion, freeze with thaw, ice and freezing rain, and shock and vibration) |
| Design | Digital crown, aspect button, motion button, 2 audio system, 3 mics |
| Processor | S9 SiP w/ 64-bit dual-core processor; 4-core Apple Neural Engine |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Sensors | HRM (passive AFib + excessive and low HR), ECG, pores and skin + water temperature, water gauge, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient mild |
| Connectivity | LTE, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, UWB, dual-frequency GPS, GNSS, Galileo, BeiDou |
| Battery life | 36 hours; 12 hours (GPS); 72 hours (low energy) |
| Dimensions | 49 x 44 x 14.4mm; 61.4g / 2.17oz (w/out band) |
Apple Watch Extremely 2: What I like
I’ve already written about my shock at how a lot I like the Extremely 2, because of the enormous show and dependable battery life. However my appreciation is not solely due to its measurement; not like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Professional, it isn’t only a bigger model of the mainline watch. Apple made extra purposeful adjustments to make it really feel like a correct flagship.
Have a look at the specs sheet above: The twin-band GPS, mobile assist for emergency calls and not using a cellphone, three-mic array and twin audio system, diving certification, military-grade safety towards injury, and motion button are all unique to the Extremely 2 (until you purchase the mobile Apple Watch Collection 9).
I’d by no means have the possibility to make use of its diving options, however I’ve actually bonked this chonky watch towards all method of tough surfaces over the previous few months, and each the titanium physique and sapphire show have come by means of unscathed.
I examined calls on a windy mountain hike, and my household may barely inform the distinction after I switched to my cellphone, because of the three-mic array. On my finish, the twin audio system sound much less tinny in comparison with different Bluetooth-enabled watches I’ve worn.
The motion button, which pulls up the exercise menu, is one thing I immediately took as a right. It is a much better expertise than having to search for the exercises app in my drawer. I merely want it allow you to program a second shortcut with a double-tap.
Whereas I recognize all of this, it is simply the nice seasoning on prime of the Extremely 2’s meat-and-potatoes improve that no different watch provides: 3,000 nits of brightness on a 1.9-inch show.
As somebody with steadily worsening eyesight, I discover the Extremely 2’s full-sized notifications a lot simpler to learn than I am used to with a watch or smartphone. I can look on the shared picture or the primary few strains of an e-mail with out shifting my wrist from its typing place, then go proper again to work until it is one thing related.
If it is vital, I can swipe up and see a couple of fast reply choices, all seen due to the squircle design. I do know Android watch followers love their round watches for the design, however the Apple Watch Extremely 2 is a lot extra useable that it is arduous to return to round-edged shows that solely have room for one factor at a time. It is why I am hoping the rumor a couple of square-shaped Galaxy Watch is true.
Not like the Collection 9, which is practical however boringly constant, the Extremely 2 feels distinct with its contoured edges carved into titanium. I will not faux it is not large, however it’s pleasingly futuristic trying, with each speaker or mic gap giving the floor standing out for some good texture. And at 14.4mm thick, it is on par with a flagship Garmin watch.
Since that is my first Apple Watch, I can not declare to know whether or not the Extremely 2 and Collection 9 have 30% sooner efficiency over the past era — courtesy of the primary new CPU for the reason that Collection 6. My colleague “did not see any noticeable distinction” in his Collection 9 assessment, so all I can say is that I’ve hardly ever noticed lag throughout months of sporadic use. Apps open, and Siri responds at once.
Whereas I am nowhere near utilizing up all 64GB of storage, I might a lot slightly have an excessive amount of than not sufficient. I recognize having the choice to save lots of a bunch of audiobooks and music playlists to stream by means of my AirPods, together with the battery life to play them with out risking the watch dying.
This cupboard space additionally gives loads of room for apps. Lengthy-time Apple Watch homeowners most likely take third-party apps as a right, however I do not. Accessing watchOS apps like WorkOutDoors or Nike Run Membership makes up for any deficiencies with Apple’s on-device software program as a result of you may sometimes discover Third-party software program to fill the hole.
This strays past the confines of this assessment, however I am going to finish this part by stating that WatchOS appears to have extra high-quality apps than Put on OS in key areas — almost definitely due to Put on OS 3/4’s relative newness and Apple’s wearable gross sales dominance. I do not like that Android customers get quick shrift, however I am going to nonetheless level it out.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Health accuracy
For those who’re spending $799 on a health smartwatch, you may count on a sure degree of accuracy in your post-run stats. So, how does the Apple Watch 2 Extremely carry out in comparison with a conventional health watch just like the $599 Garmin Forerunner 965?
Throughout a number of operating and mountain climbing actions, I wore each the Extremely 2 and Forerunner 965 so I may examine their GPS monitoring, coronary heart fee knowledge, and operating dynamics (aka operating kind stats). We’ll begin with this 10K metropolis run beneath, which had minimal bushes or buildings to dam the sign; I used to be stunned to see Apple (orange) beat Garmin (blue):
Picture 1 of 2
Garmin normally crushes the competitors, however Apple managed to snap to the real-life map higher in key areas; in others, Garmin did higher, or they each caught to the path. General, their outcomes have been solely one-hundredth of a mile aside, whereas a GPS-only watch just like the Collection 9 would not do almost as nicely.
Later, throughout my smartwatch elevation take a look at sporting a number of watches whereas climbing a mountain, the Extremely 2 got here closest to the official Alltrails knowledge, with simply an eight-foot distinction in whole ft climbed and 24 ft increased than the official max elevation.
That being stated, trying on the precise GPS line on the hilly, tree-covered path, the Extremely 2 did barely worse than the 965; the mileage was solely two-hundredths off throughout 7.5 miles, however you may see how the orange line drifts barely extra off the path beneath:
Probably the most noticeable Apple Watch Extremely 2 problem got here throughout a half-marathon path run, which had dense foliage and clouds. For no matter purpose, the Extremely 2 had two moments the place it utterly misplaced my positioning — see the straight orange strains on the bottom-right and top-left of the map. I believe that Apple’s map-correcting algorithm is not as dependable for path runs as it’s for metropolis runs.
Due to this, the Extremely 2 added an additional 0.65 miles to my whole, utterly skewing the outcomes regardless of being correct in every single place else. At one level, it registered me operating at 88 miles per hour, which suggests I may be able to time journey.
General, I am inclined to imagine that the Apple Watch Extremely 2 offers me dependable monitoring knowledge and that my newest expertise throughout my half-marathon was an aberration. In regular circumstances, it matches Garmin’s industry-leading dual-frequency monitoring step for step. However in the event you use it for mountain climbing in tree-rich areas, maintain an eye fixed out for moments when it might need sudden gaps in protection.
For coronary heart fee knowledge, Apple Well being’s GPX export would not embrace coronary heart fee knowledge, so I can solely examine typically towards different watches.
Throughout six tracked exercises sporting the Forerunner 965 and Extremely 2, they shared the actual similar common coronary heart fee. Given how nicely Garmin’s Elevate v4 sensor has finished in comparison with chest straps in my testing, this reassures me of Apple’s accuracy normally, even when the Apple Health HR charts are too imprecise to dissect correctly. I additionally like that you would be able to customise your coronary heart fee zones.
Subsequent, I checked out every watch’s operating stats knowledge. By way of cadence (variety of steps per minute), Apple and Garmin have been in lockstep, by no means multiple SPM aside. The identical goes for stride size — sometimes about 1m on each watches.
For extra nitpicky stats like vertical oscillation and common floor contact time, Apple barely underreported my numbers in comparison with Garmin, however at a constant hole. I do not know which is extra correct, however you may rely on utilizing both as a benchmark to guage your progress.
The one noticeable distinction is that Apple persistently experiences my operating energy as about 100W decrease than Garmin does, regardless of sharing the identical operating kind, coronary heart fee, and distance stats. After checking different post-run summaries from COROS and Polar, I am sure Apple’s energy calculation is off in comparison with different manufacturers.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: What you will not love
When you pay for an iPhone 15 Professional and Apple Watch Extremely 2, you are near $2,000. It type of evens out whenever you put it towards a Galaxy S24 Extremely and Watch 5 Professional as a result of Samsung’s flagship cellphone is so costly. Both approach, it is some huge cash to spend on a smartwatch. You can also make the case that the Extremely 2 has the longevity to justify it, however you may simply as simply argue that no smartwatch ought to price a lot.
I wasn’t sure in the event you’d be allowed to spend $799 on the Extremely 2, given Apple’s months-long authorized woes with Masimo over its alleged blood oxygen patent infringement. As is, it is lacking a fairly essential function for sleep monitoring, one that the majority health watches (or common smartwatches) have. If that is a problem for you, we now have a information on the finest watches for SpO2 monitoring.
As for the watch itself, you may have to just accept how heavy it’s. To be clear, anybody who wears a premium Garmin Fenix or COROS VERTIX may discover the Extremely 2 on the sunshine and skinny aspect, particularly with the nylon band. I’ve gotten used to its weight over time, and it sits flatly on my wrist with out an excessive amount of discomfort after I bend it. That stated, nearly some other watch will really feel much less noticeable in your wrist.
Plus, after all, Apple’s Extremely 2 battery life is barely lengthy within the context of on a regular basis smartwatches; its 12 hours of dual-band GPS is strong, and it shortly recharges, however it’s way more prone to idle all the way down to a questionable proportion the night time earlier than a race in the event you’re not cautious. In comparison with the Galaxy Watch 5 Professional’s 80-hour common, 36 hours is extra pedestrian.
My larger situation with the Extremely 2 is what it is lacking in comparison with different health manufacturers. As a result of I am not a lot of an indoor exercise individual, Apple Health Plus would not enchantment to me. Apple routinely tracks sure out of doors actions, and watchOS 9 and 10 have prioritized operating, mountain climbing, and biking, however it hasn’t absolutely caught as much as devoted health manufacturers.
Apple has but to announce an equal to a every day readiness rating based mostly in your sleep and exercise knowledge or a every day really useful run based mostly in your VO2 Max and up to date exercises. It would not observe the coaching load or impact of a exercise, nor does it inform you how lengthy to attend till your subsequent run. It simply expects you to shut your rings day by day.
And on that be aware, the Extremely 2’s exercise rings aren’t at all times correct on the subject of transfer reminders, telling me I’ve stood up or burned energy throughout hours at my desk, presumably resulting from my nervous fidgeting. That being stated, I nonetheless love Apple’s ring-closing idea sufficient that I do not thoughts the occasional glitch. It is nonetheless motivational, and that issues to me greater than excellent accuracy.
I hope that watchOS prioritizes post-workout knowledge whereas including new watch face problems to point out this knowledge on the large Extremely 2 show. Heck, I might even take one thing so simple as exhibiting your step rely on the watch show with out having to look within the Exercise app.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Competitors
If we’re strictly smartwatches with lengthy battery life and app assist, the 80-hour Galaxy Watch 5 Professional could be my first advice. It additionally makes use of a titanium, military-grade design with related sapphire glass however with out the diving capabilities. It persistently lasts for much longer, although the 1.4-inch show is not as spacious or vibrant. Plus, after all, it would not work for iOS customers.
The Garmin Epix Professional (Gen 2), with its titanium body, vibrant AMOLED show, and health focus, is one other various with one main draw back: the dearth of apps and phone-watch synchronicity. For those who can settle for that, you may get the identical dual-frequency GPS, strong mapping instruments, and related well being knowledge because the Extremely 2. It arguably wins for health with instructed exercises, calculated hill and endurance scores, and a built-in LED flashlight. It lasts considerably longer at 31 days or 38 dual-band GPS hours. It is fairly costly, so it’s possible you’ll need to have a look at different Garmin watch choices.
Lastly, after all, you’ve the Apple Watch Collection 9, which has the identical watchOS software program with out the doubled battery life, rugged design, and bigger, brighter show. Regardless of this, you may nonetheless use the Collection 9 for primary health actions; you may simply have to cost it afterward.
In comparison with the finest Android watches, the Pixel Watch 2 has the upside of its Fitbit Premium recs and dependable coronary heart fee knowledge for a a lot lower cost, however that tiny show takes getting used to after changing into accustomed to the Extremely 2.
As for Samsung, my Galaxy Watch 6 health take a look at underwhelmed me with its wonky GPS outcomes and lack of correct exercise steerage. I am nonetheless holding out hope that the Watch 7 Professional will present a extra Extremely 2-like expertise with an even bigger health focus, together with higher sleep knowledge through the Galaxy Ring.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Must you purchase?
You should purchase the Apple Watch Extremely 2 if…
- You need an Apple smartwatch that you do not have to cost day by day.
- You need a baseline of health accuracy for exercises in a conventional smartwatch.
- You like having a wide range of third-party exercise app choices.
- You need a standalone watch that’ll maintain working in case your cellphone dies.
You should not purchase the Apple Watch Extremely 2 if…
- You do not need to spend an enormous amount of cash.
- You need coaching load or exercise recs baked into the watch’s foremost software program.
- You do not need to be locked into the Apple ecosystem.
As my first Apple Watch expertise, the Extremely 2 made a robust impression. I have never spent years getting used to (or sick of) the software program, so it seems like a robust, polished expertise right away.
I did not have area to debate each function I preferred, such because the Good Stack widgets and mountain climbing waypoints, however relaxation assured that you would be able to spend months utilizing this watch and nonetheless be taught new options or uncover new apps.
I spent many days sporting my Apple and Garmin watches concurrently, and never simply due to the operating checks. I like Apple’s polish and responsive notifications, however I do not need to surrender Garmin as a result of its health algorithm has actually helped me get healthier, even when its smarts aren’t as much as par. If Apple can advance any additional in its health journey, the Extremely 2 will turn into much more compelling.
As I stated above, that places strain on the Galaxy Watch 7 Professional — or the rumored Galaxy Watch Extremely — to be greater than a battery powerhouse. It must be a health powerhouse, too. The Watch 5 Professional began this with offline GPX mapping, however it must go a lot additional this summer season.
Your transfer, Samsung! Do not let Apple personal this class.
Value getting jealous over
I can solely hope that Samsung or Google begin promoting Extremely-style (or squircle) smartwatches of their very own, as a result of proper now, Apple has the market cornered on long-lasting smartwatches with large shows that do not really feel like a compromise to make use of. It has quick efficiency, dependable exercise outcomes, and a surprisingly snug match for its measurement.