The Apple Watch is likely one of the most recognizable items of tech on this planet (simply ask the numerous copycat units), and it’s been well-liked sufficient to warrant loads of revisions within the final eight years.
As we method its eighth birthday, it’s hanging to see how a lot the Apple Watch has grown from being an extension of the iPhone, to a standalone system in its personal proper.
Certain, these apron strings might by no means be severed (even with household setup), however the Apple Watch Collection 8 is a a lot, far more competent system than the Collection 0 – regardless that 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 vast of the mark as soon as now we have the units in our arms (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 steered 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 might 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 vogue simply as a lot as perform, it’s develop into a good way to work together with tech with out reaching to your telephone.
“Individuals are carrying their telephones with them and looking out on the display screen a lot. Individuals need that stage of engagement. However how do we offer it in a means that is a little bit extra human, a little bit extra in the mean time if you’re with someone?” Lynch stated 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 (Collection 0) – April 24, 2015
The unique Apple Watch, dubbed the Collection 0, truly wasn’t all that completely different to take a look at from the Apple Watch now we have at the moment. There’s a rounded sq. (generally generally known as the squircle) OLED show, the digital crown, and an array of swappable bands that persists to this present day. For those who went wild in 2015 and preordered many bands, you possibly can nonetheless use them at the moment.
Apple Watch Collection 0 noticed two vital OS releases, with the primary model of watchOS launching with 9 watch faces and 20 inventory apps however restricted complication help. 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 problems.
Considered one 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 transferring to a Q3 announcement/launch cadence that falls extra carefully in step with the iPhone.
On the time, we famous the spectacular construct high quality and iPhone integration however have been upset within the lack of GPS and sluggish efficiency of the S1 chip.
Apple Watch Collection 1 & Collection 2 – September 16, 2016
Right here’s the place issues get a little bit extra advanced, as Apple opted to revamp the Collection 0 not as soon as, however twice. Consequently, the Collection 1 and Collection 2 arrived and will have ended up complicating the lineup additional regardless of trimming down the casing choices.
In reality, the Collection 1 is, in some ways, a Collection 0 – simply with a brand new S1P processor that vastly improved on-device efficiency. Collection 1 was restricted to the aluminum variant, so something above that fell into the realm of the Collection 2 mannequin.
The latest 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 Collection 2 was swim-proof as much as 50m, and at last 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 overlook to make use of when switching between apps. It additionally added the Minnie Mouse face, which wouldn’t be Apple’s closing dalliance with licensed choices.
Apple Watch Collection 3 – September 22, 2017
It’s exhausting to imagine the Apple Watch Collection 3 solely stopped receiving main OS updates and was shuffled off Apple’s retailer pages in 2022, nevertheless it confirmed outstanding endurance.
An enormous a part of that’s because of the energy effectivity of the S3 SoC and the addition of an elective Mobile mannequin, which means customers might feasibly go away their telephone at residence and nonetheless be contactable. That made it probably the most self-sufficient Apple Watch up to now, 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 newest replace right here, watchOS 4, added the choice to sync music to the system (from Apple Music solely at first, naturally), and added the Now Enjoying 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 further metrics and launched personalised exercise teaching to assist push the Apple Watch nearer to a extra complete health monitoring and wellness system – one thing that’s improved annually since.
Apple Watch Collection 4 – September 21, 2018
Apple Watch Collection 4 arrived using a wave of positivity due to the Collection 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 an analogous footprint, with the Collection 4 arriving in 38mm and 42mm variants with out including further heft. The large draw of the Collection 4, nonetheless, was efficiency – the Collection 3 had been seen as a giant step in the suitable route for operating apps on the watch itself, however the S4 chip of the Collection 4 doubled it once more.
The Apple Watch Collection 4 was a landmark in each its subject and past, too, with its included ECG software making it the primary client system to obtain clearance from the US Meals and Drug Administration.
The replace that arrived alongside Collection 4 was no slouch both, with watchOS 5 including automated exercise detection, the flexibility to problem mates in Exercise competitions, on-device podcast streaming, and, lastly, a “Do Not Disturb” mode.
It additionally added Walkie-Talkie performance, which nonetheless appears like a puzzling addition 5 years on, and commenced grouping notifications collectively.
Apple Watch Collection 5 and SE – September 10, 2019
Many critics famous that the Apple Watch Collection 5 didn’t supply an enormous quantity that the Collection 4 didn’t have, and it’s exhausting to argue. The principle new addition, nonetheless, was the All the time-On show.
Whereas it could naturally eat into your battery life, private data in problems can be robotically hidden if you lowered your arm, which felt like a really neat trick on the time.
Collection 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 residence for apps lastly got here to the Apple Watch by means of 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 option 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 Collection 6 – September 15, 2020
Apple Watch Collection 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 fee sensors to assist with Sleep Monitoring on watchOS 7.
It additionally eliminated Pressure Contact, which had develop into the de facto option to clear reams of notifications directly, one thing that took various customers abruptly.
As talked about, watchOS 7 added Sleep Monitoring, nevertheless it additionally introduced handwashing reminders, an necessary characteristic in 2020. On the tech aspect, customers might now lastly change the colour of watch faces, share them with mates, 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 stable yr for Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Collection 7 – September 14, 2021
Many leaks had pegged the Collection 7 as the primary main {hardware} revision for the Apple Watch because the Collection 4, however these studies have been vast of the mark.
Whereas the Apple Watch Collection 7 did get some bodily modifications, it basically boiled all the way down to the show spilling over onto the chassis for one more show measurement improve with out the necessity to broaden the chassis. The display screen was additionally 70% brighter, which was actually welcome.
Battery life nonetheless didn’t see a big enchancment, however new charging methods meant that the Collection 7 can cost a lot sooner than prior fashions. There’s additionally ultra-rapid wi-fi knowledge switch performance built-in, however Apple nonetheless hasn’t clarified its function.
Nevertheless, watchOS 8 provided an analogous refinement of current options, with enhancements to the Exercise and Sleep apps, the brand new Portrait watch face, and an up to date House app.
Apple Watch Collection 8, SE (2nd Era), Extremely – September 14, 2021
It’d be honest to say that the Collection 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 Collection 8 makes use of an improved accelerometer and gyro devices to assist notify emergency providers when the person has been in a automotive crash, whereas a brand new temperature sensor can assist determine when a person 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 interchange its predecessor (and the Collection 3 that had been clinging on for some time), the SE (2nd Era) gives 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 at last create Calendar occasions on their wrist amongst a bunch of different options.
With Apple Watch Collection 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 brief timespan.
