Neil Hughes
Though the new Apple Watch Series 2 looks largely the same as its predecessor, there are a number of subtle improvements to the hardware beyond the addition of GPS and a brighter screen. AppleInsider offers a first look at the newly released wearable.
Most of the changes for the new second-generation Apple Watch are found on the inside, as highlighted by Apple in the product's announcement last week. Namely, they are a new waterproof design, as well as the inclusion of a GPS radio for pace and distance tracking while exercising.
Another standout feature is the improved display, which is twice as bright as the first-generation Apple Watch. Beyond these changes, however, there are a few other things Apple didn't specifically highlight in unveiling the Apple Watch Series 2.
AppleInsider got their hands on a space gray Apple Watch Series 2 Sport with black nylon band on Friday. The back of the device has a few key changes over its predecessor, most noticeably silver rings around the lights and scanners that make up the device's heart rate monitor.
The text around it, too, reveals another change: The Series 2 watch now has a ceramic back, an improvement from the composite back of the first-generation model, and matching the material from the first-gen stainless steel and Edition models. The new Apple Watch Series 1 Sport with S1P dual-core chip retains the less expensive composite back.
On the left side, the Apple Watch Series 2 reveals another change for this year's model: A second microphone hole has been added. Presumably this hardware revision will allow for better voice recognition for functions like Siri and fielding phone calls.
The Apple Watch Series 2 hardware is ever so slightly thicker than the 2015 model, though without placing the device side by side, most users would never even notice the difference. When worn on the wrist, the new Sport version looks essentially identical to its predecessor.
The screen is also brighter on the new model, though admittedly we never found ourselves having serious issues with the clarity of the first-generation model.
As expected, virtually all accessories designed for the Apple Watch to date should work with the Series 2 version. That includes bands (both first- and third-party), as well as charging cables and docks.
AppleInsider will have much more on the Apple Watch Series 2 in the coming days and weeks, including our full review of the new wearable.
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29 Comments
Does the Series 2 still have the mystery port where the strap connects to the watch?
1) It's actually 2.22x brighter if it's actually 450nt v 1000nt.
2) I can't say the brightness was ever a factor for me in daylight, but I am happy that it's brighter a I prefer brighter displays, and for those that don't you get even better battery life if you maintain your current Watch display brightness as their battery life tests are based on a percentage of the range, if I recall correctly.
3) The casing is noticeable thicker—which disproves at one person claiming that Apple must have made millions of cases that they weren't able to push on us iTards. I knew it was thicker, but wasn't sure that was because of a difference in the other elements like the bottom and/or top pieces.
4) I can't say the thickness was ever an issue (except with some tailored long-sleeve shirts with tighter cuffs) but en looks and feels great on the wrist, but with how sensitive and precise our appendages can be, like with touch or walking up stairs, I don't think it's impossible that some will find they are hit It on things more easily. If that happens than either return it or adapt, but I beg of you not to bitch and moan. Finally, so what happened to this claim that Apple is only concerned about thinness. Note: this isn't even close to the YoY change where they've made a device thicker. The iPhone has plenty of them because the internal components required it.
5) The ceramic back on the aluminum models nee Apple Watch Sport is interesting. I didn't notice that during the event. I assume the top is still GG, not sapphire. I can't say the back was ever a problem or even noticed. If it's lighter or allows for better radio transparency, or better inductive charging, that's great, but in reality I don't think I ever thought of the bottom once, and likely won't for this model. More ceramic use is interesting. I wonder if the antenna bands will be ceramic in the next iPhone. Simpler and cheaper cut than using it for the entire iPhone, while still getting to test it in the device.
6) Two mics are nice, but I'm not alone in thinking that Siri works better from Apple Watch, even though it's pushing the audio data to the iPhone to Siri servers for the speech-to-text to be converted in iOS 9.x and watchOS 1.x-2.x. I wonder if watchOS will ever get the on-board Siri language processing that is on iOS 10.
" The new Apple Watch Series 1 Sport with S2 chip"
The new Series 1 Watch does not have the S2 chip. It contains the S1P chip. S2 has the built in GPS. The S1P has the dual core processor and upgraded GPU only.
http://www.apple.com/ca/watch/compare/
Do any of the Series 2 models retain the sapphire crystal?