Apple Watch 2 first review: sports features revealed

Many people ask me whether Apple Watch SERIES 2 is worth buying. I think this is actually a question that does not need to be answered. On the contrary, the upgrade of the second generation is very worth pondering. In my opinion, it may indicate that the development direction of Apple Watch will change in the future. In a more macro sense, although Apple Watch has a sense of "lonely and invincible" in the field of wearable devices, the development of the entire wearable field is not optimistic, so in a sense, the changes in Apple Watch SERIES 2 can also represent the future direction of this industry. In this context, let's take a look at this product that has been updated after 18 months, and perhaps we will have a new understanding.

Almost no change in appearance

In terms of appearance, the Apple Watch SERIES 2 has almost no changes. It can be seen that Apple believes that the design of the first generation of products in this regard is already very mature, so it also played with changes in color and material.

Although this time I got a space gray aluminum case with a black sports strap, a classic combination that has existed for generations, I am actually looking forward to the Nike+ model that will be shipped in October. Those straps are all very sporty, and I feel that they are the best theme combination since the birth of Apple Watch.

In addition, this time, a ceramic model with extremely complex craftsmanship was also released. What is interesting is that this high-end product, which costs nearly 10,000 yuan, was not as popular as the 18K gold model in the trial after the press conference, because the all-white body is too low-key. However, the ceramic model is light, wear-resistant, and has high hardness. Apart from the price factor, it is indeed very suitable for use in sports watches. The only thing that Virgo is not satisfied with is that the crown is actually black.

50 meters waterproof to equalize the gap

The addition of waterproof function can be said to have made Apple Watch catch up with the performance of most watches. As a wearable device with sports functions as its main feature, it is a bit unreasonable for it not to be waterproof. However, 50 meters of waterproofness is enough for most people who do not dive.

The 50-meter waterproof result made our test a bit embarrassing, because we couldn't find a place that deep. But if you treat the Apple Watch SERIES 2 like the iPhone 7, you might be unwilling to give it up. It can be said that this has far exceeded the scope of waterproofing in daily life. In normal wearing conditions, it is difficult to bring out its waterproof limit, which feels like a waste of talent.

Of course, for those who are active, especially those who like water sports, Apple Watch SERIES 2 is almost the only digital device that allows people to dive to a depth of 50 meters. Therefore, the second-generation Apple Watch has added two new sports functions, namely pool swimming and open water swimming. The difference is that the former can set the length of the pool. Their use is the same as other sports modes, and they can be set according to goals such as calories, duration, and distance. They are two very easy-to-use projects.

Moreover, what Apple thought very carefully is that the screen will be locked after these two items are turned on, and unlocking or pausing are controlled by the crown on the side. After all, you can't operate the screen in water.

The drainage function is a black technology

There is also a black technology here, which also reflects Apple's attention to details, that is, "speaker drainage". Just as demonstrated at the press conference, the speaker itself needs space for vibration and cannot be completely sealed, but it cannot accumulate water. Therefore, Apple uses the vibration characteristics of the speaker itself to drain water. I give this "brain hole" full marks. The principle is simple and very practical.

In fact, you don't need to look for this function deliberately, because when you finish the swimming program, the drainage process will automatically start, which only takes about 2 seconds, accompanied by sound and vibration. If you are still worried about water accumulation, you can also find a manual drainage button. Apple's handling of this detail makes people feel very attentive.

Built-in GPS is long overdue

Another major change is the addition of a built-in GPS function, which is also a necessary function for sports digital products. That is why Apple’s second-generation products are often more mature because it has a better understanding of user needs.

The main purpose of the built-in GPS function is to accurately grasp the exercise, including distance, speed and pace. These sports data are more accurate. The reason why the first generation can also present these data is that it has been adjusted when connected to the iPhone, but it is not as accurate as the built-in GPS after all.

I put both watches on the same wrist and tested them. I started walking or running at the same time, both in free mode. After a while, I found that the statistical indicators of the two watches showed differences, whether in distance or calories consumed. Obviously, due to the built-in GPS, the second-generation Apple Watch is more accurate in outdoor statistics, while the first-generation Apple Watch can only "estimate" the distance based on the information previously synchronized and calibrated with the iPhone.

In addition, the second-generation Apple Watch can also view exercise route maps through the iPhone, which the first generation does not have. And like many sports bracelet apps, you can view your pace and exercise volume through the route, which can be used as a reference for future exercise. Therefore, the addition of the GPS function makes the Apple Watch almost have no functional shortcomings.

In addition, GPS can also serve some third-party software, such as Sky Guide, a star-gazing guide. In the past, it was necessary to synchronize positioning information from the iPhone, but now it can run independently on the Apple Watch. The most intuitive reaction is that the positioning speed is faster.

However, if you compare the positioning speed, you will find that Apple's native "map" does not use the built-in GPS function. In fact, this logic is not surprising. Normally, we will query and plan routes on the iPhone and then push them to the watch, so the watch is only responsible for prompting, and there is no need to check the map frequently on the watch. Therefore, you can see that Apple's logic is not to show off technology blindly, but to balance power consumption and speed.

Battery life is greatly improved

There is a detail worth mentioning here, that is, has the battery of Apple Watch SERIES 2 been improved? After my trial, the answer is yes.

Although the official website claims that the battery life is still 18 hours, which seems to be the same as the previous generation, the battery life performance is actually quite different due to different usage methods. In my case, if I hardly use positioning applications that day, I can still have 40-60% of the battery left when I get home; if I frequently use GPS positioning, then only 20-30% is left, which is close to the performance of the first generation Apple Watch, that is, the 18-hour battery life claimed by Apple's official website; and if you don't use GPS, then the battery life will increase for you, which is a point that Apple's official website and the press conference did not disclose. It is said that the battery capacity of Apple Watch SERIES 2 has increased by more than 30%, which is a very obvious improvement. In this regard, Apple's publicity can only be said to be too conservative.

The speed-up effect is obvious

The last change that everyone will like to see is that the Apple Watch SERIES 2 has really accelerated. On the one hand, this is due to the newly enabled dual-core S2 chip, and on the other hand, it is also due to the optimization of watchOS 3.

I tried two types of apps. One type is Apple’s own native apps like “Camera”, which can open 1-2 seconds faster.

Another type is third-party applications such as WeChat. The first generation Apple Watch takes 20 seconds, which is a scary number! Often the screen is off before entering WeChat, haha; while the second generation Apple Watch takes only 10 seconds. You can see the difference, right? This difference directly determines whether a product will be worn on the wrist or thrown away at home.

This is not the "ultimate speed". If you add WeChat to the Dock, it will start instantly and is no different from the mobile version. For a Bluetooth-connected product, this speed is completely acceptable. It can be seen that Apple is really working hard in this regard. It can be seen that the 18-month wait is worth it.

So what is the magical existence of the Dock? In fact, the Dock adds frequently used applications to the cache. WatchOS 3 allows users to add up to 10 apps to the Dock. They are resident in the memory and can be started quickly. This mechanism is indeed very "smart".

I think the biggest change in watchOS 3 is actually the change in user operating habits. I have to admit that the first two generations of watchOS were a bit difficult to get started with, but the third version of the system is much smoother. Not only did it introduce the extremely practical Dock function, but it also added new watch faces and a more user-friendly "breathing" function. The improvement is quite significant.

Summarize

As I mentioned at the beginning, the feeling I get with Apple Watch SERIES 2 is that the logic behind it has changed, becoming more sporty while abandoning some of its aristocratic qualities.

Everyone must remember that when the first generation of Apple Watch was released, the three 18K gold Edition watches were all over the WeChat Moments. But if you look at it again today, few people are talking about the topic that Apple Watch is expensive. The more practical ceramic version has taken over the mantle of the former 18K gold version, which also has this kind of "flowers falling into the mortal world" artistic conception.

In addition, the 50-meter waterproof, GPS hardware, and even the Nike+ model all indicate that Apple Watch is moving towards sports. 18 months ago, Apple Watch had many labels, and concepts such as fashion, personalization, and second screen for mobile phones were all reflected in the first generation of products. Today, Apple Watch is Apple Watch. It is not a second screen or an accessory for anyone. It is itself, a more sporty, more independent, and closer to the public Apple Watch.

After reading this, you will understand that there is no need to discuss whether the Apple Watch SERIES 2 is worth buying. For those who love sports, especially water sports, even if you are a user of the first generation, you must upgrade to the second generation. There is no room for negotiation.

But if you are just a nine-to-five office worker, or just want to use Apple Watch to receive notifications, then it is actually quite appropriate to buy the upgraded first-generation Apple Watch now. After all, the first-generation product not only replaced the S2 processor, but also reduced the price by 700 yuan. This opportunity to take advantage of Apple does not come often.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.