The Apple Watch has been our longstanding Editors' Choice for its excellent performance, unparalleled app selection, and ample health and fitness tracking features.
With the Series 6 (starting at $399), Apple builds upon its flagship smartwatch with the addition of a blood oxygen saturation sensor that calculates your SpO2 level on demand and captures periodic background measurements when you're sleeping and inactive.
Putting this technology in a consumer wearable has never been more important given the global COVID-19 pandemic, as it indicates how well your circulatory and respiratory systems are delivering oxygenated blood to your body, and can help you gauge whether a hospital visit is necessary.
Beyond this, Apple's changes include a faster processor, an always-on altimeter that lets you see your elevation in real time, and a bump in screen brightness when your wrist is down.
These improvements, plus many new additions in watchOS 7, including a 20-second handwashing timer and sleep-tracking capabilities, make the Apple Watch Series 6 the company's best smartwatch yet, and our new Editors' Choice.
Pricing
Apple introduced two new smartwatches this year—the flagship Series 6 and the more affordable Watch SE.
The Series 6 starts at $399 for the GPS-only model and $100 more for the GPS and cellular version.
The Watch SE, which shares design elements with the Series 6, along with key health and safety features like fall detection, starts at $279 for the GPS-only model or $329 for the GPS and cellular version.
It lacks an always-on display, as well as blood oxygen saturation and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings—we go into detail on the differences between the two watches here.
The GPS-only Series 3 remains on sale for just $199 as another budget-friendly option. All models require a paired iPhone, so Android users are out of luck.
The Series 6 comes in 40mm and 44mm case sizes, and three different case materials: 100 percent recycled aluminum, polished stainless steel, or brushed titanium.
Apple is also giving you some new jewel-toned colors to choose from this year.
WatchOS 7 includes several new clock faces, including this one, called Artist, which features a dynamic portrait created in collaboration with artist Geoff McFetridge The aluminum Series 6 is available in new navy blue and red hues, as well as gold, silver, and space gray.
The stainless steel model comes in a new classic yellow gold tone, a grayish-black called graphite, and silver.
The titanium model comes in natural titanium and space black.
Swapping out the strap is a big part of the Apple Watch experience for a lot of people, and this year Apple debuted some nice new options, including the $49 Solo Loop (which you can choose to get with the watch instead of the default Sport Loop) and the $99 Braided Solo Loop.
Both feature no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts, and are available in a range of colors.
They stretch over your wrist and come in nine different sizes to ensure a good fit.
The Solo Loop is made of liquid silicone rubber, while the Braided version is made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled yarn that is braided around a thin silicone thread.
For this review, I tested a 40mm GPS and cellular Series 6 with a blue aluminum case and a deep navy Sport Loop.
Apple also sent a matching Atlantic Blue Braided Solo Loop band in size 4, which fits perfectly on my wrist.
Between the $499 watch and the extra $99 band, the total cost of the watch pictured below is $598.
The new Braided Solo Loop looks chic, yet understated and casual.
It feels secure and is easy to get on and off, but its $99 price is hard to swallow.
For the sake of comparison, the fancy Milanese Loop is also $99.
In the box with the watch, Apple includes a charging cable, but you don't get a USB power adapter.
Apple says it made this decision to help the environment, and it will have the same impact as eliminating 50,000 cars from the roads.
Design
Like it or not, the Series 6 has the distinctive squarish design with rounded corners the Apple Watch is known for.
The 40mm model measures 1.56 by 1.35 by 0.42 inches (HWD), while the 44mm model is a touch taller and wider, but the same thickness, at 1.73 by 1.48 by 0.42 inches.
Looking at the Series 6 next to the Series 5, it's hard to see a difference aside from the case color and band.
Indeed, Apple hasn't made any changes to the size or resolution of the display.
To that end, the 40mm model has a 1.57-inch display with 394 by 324 pixels, while the 44mm Series 6 has a 1.73-inch display with 448 by 368 pixels.
Left to right: Apple Watch Series 6, Series 5 The Series 6 is light and comfortable on my wrist, even when I wear it to bed.
The 40mm and 44mm aluminum models weigh 1.07 ounces and 1.28 ounces, respectively, without the strap.
The stainless steel models are the heaviest at 1.40 ounces and 1.66 ounces, and the titanium models weigh 1.22 ounces and 1.45 ounces.
The Series 6 is water-resistant to 165 feet.
Apple says it's safe for shallow water activities like swimming (in a pool or in the ocean).
You can also wear it in the shower and hot tub.
You shouldn't, however, wear it while scuba diving, waterskiing, or "other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth," Apple says.
Setup and Interface
The Series 6 comes partially charged, and as soon as you take it out of the box and turn it on, a screen will appear on your iPhone asking if you want to set the watch up for yourself or someone else using Apple's new Family Setup service.
It then instructs you to put on the watch, hold it up to your phone's camera, and align the watch face with the viewfinder on screen to pair it.
As soon as I did this, it said the Apple Watch was paired and asked me if I wanted to restore from a backup or set it up as a new watch.
I regularly use the Series 5, so I chose to restore from that device.
You have the option to enable the Blood Oxygen app during the setup process, which lets you check your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels and measure them throughout the day (you can also turn this feature on later).
Next, you can optionally enable automatic updates; if you do, you'll receive a notification before the update is installed.
It then asks if you want to set up Apple Pay.
Next, it goes over the Emergency SOS and fall detection features.
To call emergency services, press and hold the side button.
Doing so will also send a message to your emergency contacts.
With fall detection enabled, the watch will automatically call emergency services if it detects you took a hard fall.
You can disable this feature in the Apple Watch app if you prefer.
If you have a cellular model, it then goes into the cellular setup process.
With this feature, you can make and receive calls and access apps using cellular data when your Apple Watch isn't connected to your iPhone.
When you click Set Up Cellular, it brings up a new page that lets you sign in with your cell phone carrier and add the Apple Watch to your plan (which is typically an extra charge per month on your cellular bill). Next, it goes over watch faces, noting that you can change them later in the app or on the watch itself.
As with other Apple Watch models, you navigate the Series 6 with swipes to scroll and move, and taps to select.
To see your notifications, swipe down from the top edge of the screen.
To see your battery level and access additional controls like Do Not Disturb, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
The Series 6 also features Apple's signature digital crown on the top right side.
Press this button to return to the watch face; press and hold it to talk to Siri; or turn it to scroll, zoom, or adjust.
Beneath the digital crown on the right side of the screen is a button with various functions.
You can press it to quickly access your open apps; double-press it for Apple Pay; or press and hold it for Medical ID, Emergency SOS, and power.
Blood Oxygen Readings
The standout feature here is a new sensor that can measure the oxygen saturation of your blood, also known as SpO2.
This metric indicates how well your circulatory and respiratory systems are delivering oxygenated blood to your body.
Your SpO2 reading alone can't diagnose COVID-19, but as the Yale School of Medicine advises, a reading below 90 percent may warrant a trip to the emergency room.
The Series 6 uses similar technology as a pulse oximeter—the device they clip onto your finger at the doctor's office—to measure your blood oxygen saturation.
Its SpO2 sensor shines red and infrared light through your skin, onto the blood vessels of your wrist, and measures the color of your blood, which indicates the amount of oxygen present.
Bright red blood is more saturated, and dark red blood is less so.
Changes in your body or elevation can impact your blood oxygen level.
The watch can calculate your SpO2 level in 15 seconds, whenever you want.
The sensor also captures periodic background measurements when you're sleeping and inactive.
The first time you open the Blood Oxygen app on the watch, it takes you through some helpful tips to get a good reading.
Apple says your watch band should be snug but comfortable, and to make sure the watch isn't too low on your wrist.
You should keep the watch facing up and try not to move during the reading.
Resting your arm on a table can help.
When you start a blood oxygen scan, you'll see a 15-second countdown timer on the screen along with a relaxing blue and red graphic.
After 15 seconds, your blood oxygen saturation percentage will appear onscreen.
You can also view blood oxygen measurements in the Health app on your iPhone.
The watch offers information about this metric to help you interpret your data.
It says that most people have a blood oxygen level between 95 and 100 percent.
The first time I used this feature, the Series 6 said my blood oxygen saturation level was 99 percent.
The second time I took a reading, it was after a three-mile beach run, and I was happy to see my SpO2 level was 100 percent.
In the Health app on your iPhone, you can view a record of all your measurements and see graphs of your blood oxygen level readings for the day, week, month, or year.
It also shows your range and daily average, and you can filter the data to show just your SpO2 level in high-elevation environments or while sleeping.
This isn't such a novel feature, as several other fitness trackers and smartwatches can measure your SpO2 level, including the Garmin Vivoactive 4, Samsung Galaxy Watch3, and Fitbit Sense.
The Fitbit Sense, however, only measures your blood oxygen saturation level automatically when you wear it to bed, and you need a specific clock face enabled for it to work.
It also takes a full two minutes.
On the inside, the Series 6 features 32GB of storage and Apple's new dual-core S6 System in Package (SiP), which it says delivers up to 20 percent faster performance than the S5 chip in the Series 5 and Watch SE.
The S6 also allows for improved screen brightness—the display still features a maximum brightness level of 1,000 nits, but it's brighter in ambient mode when you look down at your wrist.
Apple says it increased the maximum brightness of the display from 200 nits to 500 nits when your wrist is down, which makes it easier to see in the sunlight.
That's a welcome addition for me personally, as I live in Florida and spend a lot of time at the beach.
And I can attest that the Series 6's screen is noticeably easier to read when I'm outside walking my dog and glance down.
The Series 6 also features a new antenna with double the spectrum of the Series 5 that enables it to support 5GHz Wi-Fi for the first time.
This can help free up congested 2.4GHz bands, while allowing access to potentially speedier 5GHz bands.
According to Apple, the Series 6 offers the same 18-hour battery life as the Series 5, but drains less battery when streaming music and tracking certain workouts like indoor and outdoor runs.
In testing, the watch surprisingly beat Apple's estimate.
After wearing it for a full 24 hours, it still had 14 percent battery left.
During that time, I had the always-on display mode enabled and used the watch to track a 37-minute run with GPS.
I also had Do Not Disturb on most of the time, so I wasn't getting notifications, which could have extended battery life.
After nearly 25.5 hours, I got a notification that the battery was down to 10 percent, so I finally put it on the charger.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch3 offered similar battery life in testing, but the Fitbit Sense lasted around three days.
One nice improvement is that the Series 6 charges faster than the Series 5, which takes around two hours to fully charge.
The Series 6 charges to 80 percent in about an hour and to 100 percent in 90 minutes.
Always-On Altimeter
The Series 6 features an always-on altimeter, which makes it easy to check your elevation indoors and outdoors in real time (it's also available on the lower-cost Watch SE).
This feature is especially useful for hikers and downhill skiers.
The watch uses data from the barometric pressure sensor, GPS, and nearby Wi-Fi networks to determine your exact location and update your elevation on the fly.
You can also add your elevation as a complication on the watch face.
I found this feature useful, even in flat Florida.
I added the elevation complication to my watch face, and it was interesting to see it change in real time, especially as I approached the beach near my house, which in certain areas is below sea level, according to the Series 6.
I can see this feature being particularly useful during hurricane season, and in the future when I'm in the market for a new house.
The Series 6 tells me my current home is around 35 feet above sea level, so if a hurricane is headed my way with a predicted storm surge greater than that, I'll know to get out of town.
When I start house hunting in the future, I'll absolutely use the Apple Watch to check the elevation of prospective properties to make a more informed decision.
WatchOS7
The latest version of Apple's smartwatch operating system, watchOS 7, offers a number of useful features, including automatic handwashing detection with a 20-second countdown timer, sleep tracking, new workout types (dancing, core training, cooldown, and functional strength training), and cycling directions in select cities (including Beijing, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, and...
The Apple Watch has been our longstanding Editors' Choice for its excellent performance, unparalleled app selection, and ample health and fitness tracking features.
With the Series 6 (starting at $399), Apple builds upon its flagship smartwatch with the addition of a blood oxygen saturation sensor that calculates your SpO2 level on demand and captures periodic background measurements when you're sleeping and inactive.
Putting this technology in a consumer wearable has never been more important given the global COVID-19 pandemic, as it indicates how well your circulatory and respiratory systems are delivering oxygenated blood to your body, and can help you gauge whether a hospital visit is necessary.
Beyond this, Apple's changes include a faster processor, an always-on altimeter that lets you see your elevation in real time, and a bump in screen brightness when your wrist is down.
These improvements, plus many new additions in watchOS 7, including a 20-second handwashing timer and sleep-tracking capabilities, make the Apple Watch Series 6 the company's best smartwatch yet, and our new Editors' Choice.
Pricing
Apple introduced two new smartwatches this year—the flagship Series 6 and the more affordable Watch SE.
The Series 6 starts at $399 for the GPS-only model and $100 more for the GPS and cellular version.
The Watch SE, which shares design elements with the Series 6, along with key health and safety features like fall detection, starts at $279 for the GPS-only model or $329 for the GPS and cellular version.
It lacks an always-on display, as well as blood oxygen saturation and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings—we go into detail on the differences between the two watches here.
The GPS-only Series 3 remains on sale for just $199 as another budget-friendly option. All models require a paired iPhone, so Android users are out of luck.
The Series 6 comes in 40mm and 44mm case sizes, and three different case materials: 100 percent recycled aluminum, polished stainless steel, or brushed titanium.
Apple is also giving you some new jewel-toned colors to choose from this year.
WatchOS 7 includes several new clock faces, including this one, called Artist, which features a dynamic portrait created in collaboration with artist Geoff McFetridge The aluminum Series 6 is available in new navy blue and red hues, as well as gold, silver, and space gray.
The stainless steel model comes in a new classic yellow gold tone, a grayish-black called graphite, and silver.
The titanium model comes in natural titanium and space black.
Swapping out the strap is a big part of the Apple Watch experience for a lot of people, and this year Apple debuted some nice new options, including the $49 Solo Loop (which you can choose to get with the watch instead of the default Sport Loop) and the $99 Braided Solo Loop.
Both feature no clasps, buckles, or overlapping parts, and are available in a range of colors.
They stretch over your wrist and come in nine different sizes to ensure a good fit.
The Solo Loop is made of liquid silicone rubber, while the Braided version is made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled yarn that is braided around a thin silicone thread.
For this review, I tested a 40mm GPS and cellular Series 6 with a blue aluminum case and a deep navy Sport Loop.
Apple also sent a matching Atlantic Blue Braided Solo Loop band in size 4, which fits perfectly on my wrist.
Between the $499 watch and the extra $99 band, the total cost of the watch pictured below is $598.
The new Braided Solo Loop looks chic, yet understated and casual.
It feels secure and is easy to get on and off, but its $99 price is hard to swallow.
For the sake of comparison, the fancy Milanese Loop is also $99.
In the box with the watch, Apple includes a charging cable, but you don't get a USB power adapter.
Apple says it made this decision to help the environment, and it will have the same impact as eliminating 50,000 cars from the roads.
Design
Like it or not, the Series 6 has the distinctive squarish design with rounded corners the Apple Watch is known for.
The 40mm model measures 1.56 by 1.35 by 0.42 inches (HWD), while the 44mm model is a touch taller and wider, but the same thickness, at 1.73 by 1.48 by 0.42 inches.
Looking at the Series 6 next to the Series 5, it's hard to see a difference aside from the case color and band.
Indeed, Apple hasn't made any changes to the size or resolution of the display.
To that end, the 40mm model has a 1.57-inch display with 394 by 324 pixels, while the 44mm Series 6 has a 1.73-inch display with 448 by 368 pixels.
Left to right: Apple Watch Series 6, Series 5 The Series 6 is light and comfortable on my wrist, even when I wear it to bed.
The 40mm and 44mm aluminum models weigh 1.07 ounces and 1.28 ounces, respectively, without the strap.
The stainless steel models are the heaviest at 1.40 ounces and 1.66 ounces, and the titanium models weigh 1.22 ounces and 1.45 ounces.
The Series 6 is water-resistant to 165 feet.
Apple says it's safe for shallow water activities like swimming (in a pool or in the ocean).
You can also wear it in the shower and hot tub.
You shouldn't, however, wear it while scuba diving, waterskiing, or "other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth," Apple says.
Setup and Interface
The Series 6 comes partially charged, and as soon as you take it out of the box and turn it on, a screen will appear on your iPhone asking if you want to set the watch up for yourself or someone else using Apple's new Family Setup service.
It then instructs you to put on the watch, hold it up to your phone's camera, and align the watch face with the viewfinder on screen to pair it.
As soon as I did this, it said the Apple Watch was paired and asked me if I wanted to restore from a backup or set it up as a new watch.
I regularly use the Series 5, so I chose to restore from that device.
You have the option to enable the Blood Oxygen app during the setup process, which lets you check your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels and measure them throughout the day (you can also turn this feature on later).
Next, you can optionally enable automatic updates; if you do, you'll receive a notification before the update is installed.
It then asks if you want to set up Apple Pay.
Next, it goes over the Emergency SOS and fall detection features.
To call emergency services, press and hold the side button.
Doing so will also send a message to your emergency contacts.
With fall detection enabled, the watch will automatically call emergency services if it detects you took a hard fall.
You can disable this feature in the Apple Watch app if you prefer.
If you have a cellular model, it then goes into the cellular setup process.
With this feature, you can make and receive calls and access apps using cellular data when your Apple Watch isn't connected to your iPhone.
When you click Set Up Cellular, it brings up a new page that lets you sign in with your cell phone carrier and add the Apple Watch to your plan (which is typically an extra charge per month on your cellular bill). Next, it goes over watch faces, noting that you can change them later in the app or on the watch itself.
As with other Apple Watch models, you navigate the Series 6 with swipes to scroll and move, and taps to select.
To see your notifications, swipe down from the top edge of the screen.
To see your battery level and access additional controls like Do Not Disturb, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
The Series 6 also features Apple's signature digital crown on the top right side.
Press this button to return to the watch face; press and hold it to talk to Siri; or turn it to scroll, zoom, or adjust.
Beneath the digital crown on the right side of the screen is a button with various functions.
You can press it to quickly access your open apps; double-press it for Apple Pay; or press and hold it for Medical ID, Emergency SOS, and power.
Blood Oxygen Readings
The standout feature here is a new sensor that can measure the oxygen saturation of your blood, also known as SpO2.
This metric indicates how well your circulatory and respiratory systems are delivering oxygenated blood to your body.
Your SpO2 reading alone can't diagnose COVID-19, but as the Yale School of Medicine advises, a reading below 90 percent may warrant a trip to the emergency room.
The Series 6 uses similar technology as a pulse oximeter—the device they clip onto your finger at the doctor's office—to measure your blood oxygen saturation.
Its SpO2 sensor shines red and infrared light through your skin, onto the blood vessels of your wrist, and measures the color of your blood, which indicates the amount of oxygen present.
Bright red blood is more saturated, and dark red blood is less so.
Changes in your body or elevation can impact your blood oxygen level.
The watch can calculate your SpO2 level in 15 seconds, whenever you want.
The sensor also captures periodic background measurements when you're sleeping and inactive.
The first time you open the Blood Oxygen app on the watch, it takes you through some helpful tips to get a good reading.
Apple says your watch band should be snug but comfortable, and to make sure the watch isn't too low on your wrist.
You should keep the watch facing up and try not to move during the reading.
Resting your arm on a table can help.
When you start a blood oxygen scan, you'll see a 15-second countdown timer on the screen along with a relaxing blue and red graphic.
After 15 seconds, your blood oxygen saturation percentage will appear onscreen.
You can also view blood oxygen measurements in the Health app on your iPhone.
The watch offers information about this metric to help you interpret your data.
It says that most people have a blood oxygen level between 95 and 100 percent.
The first time I used this feature, the Series 6 said my blood oxygen saturation level was 99 percent.
The second time I took a reading, it was after a three-mile beach run, and I was happy to see my SpO2 level was 100 percent.
In the Health app on your iPhone, you can view a record of all your measurements and see graphs of your blood oxygen level readings for the day, week, month, or year.
It also shows your range and daily average, and you can filter the data to show just your SpO2 level in high-elevation environments or while sleeping.
This isn't such a novel feature, as several other fitness trackers and smartwatches can measure your SpO2 level, including the Garmin Vivoactive 4, Samsung Galaxy Watch3, and Fitbit Sense.
The Fitbit Sense, however, only measures your blood oxygen saturation level automatically when you wear it to bed, and you need a specific clock face enabled for it to work.
It also takes a full two minutes.
On the inside, the Series 6 features 32GB of storage and Apple's new dual-core S6 System in Package (SiP), which it says delivers up to 20 percent faster performance than the S5 chip in the Series 5 and Watch SE.
The S6 also allows for improved screen brightness—the display still features a maximum brightness level of 1,000 nits, but it's brighter in ambient mode when you look down at your wrist.
Apple says it increased the maximum brightness of the display from 200 nits to 500 nits when your wrist is down, which makes it easier to see in the sunlight.
That's a welcome addition for me personally, as I live in Florida and spend a lot of time at the beach.
And I can attest that the Series 6's screen is noticeably easier to read when I'm outside walking my dog and glance down.
The Series 6 also features a new antenna with double the spectrum of the Series 5 that enables it to support 5GHz Wi-Fi for the first time.
This can help free up congested 2.4GHz bands, while allowing access to potentially speedier 5GHz bands.
According to Apple, the Series 6 offers the same 18-hour battery life as the Series 5, but drains less battery when streaming music and tracking certain workouts like indoor and outdoor runs.
In testing, the watch surprisingly beat Apple's estimate.
After wearing it for a full 24 hours, it still had 14 percent battery left.
During that time, I had the always-on display mode enabled and used the watch to track a 37-minute run with GPS.
I also had Do Not Disturb on most of the time, so I wasn't getting notifications, which could have extended battery life.
After nearly 25.5 hours, I got a notification that the battery was down to 10 percent, so I finally put it on the charger.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch3 offered similar battery life in testing, but the Fitbit Sense lasted around three days.
One nice improvement is that the Series 6 charges faster than the Series 5, which takes around two hours to fully charge.
The Series 6 charges to 80 percent in about an hour and to 100 percent in 90 minutes.
Always-On Altimeter
The Series 6 features an always-on altimeter, which makes it easy to check your elevation indoors and outdoors in real time (it's also available on the lower-cost Watch SE).
This feature is especially useful for hikers and downhill skiers.
The watch uses data from the barometric pressure sensor, GPS, and nearby Wi-Fi networks to determine your exact location and update your elevation on the fly.
You can also add your elevation as a complication on the watch face.
I found this feature useful, even in flat Florida.
I added the elevation complication to my watch face, and it was interesting to see it change in real time, especially as I approached the beach near my house, which in certain areas is below sea level, according to the Series 6.
I can see this feature being particularly useful during hurricane season, and in the future when I'm in the market for a new house.
The Series 6 tells me my current home is around 35 feet above sea level, so if a hurricane is headed my way with a predicted storm surge greater than that, I'll know to get out of town.
When I start house hunting in the future, I'll absolutely use the Apple Watch to check the elevation of prospective properties to make a more informed decision.
WatchOS7
The latest version of Apple's smartwatch operating system, watchOS 7, offers a number of useful features, including automatic handwashing detection with a 20-second countdown timer, sleep tracking, new workout types (dancing, core training, cooldown, and functional strength training), and cycling directions in select cities (including Beijing, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, and...
