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We’ve spent 24 hours so far testing the best new features found in the latest Apple Watch Series 6. Here are our impressions of the new features, how useful they are, and how they stack up against the previous generation.
The new colors
Various team members have requested different colors, but we were only able to get the vivid new version of (PRODUCT) RED on launch day. In person, the color is very bright, regardless of the lighting conditions.
We are obsessed with color but we know it has to match your style. Whenever you choose a bright red color that never changes, you must love that color very much.
Apple Watch Series 6 (PRODUCT) RED is pretty shiny, but it looks great
Going with red limits the colors of the bands you can pair with it. Some clash a bit, but we still found a lot of great options that complement the wearable.
Others may prefer the new blue, which is more subdued but still has a hint of color.
This year we also got the new Graphite stainless steel to replace the old Space Black. Based on Apple images, it appears to have a slight gray tint compared to the previously darker Space Black.
S6 SiP
The new S6 system package is based on the A13 Bionic processor and is optimized for the Apple Watch. In performance this should produce a speed improvement of around 20%.
However, in use, we haven’t seen much of a difference so far. We tried launching apps in parallel with our Series 5 and they both opened things almost exactly as fast.
That’s because the Apple Watch Series 5 was already pretty fast, and everyday tasks don’t require a ton of silicon to power them.
The time we noticed the change the most was when restarting the clock, which is probably welcomed by anyone who has to restart the portable device.
What the S6 does allow is more headroom going forward. As Apple continues to add new features to Apple Watch through watchOS, Apple Watch Series 6 will easily support them.
This is likely to be quite important, as the watch does more of the heavy lifting, reducing your dependency on the iPhone.
Always-on display
With the Series 5, Apple adopted an always-on Retina display. This year Apple has improved it with an always-on display that is brighter on average, but the maximum screen brightness is still at 1000 nits.
It’s only brighter when the watch is in its idle state, which makes a big difference in bright situations. Apple says it is up to two and a half times brighter when the arm is down and the watch is not actively worn.
Apple Watch Series 5 (left) and Series 6 (right) comparing displays when idle
In our study, when both the current generation and the last generation were idle, we could not notice any difference in the brightness of the displays. However, when we took our watch set outside in the midday sun, the difference was clear.
The new Apple Watch Series 6 is noticeably brighter, which makes it much easier to read our complications without having to wake up the watch or lift your wrist.
Apple Watch Series 5 (left) and Series 6 (right) comparing displays when idle outdoors
Originally, as we were in the studio working, we felt this might have been an exaggerated claim. But, throughout the night and the rest of the day, when we went out and about, we realized how many times we instinctively had to raise our wrist to see the time, a complication or a workout.
Series 6 allowed us to be less active in doing so. Most of the time, we could just glance at the clock and get the information we needed.
Blood oxygen sensor
Apple’s most touted feature of the new watch is the blood oxygen sensor, which has an accompanying app. As many early reviews pointed out, your watch needs to be snug on your wrist and you need to make sure it doesn’t move.
As long as you meet those requirements, it only takes 15 seconds for the reading to return.
Measure your blood oxygen level with the Apple Watch Series 6
Our only problem with our O2 reading was the lack of information around it. Report a number, but most people have no idea what to do with that number. What is good, what is bad and how is it improved?
Apple’s vagueness about the value is likely due to it circumventing the requirements for medical devices. Apple says the blood oxygen measurement is for wellness and fitness purposes only and is not intended to replace a medical device, such as a pulse oximeter, that requires federal approval.
If Apple starts giving advice and saying it’s good or bad, it may be getting dangerously close to a medical device and the regulation that goes with it.
Faster charge
This is one that we have already noticed is better. We’ve been using sleep tracking on Apple Watch for months during the beta process, but sometimes, we still ended up with a low battery that needed to be charged.
Apple Watch Series 6 can now charge 20 percent faster. That produces a full charge in an hour and a half.
Charging the Apple Watch Series 6 is faster
In our use, we don’t charge it from zero to 100 often, but we usually fill half the battery. We put it on the charger in the morning while we get ready for the day and in the evening while we shower and get ready for bed.
This additional 20 percent speed is noticeable in this and we already feel less concerned about charging the watch.
Of course, Apple could help us by increasing the battery life, but it seems like it won’t happen without a bigger battery and a bigger case. For now.
Other novelties
We also tested some other features on the new Apple Watch. Things like the new always-on altimeter.
This feature is not necessarily something everyone will use, but just another important sensor that will make a big difference to hikers, cyclists, and other fitness junkies. You can see it in the Compass app, but you can also add it directly to your watch face.
It also shows up in various workouts in real time as you go.
See your elevation in real time on Apple Watch Series 6
This time around, Apple has baked its U1 chip, and while it’s an exciting new addition, it does practically nothing at the moment. There’s no way to interact with the chip, but it unlocks a lot of future potential for Apple to explore.
We can see the ability to AirDrop contacts or images to an Apple Watch, which is useful for family members who can now use an Apple Watch without an iPhone of their own. Or maybe locate lost items like your keys, AirPods, Apple TV remote with the launch of AirTags.
Apple continues to perfect the Apple Watch. Many of the new changes are not exactly flashy, but they have a big impact on those who use them. We’re not sure after a day it warrants an upgrade for Series 5 owners, but it’s a great upgrade from anyone coming from Series 4 or earlier.
