How to Choose an Apple Watch

• Aluminium

Apple Watches from Series 1 to Series 5 are offered with aluminium cases. Although aluminium does not look as luxurious as stainless steel, it is light and relatively durable. Aluminium Apple Watches are cheaper than models made from other materials. It is also the only version that can be purchased on the current Czech market. Aluminium Apple Watches are available in space grey, silver and gold.

• Stainless steel

Steel is heavier than aluminium, but you won't notice any weight difference on your wrist. It is a very strong and durable metal and adds a touch of luxury. That's why Apple uses stainless steel on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Apple Watches with stainless-steel cases are more expensive than aluminium ones but are not currently available on the Czech market.

• Ceramic

The Apple Watch Edition Series 5 boasts a ceramic version. Ceramic is lighter than steel, highly durable and looks amazing. However, it is much more expensive than the base-price aluminium Apple Watch and, once again, is not available on the Czech market.

• Titanium

For the first time, the Apple Watch Series 5 is available in titanium, which is even lighter than ceramic and significantly lighter than steel. Would you like to buy one? Sorry, we can't help as the Titanium Apple Watch Series 5 is not available on the Czech market. If it was, it would cost considerably more than an aluminium Apple watch.

Apple has made every effort to make connectivity between your Apple Watch and iPhone simple and reliable. You don't have to worry about a complicated setup. However, every Apple watch is not compatible with every iPhone. WatchOS 6 is now available on Apple Watch Series 5, Series 4, Series 3, Series 2 and Series 1. WatchOS 6 requires an iPhone 6s or later that is running iOS 13 or later.

Apple Watch has a rule that each generation of watches adds new features while retaining old ones. In other words, every version can do what its predecessor could plus something extra. So, what did each new version bring?

Apple Watch Series 2

• View notifications from your iPhone - Never miss an important announcement again.
• Play music - You can easily play music from iTunes, including during your workouts.
• Heart Rate Sensor - Gives you information about your activities.
• watchOS 4 - The latest operating system lets you download thousands of applications.

Apple Watch Series 2 adds the following features

• Built-in GPS navigation - You can record your route without taking your iPhone.
• Waterproof 50M (5 ATM) - The watch can handle depths up to 50m.
• Enhanced Activity Tracking - Now you can analyse your activities after recording them  and your watch will  remind you to move if you are inactive for a long time.

Apple Watch Series 3 adds the following features

• Make calls - With eSIM, you can make calls or send SMS messages and leave your iPhone at home or on your desk.
• Advanced Sports Mode - Provide you with a personal trainer and detailed activity analysis.
• Apple Music and Siri - You can now enjoy these services without pairing the watch with your iPhone.
• Wireless charging - You can now charge your watch wirelessly using the AirPower pad.

Apple Watch Series 4 adds the following features

• Larger Display - The Apple Watch Series 4 display is approximately 30% larger. Even the smaller version has a bigger display than the larger watch from the previous generation. However, the watch itself is only slightly larger and 7mm thinner than the Series 3.
• Fall Detection - Apple Watch 4 can detect a hard fall and display an alert. Then you can either contact emergency services or dismiss the alert by confirming that you are OK.
• Haptic Crown Feedback - the digital crown is smaller on Apple Watch 4 than before, but now offers a haptic response. As it rotates, you can feel a slight knock.
• Walkie-Talkie - Apple Watch 4 has a Walkie-Talkie feature and a speaker that is 50% louder.
• Bluetooth 5.0 Support - The latest version of Bluetooth has a wider range and more reliable connectivity with iPhones.
• Ceramic Back - Apple Watch Series 3 and earlier had a back of either ceramic or composite glass. AW Series 4 uses only ceramics.

Apple Watch Series 5 adds the following features

• Always-On - With the Always-On display, Apple Watch Series 5 never sleeps. This means you can always see the time and watch face without even raising your wrist. This is useful in many situations, for example, if you want to check the time discreetly during a meeting. If you do not want to use this feature, you can easily turn it off.
• Compass - A compass may seem to be unnecessary in this day and age but if you want to use one, now you can.
• Emergency SOS - An international feature that calls the local emergency number for you. This feature is only available for cellular models, which are not available on the Czech market.
• New materials - Apple Watch Series 5 is made not only from aluminium and steel but also from ceramics and titanium. Aluminium is the cheapest but other materials look more luxurious. Unfortunately, in the Czech Republic, only the aluminium version is for sale.
• New watch faces - Apple adds new watch faces that are only accessible on Apple Watch Series 5 and later.

If the basic apps are not enough for you, there is nothing easier than downloading more from the App Store where you can find more than 10,000 apps include social networks, navigation, weather and games.

The watch also supports Apple HomeKit, so you can control your smart home with your watch.

Apple Watch is available in two sizes.

The dimensions of each option are specified by the diameter of the dial, the dimensions of the AMOLED Retina display and the width of the strap.

Apple Watch Series 5 & 4:

• 40mm - This watch with a narrower strap is lighter and more comfortable for ladies to wear. The display has a 394×324p resolution.
• 44mm - This option is slightly heavier and has a wider strap. The screen has a 448x368p resolution and is generally preferred by men. The larger display makes information easier to read.

Apple Watch Series 3, 2, and 1 are sold or sold in smaller sizes:

• 38mm - 340×272p display.
• 42mm - 390×312p display.

Apple has never been afraid to put a bold price on its products and this is also the case with Apple Watch. The base-version of Apple Watch Series 5 costs CZK 11,690 (October 2019). However, there are many smart watches on the market, especially sportswatches, which are much more expensive than Apple watches. Apple Watch's philosophy is clear. It offers top-quality design, perfect readability and exemplary compatibility with the iPhone and other Apple products. If you want a watch that works superbly in every situation, the price of an Apple Watch may seem reasonable. You can count on Apple reducing the price of previous generations with  the advent of each new series.

There is a wide range of customisation options for all Apple Watches, so you can have great fun personalising your watch. You can adjust your style by keeping several straps and changing them to suit the occasion. You can also choose recharging stands, power banks and more from our range of Apple Watch accessories.

• Interchangeable straps - You can choose straps with different colours and a range of materials including nylon, leather, fluoroelastomer or high-grade stainless steel loop or link bands. The selection includes original Apple straps and those designed by independent manufacturers.
• Charging Stands - Get a docking station to easily charge your Apple Watch. They are produced by several manufacturers who offer a range of different shapes and materials.
• Design customisation - Since Apple watches run on watchOS, which draws from the iPhone's iOS, there are plenty of customisation options. You can play around with the style and colour of icons, wallpaper, etc.

With each series comes a noticeable improvement in performance along with a host of new features. The table below outlines the important features of each series.

It is not possible to use an Apple Watch with a phone running on Android. If you're connecting an iPhone and Apple Watch, it's not just about a Bluetooth connection, as many people think. Apple Watches run using encrypted data sent directly from iPhones. To pair your iPhone and Apple Watch, an encrypted connection is created, which Android smartphones are unable to establish. It is possible that this could be done with the help of an app, but no such app exists at this time and it would have to be released by Apple.

Older Apple Watch models can handle calls in place of your phone, but the phone is needed to provide the transmission between subscribers and its signal must be within reach of the watch. Only the Apple Watch Series 3 can make calls without the use of your phone due to an eSIM electronic card that can use the same phone number as your iPhone.

Apple Watches from the older series are only water-resistant, not waterproof. This means that if you get a little water on your watch, you can  wipe it away without causing  damage but you can't swim with it.

This does not apply to Apple Watch Series 2 and beyond. They are waterproof to a depth of 50m (5ATM). As soon as you start swimming, your watch automatically locks to prevent unwanted clicks. Once you get out of the water, just turn the digital crown. The watch unlocks and drains out any water.

• Apple Watch 2015 (April 24, 2015)

 Apple took a step into the unknown with their first release but this series has proven to be a great success.

• Apple Watch Series 1 (September 16, 2016)

An enhanced version of the original Apple Watch. It is still sold and offers twice as much performance as its predecessor.

• Apple Watch Series 2 (September 16, 2016)

Series 2 came out with Series 1 but offered several improvements. It features GPS,  longer battery life and many more features. The Apple Series 2 Nike+ Edition was also popular. This series is no longer sold today.

• Apple Watch Series 3 (September 23, 2017)

Series 3 is very different from its predecessors and took the watch to the next level. For the first time, you can call directly from your watch and discover the exclusive Hermès Edition design.              

• Apple Watch Series 4 (September 21, 2018)

With Series 4 came design changes, in particular, a slightly larger display. The series also introduces the ECG feature and focuses on the wearer's health - the watch can monitor your vital signs and call for help if you are immobile.              

• Apple Watch Series 5 (September 20, 2019)

Apple Watch Series 5 is the latest device. Along with all the familiar features, there's a special “Always-On” display that keeps your most important information at hand. AW 5 is optimised for the longest endurance and again offers plenty of customisation options. You can read more about Apple Watch Series 5 in our article.