apple watch 3

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Apple Watch Faces for 2021

Apple Watch faces are great fun. The Apple Watch Series 6 is the latest Apple Watch offering and is herald as the most feature-rich smartwatch on the market today. Whilst the watch is attractive on its own, you can take it further and make it your own with the countless personal touches you can add. Along with the countless third-party accessories and bands, the Apple Watch comes with an abundance of awesome watch faces to choose from. Apple Watch faces are lots of fun and switching faces is very easy with a long tap and then a swipe to pick your favourite watch face for the day.

Today, there are three Apple Watch models that you can buy. The newest Apple Watch 6, the Apple Watch SE, and the surviving Apple Watch 3. The best part is that the watch faces we’re about to recommend are all downloadable on any Apple Watch running on Watch OS 7.

Apple has an existing library of faces which are designed for certain occasions. In fact, there are so many the choice can be overwhelming. So we’re here to help you find and tailor a face to your unique style. We’ve written a guide on the best Apple Watch faces in 2021 so you can pick the best one for your lifestyle.

Newest Apple Watch faces in 2021

Almost as if they planned it, Apple added 7 new watch faces with bespoke options along with the release of Watch OS 7.

Typograph
Chronograph Pro
GMT
Stripes
Memoji (including Animoji)
Artist
Count up

To make a new face, all you have to do is swipe left until you see the word ‘New’. Now, use the digital crown to scroll your choices and tap the one you like.

Plus there’s a new feature that allows you to share your faces!

How Apple Watch faces work

You will notice some interface differences if you compare Watch OS 6 to Watch OS 7 in terms of the personalisation options. If you’re running OS 6, use either 3D or haptic touch to customise. However, if you’re on OS 7, simply long-press and tap on ‘edit’ when it pops up. Next, swipe left and tap to access the feature you want to customise and use your digital crown to choose your favourite colour, shape, complication and anything else your heart desires.

If you want to remove a watch face, press down on the face then swipe up. After that, tap ‘remove’ and it’ll delete.

To share a face, press and hold, this will access the controls where you’ll find the ‘share’ button. You can then either verbally dictate or write a message, choose your recipient and send.

Without further ado, let’s look at the best Apple Watch faces of 2021.

Typograph

This is a beautifully uncomplicated watch face designed for minimalists. No complications to speak of, just four large numbers taking up the real estate on the face. However, it’s still highly customisable. For instance, you can change the fill colour so you can match it to your outfit, mood, or whatever you like! More, you can keep the four numbers or opt for a traditional dial with modern, classic or rounded styling with Arabic, Arabic Indic, Roman or Devanagari symbols.

California

The California Apple Watch face has been around since Watch OS 6. It’s clean and simple with an abundance of elegance. It resembles a more traditional watch face. You have the option to pack it with features or leave it uncluttered. So, it’s totally up to you what you choose.

As for the time display, you can alter the shape and numerals and add complications around the dial. This is a superb alternative to the rounded Infograph. It’s particularly advised for the Apple Watch 3 users.

Gradient

Gradient came along with the Series 4 and is a sophisticated choice. There are shaded areas, denoting the hour and minute markers, and a second hand that sweeps. You can strip this all back to just a single second hand, plus change the colours. This can be a full screen or a circular face, with or without complications.

Stripes

Stripes is new to Wear OS 7 and is really fun, making it one of the best Apple Watch faces for 2021. It’s wonderfully-customisable. You can amend how many stripes there are, between 2 and 9, for starters. Pick and re-order the colours in a sequence of your choice.

Rotate the strips in any angle you like from 0 – 345 degrees, including horizontal and vertical. There’s a full-screen version which does not like complications, but the rounded version does.

Photos

If you like the personal touch, you can use photos from your library for your background. This is super easy to configure. Open your Apple Watch app on your iPhone, head to Face Gallery. Next, scroll down to photos. Now go to favourites and sync that album, pick up to 10 photos for the carousel function. Then go back to your Apple Watch to change the face. You can still add complications to your face if you’re using photos.

The best Apple Watch faces for work

Perhaps you’re looking for something that will help you gt through your workday.

We’ve picked a couple here.

Siri

The Siri watch face presents tailored data throughout your day. It rolls through data that it picks up from your Reminders, Alarms, Calendar, News, Weather, heart rate, sound levels and more. If you need it, it’ll remind you at the times you need it to take a deep breath. You can turn any of these off if you want, using your iPhone. Once you’re set-up, you can use the face like any other, including adding complications.

Modular

If you need advanced data beyond what Siri can offer you; Modular is one of the best Apple Watch faces you’ll find. This is an especially flexible face, offering up to five complications, with a digital display. It’s tidy, which is a miracle considering how much information gets crammed into it.

Utility

The Utility face is another flexible option with up to four complications, four dials and your choice of colours. If you like a simple Apple Watch face that’s legible, Utility is one of the best options for you. You get important information without crowding.

Meridian

Another sleek and uncluttered offering that’s perfect for data at a glance. You can add complications like news, weather, the date, activity and air quality index. The dial is either black or white with many different accent colours to pick from.

GMT

This isn’t the most popular choice, and you can only get it on the SE and 6. This is mostly a great one for people who travel a lot or have colleagues in different timezones.

It has two dials, with the inner being a 12-hour one showing your local time. The outer dial is 24 hours, and you can set this to another place. You can select from a list of given cities or add one from your World Clock on your iPhone. You can choose the colours and customise it to your liking.

Fitness Watch Faces

Activity

Activity is a go-to face for those into fitness and works using your Activity rings. The Move (red) ring shows your calories burned; blue shows your standing movement and green indicates your activity. But you can configure this to whichever goal you’re most interested in, including a special ‘roll’ ring, for wheelchair users. You can add up to three complications.

Chronograph Pro

Tap your bezel on the 12-hour dial, and it’ll turn into a chronograph! This face has incredible detail, including tachymeter timescale, which measures speed based on either fixed distance or time travel. Cool, huh? This face is only for users of the SE and 6.

Count Up

If you have an SE or 6, you can track time elapsed. As above, tape the 12-hour dial and align your marker on the outer bezel to the desired minute hand. Turn the digital crown to set the length of time then tap your dial to start it. You can add up to five complications, and you can choose from a lot of colour options.

Fun watch faces

Vapor

This comes in four bold colours and demonstrates how colours combine. Pick from blue and green, black and white, orange and pink or a combination of all of the above. Opt for a rounded or square display.

Pride

If you’re part of an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, you’ll love the rainbow flag. To date, there’s one per year from 2018, so there are 3 to choose from.

Emoji

Featuring animoji, too! Choose from your favourite characters and colours. A dynamic and interesting face, though less informative.

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is one of the best Apple Watch faces for beauty. It shows mesmerising patterns that entwine with one another to give you a sense of relaxation. When you turn your digital crown, the designs will move too. The faster you turn it; the patterns move following the speed. If you find yourself having a bad day, this is a really neat feature for calming yourself down.

Motion

Motion is a glorious app that is reactive to your touch. It has three to choose from. Butterfly has 25 different species that fly around like the real deal. Each time you raise your wrist, you’ll be served a different butterfly. The Flower has 9 different animated flowers. Finally, Jellyfish has six species that show themselves when you move. Much like the above, it’s incredibly soothing to watch.

Numerals

If you like minimal features, this will definitely be one of the best Apple Watch faces for you. Numerals has a minute and second hands. The hour is displayed in the top left corner. You’re able to select the colour and font, and that’s about it, apart from the one complication you can add, so pick wisely.

X-Large

Apple watch with big text digital display

The Apple Watch is for users of all ages. If you want to get one for someone who needs larger text, this is the best face. It’ll display in bold and/or extra-large font that takes up the whole display. You can add a single complication; however, it does take up most of the centre of the display, which can be bothersome.

Conclusion

Hopefully, we’ve opened up the huge selection of watch faces for you so you know where to start!

Now, if you’re wondering what Apple Watch is going to be best for you, we recommend you look at our Apple Watch comparison, here.

If you have your Apple Watch, why not check out the best apps for Apple Watch in our article, here.

If you enjoy our content, follow us on social media for our latest post updates

Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

The History of the Apple Watch

The Apple Watch has been constantly evolving since it was launched in 2015. More than 33 million Apple Watches have been sold since then, making it the single most successful watch in the world.

Five years is a long time in terms of technology and since 2015, Apple has released a new watch annually. The design has been refined and the features have certainly become more and more advanced.

The Apple Watch has health and fitness at the core, but that’s not all it does. So, let’s dive into its history.

The Pioneering Apple Watch of 2015

The first release features three versions. One was known as the ‘everyman edition’ and was made of stainless steel. The other was the Sport version which had wristbands to appeal to a more sporty audience, made of aluminium. The last was the Apple Watch Edition and this was made of no less than 18 carat gold.

The latter was marketed as a high-end fashion accessory. The price tag was a hefty $17k. However, it didn’t sell that well. In fact, it bombed and it was never mentioned again.

All three came in both 38mm and 42mm sizes. Furthermore, they all had Bluetooth and wifi capabilities and paired with the iPhone. It offered a digital crown, digital touch, force touch, multi-touch and a side button. It also had a heart rate sensor.

Apple Watch Series 1 – 2 of 2016

Secondly, we saw the first in what would become a line of updates to the Apple Watch. The overly-expensive Edition had, unsurprisingly, already been dropped like a hot potato. Next on the chopping block was the Sport.

Apple didn’t entirely drop the Sport, though and took its aluminium build to create what became known as the Series 1. Apple reduced the price slightly, making it a more accessible entry-level version. It retained some of the original features like the side button, digital touch, force touch, multi-touch and digital crown.

Alongside the Series 1, Apple brought the Series 2 to market. This model had the same aluminium build, but the main differentiator was the addition of GPS and the ability to pair the watch with an iPhone without the aid of the internet. Plus, losing the watch became a thing of the past!

Series 3 of (2017)

The next year saw the Series 3 launched. In this version, the biggest differentiator was the addition of a cellular feature, giving it the ability to connect to mobile internet and removing the requirement for pairing with an iPhone. It certainly offered a brand new sense of connectivity.

Other benefits included:

Calls and voicemail
Text messages
Reminders and alerts
Map features
Music streaming

Series 4 (2018)

The Series 4 had some major improvements, including a larger display at either 40mm or 44mm sizing, rather than the old 38mm or 42mm.

The other big enhancement was the move to an electronic heart sensor (ECG), allowing wearers to know their heart rate at any time. Sure, this wasn’t a wildly new innovation but it had the ability to detect an unusually low or high heart rate, or other odd symptoms – potentially life-saving.

Series 5 (2019)

The Series 5 is undisputedly the best smartwatch in the world. It took everything that was good in the Series 3 and 4 and formed them into one sensational timepiece.

It looks amazing and offers incredible fitness features to match. Its notifications are slick and the app offering is better than ever. More branded non-native apps are appearing over time and the integration is seamless. Apple Pay is also now more widely accepted than ever.

Benefits:

The titanium edition is the more durable version ever
Incredibly in-depth fitness and health tracking
32GB storage built-in
Always-on screen is a revelation for screen readability in all lighting

Series 6 (2020)

The Series 6 was released in September last year. It maintained Apple’s reign as the most popular smartwatch manufacturer on earth. Adding to the excitement was the release of a new iPhone 12 model alongside the watch.

Sleep tracking ability is vastly improved. It’ll tell you data about the quality of your sleep via a native app. Nonetheless, most apple users tend to charge their phones at night.

Improved gym stats will be realised. You’ll be able to tell if you’re behind your goal targets and there’ll be more accurate heart rate monitoring during exercise. Apple has worked hard to create a new programme “Apple Connected” which will see a community of Apple-watch connected pieces of equipment work together to create a reward programme for Apple Watch wearers.

There’s talk of monitoring for people who need to manage their diabetes via blood glucose and pressure sensors.

It’s predicted that there will be some improvements to the design, which is long-awaited at this point. There hasn’t been much change since the Series 3.

It’ll be offered in 4 models which are essentially all aluminium but either cellular or sport, or not.

If you’re not sure which Apple watch is best for you then we have created an easy comparison of all Apple offerings from the first generation to the Series 6 and SE. Check it out here.

Related Articles:

Maygen

Maygen is a multifaceted writer, proofreader and an experienced smartwatch industry writing and editing professional.

Why Choose an Apple Watch

The invention of the smartphone has driven the evolution of the smartwatch – and Apple leads the way with its Apple Watch range, designed for convenience and style.

Apple’s smartwatches offer integration with iOS technology and excellent fitness tracking and wellbeing focused features.

The History of the Apple Watch

Since its launch in 2015 the Apple Watch has seen multiple iterations. The Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 were made available in 2016. The Apple Watch Series 3 arrived a year later. The Series 4 a year after that and in September 2019 the Apple 5 hit the market. Apple Watch Series 6 hit the market in September 2020.

What Watch to Choose

Apple no longer sells the original Apple Watch or the Series 1, 2 and Series 4, though you can find good secondhand buys. Alongside the new Series 6, Series 5 and Series 3, Apple is also currently selling the Apple Watch Nike+ edition and Apple Watch Hermes. The technical specification of these branded Apple Watches mimics that of the Apple Watch Series 4. The recently released Apple Watch Edition is described by Apple as having “all the innovations of Series 5 and the craftsmanship of traditional watchmaking”.

Apple Watches are available either as GPS or GPS +Cellular versions; the main difference being that the Cellular type allows the user to operate the Apple Watch without the iPhone being anywhere near.

If you’re considering purchasing an Apple Watch but not sure which model will suit your requirements, read on as we compare and discuss Series 2, Series 3, Series 4 and Series 5.

New Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) - Graphite Stainless Steel Case with Black Sport Band

GPS + Cellular model lets you call, text, and get directions without your phone
Measure your blood oxygen with an all-new sensor and app
Check your heart rhythm with the ECG app

Design

Until Apple Watch 4, the look of each device was similar. Apple Watch has a larger screen – between 40mm and 44mm – and also includes haptic feedback on the digital crown. Series 5 is available in either 38mm or 42mm versions.

Apple watches from Series 2 and up are all waterproof with a 5ATM rating. This means that they are suitable to wear in water depths of up to 50 metres for 10 minutes – so you can shower and swim with confidence. On the Series 3, Apple says that although water is able to penetrate the speaker, sound vibrations help to expel the moisture back out.

Each generation of Apple Watch has allowed for plenty of personalisation with colour and material options. More recent versions such as the Series 5 have a bigger library of options with case materials in aluminium, titanium, stainless steel and gold. Series 3 GPS+ Cellular option was available in ceramic, but this particular casing was discontinued with the introduction of Series 4.

For added individuality, the wearer can swap the device straps to suit specific occasions. The Nike+ edition’s breathable strap sets it apart from the family. Furthermore, the Hermes in Series 4 has a great selection of fashionable straps.

Display

Series 5 and 6 are the only Apple Watch to have the always-on display feature. Undoubtedly one of its stand-out characteristics. The always-on function allows the wearer to quickly and efficiently do the simplest of tasks such as checking the time. The watch face will highlight key information such as date, time and weather and are refreshed even when the wearer’s wrist is down. To assist with preserving battery life, the display can be dimmed by covering the watch face, or it will initiate the dim mode automatically when the wrist is down.

Performance

The Apple Watch has never been particularly power hungry, but with each generation performance has improved. Series 2 houses the S2 integrated computer/System on Chip (SoC). Whilst Series 3 hosts S3 and saw the introduction of the dual-core. Series 4 and Series 5 both operate on a 64-dual core processor. This affords activity that is up to 2x faster than the S3 processor.

Despite no notable difference in the performance between Apple’s latest models, they retain their own unique SoC, S4 and S5 respectively. Like the speed, each generation of Apple Watch has had more RAM giving the user more multi-tasking for their money; Series 2 at 512MB of RAM, Apple Watch 3 with 768MB and levelling off at 1GB RAM for series 4 and 5.

Apple has doubled the storage capacity with each new generation of Apple Watch; Series 5 boasts 32GB.

Health and Wellbeing

With all Apple Watches, there is no need for a separate fitness tracker. Each generation of the Apple Watch has an inbuilt heart rate monitor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope and an ambient light sensor. However, it wasn’t until Series 3 that the device gained an altimeter and a magnetometer (enabling compass functionality) in Series 5.

Fitness enthusiasts can mould the Apple Watch into their very own activity co-ordinator using a variety of health and exercise apps. Each series offering increasingly advanced options with added capability, for example, Series 3 has ‘Activity Rings’ which allows you to monitor your daily movements whilst the improved Workout App in Series 4 includes yoga and hiking and is able to identify what exercise is being undertaken automatically.

New and impressive for Series 5 is upgraded optical and electronic heart sensors allowing more accurate heart monitoring including ECGs which is being supported by the American Heart Association.

Series 4 and 5 offer the wearer added protection against falls. The device can detect a fall and will contact the emergency services if it does not detect any movement within a minute.

GPS is available on Series 2, Series 3, Series 4, Series 5 and Series 6 models, offering greater flexibility when out and about.

Features

There is no notable difference in battery life between the range of Apple Watches. Each offering in the region of 18-24hrs of battery use.

Bluetooth and Wi-fi are standard installations on each Apple Watch, but there is the added advantage of the cellular option from Series 3 upwards.

With each generation of the Apple Watch, the user is provided with additional apps and creative Watch faces.

Software / Operating System

Like Apple’s smartphones, the brand’s smartwatches have a unique operating system labelled watchOS. WatchOS allows touch functionality and a whole directory of smart and fun features. It is watchOS that enables the device to be used for calling, texting, receive social media notifications and make purchases via Apple Pay. Like the iPhone Siri is also available on the range of Apple Watches and with Series 4 and Series the assistant works on a ‘raise to speak’ saving you having to wake it up with with a ‘Hey Siri’.

The current operating system is watchOS 7, and this will work on all version of the Apple Watch discussed here. Useful features in watchOS 7 include noise level notifications and you can now download apps directly, rather than having to use your iPhone.

Unlike its competitors, the Apple Watch range will only work with the iPhone; iPhone 5 running iOS 10 or later for Apple Watch Series 2 and for Series 3 either an iPhone on iOS11 or an iPhone 6.

Price comparison

The price you pay is dependent on the model, the casing, strap and the screen size. Apple Watches range in price from just under $200 for a Series 3 with an aluminium case and a sports band, all the way up to $1,500 for the special Hermes version of the Series 5. The new Apple Watch 6 costs around $500.

Which will it be?

Whichever Apple Watch you opt for it is clear they certainly offer a suite of standard features to suit a variety of needs, and you can keep up to date with the latest releases of the operating system, keeping your device functional.

Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS, 44mm) - Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band

GPS
Always-On Retina display
30% larger screen

If you’re not sure which Apple watch is best for you then we have created an easy comparison of all Apple offerings from the first generation to the Series 6 and SE. Check it out here.

Related Articles:

Emma Morris

Emma is an experienced Virtual Assistant and is our Copy and Visual Editor and Social Media Manager. When not working, Emma enjoys life with her little girl, partner and Jack Russell Terrier in the lovely countryside of the South West UK.

Samsung Gear S3 vs Apple Watch 3 – Which comes out best?

With the launch of the Samsung Gear S3, Samsung pulled out all of the stops. Priced at around £145 but perhaps less aesthetically pleasing than some other watches out there, it appears on the face of it to be a much better-equipped watch for the people that want to do more than just wear something snazzy. The Gear 3 is a lot larger and thicker than other watches, which is maybe one downfall for the offering. Some also think it fairly similar to the Apple Watch Series 3 in terms of features, but the Apple watch series 3 is slightly more expensive at around £195, which is quite a big difference. So, let’s take a closer look at what they do and how they compare.

It’s all in the face.

The Samsung Gear S3 is certainly very similar to other models that have been released with the rounded face. The rotating bezel adds a bit of size to the watch, unlike the Apple Watch Series 3, which has a kind of rounded square shaped face which is also nice to look at and soft edges. The Gear S3 has a rubber flexible band whereas the Apple watch series 3 has a wide range of band choices giving you the option to pick what kind of fastening you prefer. Furthermore, they offer a Velcro band which is quite a nice touch. Both watches are certainly built very nicely.

Furthermore, the rotating bezel on the Samsung Gear S3 adds a very nice touch to the watch as it is easy to use. You rotate the bezel to navigate your way around the watch and it is a lot more precise, as when using the bezel, you do not accidentally tap on a different app or notification.

Features

The Samsung Gear S3 is a watch with wireless charging, which is a very useful feature. However the Apple Watch Series 3 does not have that feature yet. The Gear S3 is on at all times by default and when you flick your wrist it wakes up, however the Apple watch has a timer on it. This turns the screen off when there has been a period of inactivity so you have to click the side crown to wake it up.

When using the Samsung Gear S3 you use the rotating bezel to select where you want to go. The top button sends you back to the previous screen, secondly the bottom button sends you back to the home screen. On the Gear S3 you are limited to what apps are available and you will also find that a lot of the apps are Samsung stocked apps. There are some available to download but, again, this is very limited. The Apple watch has a lot more choice when it comes to apps.

In terms of battery life, the S3 charges at approximately the same speed as the Apple Watch. However the battery life is much longer than with the Apple alternative. Consequently, this can be a big bonus to those who wish to sleep track, as with the Apple Watch it often becomes necessary to charge the device overnight, which can mean you miss out on what could be essential tracking for some people.

Extra Features

Many fitness watches certainly boast their ability to go underwater. However, the Samsung Gear S3 claims to only withstand 1.4 metres as opposed to the Apple watch, which claims to be able to withstand up to 50 metres. So this enables you to swim with the watch on. The Samsung Gear S3 has a feature that, should you get it wet, allows you to select the ‘Eject water’ option and releases water from parts of the watch, such as the speakers.

In addition, the Samsung Gear S3 comes with a nice and neat wireless charger which is a bonus, whereas the Apple watch doesn’t. This is certainly a little disappointing as a wireless charger would be very useful for some.

You also have the Samsung Pay feature on the Gear S3 which works better than the Apple Pay as the Samsung Gear S3 does not require NFC. Therefore, you only need to look out for the contactless sign and you are able to use Samsung Pay. This is quite a big advantage, contactless payments are becoming an increasingly popular choice due to being more convenient, and not many people carry their wallets around anymore.

Fitness features

Down to what the real use of the watches are supposed to be all about, and that is tracking your health and fitness. With built in GPS and heart rate monitor, both watches are certainly great for tracking your activity. Although the Apple watch has the advantage of the swim tracker, Samsung keeps up with their accurate automatic tracking and stats-packed activity monitoring so youou are able to share your location with your friends and compete with your activity stats.

Some people find that Apple Watches inability – or unwillingness – to co-operate with its competitors when it comes to staying connected a little frustrating. Often, this leads to them having to download third party apps they don’t particularly want to be able to challenge people on other platforms other than iOS. This can take up more room than they may be comfortable with on the watch. With Samsung being an Android-focussed company, it is much easier to compete with other users of Android devices, whether these are Samsung products or other Android competitors.

Pros of the Gear S3

Very aesthetically pleasing watch
4G LTE option
Good battery life
Rotating bezel makes navigating around the watch easier
Comfortable
Wireless charging

Cons

Somewhat heavier
Not able to swim whilst wearing the watch
Larger and bulkier to wear

	Samsung Galaxy S3	Apple Watch Series 3
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC, LTE	LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, NFC
Display	Super AMOLED	Second Gen.OLED Retina
Colour screen	Yes	Yes
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, Heart rate , barometer	Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate
Size	46mm	38.6mm x 33.3mm
Weight	63g	28.7g
Battery life claim	2 Days	1/2Days
Waterproof	Up to1.4metres	Up to 50 metres

Summary

In conclusion, both the Apple Watch 3 and Samsung Gear have some excellent features and we are sure either one of these can provide you with the features you need. The Samsung has an edge if you are looking for superior battery life however the Apple watch is a lighter design with a much better option for swimming. So, if you have enjoyed this article, please leave us a comment and share with your friends.

Joanne Jeffries

A highly motivated all-round writing professional with experience in writing about modern technology.

Apple Watch Series 3

The Apple Watch was the epitome of all smartwatches when it was introduced. But now many other manufacturers have entered the marketplace with their versions, it’s no wonder Apple introduces new features with each version of their iconic watch. Here we’re going to focus on the Apple Watch Series 3.

The Series 2 expanded on the speed and capabilities of the classic Apple watch, and now, the Series 3 builds on its older brother’s functionality, offering even more features, an even faster processor and a longer battery life.

Background

Although the Series 3 isn’t the newest incarnation of the Apple Watch, it was certainly the first to really impress a wider audience with its capabilities and inbuilt 4G connectivity.

Offering buyers the convenience of being able to leave their phone at home, the Apple Watch 3 was an improvement over its two older siblings thanks to its ability to support its own data plan. It also offered some upgrades to the fitness tracking abilities of this smartwatch as well as some tweaks to Siri which make it even more usable on the go.

Features

One of the best features of the Series 3 is its revamped Siri which has its own watch face showing the wearer the information they need most during the day.

Not only can the digital assistant respond via text, but Siri can also use audio directly on your watch too and this increases its usefulness. This is all due to the S3 CPU which is a lot faster than its predecessor the S2. In fact, the manufacturer promises speeds up to 70% faster. This means this smartwatch is more responsive than any of its older siblings.

You can download plenty of good quality 3^rd party apps to the Series 3 but there are also plenty of pre-installed ones too, many of which have been given an overhaul to improve them even more.

Design

Although the Apple Watch Series 3 has a very similar design to the Series 2, it has added LTE connectivity and a dual-core processor. In size and shape, however, it remains the same with a mini-iPhone, sleek aesthetic for its body.

Both 42mm and 38mm models are available to suit your wrist size, but both feel quite light on the wrist while the AMOLED screen is easy to read and is big enough to make sure your controls won’t be too difficult to operate. There are many bands to choose from for men and lots of women’s bands as well.

Reduced Price

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS, 42mm) - Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band

GPS
Retina display
Swimproof

Fitness Tracking

While the Series 2 was heading in the right direction with fitness and health tracking, the Series 3 takes it to the next level, expanding on the exercise tool choice available. You can still use the activity tracker which monitors your movement and steps, but there are now extra elements incorporated into the Workout app including HIIT, elevation data and swim tracking thanks to its waterproofing. It can also combine several workouts, so if you’re moving between machines in the gym, you can track all your exercises simultaneously.

Furthermore there is the improved heart rate app which doesn’t just measure BPM but also charts average resting and walking rates and recovery time following your workout. There is even an emergency option which tells you to get medical help if your heart rate begins to behave erratically.

Advantages

Emergency option for heart rate monitoring
Suitable for use while swimming thanks to waterproofing up to 30 metres
A choice of two sizes to suit your wrist
Intuitive controls on a well-sized face
Pre-installed apps have been upgraded to improve fitness tracking
Third party apps can be installed too
4G connectivity so you don’t need to take your smartphone out and about
Siri can communicate verbally through the watch

Disadvantages?

Not all networks can support the independent 4G data plan for Apple smartwatches
No integrated sleep tracking functionality

Competition

Although the Apple Watch Series 3 has a lot going for it, it can’t quite compete with its younger sibling, the Apple Watch 4. While it’s more costly, it’s still a great choice with outstanding features, an even longer battery life and even better fitness tracking.

Another alternative is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, especially if you use an Android smartphone rather than an iOS device. Both watches have a similar cost, but the Galaxy comes with much longer battery life and an even faster interface. On the downside, it’s quite thick and can be harder to wear if you’ve got slim wrists, so if style is your goal you might want to stick with Apple.

Reduced Price

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How do we test smartwatches?

It isn’t easy to determine which are the best smartwatches available on the market today, so that’s why we’re committed to carrying out rigorous testing on all of the options out there so we can bring you valuable advice that informs your final purchasing decision. So, just how do we go about testing them?

First, we assess the overall design of each watch and its comfort level when worn. Not only does it need to be good looking, it needs to be easy and comfortable to wear on your wrist to achieve top marks from us.

Secondly, we take a closer look at all the different fitness tracking functions. We explore the various options available, check the sensors and test out the GPS tracking, step counting and heart rate monitoring functions to see how they stand up to everyday use.

Thirdly, we install some third-party apps to the device then test them out to see whether the watch’s processing power, storage capacity and memory are capable of handling what we’ve thrown at it. If LTE is available, we test this too, ensuring that calls can be heard perfectly, even if your smartphone has been left back at home.

Finally, we spend some time testing out each device’s battery life. We look at the manufacturer’s promises and then test them out, using various functions, apps and GPS to make sure that they’ve been realistic in their claims.

Once we’re done, we put all that information together and present it to you so you can decide which is the best smartwatch to suit your requirements.

Summary

When you want a smartwatch from an iconic brand that won’t fail to impress, the Apple Watch Series 3 is pretty hard to beat, except perhaps by investing in its latest version instead.

If you’re an iOS user, it’s a no-brainer to go for the Apple Watch, especially with the 4G functionality that is integrated into this model. While it still doesn’t have all of the functions and fitness tracking capabilities of some of its rivals, it’s well suited to most people’s needs, and only die-hard fitness fanatics will need to look elsewhere for something more hardcore.

Scott Anfield

A top of the line copywriter with more than a decade of writing experience with many high-end clients. Lots of experience and interest in writing about technology.

Currently living a rural life in South Yorkshire, and devoted to work.

scottanfield.weebly.com/

apple watch 3

Newest Apple Watch faces in 2021

How Apple Watch faces work

Typograph

California

Gradient

Stripes

Photos

The best Apple Watch faces for work

Siri

Modular

Utility

Meridian

GMT

Fitness Watch Faces

Activity

Chronograph Pro

Count Up

Fun watch faces

Vapor

Pride

Emoji

Kaleidoscope

Motion

Numerals

X-Large

Conclusion

The Pioneering Apple Watch of 2015

Apple Watch Series 1 – 2 of 2016

Series 3 of (2017)

Series 4 (2018)

Series 5 (2019)

Series 6 (2020)

Follow Us

The History of the Apple Watch

What Watch to Choose

Design

Display

Performance

Health and Wellbeing

Features

Software / Operating System

Price comparison

Which will it be?

Follow Us

It’s all in the face.

Features

Extra Features

Fitness features

Pros of the Gear S3

Cons

Summary

Background

Features

Design

Fitness Tracking

Advantages

Disadvantages?

Competition

How do we test smartwatches?

Summary