Diehard Apple followers pay double for the Apple Watch Extremely 2 for its 36-hour battery life and big show. Little doubt most Put on OS followers will scoff, since you will get double the battery life for a whole lot much less with a Galaxy Watch 5 Professional. Nevertheless, after months of utilizing the Extremely 2, my largest hope is that we see extra Extremely-style Android watches.
Regardless of being a lifetime iPhone proprietor, I by no means used an Apple Watch earlier than the Extremely 2 as a result of the Sequence watches lacked the battery and health tips to tempt me. However I pestered the Apple PR group for a six-month mortgage after seeing watchOS’ health pivot and the way the Extremely 2’s dual-frequency GPS gave me confidence it might compete with the finest health watches.
Google’s Fitbit acquisition and Samsung’s upcoming pivot so as to add AI-based “Vitality” information to Samsung Well being show that every one mainstream smartwatch manufacturers see health as a key basis. Apple itself hasn’t fairly hit the Garmin commonplace I am on the lookout for. However I think future updates will convey it throughout the end line, and its third-party exercise apps tip the scales for athletes.
As is, the Apple Watch Extremely 2 places stress on future flagship watches just like the Galaxy Watch 7 Professional or Pixel Watch 3 to do greater than their predecessors for severe (or informal) athletes.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Worth and bands
The Apple Watch Extremely 2 retails for a whopping $799, double that of the Sequence 9. Consider, nevertheless, that the 45mm stainless-steel Sequence 9 with mobile prices $749 or extra (relying on the band kind). The 49mm titanium Extremely 2 with built-in LTE does not truly fall removed from that premium vary.
Courts briefly banned Apple Watch S9 and Extremely 2 gross sales on the finish of 2023 over alleged patent infringement, and Apple’s authorized woes are ongoing. For now, Apple will proceed to promote the Extremely 2 legally by disabling its blood oxygen characteristic, circumventing a attainable ban.
You could have three band choices: Path Loop (Inexperienced/Grey, Blue/Black, or Orange/Beige), Alpine Loop (Blue, Indigo, or Olive), or Ocean Band (Blue, White, or Orange).
Of the three, the Path Loop is our beneficial “default” possibility for most individuals, because the nylon is snug and simply adjustable. The Alpine Loop has a titanium G-Hook that retains it rigidly safe, which is vital for adventurer sorts however much less handy in on a regular basis eventualities. The Ocean Band is particularly for swimmers, with a water-repelling fluoroelastomer as an alternative of water-absorbant nylon.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Specs
| Class | Apple Watch Extremely 2 |
|---|---|
| Show | 1.92-inch (502 x 410, 338ppi) Retina LTPO OLED; 3,000 nits |
| Supplies | Aerospace grade titanium, sapphire crystal glass |
| Safety | WR100, IP6X, EN13319, MIL-STD 810H (altitude, excessive temperature, low temperature, temperature shock, immersion, freeze with thaw, ice and freezing rain, and shock and vibration) |
| Design | Digital crown, facet button, motion button, 2 audio system, 3 mics |
| Processor | S9 SiP w/ 64-bit dual-core processor; 4-core Apple Neural Engine |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Sensors | HRM (passive AFib + excessive and low HR), ECG, pores and skin + water temperature, water gauge, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient gentle |
| Connectivity | LTE, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, UWB, dual-frequency GPS, GNSS, Galileo, BeiDou |
| Battery life | 36 hours; 12 hours (GPS); 72 hours (low energy) |
| Dimensions | 49 x 44 x 14.4mm; 61.4g / 2.17oz (w/out band) |
Apple Watch Extremely 2: What I really like
I’ve already written about my shock at how a lot I really like the Extremely 2, due to the enormous show and dependable battery life. However my appreciation is not solely due to its dimension; not like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Professional, it is not only a bigger model of the mainline watch. Apple made extra purposeful modifications to make it really feel like a correct flagship.
Have a look at the specs sheet above: The twin-band GPS, mobile help for emergency calls with no telephone, three-mic array and twin audio system, diving certification, military-grade safety in opposition to harm, and motion button are all unique to the Extremely 2 (except you purchase the mobile Apple Watch Sequence 9).
I’d by no means have the prospect to make use of its diving options, however I’ve actually bonked this chonky watch in opposition to all method of tough surfaces over the previous few months, and each the titanium physique and sapphire show have come by unscathed.
I examined calls on a windy mountain hike, and my household might barely inform the distinction once I switched to my telephone, due to the three-mic array. On my finish, the twin audio system sound much less tinny in comparison with different Bluetooth-enabled watches I’ve worn.
The motion button, which pulls up the exercise menu, is one thing I immediately took as a right. It is a much better expertise than having to search for the exercises app in my drawer. I merely want it allow you to program a second shortcut with a double-tap.
Whereas I respect all of this, it is simply the nice seasoning on high of the Extremely 2’s meat-and-potatoes improve that no different watch affords: 3,000 nits of brightness on a 1.9-inch show.
As somebody with steadily worsening eyesight, I discover the Extremely 2’s full-sized notifications a lot simpler to learn than I am used to with a watch or smartphone. I can look on the shared photograph or the primary few strains of an e mail with out shifting my wrist from its typing place, then go proper again to work except it is one thing related.
If it is vital, I can swipe up and see a number of fast reply choices, all seen due to the squircle design. I do know Android watch followers love their round watches for the design, however the Apple Watch Extremely 2 is a lot extra useable that it is laborious to return to round-edged shows that solely have room for one factor at a time. It is why I am hoping the rumor a few square-shaped Galaxy Watch is true.
Not like the Sequence 9, which is useful however boringly constant, the Extremely 2 feels distinct with its contoured edges carved into titanium. I will not fake it is not huge, nevertheless it’s pleasingly futuristic wanting, with each speaker or mic gap giving the floor standing out for some good texture. And at 14.4mm thick, it is on par with a flagship Garmin watch.
Since that is my first Apple Watch, I am unable to declare to know whether or not the Extremely 2 and Sequence 9 have 30% sooner efficiency over the past technology — courtesy of the primary new CPU for the reason that Sequence 6. My colleague “did not see any noticeable distinction” in his Sequence 9 assessment, so all I can say is that I’ve hardly ever noticed lag throughout months of sporadic use. Apps open, and Siri responds immediately.
Whereas I am nowhere near utilizing up all 64GB of storage, I might a lot moderately have an excessive amount of than not sufficient. I respect having the choice to save lots of a bunch of audiobooks and music playlists to stream by my AirPods, together with the battery life to play them with out risking the watch dying.
This space for storing additionally supplies loads of room for apps. Lengthy-time Apple Watch homeowners in all probability take third-party apps as a right, however I do not. Accessing watchOS apps like WorkOutDoors or Nike Run Membership makes up for any deficiencies with Apple’s on-device software program as a result of you may sometimes discover Third-party software program to fill the hole.
This strays past the confines of this assessment, however I am going to finish this part by mentioning that WatchOS appears to have extra high-quality apps than Put on OS in key areas — probably due to Put on OS 3/4’s relative newness and Apple’s wearable gross sales dominance. I do not like that Android customers get brief shrift, however I am going to nonetheless level it out.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Health accuracy
Should you’re spending $799 on a health smartwatch, you may count on a sure stage of accuracy in your post-run stats. So, how does the Apple Watch 2 Extremely carry out in comparison with a conventional health watch just like the $599 Garmin Forerunner 965?
Throughout a number of working and climbing actions, I wore each the Extremely 2 and Forerunner 965 so I might evaluate their GPS monitoring, coronary heart price information, and working dynamics (aka working kind stats). We’ll begin with this 10K metropolis run under, which had minimal bushes or buildings to dam the sign; I used to be stunned to see Apple (orange) beat Garmin (blue):
Picture 1 of 2
Garmin often crushes the competitors, however Apple managed to snap to the real-life map higher in key areas; in others, Garmin did higher, or they each caught to the path. Total, their outcomes have been solely one-hundredth of a mile aside, whereas a GPS-only watch just like the Sequence 9 would not do practically as properly.
Later, throughout my smartwatch elevation take a look at carrying a number of watches whereas climbing a mountain, the Extremely 2 got here closest to the official Alltrails information, with simply an eight-foot distinction in whole ft climbed and 24 ft larger than the official max elevation.
That being mentioned, wanting on the precise GPS line on the hilly, tree-covered path, the Extremely 2 did barely worse than the 965; the mileage was solely two-hundredths off throughout 7.5 miles, however you may see how the orange line drifts barely extra off the path under:
Probably the most noticeable Apple Watch Extremely 2 problem got here throughout a half-marathon path run, which had dense foliage and clouds. For no matter purpose, the Extremely 2 had two moments the place it fully misplaced my positioning — see the straight orange strains on the bottom-right and top-left of the map. I think that Apple’s map-correcting algorithm is not as dependable for path runs as it’s for metropolis runs.
Due to this, the Extremely 2 added an additional 0.65 miles to my whole, fully skewing the outcomes regardless of being correct in all places else. At one level, it registered me working at 88 miles per hour, which suggests I is likely to be able to time journey.
Total, I am inclined to consider that the Apple Watch Extremely 2 offers me dependable monitoring information and that my newest expertise throughout my half-marathon was an aberration. In regular circumstances, it matches Garmin’s industry-leading dual-frequency monitoring step for step. However when you use it for climbing in tree-rich areas, preserve a watch out for moments when it might need sudden gaps in protection.
For coronary heart price information, Apple Well being’s GPX export does not embrace coronary heart price information, so I can solely evaluate usually in opposition to different watches.
Throughout six tracked exercises carrying the Forerunner 965 and Extremely 2, they shared the actual similar common coronary heart price. Given how properly Garmin’s Elevate v4 sensor has finished in comparison with chest straps in my testing, this reassures me of Apple’s accuracy on the whole, even when the Apple Health HR charts are too imprecise to dissect correctly. I additionally like which you can customise your coronary heart price zones.
Subsequent, I checked out every watch’s working stats information. By way of cadence (variety of steps per minute), Apple and Garmin have been in lockstep, by no means a couple of SPM aside. The identical goes for stride size — sometimes about 1m on each watches.
For extra nitpicky stats like vertical oscillation and common floor contact time, Apple barely underreported my numbers in comparison with Garmin, however at a constant hole. I do not know which is extra correct, however you may depend on utilizing both as a benchmark to guage your progress.
The one noticeable distinction is that Apple persistently experiences my working energy as about 100W decrease than Garmin does, regardless of sharing the identical working kind, coronary heart price, and distance stats. After checking different post-run summaries from COROS and Polar, I am sure Apple’s energy calculation is off in comparison with different manufacturers.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: What you will not love
When you pay for an iPhone 15 Professional and Apple Watch Extremely 2, you are near $2,000. It kind of evens out whenever you put it in opposition to a Galaxy S24 Extremely and Watch 5 Professional as a result of Samsung’s flagship telephone is so costly. Both method, it is some huge cash to spend on a smartwatch. You may make the case that the Extremely 2 has the longevity to justify it, however you may simply as simply argue that no smartwatch ought to price a lot.
I wasn’t sure when you’d be allowed to spend $799 on the Extremely 2, given Apple’s months-long authorized woes with Masimo over its alleged blood oxygen patent infringement. As is, it is lacking a fairly essential characteristic for sleep monitoring, one that the majority health watches (or common smartwatches) have. If that is a difficulty for you, we now have a information on the finest watches for SpO2 monitoring.
As for the watch itself, you may have to just accept how heavy it’s. To be clear, anybody who wears a premium Garmin Fenix or COROS VERTIX would possibly discover the Extremely 2 on the sunshine and skinny facet, particularly with the nylon band. I’ve gotten used to its weight over time, and it sits flatly on my wrist with out an excessive amount of discomfort once I bend it. That mentioned, virtually every other watch will really feel much less noticeable in your wrist.
Plus, in fact, Apple’s Extremely 2 battery life is simply lengthy within the context of on a regular basis smartwatches; its 12 hours of dual-band GPS is stable, and it shortly recharges, nevertheless it’s way more prone to idle all the way down to a questionable share the evening earlier than a race when you’re not cautious. In comparison with the Galaxy Watch 5 Professional’s 80-hour common, 36 hours is extra pedestrian.
My larger challenge with the Extremely 2 is what it is lacking in comparison with different health manufacturers. As a result of I am not a lot of an indoor exercise individual, Apple Health Plus does not enchantment to me. Apple mechanically tracks sure outside actions, and watchOS 9 and 10 have prioritized working, climbing, and biking, nevertheless it hasn’t totally caught as much as devoted health manufacturers.
Apple has but to announce an equal to a day by day readiness rating primarily based in your sleep and exercise information or a day by day beneficial run primarily based in your VO2 Max and up to date exercises. It does not monitor the coaching load or impact of a exercise, nor does it let you know how lengthy to attend till your subsequent run. It simply expects you to shut your rings every single day.
And on that word, the Extremely 2’s exercise rings aren’t all the time correct in the case of transfer reminders, telling me I’ve stood up or burned energy throughout hours at my desk, presumably as a result of my nervous fidgeting. That being mentioned, I nonetheless love Apple’s ring-closing idea sufficient that I do not thoughts the occasional glitch. It is nonetheless motivational, and that issues to me greater than excellent accuracy.
I hope that watchOS prioritizes post-workout information whereas including new watch face problems to indicate this information on the large Extremely 2 show. Heck, I might even take one thing so simple as exhibiting your step depend on the watch show with out having to look within the Exercise app.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Competitors
If we’re strictly smartwatches with lengthy battery life and app help, the 80-hour Galaxy Watch 5 Professional could be my first suggestion. It additionally makes use of a titanium, military-grade design with related sapphire glass however with out the diving capabilities. It persistently lasts for much longer, although the 1.4-inch show is not as spacious or brilliant. Plus, in fact, it does not work for iOS customers.
The Garmin Epix Professional (Gen 2), with its titanium body, brilliant AMOLED show, and health focus, is one other various with one main draw back: the shortage of apps and phone-watch synchronicity. Should you can settle for that, you may get the identical dual-frequency GPS, sturdy mapping instruments, and related well being information because the Extremely 2. It arguably wins for health with prompt exercises, calculated hill and endurance scores, and a built-in LED flashlight. It lasts considerably longer at 31 days or 38 dual-band GPS hours. It is fairly costly, so you might need to take a look at different Garmin watch choices.
Lastly, in fact, you’ve gotten the Apple Watch Sequence 9, which has the identical watchOS software program with out the doubled battery life, rugged design, and bigger, brighter show. Regardless of this, you may nonetheless use the Sequence 9 for fundamental health actions; you may simply must cost it afterward.
In comparison with the finest Android watches, the Pixel Watch 2 has the upside of its Fitbit Premium recs and dependable coronary heart price information for a a lot lower cost, however that tiny show takes getting used to after turning into accustomed to the Extremely 2.
As for Samsung, my Galaxy Watch 6 health take a look at underwhelmed me with its wonky GPS outcomes and lack of correct exercise steerage. I am nonetheless holding out hope that the Watch 7 Professional will present a extra Extremely 2-like expertise with a much bigger health focus, together with higher sleep information through the Galaxy Ring.
Apple Watch Extremely 2: Do you have to purchase?
You can purchase the Apple Watch Extremely 2 if…
- You need an Apple smartwatch that you do not have to cost every single day.
- You desire a baseline of health accuracy for exercises in a conventional smartwatch.
- You favor having quite a lot of third-party exercise app choices.
- You desire a standalone watch that’ll preserve working in case your telephone dies.
You should not purchase the Apple Watch Extremely 2 if…
- You do not need to spend an enormous sum of money.
- You need coaching load or exercise recs baked into the watch’s foremost software program.
- You do not need to be locked into the Apple ecosystem.
As my first Apple Watch expertise, the Extremely 2 made a robust impression. I have never spent years getting used to (or sick of) the software program, so it looks like a robust, polished expertise right away.
I did not have house to debate each characteristic I appreciated, such because the Sensible Stack widgets and climbing waypoints, however relaxation assured which you can spend months utilizing this watch and nonetheless study new options or uncover new apps.
I spent many days carrying my Apple and Garmin watches concurrently, and never simply due to the working exams. I like Apple’s polish and responsive notifications, however I do not need to surrender Garmin as a result of its health algorithm has really helped me get fitter, even when its smarts aren’t as much as par. If Apple can advance any additional in its health journey, the Extremely 2 will develop into much more compelling.
As I mentioned above, that places stress on the Galaxy Watch 7 Professional — or the rumored Galaxy Watch Extremely — to be greater than a battery powerhouse. It must be a health powerhouse, too. The Watch 5 Professional began this with offline GPX mapping, nevertheless it must go a lot additional this summer time.
Your transfer, Samsung! Do not let Apple personal this class.
Value getting jealous over
I can solely hope that Samsung or Google begin promoting Extremely-style (or squircle) smartwatches of their very own, as a result of proper now, Apple has the market cornered on long-lasting smartwatches with huge shows that do not really feel like a compromise to make use of. It has quick efficiency, dependable exercise outcomes, and a surprisingly snug match for its dimension.
