Confession: I never owned a smartwatch until recently.
My take on smartwatches had been ambivalent. Sure, they do more than telling time. But did our forefathers not make watches for that sole purpose? To tell time?
Times have changed and with that comes progression, even for the humble wristwatch. They've become extensions of our phones, projecting up-to-date nuggets of info and bugging you to stand if you sit too long.
I got the Apple Watch Series 5 just over a month ago and have been using it since. And guess what? I can't seem to take it off my wrist. Let me break down why.
Nothing much has changed and that's a good thing.
Visually, the Series 5 is unchanged compared to Series 4. It comes in two sizes of either a 44mm case or the smaller 40mm option for those with slimmer wrists. I got the 40mm as it sits on my wrist better. This is subjective entirely depending on your style. According to Apple, there are some minor caveats to know: The 44mm display has more pixels and weighs a few grams more than the 40mm case.
And the 40mm is almost weight-less. At 30.8g, it feels like I'm not wearing a watch –– even during workouts. The watch can be dressed up and down too. I've worn it for both casual and formal events. Its ergonomic curves tuck and slip just right under a shirt sleeve.
Then there's the appealing presentation. I'm the first to admit that I'm a sucker for black colored packaging –– there's just a certain charm and air of exclusivity to it. I got the Nike+ version of the watch and it comes in this sleek all-black, elongated box with the iconic Swoosh logo embossed on it. The special perforated band comes in medium and long size options in a separate box –– also in black! When paired, the matte space grey case blends right into the anthracite black Nike band. It's a great look.
The Apple Watch Series 5 hasn't changed much because there's simply no need. Like the iPhone and MacBook, the wearable is a perfect representation of Apple's design language. Perhaps the only way forward is to make the case slimmer and fewer bezels? But there's no rush.
Always-on. Better late than never.
The biggest update in the Apple Watch Series 5 is the always-on display. Believe it or not, this has never been an option on the Apple Watch until now. But it's here and it's pretty amazing. What this means is that the watch doesn't go blank even when it isn't facing up. I can take quick peeks at the time without moving my wrist. It makes me feel like I'm wearing a normal watch.
With always-on, watch faces go dim when idle while some changes slightly, alternating bright colors for monochromatic looks. Speaking of which, the new watch faces in Apple's newest version of its watch software, WatchOS 6, are great. There are more than 30 watch faces, with hundreds of variations. Some display sunrise and sunset, others throw in weather and temperature.
For the Nike+ version, there are five exclusive, unique faces including one inspired by the classic Nike Windrunner jacket with a clean and colorful interface. Like the rest, the faces are customizable to suit your taste.
Adding and removing faces is all done through the iPhone's Watch App. You can also switch up the sequence so your favorites come first when swiping right for something fresh.
Health matters.
One of the Apple Watch's strong points is its fitness and health tracking prowess. Yet, there's one glaring omission: Sleep.
However, there isn't an exercise or workout under the sun that it can't track. The usuals like swimming and running are available, down to table tennis, tai chi, and even fishing. I've gone swimming and played badminton with the watch and both times it was able to track my movement and heart rate accurately.
Like a personal wellness coach, the Apple Watch reminds you to stand and move if you're stationary for long periods. The prompts are persistent and timely, especially for desk-bound occupations. These daily activities are recorded in rings, and to encourage people to move more, rewards or medals will be given if targets are met.
The heart rate sensor is solid too, which measures your beats per minute throughout the day. The data will then be presented on the iPhone's Health app.
You can even take an electrocardiogram (ECG) by placing your finger on the crown for 30 seconds or so. The app shows you the waveform in real-time and notifies you if your heartbeat looks irregular.
Menstrual cycle tracking and fall detection are included as well. A new, nifty feature that comes with Series 5 is the noise app that warns you when you're in a loud environment, and how continued exposure to loud sounds could damage your hearing.
Notifications and apps.
With every notification on your iPhone, you'll receive the same on the Apple Watch with haptic touch nudging you to take a look. Most of you can react in some ways. WhatsApp messages can be read and replied through default responses, drawing letters, or dictating to Siri.
The App Store today is a far cry from the days of Series 1 where only a handful of apps were available.
Now, both third-party and Apple's apps populate the store daily. But of all the ones installed, Spotify stands out. While it doesn't let you play music on the watch, you gain full control of playback on your iPhone from your wrist, letting you skip songs, view albums, and adjust volume levels.
Battery life's pretty good.
On most days, I'd be left with no less than 40% of battery life before hitting the sack. Despite the always-on display, it faired pretty well. Even with workouts factored in, you'll still most likely get some screen time before the power comes to a halt.
Match made in heaven.
When matched, the Apple Watch and the iPhone form into one being. Everything - from app integration to pinging information between both - is natural and easy. It's not surprising to know some might buy an iPhone just to get the full Apple Watch experience. It's all part of Apple's ecosystem, a well-oiled machine comprising of parts moving in unison.
I will continue wearing the Apple Watch. It's as if I cannot not wear it. It has opened up a new dimension of convenience and accessibility that I would shrug off as needless just a year ago.
Although the Apple Watch can't necessarily replace the novelty of a vintage Seiko, but its future senses are a reminder that watches can do more than telling time.
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Cover image sourced from John Lim/Mashable Southeast Asia.
