The Apple Watch, which started as a tech/fashion accessory and evolved into a health and fitness devices, is the world’s most popular smartwatch. It can handle a wide variety of the iPhone’s most popular functions — alerts, phone calls, playing music, etc. — and also track a user’s heart rate, sleep patterns and other health-related metrics.
It is an “incredibly accurate timepiece, an intimate and immediate communication device and a groundbreaking health and fitness companion,” Apple said at the product’s launch.
Here’s a guide to the Apple Watch and its uses.
Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the original Apple Watch on September 9, 2014, calling it “the most personal device we’ve ever created.” But then the company made anxious consumers wait seven months for the first Apple Watch’s launch on April 24, 2015. With fancy showcases and a $17,000 gold model (called Apple Watch Edition), Apple focused on fashion.
From the very beginning, Apple Watch straps came in a wide variety of colors and were constructed from an array of materials. Plus, they were easily interchangeable, so someone could, for instance, wear a comfortable silicone Apple Watch band during a sweaty gym session, then switch to something much more luxurious for a dinner date.
Additionally, users can customize watch faces, manage notifications and install apps tailored to their preferences, using Apple’s Watch app on the iPhone.
Like the iPhone, the Apple Watch utilizes a touchscreen for most interactions. Apple Watch owners also can use Siri voice commands.
The Apple Watch also introduced several innovative features that set it apart from traditional timepieces. The Digital Crown, a small knob on the side of the watch that doubles as a push button, lets users scroll, zoom and interact with the interface without obstructing the display. The Taptic Engine provides subtle haptic feedback, notifying users of incoming notifications or providing prompts during workouts.
When the Apple Watch was released on April 24, 2015, it was met with both excitement and skepticism. Critics questioned its utility and wondered if it would become a niche gadget. However, consumers quickly embraced its sleek design, customizable interface, and array of features.
Apple Watch is fully integrated with other Apple devices, particularly the iPhone (which is required to use the smartwatch). Apple Watch can, for instance, be used to unlock a Mac. This seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem helped solidify the device’s place in the market. It quickly became the bestselling smartwatch in the world.
Just as the iPhone runs on iOS, the Apple Watch runs on watchOS. Apple upgrades the operating system every year, adding features exclusive to new devices as well some for older models. New versions of watchOS typically add new Apple Watch faces as well.
watchOS 1 powered the original Apple Watch. It included nearly two dozen stock apps, including Activity, Alarm, Calendar, Camera Remote, Mail, Maps, Messages, Music, Passbook (which will become Wallet in later versions), Phone, Photos, Remote, Settings, Siri, Stocks, Stopwatch, Timer, Weather, Workout and World Clock.
Key additions over the years include:
Released on April 24, 2015, the original Apple Watch came in three models: the entry-level Apple Watch Sport with an aluminum body, the “regular” Apple Watch with a stainless steel casing and the Apple Watch Edition with a gold body, which cost $10,000-plus. All came with a built-in heart rate sensor powered by infrared and visible-light LEDs and photodiodes.
Apple’s first wearable introduced the Digital Crown and the Taptic Engine for subtle taps on the wearer’s wrist. It ran apps and allowed notifications, and offered health- and fitness-tracking capabilities. It allowed customization through Apple Watch faces and a variety of Apple Watch bands. However, the underpowered single-core S1 chip in the first-gen Apple Watch led to laggy performance.
Sizes: 38mm and 42mm
Both released on September 16, 2016, these second-gen Apple Watch models benefited from upgraded processors that improved performance. The Series 1 ran on the Apple S1P, a variant of the dual-core Apple S2 chip with the processor’s GPS capability removed. It also added water resistance for swimming.
Apple Watch Series 2 ran on the Apple S2 with GPS enabled for for tracking outdoor workouts. It came with a brighter display and water resistance up to 50 meters. An Apple Watch Series 2 Edition model came with a white ceramic case.
Sizes: 38mm and 42mm
Unveiled on September 22, 2017, Apple Watch Series 3 ran on a dual-core Apple S3 chip and came with an altimeter for tracking elevation. A variant with LTE cellular connectivity via an innovative eSIM allowed calls and streaming of Apple Music tracks and podcasts.
Sizes: 38mm and 42mm
Announced on September 21, 2018, Apple Watch Series 4 brought the smartwatch’s first big redesign. Thinner bezels meant a bigger display, and the overall design was streamlined. The display was also much brighter than previous models. A new sensor worked with the ECG app to enable electrocardiograms. (Apple received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the watch’s ECG feature.)
With Apple’s S4 chip, a 64-bit dual-core processor, Series 4 also gained a performance boost. The smartwatch’s improved accelerometer and gyroscope boosted fitness tracking. And a new fall-detection feature could automatically call emergency features if the wearer suffered a fall.
Sizes: 40mm and 44mm
Unveiled on September 10, 2019, during Apple’s “By Innovation Only” event, the Apple Watch Series 5 was the first model to feature an always-on Retina display. Clever animations allowed apps to “activate” when the watch was lifted, conserving battery power when the watch was lowered. A more energy-efficient Apple S5 chip brought better performance. And a built-in compass appealed to the outdoors crowd. Apple also added an International Emergency Calling feature for cellular models.
Apple Watch Series 5 Edition models arrived in three case options: ceramic and two titanium finishes (natural and space black).
Released on September 15, 2020, during Apple’s “Time Flies” event, the Apple Watch Series 6 added a new sensor capable of monitoring the wearer’s blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). Coming at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a perfect health-related feature.
The Apple S6 chip brought increased performance, while the Apple U1 chip enabled support for ultra-wideband technology for short-range communication with other compatible devices. The always-on display was 2.5 times brighter than the one in Series 5. Apple Watch Series 6 also added an always-on altimeter, 5 GHz Wi-Fi support and faster charging.
Sizes: 40mm and 44mm
A budget model also released on September 18, 2020, the first-gen Apple Watch SE ran on the Series 5’s S5 chip. It lacked key features such as an always-on display, ECG and blood oxygen sensors, and support for ultra-wideband and 5 GHz Wi-Fi.
Sizes: 40mm and 44mm
Released on October 15, 2021, Apple Watch Series 7 boasted a larger, more durable display with even thinner bezels. It added faster charging, slightly longer battery life and anIP6X dust-resistance rating.
Sizes: 41mm and 45mm
Announced at Apple’s Far Out event on September 7, 2022, Apple Watch Series 8 added a new temperature sensor to power women’s health features like cycle tracking and ovulation estimates. It runs on a faster Apple SP8 chip and also adds more precise accelerometers, and a new Crash Detection feature that can call authorities after a car or motorcycle accident.
Sizes: 41mm and 45mm
Also announced at the Far Out event, Apple Watch Ultra is a beefier model aimed at endurance athletes. A larger titanium case (49mm) with a flat front crystal makes it look more like a rugged sports watch. A brighter display proves better for outdoor activities.
A new Action button, which can trigger a specified app or function with a single touch, makes it easier to use in certain situations (like when wearing ski gloves or underwater). Integrated multi-band GPS, a water temperature sensor and a built-in siren also appeal to outdoor adventurers.
Size: 49mm
The final of three smartwatches unveiled at the Far Out event, the second-gen Apple Watch SE also runs on the SP8 chip and offers Crash Detection thanks to advanced accelerometers. However, the updated budget model does not feature an always-on display, a temperature sensor or ECG capabilities.
Sizes: 40mm and 44mm
Announced at Apple’s “Wonderlust” event on September 12, 2023, the Apple Watch Series 9 runs on a more-efficient Apple S9 chip with a faster GPU and Neural Engine that enable on-device Siri. The main addition is a new “double tap” gesture: When the wearer taps a thumb and forefinger together, it’s as if they tapped the watch’s touchscreen. Series 9 also added a second-generation UWB chip for increased range and precision.
Sizes: 41mm and 45mm
Also unveiled at the Wonderlust event, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 packs an even brighter display (up to 3,000 nits) as well as the new S9 chip for on-device Siri. The design remains the same, as do many of the rugged watch’s capabilities.
Size: 49mm
Tim Cook doesn’t get enough credit for launching groundbreaking products as Apple CEO. He quietly oversaw launches that reshaped how people listen, make purchases and monitor their health. He even revitalized the Mac.
With Cook leaving the CEO spot to become chairman of Apple’s board of directors in September, it’s time for some perspective on his time in office. Here are five examples of Cook embedding Apple deeper into our lives than ever before.
Each morning I wake up and check my sleep score on my Apple Watch. And then I wonder if it’s doing me any good. It’s certainly adding stress and hassle to my day.
That’s why I’m thinking of turning it off. Maybe you should, too.
April 24, 2015: The original Apple Watch launch means consumers, who endured a seven-month wait after the device’s unveiling at a keynote the previous September, can finally strap an Apple wearable onto their wrists.
Apple CEO Tim Cook describes the smartwatch as the “next chapter in Apple history.” Behind the scenes, however, the first Apple Watch launch is a moment long in the making.
What makes the Apple ecosystem so alluring? Individually, the iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch might not be the best devices in their respective categories. Yet, when combined, they form one of the best ecosystems in the world.
It’s this Apple ecosystem — the so-called walled garden — that makes it almost impossible to ditch Apple devices. But what makes it so good?
A smartwatch can help you get in shape for the summer, and a hot deal on Apple Watch Series 11 drops the cost to only $299 for the smaller 42mm size. That’s a $100 discount off Apple’s MSRP — a whopping 25% off!
The same $100 discount applies to the 46mm size, too, lowering it to only $329.
Apple will bring two limited-edition Activity challenges to Apple Watch this month, giving users a reason to get moving in the final stretch of April, the iPhone giant said. The occasions are Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, and International Dance Day on Wednesday, April 29.
Apple secured a new agreement with Amazon ensuring the satellite features millions of iPhone and Apple Watch users depend on — including Emergency SOS — continue to work, even as the company that currently powers them is set to be acquired, the companies said Tuesday.
“This ensures our users will continue to have access to the vital satellite features they have come to rely on, including Emergency SOS, Messages, Find My, and Roadside Assistance via satellite, so they can stay safe and connected while off the grid,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, in an Amazon press release Tuesday.
Update: And just like that, now Lexus enters the fray. Reports indicate the Toyota-owned luxury brand will add support for iPhone car keys in the coming months, according to references found in Apple’s backend code. It joins many others.
From a single BMW model in 2020 to dozens of brands today, Apple Wallet’s digital car key keeps gaining momentum. Could it soon become as standard as a seat belt? It looks to be headed that way, at least — and for good reason.
An AirTag with the proper collar can tell you where your cat or dog is. Tractive’s new Cat 6 Mini and Dog 6 XL devices can do that, too, but they also can tell you whether your pet is stressed, scratching themselves too much or breathing differently than usual, the company said Wednesday.
Your dog or cat can’t wear an Apple Watch. These collar-based trackers seem to be the next best thing.
“Since Tractive’s founding, we’ve helped pet parents know where their pets are,” said Michael Hurnaus, CEO and founder of Tractive, in a press release. “Now we’re helping them understand how their pets are doing. ”
As Apple turns 50, it’s worth looking back on the company’s greatest accomplishments and lowest moments through history. If you don’t have time for David Pogue’s 600-page epic, Apple: The First 50 Years, maybe you can spare eight minutes to relive the single biggest piece of Apple news every year.
You can watch 50 years of Apple announcements compressed into a single video. Or, keep reading below for a quick rundown.
Apple produced an amazing string of hit products over its 50 years, but to paraphrase Napoleon the pig: Some are more important than others.
Here are the most important products in Apple’s 50-year history. And no, this list is likely not what you were expecting. They’re not necessarily the biggest or the most well-known.
When it released watchOS 26.4 on Tuesday, Apple fixed an annoying recent addition to the Workout app. After you update, you can tap on the big fat workout type icon to start recording a workout quickly and easily.
It’s a small thing, but when you’re dealing with a screen the size of the Apple Watch — and especially when you’re outside in the bright sun, getting ready to jump into a workout — the bigger the tap target, the better.
Everyone knows Apple Watch is an excellent health and fitness companion. But did you know it’s also handy for taking selfies? That’s thanks to Apple Watch’s best-kept secret: the Camera Remote app.
This indispensable Apple Watch app lets you use your iPhone’s best camera to take selfies. Using the app will elevate your selfie game, enabling you to take more flattering shots — with better compositions, more interesting poses and much, much more.
I use it all the time to take photos for Cult of Mac, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. So here’s my definitive guide to taking better selfies with Apple Watch.
Apple Watch texting is not fun, no matter which way you slice it. But it can be made a lot easier if you spend a few minutes setting up canned messages for you to instantly reply with later. It makes texting much easier. Here’s how to set it up.
For millions of Apple Watch owners, the Hypertension Notifications Feature available on recent models is a big leap in wearable health monitoring. It promises to alert users to potential high blood pressure before it leads to serious health problems. But how reliable are the alerts, and what should Apple users realistically expect?
I’ve had measurably high blood pressure for years. I wear Apple Watch 10, one of the models with hypertension alerts. And yet I’ve never seen one up close and personal. Apparently my meds are working!
“I am proud to say that we just had a quarter for the record books,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during Thursday’s earnings call, before rattling off numbers that surprised Wall Street analysts — in a good way.
The highly successful quarter was also one for the stat geeks. Apple racked up several all-time highs during the quarter (technically Apple’s Q1 2026). From overall revenue (a new all-time high!) to customer satisfaction ratings (through the roof!), the numbers Apple put up during the 2026 holiday quarter will blow your mind.
The Apple Watch doesn’t just count your steps — its three Activity rings track different levels of energy you burn throughout the day. And the perpetual challenge to “close your rings” provides a motivational push that gamifies fitness.
Apple’s smartwatch gives you a bunch of options for customizing your Activity rings (and for taking a break when you need it). You can set different goals for each ring for different days of the week to fit your workout schedule. When you want a rest day or if you fall ill, you can take up to a month-long break without losing your streak.
If you’re all-in on the fitness tracking, you can add widgets that show your rings on your Apple Watch face and widgets on your iPhone. Or, on the other hand, if you find it all a bit annoying, you can turn off all the notifications so they won’t bother you anymore.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Watch’s Activity rings.
When Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey A. Fowler gave ChatGPT access to a decade of his Apple Watch data, he expected useful insights. Instead, the AI delivered wildly inconsistent health assessments that left him questioning the readiness of AI-powered health tools.
Nothing illustrates the power of Apple’s ecosystem like the Continuity features that help your Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch work seamlessly together.
Thanks to Continuity, your iPhone can serve as your Mac’s webcam — and you can remotely control your iPhone from your Mac. You can start an email on one device and instantly pick it up on another. You can use the same keyboard and mouse with a Mac and iPad, copy and paste across devices and more.
These features flex the power of Apple’s hardware and software — and they would never be possible on a PC.
In this post (and the accompanying video), I will show you some of the time-saving, annoyance-busting Continuity features you can enjoy when you go all-in on the Apple ecosystem.
The new Pisen Qi2 8-in-1 140W Mega Charging Hub — just launched on Amazon — offers Apple users a comprehensive desktop charging solution that combines wireless charging for iPhone and Apple Watch with high-power wired charging for MacBooks and iPads, the company said Thursday.
It features not only a Qi2 MagSafe charging platform for recent iPhones, but a magnetic Apple Watch charger, USB ports and even power outlets for plugs. And you can get it not only in basic black, but in a surprising yellow!
A major ransomware attack on Luxshare, one of Apple’s most critical manufacturing partners, allegedly exposed over 1TB of confidential data from the iPhone giant and other tech behemoths. Stolen information in the Luxshare data breach includes product designs, engineering documents and employee information spanning from 2019 to 2025, according to a new report.
You can get the time without even looking at your Apple Watch using a little-known feature called Taptic Time. Simply hold two fingers on the device’s screen, and the watch will tap out the time on your wrist.
This is handy if you’re in a meeting and need to know the time, but you don’t want to look rude checking your watch. Or maybe you’re in the middle of a presidential debate.
Whatever the situation, turning on this little-known Apple Watch feature — and familiarizing yourself with how it works –can come in handy.
January 21, 2015: Months before the first Apple Watch goes on sale, users get a glimpse at what playing games might look like on the smartwatch. Thanks to Apple making the WatchKit API available to third parties, game developer NimbleBit releases a mockup of Letterpad, its simple, work-in-progress word game.
Suddenly, we get a peculiar desire to play games on our wrist that we haven’t had since the days of the Nintendo Game & Watch three decades earlier.
What do the buttons on the Apple Watch do? The Apple Watch borrows a lot from the iPhone, but the biggest difference between the two devices comes down to the way their buttons work. Each individual button does different things, depending on whether you click, double-click or hold them down.
Apple changed a lot of these features a few years ago with watchOS 10. The software update added a new Widgets view, reassigned Control Center to the side button, and changed what double-clicking the Digital Crown does. (For older devices, see our article about what Apple Watch buttons do in watchOS 9.)
Here’s a guide to the buttons on the Apple Watch.
A cool, colorful Apple Watch concept that borrows the design language of the original iMac is drawing raves on Instagram.
The instantly recognizable design features translucent plastic in the bright shades of the nonconformist computers that saved Apple’s bacon in the late 1990s.