Apple unveiled its new range of connected watches during its back-to-school keynote. On the program: the return of Apple Watch SEan Apple Watch Series 8 and a brand new top model.
Apple’s back-to-school keynote kept all its promises. Along with announcing the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, the manufacturer took a few minutes to announce its brand new family of smartwatches.
Apple Watch SE: a minor evolution for the entry-level watch
The Apple Watch SE is already almost two years old, so it was high time to replace it with a new model.
This new watch does not change one iota on the outside and retains the design of the Apple Watch Series 4, already four years old, with two screen diagonals of 40 and 44 mm. It still does not offer an Always On display, reserved for more expensive models. Only an aluminum back matching the colors of the watch differentiates it from its big sisters.
In the end, only the processor evolves and goes from the S5 chip to the SIP S8. The manufacturer thus indicates performance up 20% compared to the previous Apple Watch SE. Autonomy remains confined to the usual 18 hours of average use, and 4G cellular versions will also be offered.
The Apple Watch SE will be available from September 16 from €299 for the 40 mm version and €339 for the 44 mm. Pre-orders will begin today.
Apple Watch Series 8: the connected watch can now assess your temperature
After the Apple Watch Series 7, logically comes the Apple Watch Series 8, and for this model, Apple plays the security card with a new connected watch that only evolves marginally.
La tocante retains its screen with refined edges that allow it to display two case sizes of 41 and 45 mm, available in aluminum or stainless steel. No new colors are offered this year. Worse still, Apple has removed the blue and green tints to only offer red, space gray, silver, and starlight. We console ourselves with the presence of Nike dials, now available on all Apple Watch Series 8.
As for the novelties, the Apple Watch Series 8 has a new sensor capable of evaluating body temperature. According to the brand’s explanations, there is no question of giving a precise indication, but rather of informing you in the event of a rise in temperature. Apple gave as an example the possibility of evaluating the ovulation cycles of users, in connection with the dedicated application present in watchOS.
© Apple
The Apple Watch Series 8 also has a new car crash detection feature. The watch is able, using new sensors, to detect a crash and automatically send your position a few seconds after the accident to alert the emergency services.
The Apple Watch also features a new Apple S8 processor, but the Cupertino company has not provided any additional information about it.
Autonomy, finally, is always announced at 6 p.m. Apple remains conservative on this value, which has never changed for almost 8 years. Nevertheless, the Series 8 retains its 20W fast charging system for a full recharge in about an hour.
In addition, the new connected watch from Apple has a new energy saving mode that will increase the autonomy to 36 hours. The latter will still be available on Series 4 and above. The Apple Watch Series 8 will be available on September 16 starting at €499 for the 41mm version and €539 for a 45mm case. Count 120€ more for the cellular versions.
Apple Watch Ultra: bigger, more resistant, more autonomous
But the real one more thing of this evening of announcements remains the presentation of a brand new model of Apple Watch: the Apple Watch Ultra.
The Californian manufacturer is renewing the design of its watch for this version dedicated to athletes. Its case is here made of titanium, which increases the resistance of the device to shocks. The screen has also been revised, with a size of 49 mm and additional protection thanks to the use of a sapphire crystal. It’s the brightest Apple has ever made for its watches, with a brightness of 2,000 nits.
Apple Watch Ultra is also more resilient in water and will automatically display a screen to tell you your depth, sensing that you’re in the middle of a dive.
The digital crown and the side button are now integrated into a housing to avoid unwanted pressure during exercise and are now orange. A second button is also appearing and will be programmable to access your favorite workout in one click or to switch from one mode to another. Three microphones and two speakers complete the technical sheet. These make it possible to broadcast an alarm of 86 dB in the event of a problem.
The Apple Watch Ultra is primarily aimed at confirmed athletes or other extreme activity enthusiasts, and Apple offers a new dial called Wayfinder, designed to display as much activity information as possible on the watch screen. New bracelets are also available, even if the Apple brand ensures that existing bracelets remain compatible with this new model.
The Apple Watch Ultra integrates the same health sensors as the Series 8 as well as the same SiP S8, and should logically not offer more power or faster opening of applications.
Apple has, however, significantly revised the battery life, with a usage time of 36 hours and more than 60 hours after an update available later in the year.
If you want to acquire this new model, you will have to break the piggy bank. The Apple Watch Ultra will be available for $799 on September 16, and pre-orders begin today.
Source: Apple
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