The Apple Watch Sequence 11 is most likely the very best evaluation I’ve ever had. The brand new Apple smartwatch is in large part the similar as remaining 12 months’s Sequence 10 (which I additionally reviewed). It appears to be like the similar, plays in a similar way, and has nearly the similar capability (with a couple of unique additions; extra on that later).
But it surely has one extraordinarily necessary growth: Longer battery existence.
And in the event you’ve ever used an Apple Watch, you understand how massive this is.
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Value and specifications
The specifications for the Sequence 11 are eerily very similar to the specs of the former fashion, the Apple Watch Sequence 10. The size, chip, garage, show — the whole lot is similar with the exception of for minute variations in weight (the brand new fashion is ever so somewhat heavier). The one actual distinction you’ll understand is the addition of a brand new colour (for the Aluminum case), House Grey.
Listed here are the highlights:
Show measurement: 42/46mm
Chip: S10
Garage: 64GB
Show solution: 416×496 pixels
Colours: Rose Gold, Silver, House Grey, Jet Black (Aluminum), Gold, Herbal, Slate (Titanium)
Water resistance: 50m
Mud resistance: IP6X
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Design and show
The show is precisely the similar measurement as ahead of, as is the design. The Watch Sequence 11 continues to be extremely relaxed, nearly disappearing once you place it on. The added weight (which is minute) makes no distinction. The one manner I’d be capable of inform the Sequence 11 from my outdated Sequence 10 Watch is the colour. Apple despatched me the evaluation unit within the new House Grey Aluminum end. I’ve at all times been a sucker for Apple’s House Grey colour, and the distinction between the case and the black show is good, regardless that I reckon now not massively other from the in the past to be had Silver end.
The House Grey colour is a pleasant trade from my earlier all-black Watch.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
To move with the brand new Watch, Apple despatched me a House Black Recreation Band. It’s alright, however I desire the less-rubbery really feel of Apple’s Recreation Loop. Apple makes sufficient other wristbands (to not point out the hundreds of third-party choices) that everybody will unquestionably to find one thing they prefer.
Apple says the brand new show is 2 instances extra scratch-resistant than the former one, because of one thing Apple calls Ion-X glass. Whilst that’s arduous to check with out harmful the watch, it’s a pleasant growth, particularly since I do generally tend to hit more than a few items (akin to partitions and closets) with my hand, together with with the brand new Sequence 11.
Although the show isn’t specifically new, it’s nonetheless extremely sharp and colourful, even if seen from an perspective. It’s the most efficient show I’ve ever noticed on a smartwatch, and one of the crucial key the reason why I’d have a troublesome time switching to a non-Apple smartwatch just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Efficiency
Do not be concerned, the Apple Watch continues to be snappy, because of the S10 chip within. I have by no means needed to concern about reminiscence on an Apple Watch (64GB is incorporated). More than a few measurements, akin to blood oxygen tracking and middle charge measurements, nonetheless paintings rather correctly, so far as I will inform.
Alternatively, there are a few totally new options, akin to high blood pressure notifications and Sleep Ranking, however the ones also are to be had on a number of older fashions now with watchOS 26. I didn’t obtain any high blood pressure notifications whilst dressed in the watch, which is a superb factor for me for my part, however most likely now not so just right for this evaluation. As for the brand new Sleep Ranking, I loved having an in depth assessment of simply how abysmally poorly I slept, because of the tiny individual (my son) waking me up each and every hour or two throughout the evening.
Very good, however simplest in comparison with my usually abysmal sleep high quality.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
Exercise Pal is some other new characteristic, an AI-powered, digital exercise trainer and spouse. It does not in point of fact paintings for my exercises, which contain calisthenics and energy coaching; in reality, I could not get it to mention anything else of passion in any respect. Apple’s promotional fabrics most commonly focal point on actions like operating, and the Exercise Pal could be a greater are compatible for the ones.
So far as new watch faces cross, Apple’s watchOS 26 brings two new ones: the colourful Float and the Exactograph. I did not like Float a lot in the beginning because it made time slightly legible, however enjoying with the settings (check out putting off the background, for instance) could make it so much nicer. The Exactograph is a geeky triple chronograph, with separate dials for hours, mins, and seconds. Faucet on it a few times to “explode” the mins and the seconds dial — it is in point of fact cool.
Apple Watch Sequence 11: Battery existence
Remaining 12 months’s Apple Watch had 18 hours of battery existence. Apple says the Sequence 11 has 24 hours of battery existence. For a tool that’s with you (on you) more often than not, this can be a giant step up in efficiency. However how do Apple’s figures translate into actual existence use?
The Sequence 11 now tracks your middle charge, blood oxygen, blood power, and temperature, amongst different metrics.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
I’m glad to document that Apple wasn’t mendacity concerning the larger battery existence. Once I were given my unit, I charged it to 100% and began dressed in it at about 4 p.m. I wore it throughout the evening (my sleep ranking used to be 81, which sounds much better than it felt), and day after today at 4 p.m. it used to be nonetheless at 38 p.c. That day, I charged it to complete persistent overdue within the night time, and I simplest needed to fee it once more two days later. After just about a complete week of use, I will say that the Apple Watch Sequence 11 is well a one-and-a-half-day smartwatch now, and it is conceivable to increase that to a complete weekend in the event you sparsely use Low Energy mode.
My outdated Apple Watch Sequence 10 would every so often remaining a complete 24 hours, however most commonly now not. Regularly, it could transfer to power-saving mode simply ahead of I went to mattress — good-bye, exact sleep monitoring. Most disturbing have been quick weekend journeys, which I do very regularly. I’d need to carry a charger each and every unmarried time, despite the fact that I used to be cautious to make use of the Low Energy surroundings regularly.
Float is among the two new watch faces you get with the Sequence 11 (or, extra exactly, with watchOS 26).
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
The Sequence 11 is an important improve on this regard. My sleep used to be tracked each and every evening, or even a weekend clear of a charger gave the impression conceivable (regardless that, now not if I used GPS so much). In truth, I’d nonetheless desire if Apple in some way discovered a method to make these items remaining every week, however a minimum of now the corporate’s claims of a full-day battery existence aren’t ridiculous anymore.
Is the Apple Watch Sequence 11 value it?
Sure. Even though you have already got a Sequence 10, which has just about the entire identical options, the brand new Apple Watch Sequence 11 doesn’t require you to fee it mid-day as a way to stay it going throughout the evening. With the brand new Sleep Ranking characteristic, that is extra necessary than ever. And in my checking out, the battery existence enhancements have been completely actual. It’s easy: Business your outdated Watch in, and get the brand new one, particularly in the event you use your Apple Watch as a sleep tracker or health tracker.
The enhanced battery existence makes this one a winner.
Credit score: Stan Schroeder/Mashable
There may be one exception, on the other hand. Should you’re into sports activities akin to long-distance operating, swimming, or diving, you must additionally believe Apple’s new Extremely 3 over the Sequence 11. It, too, has even longer battery existence this 12 months, and also you’ll really feel the adaptation. It’s additionally so much heavier and bulkier than the Sequence 11, which might or is probably not a tradeoff.
You’ll be able to purchase the brand new Apple Watch (beginning at $399) at Amazon, the Apple Retailer, or anyplace Apple Watches are offered.
