Apple today unveiled an updated version of the Apple Watch with its first major redesign since it was unveiled in 2016. Dubbed the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple's latest wearable has a display that's 30% larger, curved around the edges, and set in a thinner frame.
Measuring in at 40mm for the smaller model and 44mm for the larger, the Series 4 display is now nearly edge-to-edge. This allows the Watch to show more information on a watch face and in apps. Watch faces are now able to display up to eight complications, up from the four.
Despite the move to the almost edge-to-edge screen, Apple Watch Series 4 is still the same size as past models, and will continue to work with all existing band styles.
As part of the redesign, the digital crown now has haptic feedback, the speaker is 50% louder, and the microphone has been repositioned to avoid feedback. Under the hood Apple has moved to a dual-core 64-bit processor, which it says is two times faster than last year's model. You'll also get the same 18-hour battery life as on Apple Watch Series 3, with six hours of outdoor GPS workout time.
On top of the redesign, many of the Apple Watch Series 4's new features focus on health.
While existing Apple Watches can already detect high heartrates, the Series 4 will also give you notifications if your heartrate is too low, or if it picks up signs of an irregular rhythm that suggests atrial fibrillation.
You'll also be able to use the Watch Series 4 to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) by putting your finger on the crown to close the circuit, making it the first over-the-counter consumer device of its kind. The Watch will pass a current across your chest to track the electric signals in your heart directly, which is much more accurate than guessing based on pulse.
Apple says you'll get a reading in about 30 seconds, after which you'll be told if you had a regular or irregular rhythm. These records are stored in the Health app, so they can be shared with a doctor at a later date.
The Series 4 won't launch with all these heartrate features, but they have received FDA clearance. They'll be available in the US later this year, and Apple says its working to bring them to customers around the world.
The Apple Watch can now also detect falls and trips by analysing wrist trajectory and acceleration. If you fall, you'll get an alert asking if you'd like to call emergency services. If your Watch doesn't detect any movement for a minute, it will place the call automatically and send a message with your location to your pre-defined emergency contact.
Apple Watch Series 4 will be available from September 21, with preorders starting on September 14 alongside the new iPhone XS. You'll be able to get it in a choice of three aluminium finishes or three stainless steel finishes - black, silver, and gold in both cases.
Pricing for the Apple Watch Series 4 is as follows:
- Aluminium 40mm Apple Watch Series 4 GPS: $599
- Aluminium 44mm Apple Watch Series 4 GPS: $649
- Aluminium 40mm Apple Watch Series 4 4G: $749
- Aluminium 44mm Apple Watch Series 4 4G: $799
- Stainless Steel 40mm Apple Watch Series 4 4G: From $1,049
- Stainless Steel 44mm Apple Watch Series 4 4G: From $1,129
Apple will also continue to sell the Apple Watch Series 3, which will be discounted from today. New pricing for the Series 3 is as follows:
- Aluminium 38mm Apple Watch Series 3 GPS: $399
- Aluminium 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 GPS: $449
- Aluminium 38mm Apple Watch Series 3 4G: $549
- Aluminium 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 4G: $599
Alex Choros
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