Apple Watch Series 6 Review

The Apple Watch is honestly one of my favourite gadgets of the last decade. Five years of wearing one changed my life, rewiring me from couch potato to gym junkie. I don't think an Apple Watch is essential for every iPhone owner, but it's very nice to have, and it still offers the kind of seamless extension of your phone that other manufacturers have yet to achieve. It's an incredible fitness tracker and an all-around useful device that can make you just a little bit less reliant on your iPhone.

That being said, the Apple Watch Series 6 is a pretty incremental update when compared to last year's model. Even when compared to the Series 4. It's still an Apple Watch. It's still great at doing Apple Watch things. If you’re not sold on wearables, it won't change your mind. If you're on the fence, you can always take a punt on the more affordable Apple Watch SE instead.

So what’s actually new?

The only major new feature on the Apple Watch Series 6 is a sensor that tracks your blood oxygen levels. Blood oxygen levels tell you the percentage of oxygen your red blood cells carry from your lungs to the rest of your body, and knowing this measure can help you understand your overall health. Normal readings should sit between 95% and 100%. Apple does however advise that these measurements shouldn't be relied on for medical use - including self-diagnosis or consultation with a doctor - and are only designed for general fitness and wellness purposes. Of course, if you notice large, consistent variations over an extended period of time, it could be a good indicator that you should talk to a doctor and undergo further testing.

There are a few other minor updates such as a new processor, which is said to be 20% faster but doesn't necessarily change your day-to-day experience in practice when compared to other recent models. The always-on display is 2.5 times bright, and there's an altimeter for more accurate elevation tracking. These all welcome features, but none of them change the way you use your Apple Watch. They're all nice to have, just not something you'd upgrade for.

One area where I would have liked to see improvement is battery life. For the most part, the Apple Watch Series 6 is still a device you'll need to charge nightly. You might just be able to get away with two full days if you switch off the always-on display (at least on the 44mm model), but otherwise, it will need regular juicing. When it comes to the world of wearables, the battery is one area where Apple falls behind. The Fitbit Versa 3, for example, can get up to six days per single charge. While the Fitbit family has always done well in terms of battery thanks to being a little more basic, I'd love to see Apple aim for at least two days per charge when you've got the always-on display switched on.

Cruisin' for a snoozin' 

Sleep tracking is easily the most significant new software feature you'll find in the latest version of the Apple Watch operating system, and addresses the largest gap between the Apple Watch and rival fitness devices. Unfortunately, the functionality is rather shallow. All the Apple Watch will log is whether you were asleep or not and your total number of hours of sleep. On the other hand, recent Fitbits, for example, drill down into your sleep quality and will break it down into stages like "deep" and "REM".

The Apple Watch Series 6's limited battery can also make sleep tracking a little challenging. You'll need to remember to charge either before you go to bed or when you wake up. With the always-on display, I'd wake up with around 35% left. With it off, I'd be waking up with around 50%. You actively need to create time in your pre-bed or morning routine to top up your Apple Watch if you want to make the most of sleep tracking without having it die on you the next day.

Loop de loop

While not strictly a Watch Series 6 feature, Apple debuted a new style of the band alongside its latest wearable: Solo Loops. Rather than featuring a clasp, the bands are made from a stretchy rubber material. You just pull it over your wrist.

This does however mean picking the right sized Solo Loop is a bit of a process, as the fit is super important. You have to pick from nine different sizes whether you're no matter whether you're after a 40mm band or 44mm band. The simplest option is printing out Apple's paper tool to work out your size, but you can also measure your wrist with a measuring tape or piece of paper and ruler and feed the Apple site the numbers.

Unfortunately, the measurements aren't quite foolproof. I'm technically a size seven, but I found it far too loose. Sizing down to six is a lot more comfortable, but part of me thinks I could go as low as five as I don't mind a tighter fit.

Solo Loops come in two varieties: the standard Solo Loop, and a Braided Solo Loop (pictured above). The standard model is just a flat piece of rubber. While the design is a little simple - I find the clasps add a nice visual element - the Solo Loop is incredibly comfortable. It's just a nice band and it's dead simple to put on and take off.

The Braided Solo Loop is made from polyester yarn, and while it feels similar to the standard Solo Loop, it's a lot more interesting aesthetically. Oddly, the fit isn't quite seamless - there are small gaps between the band and the Watch itself. If you look closely, you can see the silver stainless steel lugs jutting out, which might not be ideal if your Apple Watch is aluminium or a different colour.

Both bands are sweat and water-resistant, as well as swim-proof. The Braided Solo Loop does feel a bit weird when it gets wet, but it dries out well.

Apple Watch Series 6 - Final Thoughts

The Apple Watch Series 6 is still the smartwatch to beat, but it’s a very incremental improvement over last year’s model. While this speaks to how mature the Apple Watch has been as a product line, it means there's also very little reason to upgrade if you've got a recent device.

If you're on an Apple Watch Series 3 or older, the Apple Watch Series 6 will represent a large step up. You'll get the benefit of a larger display which genuinely makes the Watch that much more useful, in addition to a few years' worth of smaller tweaks. If you're on a Series 4 or Series 5, there's honestly no reason to upgrade. The Series 6 is just too similar to previous models.

Of course, it's also worth considering the Apple Watch SE, which is more than enough Apple Watch for most. You’re looking at a minimum of $599 for an Apple Watch Series 6, while the Apple Watch SE starts at $429. Despite the more affordable price tag, the Watch SE isn't missing much. It has last year's processor, it doesn't have a blood oxygen sensor, and it doesn't have an always-on display. None of these are huge omissions.

The main reason I'd consider a Series 6 over a Watch SE is if you've got your heart set on the bougie stainless steel finish. The Watch SE is only available in aluminium.

Looking more broadly, it's hard to tell where Apple takes the Watch from here. I'd love a larger battery and better sleep tracking, but otherwise, the Apple Watch Series 6 feels like it does everything a smartwatch needs to and more. It's an all-around excellent device. It just begs the question as to whether Apple should be releasing new Watches on a yearly cycle, or if it should move to a more sporadic cadence as with the iPad. There's no easy answer, but I guess it's not the worst problem to have when you're already manufacturing the best smartwatch around.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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