The release of the Apple Watch was a monumental moment for Apple. It was the first entirely new product line since the iPad and the first created under the leadership of CEO Tim Cook. Designed by Johnny Ive, the creative mastermind behind Apple’s most iconic products, the Apple Watch introduced a bold new chapter for the company. But does it hold up, and is it truly revolutionary, or simply a nice accessory? After using it for a week, here’s what I’ve discovered.
Aesthetic Appeal Meets Sci-Fi Tech
The Apple Watch is undeniably stunning, with a sleek, modern design that feels almost futuristic. However, some liken it to the Casio calculator watches of the 80s or other smartwatches like Samsung’s Galaxy Gear. If you placed the Apple Watch next to luxury brands like Omega or Rolex, it might not win a style contest. But after a week on my wrist, I found myself warming to its look and feel.
Cutting-Edge Technology in a Tiny Package
The Apple Watch is more than just a pretty face. It’s packed with technology, like the Force Touch display, which detects not just where you press, but how hard. The Taptic Engine provides tactile feedback for notifications, and the Digital Crown offers a new way to navigate through apps, menus, and maps. It’s an incredibly sophisticated piece of tech and arguably the most advanced wearable you can buy.
Functionality as a Watch
As a timepiece, the Apple Watch is precise, syncing with Coordinated Universal Time to ensure your watch is as accurate as possible. However, it doesn’t always behave like a traditional watch. Sometimes the display fails to activate when you raise your wrist, which can be frustrating if all you want is to check the time.
Learning Curve and Notification Overload
Using the Apple Watch requires adjustment. With so many new ways to interact, like the Digital Crown and Force Touch, there’s a slight learning curve. Additionally, the watch mirrors your phone’s notifications, which can quickly become overwhelming. Fine-tuning which alerts come through to your wrist is crucial to avoid constant distractions.
Features That Shine and Fall Short
The Apple Watch includes some fantastic features, like the Activity App, which tracks your movement, exercise, and standing hours in an easy, low-pressure way. The customisable complications—widgets that display information like weather or upcoming events—are incredibly useful. However, other features, like sharing your heartbeat or sending sketches, feel gimmicky. The Glances feature, which offers quick access to snippets of information, often lags as it pulls data from your phone, dampening its usefulness.
Social Etiquette and Self-Control
One surprising challenge of using the Apple Watch is navigating its social implications. Glancing at your watch during a conversation can feel just as rude—if not ruder—than checking your phone. If you’re expecting the Apple Watch to solve your distraction problems, think again. Managing notifications and screen time remains a matter of self-discipline.
The Verdict
The Apple Watch isn’t life-changing, nor is it the game-changer some might expect. Instead, it’s a beautifully designed, well-crafted piece of technology that integrates seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem. If you’re already invested in Apple products, the Apple Watch makes an excellent companion. It won’t transform your life or how you see the world, but as a stylish and functional accessory, it does the job exceptionally well.
At its core, the Apple Watch is an accessory—albeit an incredibly sophisticated one. Whether that’s enough depends on what you’re looking for in a wearable. For those entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, it’s hard to resist. But for others, it might just remain a luxury gadget that’s nice to have but not a necessity.