Review of smart watches Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Edition Series 5

The generally accepted concept of a watch can be safely left in the past. It was then that the standard function of showing time was put into the definition of "clock". The maximum that could please the watch is the calendar and stopwatch.

Now they have been replaced by intelligent models with such advanced functionality that they cannot be called otherwise than “smart”. What are the capabilities of innovative gadgets, what they are used for and how they are set up can be considered on the example of the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Edition Series 5 smart watches.

What can a gadget compare to?

It is not in vain that smart watches are also called smart watches. The fact is that in their functionality they really resemble a smartphone in many ways, differing from it in some features and compactness.

To arrive at the practical excellence of smartwatches, manufacturers had to go through a difficult path. The “progenitors” of smart watches had only the functions of a calculator and translator. As for today's gadgets, they can be called a hand-held personal computer. They can support the installation of external utilities and are managed by mobile operating systems. Also, smartwatches may have functions:

• Cameras;
• Thermometer;
• Barometer;
• Compass;
• Phone;
• Navigator.

And this is far from all the functions that manufacturers provide these unique gadgets.

Operating principles

Like other computer systems, innovative "watch phones" receive information using an external or built-in sensor system. The sensors are controlled by various instruments, as well as receiving information from them, control can be performed using:

• Bluetooth;
• Wi-Fi;
• GPS.

All received information is processed and displayed on the screen. The gadget can be used autonomously or paired with a smartphone. In today's market, the undisputed leaders in operating systems for smart watches are two technology giants - Google and Apple.

Smartwatch capabilities

Regardless of the model, there is a certain functionality that is present in absolutely all models of smart watches. These include:

• Duplication;
• Control of physical activity;
• Geolocation;
• Answer a call or reset;
• Player control.

Let's take a closer look at each of these functions. Duplication means the ability for hours to copy emails and SMS from the phone. In this case, the owner can directly on the clock:

• Open and read messages;
• Reply to letters or SMS.

It should be noted that you can respond to messages manually by typing on the touch screen or using voice input. In this case, the smartphone does not even need to be taken out. This feature is undoubtedly very useful in crowded public transport or in the workplace, when hands are busy and it is not very convenient to use the phone.

In the modern world, taking care of one's own health is steadily becoming fashionable, so watches that monitor physical activity are just the way to go. Just don't compare them to regular fitness bracelets. Unlike the latter, they have much more capabilities, including functions:

• Pedometer;
• Pulse and blood pressure checks;
• Sleep quality control.

Locating is a very useful feature for all extreme travel enthusiasts. It will come in handy if your job requires you to make regular trips to unfamiliar places. Different models do it differently:

• With built-in GPS sensor;
• By synchronizing with smart watch.

In addition, it is worth noting the ability to control calls automatically transferred from a smartphone to a smart watch. In this case, you can answer the call or drop it. Music lovers will undoubtedly love the function of managing musical compositions - adjusting the sound and changing tracks. There are also two control options you can use here:

• Management of the music library in the phone;
• Creation of a music library directly in the memory of the watch.

In addition, "watch phones" offer owners:

• Calculator;
• Alarm clock;
• Stopwatch;
• Timer.

You can even watch video files on this "miracle clock". There is also a reminder function with which you can be sure that the scheduled event will not be forgotten.

In addition, numerous other applications can be installed on the smart watch. It all depends on the individual needs of the user. So what are the unique features that modern manufacturers can delight users with?

Exclusive features of smart watches

High competition in the market obliges companies producing smartwatches to increase the functionality of their gadgets, thereby ensuring their competitiveness. These features include:

• Anti-loss;
• Signal to remove the gadget from the hand;
• Ability to stay under water;
• NFC.

The anti-loss function is an ideal find for "lost". Many, thinking, can automatically leave, for example, a cafe or restaurant, leaving the phone on the table. This will never happen with smartwatches. It is enough to set the range on it, and as soon as you move away from the gadget at the specified distance, the smart watch will immediately remind you of the “lost” phone with a sound signal.

The function of signaling that the watch is taken off the wrist is more useful for parents who have bought a smart gadget for their children in order to somehow control them. So, disobedient children will not be able to "accidentally" forget the gadget at home or at school.

The water resistance of smartwatches is an excellent feature for lovers of water procedures - swimmers, divers, and for all lovers of the beach or swimming pools. As for the NFC function, it means a chip built into the device (by analogy with smartphones), with which you can easily pay for purchases in a supermarket.

After the general impression of the smartwatch has already been formed, it remains to detail the information received and consider the innovative gadget in more detail. To do this, it is worth stopping at two of the most popular models from Apple today - Watch Series 5 and Watch Edition Series 5.

Apple Watch Series 5

The standard gadget includes:

• Smart watch housed in a suede case;
• Charger combined with a magnetic tablet;
• Adapter (5V and 1A);
• Instruction;
• Sports strap.

Ergonomics and appearance

As for the appearance, this year Apple presented its fans with smartwatches in a wide range of cases. The following options went on sale:

• Aluminum;
• Ceramic;
• Steel;
• Titanium.

On the territory of the Russian Federation, you can only buy smart watches in an aluminum case. It should be noted that the Apple Watch Series 5 case has not changed at all compared to last year's version. The only thing that has undergone changes in the new model is the filling.

The ergonomics of a comfortable, almost weightless gadget with such a thin body that it is easy to simply forget about its existence has remained the same. The gadget is available in two sizes: 40 and 44 mm. At the same time, both models are endowed with the same functions, and the cost is almost the same.

Available in three colors:

• Silver;
• Gold;
• Space gray.

For different colors, in turn, different strap colors are provided. In addition to the regular models, Apple also releases the trendy Apple Watch Nike + Series, which features a branded strap from a well-known sports brand.

Display Features

Depending on the immediate size of the smartwatch, it can be equipped with a 1.57 or 1.78 inch display. The rounded corners of the screen prevent the user from losing sight of important information. Also, the transition from the frame to the display became almost invisible. This was facilitated by Apple's OLED technology.

The brightness of the gadget is 1000 nits more than that of iPhones. This allows you to comfortably use the smartwatch even in hot weather with a bright shining sun.

The main innovation is a screen that does not go out. This is facilitated by LTPO OLED technology, which provides dynamic frame rates. Such a system does not harm the autonomy of the gadget and is capable of changing in frequency from 1 to 60 Hz. The voltage change takes into account the accompanying conditions. If the screen is inactive, it refreshes at a rate of one frame per second, so if you turn your wrist away from you, the second hand disappears. That is why for those who use smartwatches during training, it is somewhat surprising that they do not show a split second.

Management Basics

The gadget is controlled by a digital crown (wheel). With its help the scale is adjusted. Additionally, there is a side main button and a touch screen equipped with 3D Touch function. Side swipes switch dials. Bottom swipes reveal controls. With their help, the flashlight turns on, the mode is rearranged (the gadget has a silent and airplane mode).

The side button opens the application lists. The list is scrolled with a wheel, and between the necessary programs they are switched by tap on the screen. Double-clicking the side button turns on Apple Pay.

To deactivate the display, turn your wrist away from you. Also, the screen is turned off by clapping your palm on it.

Those functions that are not regulated directly on the gadget can be controlled through the application on the iPhone (Watch). This is where you can configure the following options:

• Dial with applications;
• Software;
• Sample text on the clock screen.

In the separate activity application, you can see the training indicators and the amount of time spent on the move.

Dial selection

You can choose the dial of the gadget individually. Their wide assortment (there are dozens of them) allows you to choose the right one. They all differ in widgets:

• Time zone;
• Charge level;
• Application activity;
• Reminders;
• Weather summary.

If any applications are used especially actively, you can install an icon on the desktop in order to instantly switch to them. The largest selection of functions has a dial called "infograph", endowed with nine add-ons on one screen at once.

Apple Watch Edition Series 5

In fact, this gadget is a complete analogue of the previous one, except for the case - for this model it is made of titanium. However, this Apple Watch, oddly enough, is much lighter than other models, including steel ones.

• A large number of functions;
• The ability to swim and dive;
• Strength and lightness.

• High price;
• It takes a long time to charge.

Skeptics

At the moment, a fairly large number of skeptics have gathered, who are sure that Apple should not rush to launch the next Apple Watch model on the market. They explain this by the fact that the corporation is somewhat worn out with ideas and its new devices are no different from the previous ones.If previous versions could surprise the user, then the 5th series, in fact, is no different from the fourth.

By and large, only the sleep analyzer built into the gadget can be attributed to innovation, however, according to many users, given that the software will be responsible for the sleep monitoring function, there is no reason to release a new version of smart watches for it. Sensors - gyroscope and accelerometer, are already built into the gadget and do an excellent job with their functions. It turns out that Apple could easily adapt one of the previous models for sleep monitoring.

The energy efficiency of the gadget is also questionable. Users strongly doubt that smartwatches that work during the day and monitor the sleep function at night will be able to boast enough battery life, but as they say, it's a matter of taste. It is possible that Apple's new smartwatch will appeal to consumers more than previous models.