Apple watch buying guide - find your perfect model

Choosing the right Apple Watch requires understanding the features, design, and price of each model to match your needs.

Options now include the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE vs SE 2, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2, and advanced models like Apple Watch Series 8, Series 9, and Series 10. With watchOS 11 dropping support for Series 4, 5, and the first-generation SE, selecting the ideal model has become more nuanced.

This Apple Watch buying guide will help you find the best fit effortlessly. You can also check top 10 best sports watch of 2024 and top 10 best sports watch companies in the world.

Why choose Apple Watch?

Apple Watch sets the benchmark in the smartwatch industry, offering powerful features and an exceptional user experience. Whether you're comparing Apple Watch Ultra vs. Ultra 2 for rugged durability, Apple Watch Series 8 vs. 9 for refined upgrades, or debating Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2 and Series 10 vs. Ultra 2 for advanced health monitoring and Apple ecosystem integration, there's a model to fit every need.

With seamless health tracking, exercise recording, and deep connectivity to the Apple ecosystem, it remains the top choice for innovation and functionality.

Key highlights:

• Health monitoring: heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen detection, fall detection and emergency SOS function, always know the physical condition, to ensure safety.
• Sports and fitness: A variety of exercise modes, accurately record movement track, speed, altitude and other data to help achieve fitness goals.
• Smart notifications and eco-interaction: Sync iPhone messages, emails, and app notifications with Siri and Apple Pay for everyday convenience.
• Fashion and personalization: A wide range of materials, bands and dials to meet fashion and individual needs.

Whether it's health management, activity tracking, or daily assistant, Apple Watch can meet every need, with a sense of technology and fashion.

Choose the right screen size

Screen size is an important consideration when choosing an Apple Watch, which not only affects the comfort of wearing, but also relates to the visual effects and user experience. The Apple Watch is available in a variety of sizes: 40mm, 41mm, 44mm, 45mm, and 49mm for the Ultra series.

Here are some tips on how to choose a case size based on your needs and wrist size:

Users with thin wrists

• Recommended size: 40mm or 41mm
• The reason: The smaller case is more in line with wrist proportion, coordinated and comfortable to wear, and will not be too bulky.

• Recommended size: 44mm or 45mm
• Reason: The large screen provides a clearer display of information. While matching the thicker wrist, the overall visual effect is better.

• Recommended size: 49mm (Apple Watch Ultra Series)
• Why: Designed for outdoor and extreme sports, the Ultra series features a larger screen, sturdier construction, and enhanced visibility for users looking for high performance.

Choose the right case material

The Apple Watch comes in three main body materials: aluminum, stainless steel and titanium. They are distinctive in price, weight and durability to suit different needs and scenarios:

Aluminium metal

• Features: Light weight, affordable, made of 100% aviation grade aluminum metal, cost-effective.
• Suitable for people: budget limited, daily use or light exercise users.
• Cons: The surface is more prone to scratches.

• Features: bright and wear-resistant, advanced appearance, suitable for business occasions, large weight.
• Suitable for people: pay attention to the appearance of texture, the pursuit of durability of the user.
• Disadvantages: Heavy weight, long wear may not be comfortable.

• Features: Light and durable, high hardness, corrosion resistance, weight between aluminum and stainless steel.
• Suitable for people: users who have a sufficient budget and need high durability or professional outdoor sports.
• Cons: Relatively high price.

• Daily wear: Choose lightweight and affordable aluminum.
• Business or mid-to-high-end scenarios: Stainless steel offers a more advanced look and durability.
• Outdoor and extreme sports: Titanium or Apple Watch Ultra is the best choice.

In-depth analysis and comparison of popular models

Current Apple Watch hits include Series 8, Series 9, Series 10, SE (second generation), Ultra, and Ultra 2. Each watch has unique features that cater to users with different needs, from daily health monitoring to extreme sports adventures.

Whether focused on performance, health management, or outdoor adventure, the variety of Apple Watch models offers tailored options for different users.

Apple Watch Series 8

Advantages:

• Equipped with heart rate monitoring, ECG, blood oxygen monitoring and temperature sensing and other health functions.
• Introduce an accident detection function to automatically contact emergency services in the event of an emergency such as a car accident.

• The appearance is similar to the Series 7, with fewer design innovations.
• Battery life has not improved significantly.

• Users who require comprehensive health monitoring and high security, especially those who care about daily health management.

Apple Watch Series 9

Advantages:

• Equipped with a more powerful S9 chip, improved response speed and battery management.
• Double Tap is introduced to provide a more convenient way to interact.
• Maintain 24/7 heart rate monitoring, ECG and blood oxygen monitoring.

• The functional improvement is relatively small, the appearance is similar to the Series 8, the price is higher, and the cost performance is not as good as the previous generation.

• Users who need more powerful performance, especially those concerned with health monitoring and activity tracking.

Apple Watch Series 10

Advantages:

• Performance has been further improved with support for more accurate GPS positioning and improved health features.
• Provides more health tracking and exercise features.

• Compared to the Series 9 (Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9), although the performance is more powerful, the price and feature increase may not be enough to appeal to all users.

• Users who seek the latest technology and more comprehensive features, especially those who need sophisticated health management and precise positioning.

Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)

Advantages:

• Cost-effective, provides basic health monitoring and exercise functions.
• Ideal for first-time Apple Watch buyers or those on a budget.

• There is no ECG and blood oxygen monitoring function, and the health monitoring function is more basic than the high-end model.

Suitable for people:

• For those on a limited budget or buying an Apple Watch for the first time, meet their daily health needs.

Apple Watch Ultra

Advantages:

• Designed for extreme sports and outdoor adventures, with dual-band GPS and enhanced water resistance.
• With a large 49mm screen and up to 36 hours of battery life, it is suitable for long outdoor use.

Cons:

• The design is relatively bulky and heavy, which is not suitable for daily wear.
• The price is higher, and non-extreme sports users may not need to choose.

Suitable for people:

• Outdoor enthusiasts, extreme athletes or professional users who need more durability and longer battery life.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Advantages:

• Compared to Ultra, improved chip performance, more battery life, and more accurate positioning.
• The watch body material, screen, microphone and other aspects are further optimized, suitable for long-term outdoor activities.

Cons:

• If you already own Ultra, the need to upgrade is low, improvements are more routine, and there are no significant new features.

Suitable for people:

• Extreme athletes, users of long outdoor activities, or professional users who need the highest durability and battery life.

Best-selling Apple Watches series comparison

• Pros: Support for stand-alone functions such as phone calls, SMS, and Apple Pay.
• For people: those who run or hike without an iPhone.
• Cons: A monthly fee (about $10), poor battery life, limited third-party apps.

• Pros: Cheap enough to work with an iPhone.
• For: iPhone users.
• Disadvantages: can not be used independently, can not enjoy the cellular version function.

Summary: If you often rely on the iPhone, the GPS version is cost-effective. If you're away from the iPhone a lot, the cellular version is better, although it's more expensive.

Summary- which Apple Watch is right for you?

When buying an Apple Watch, focus on the screen, materials, band, and features in combination with your personal needs, budget, and preferences. Try it on for comfort and visual effects. Whether it's for health management, activity tracking, or productivity, the Apple Watch is ideal.

Once you know what you need, you can easily find the right model. For iPhone users, it's a lifestyle extension. I hope this article will help you choose your favorite Apple Watch and enjoy the convenience brought by technology.