Apple Watch Extremely 2 long-term evaluation: Your transfer, Samsung

Diehard Apple followers pay double for the Apple Watch Extremely 2 for its 36-hour battery life and large show. Little question most Put on OS followers will scoff, since you will get comparable battery life at lower than half the worth with a Galaxy Watch 5 Professional. Nonetheless, after months of utilizing the Extremely 2, my greatest hope is that we see extra Extremely-style Android watches.

Regardless of being a lifetime iPhone proprietor, I by no means used an Apple Watch earlier than the Extremely 2 as a result of the Sequence watches lacked the battery and health methods to tempt me. However I pestered the Apple PR staff for a six-month mortgage after seeing watchOS’ health pivot and the way the Extremely 2’s dual-frequency GPS gave me confidence it might compete with the greatest health watches.

Google’s Fitbit acquisition and Samsung’s upcoming pivot so as to add AI-based “Vitality” information to Samsung Well being show that every one mainstream smartwatch manufacturers see health as a key basis. Apple itself hasn’t fairly hit the Garmin commonplace I am on the lookout for. However I believe future updates will deliver it throughout the end line, and its third-party exercise apps tip the scales for athletes.

As is, the Apple Watch Extremely 2 places strain on future flagship watches just like the Galaxy Watch 7 Professional or Pixel Watch 3 to do greater than their predecessors for severe (or informal) athletes.

Apple Watch Extremely 2: Value and bands

The Apple Watch Extremely 2 retails for a whopping $799, double that of the Sequence 9. Take into account, nonetheless, that the 45mm chrome steel Sequence 9 with mobile prices $749 or extra (relying on the band sort). The 49mm titanium Extremely 2 with built-in LTE would not really fall removed from that premium vary.

Courts briefly banned Apple Watch S9 and Extremely 2 gross sales on the finish of 2023 over alleged patent infringement, and Apple’s authorized woes are ongoing. For now, Apple will proceed to promote the Extremely 2 legally by disabling its blood oxygen characteristic, circumventing a potential ban. 

You might have three band choices: Path Loop (Inexperienced/Grey, Blue/Black, or Orange/Beige), Alpine Loop (Blue, Indigo, or Olive), or Ocean Band (Blue, White, or Orange). 

Of the three, the Path Loop is our beneficial “default” choice for most individuals, because the nylon is comfy and simply adjustable. The Alpine Loop has a titanium G-Hook that retains it rigidly safe, which is essential for adventurer varieties however much less handy in on a regular basis situations. The Ocean Band is particularly for swimmers, with a water-repelling fluoroelastomer as an alternative of water-absorbant nylon.

Apple Watch Extremely 2: Specs

Apple Watch Extremely 2: What I really like

I’ve already written about my shock at how a lot I really like the Extremely 2, because of the large show and dependable battery life. However my appreciation is not solely due to its dimension; not like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Professional, it is not only a bigger model of the mainline watch. Apple made extra purposeful modifications to make it really feel like a correct flagship.

Take a look at the specs sheet above: The twin-band GPS, mobile assist for emergency calls and not using a cellphone, three-mic array and twin audio system, diving certification, military-grade safety in opposition to harm, and motion button are all unique to the Extremely 2 (until you purchase the mobile Apple Watch Sequence 9). 

I’d by no means have the possibility to make use of its diving options, however I’ve definitely bonked this chonky watch in opposition to all method of tough surfaces over the previous few months, and each the titanium physique and sapphire show have come by way of unscathed. 

I examined calls on a windy mountain hike, and my household might barely inform the distinction after I switched to my cellphone, because of the three-mic array. On my finish, the twin audio system sound much less tinny in comparison with different Bluetooth-enabled watches I’ve worn. 

The motion button, which pulls up the exercise menu, is one thing I immediately took with no consideration. It is a much better expertise than having to search for the exercises app in my drawer. I merely want it allow you to program a second shortcut with a double-tap.

Whereas I respect all of this, it is simply the nice seasoning on high of the Extremely 2’s meat-and-potatoes improve that no different watch gives: 3,000 nits of brightness on a 1.9-inch show.

As somebody with steadily worsening eyesight, I discover the Extremely 2’s full-sized notifications a lot simpler to learn than I am used to with a watch or smartphone. I can look on the shared photograph or the primary few traces of an e-mail with out shifting my wrist from its typing place, then go proper again to work until it is one thing related. 

If it is essential, I can swipe up and see a number of fast reply choices, all seen due to the squircle design. I do know Android watch followers love their round watches for the design, however the Apple Watch Extremely 2 is a lot extra useable that it is arduous to return to round-edged shows that solely have room for one factor at a time. It is why I am hoping the rumor a couple of square-shaped Galaxy Watch is true.

Not like the Sequence 9, which is useful however boringly constant, the Extremely 2 feels distinct with its contoured edges carved into titanium. I will not faux it is not huge, however it’s pleasingly futuristic trying, with each speaker or mic gap giving the floor standing out for some good texture. And at 14.4mm thick, it is on par with a flagship Garmin watch.

Since that is my first Apple Watch, I am unable to declare to know whether or not the Extremely 2 and Sequence 9 have 30% quicker efficiency during the last era — courtesy of the primary new CPU for the reason that Sequence 6. My colleague “did not see any noticeable distinction” in his Sequence 9 evaluation, so all I can say is that I’ve not often noticed lag throughout months of sporadic use. Apps open, and Siri responds at once.

Whereas I am nowhere near utilizing up all 64GB of storage, I would a lot relatively have an excessive amount of than not sufficient. I respect having the choice to avoid wasting a bunch of audiobooks and music playlists to stream by way of my AirPods, together with the battery life to play them with out risking the watch dying.

This space for storing additionally offers loads of room for apps. Lengthy-time Apple Watch house owners in all probability take third-party apps with no consideration, however I do not. Accessing watchOS apps like WorkOutDoors or Nike Run Membership makes up for any deficiencies with Apple’s on-device software program as a result of you’ll be able to sometimes discover Third-party software program to fill the hole. 

This strays past the confines of this evaluation, however I will finish this part by declaring that WatchOS appears to have extra high-quality apps than Put on OS in key areas — more than likely due to Put on OS 3/4’s relative newness and Apple’s wearable gross sales dominance. I do not like that Android customers get quick shrift, however I will nonetheless level it out.

Apple Watch Extremely 2: Health accuracy

In case you’re spending $799 on a health smartwatch, you’ll be able to count on a sure degree of accuracy in your post-run stats. So, how does the Apple Watch 2 Extremely carry out in comparison with a conventional health watch just like the $599 Garmin Forerunner 965? 

Throughout a number of working and mountaineering actions, I wore each the Extremely 2 and Forerunner 965 so I might examine their GPS monitoring, coronary heart price information, and working dynamics (aka working type stats). We’ll begin with this 10K metropolis run beneath, which had minimal timber or buildings to dam the sign; I used to be shocked to see Apple (orange) beat Garmin (blue):

Garmin normally crushes the competitors, however Apple managed to snap to the real-life map higher in key areas; in others, Garmin did higher, or they each caught to the path. Total, their outcomes have been solely one-hundredth of a mile aside, whereas a GPS-only watch just like the Sequence 9 would not do practically as properly.

Later, throughout my smartwatch elevation take a look at sporting a number of watches whereas climbing a mountain, the Extremely 2 got here closest to the official Alltrails information, with simply an eight-foot distinction in complete toes climbed and 24 toes larger than the official max elevation. 

That being mentioned, trying on the precise GPS line on the hilly, tree-covered path, the Extremely 2 did barely worse than the 965; the mileage was solely two-hundredths off throughout 7.5 miles, however you’ll be able to see how the orange line drifts barely extra off the path beneath:

Essentially the most noticeable Apple Watch Extremely 2 issue got here throughout a half-marathon path run, which had dense foliage and clouds. For no matter cause, the Extremely 2 had two moments the place it utterly misplaced my positioning — see the straight orange traces on the bottom-right and top-left of the map. I believe that Apple’s map-correcting algorithm is not as dependable for path runs as it’s for metropolis runs.

Due to this, the Extremely 2 added an additional 0.65 miles to my complete, utterly skewing the outcomes regardless of being correct in all places else. At one level, it registered me working at 88 miles per hour, which suggests I could be able to time journey.

Total, I am inclined to consider that the Apple Watch Extremely 2 provides me dependable monitoring information and that my newest expertise throughout my half-marathon was an aberration. In regular circumstances, it matches Garmin’s industry-leading dual-frequency monitoring step for step. However in case you use it for mountaineering in tree-rich areas, maintain an eye fixed out for moments when it might need sudden gaps in protection.

For coronary heart price information, Apple Well being’s GPX export would not embrace coronary heart price information, so I can solely examine typically in opposition to different watches. 

Throughout six tracked exercises sporting the Forerunner 965 and Extremely 2, they shared the actual identical common coronary heart price. Given how properly Garmin’s Elevate v4 sensor has executed in comparison with chest straps in my testing, this reassures me of Apple’s accuracy on the whole, even when the Apple Health HR charts are too imprecise to dissect correctly. I additionally like which you could customise your coronary heart price zones. 

Subsequent, I checked out every watch’s working stats information. By way of cadence (variety of steps per minute), Apple and Garmin have been in lockstep, by no means multiple SPM aside. The identical goes for stride size — sometimes about 1m on each watches. 

For extra nitpicky stats like vertical oscillation and common floor contact time, Apple barely underreported my numbers in comparison with Garmin, however at a constant hole. I do not know which is extra correct, however you’ll be able to rely on utilizing both as a benchmark to evaluate your progress.

The one noticeable distinction is that Apple constantly stories my working energy as about 100W decrease than Garmin does, regardless of sharing the identical working type, coronary heart price, and distance stats. After checking different post-run summaries from COROS and Polar, I am sure Apple’s energy calculation is off in comparison with different manufacturers. 

Apple Watch Extremely 2: What you will not love

When you pay for an iPhone 15 Professional and Apple Watch Extremely 2, you are near $2,000. It kind of evens out once you put it in opposition to a Galaxy S24 Extremely and Watch 5 Professional as a result of Samsung’s flagship cellphone is so costly. Both method, it is some huge cash to spend on a smartwatch. You can also make the case that the Extremely 2 has the longevity to justify it, however you’ll be able to simply as simply argue that no smartwatch ought to value a lot. 

I wasn’t sure in case you’d be allowed to spend $799 on the Extremely 2, given Apple’s months-long authorized woes with Masimo over its alleged blood oxygen patent infringement. As is, it is lacking a reasonably essential characteristic for sleep monitoring, one that the majority health watches (or common smartwatches) have. If that is a problem for you, we now have a information on the greatest watches for SpO2 monitoring.

As for the watch itself, you may have to simply accept how heavy it’s. To be clear, anybody who wears a premium Garmin Fenix or COROS VERTIX would possibly discover the Extremely 2 on the sunshine and skinny facet, particularly with the nylon band. I’ve gotten used to its weight over time, and it sits flatly on my wrist with out an excessive amount of discomfort after I bend it. That mentioned, nearly another watch will really feel much less noticeable in your wrist.

Plus, after all, Apple’s Extremely 2 battery life is just lengthy within the context of on a regular basis smartwatches; its 12 hours of dual-band GPS is strong, and it shortly recharges, however it’s much more more likely to idle all the way down to a questionable proportion the evening earlier than a race in case you’re not cautious. In comparison with the Galaxy Watch 5 Professional’s 80-hour common, 36 hours is extra pedestrian. 

My larger concern with the Extremely 2 is what it is lacking in comparison with different health manufacturers. As a result of I am not a lot of an indoor exercise individual, Apple Health Plus would not attraction to me. Apple routinely tracks sure outside actions, and watchOS 9 and 10 have prioritized working, mountaineering, and biking, however it hasn’t absolutely caught as much as devoted health manufacturers.

Apple has but to announce an equal to a day by day readiness rating primarily based in your sleep and exercise information or a day by day beneficial run primarily based in your VO2 Max and up to date exercises. It would not monitor the coaching load or impact of a exercise, nor does it inform you how lengthy to attend till your subsequent run. It simply expects you to shut your rings on daily basis.

And on that word, the Extremely 2’s exercise rings aren’t at all times correct relating to transfer reminders, telling me I’ve stood up or burned energy throughout hours at my desk, presumably on account of my nervous fidgeting. That being mentioned, I nonetheless love Apple’s ring-closing idea sufficient that I do not thoughts the occasional glitch. It is nonetheless motivational, and that issues to me greater than excellent accuracy.

I hope that watchOS prioritizes post-workout information whereas including new watch face problems to indicate this information on the huge Extremely 2 show. Heck, I would even take one thing so simple as displaying your step rely on the watch show with out having to look within the Exercise app.

Apple Watch Extremely 2: Competitors

If we’re strictly smartwatches with lengthy battery life and app assist, the 80-hour Galaxy Watch 5 Professional could be my first suggestion. It additionally makes use of a titanium, military-grade design with related sapphire glass however with out the diving capabilities. It constantly lasts for much longer, although the 1.4-inch show is not as spacious or vibrant. Plus, after all, it would not work for iOS customers. 

The Garmin Epix Professional (Gen 2), with its titanium body, vibrant AMOLED show, and health focus, is one other various with one main draw back: the shortage of apps and phone-watch synchronicity. In case you can settle for that, you may get the identical dual-frequency GPS, strong mapping instruments, and related well being information because the Extremely 2. It arguably wins for health with urged exercises, calculated hill and endurance scores, and a built-in LED flashlight. It lasts considerably longer at 31 days or 38 dual-band GPS hours. It is fairly costly, so it’s possible you’ll need to have a look at different Garmin watch choices. 

Lastly, after all, you’ve the Apple Watch Sequence 9, which has the identical watchOS software program with out the doubled battery life, rugged design, and bigger, brighter show. Regardless of this, you’ll be able to nonetheless use the Sequence 9 for fundamental health actions; you may simply have to cost it afterward. 

In comparison with the greatest Android watches, the Pixel Watch 2 has the upside of its Fitbit Premium recs and dependable coronary heart price information for a a lot cheaper price, however that tiny show takes getting used to after turning into accustomed to the Extremely 2. 

As for Samsung, my Galaxy Watch 6 health take a look at underwhelmed me with its wonky GPS outcomes and lack of correct exercise steering. I am nonetheless holding out hope that the Watch 7 Professional will present a extra Extremely 2-like expertise with a much bigger health focus, together with higher sleep information through the Galaxy Ring.

Apple Watch Extremely 2: Do you have to purchase?

You should purchase the Apple Watch Extremely 2 if…

• You need an Apple smartwatch that you do not have to cost on daily basis.
• You need a baseline of health accuracy for exercises in a conventional smartwatch.
• You favor having a wide range of third-party exercise app choices.
• You need a standalone watch that’ll maintain working in case your cellphone dies.

You should not purchase the Apple Watch Extremely 2 if…

• You do not need to spend an enormous sum of money.
• You need coaching load or exercise recs baked into the watch’s important software program.
• You do not need to be locked into the Apple ecosystem.

As my first Apple Watch expertise, the Extremely 2 made a powerful impression. I have never spent years getting used to (or sick of) the software program, so it appears like a powerful, polished expertise right away. 

I did not have area to debate each characteristic I preferred, such because the Good Stack widgets and mountaineering waypoints, however relaxation assured which you could spend months utilizing this watch and nonetheless be taught new options or uncover new apps. 

I spent many days sporting my Apple and Garmin watches concurrently, and never simply due to the working exams. I like Apple’s polish and responsive notifications, however I do not need to surrender Garmin as a result of its health algorithm has actually helped me get healthier, even when its smarts aren’t as much as par. If Apple can advance any additional in its health journey, the Extremely 2 will change into much more compelling. 

As I mentioned above, that places strain on the Galaxy Watch 7 Professional — or the rumored Galaxy Watch Extremely — to be greater than a battery powerhouse. It must be a health powerhouse, too. The Watch 5 Professional began this with offline GPX mapping, however it must go a lot additional this summer season. 

Your transfer, Samsung! Do not let Apple personal this class.