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Apple Watch Series 2 review: Not yet a 'must-have', but getting close

SINGAPORE — When the Apple Watch first launched here nearly 15 months ago, it was beautiful but not quite life-changing. Little has changed with the latest Apple Watch Series 2, even as the smartwatch is edging closer to being a “need” more than a “want”.

The Apple Watch Series 2 Nike+ edition (centre) is only expected in October. Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch Series 2 Nike+ edition (centre) is only expected in October. Photo: Apple

SINGAPORE — When the Apple Watch first launched here nearly 15 months ago, it was beautiful but not quite life-changing. Little has changed with the latest Apple Watch Series 2, even as the smartwatch is edging closer to being a “need” more than a “want”.

Aesthetically, like the latest iPhones, it is virtually impossible to distinguish between the Watch Series 2 and its predecessors. The major improvements all come beneath the surface.

For one, Apple is going big on fitness. The Series 2 is waterproof to a depth of 50m. You can go swimming and snorkelling with it, though not scuba diving yet. The smartwatch auto-locks when you are underwater, and when you are out of the water, moisture is spit out using vibrations from the speakers.

With built-in GPS, you can track your walks and runs without carrying your iPhone along. There’s a built-in map on the Series 2 that shows you directions, and just like the original Apple Watch, the Series 2 vibrates when you need to make a left or right turn.

The real star of the show, however, is the new Watch OS 3. It can detect whether you’re swimming in freestyle, breaststroke or Singapore’s new favourite stroke – the butterfly – and count your strokes and laps automatically. It can also make phone calls via Wi-Fi, and send messages that you handwrite on the screen.

My favourite thing about the Watch OS 3 has to be its integration with other Apple devices, particularly with the iPhone’s new OS 10 and the new Sierra OS for the Mac. You can, for instance, turn on your MacBook with your Watch. If you have any devices at home, like lights, connected to the Apple network, you can control them with your watch too.

Since existing Apple Watch users can download Watch OS 3 and enjoy the new watch faces and messaging features, I wouldn’t recommend an upgrade to Series 2 unless you really want to go swimming with your Apple Watch.

In addition, if the original Apple Watch didn’t quite entice you, the new features probably aren’t a big enough leap for you to latch onto the Series 2. 

However if you’re ready to jump into the smartwatch market, the original Apple Watch, now renamed the Series 1, has seen a significant reduction in price – now starting from S$398. Considering it was probably the best smartwatch on the market before the Series 2 came out, the new price should be additionally enticing for first-timers.

The Series 2 starts from S$548 and can be bought at the online Apple store and authorised retailers.

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