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Apple Watch Series 6: What you should know before buying one

Learn about Apple's latest watch, the Apple Watch Series 6, as well as Apple Watch alternatives to consider.
apple watch 6. The Apple Watch Series 6 is now available. The new watch comes with a countdown timer for hand-washing, a tool to measure blood oxygen levels and more.
The Apple Watch Series 6 boasts new features and accessories: Here's an overview of those updates and customizations. Apple

In the past few months, Apple has released several updates to its flagship products. From the launch of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro editions to the latest iPad, the tablet which technology writer Whitson Gordon calls the only tablet worth buying. Apple also stepped into the headphone game with the launch of the AirPods Max. And amongst all these releases was also the latest generation of the Apple Watch.

Over the years, the Apple Watch has grown in popularity and is a leading product in the world of wearable tech. We took a closer look at the Apple Watch Series 6 to help you determine whether it’s right for you. On top of the base reasons to get an Apple Watch, the new Series 6 does bring with it some interesting upgrades — and some timely features, to boot.

Apple Watch 6 Series

The watch includes a new tool to measure blood oxygen levels and an improved tool for measuring sleep, Apple boasts — Apple is partnering with academia spanning multiple universities on health studies involving the watch. It also now includes a countdown timer for hand-washing (clever) to encourage wearers to continue washing for a full 20 seconds, noted Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. Notably, the Apple Watch 6 also dropped its USB power adapter for an eco-friendlier build.

According to Apple, the new so-called blood oxygen sensor comprises four LED clusters and four photodiodes, built into its crystal back and informing a Blood Oxygen app to help determine the amount of oxygen in your blood. Once you’re wearing it, the Apple Watch 6 will regularly watch your blood oxygen levels — of course, if you have real concerns about your blood oxygen or medical concerns otherwise, it’s best to check in with a medical doctor rather than rely on your smart watch (or any non-medical, non-doctor tech, for that matter).

Otherwise, Apple claims the Apple Watch 6 charges faster than its predecessor by nearly 40 percent. And you can utilize Apple’s latest watchOS 7 with it, which allows some non-iPhone users to use the smartwatch, as well as innovations in the sleep tracking space and more.

Apple Watch 6 options

You can get the Apple Watch 6 in a variety of models, styles, materials, finishes and bands.

Choose your Apple Watch 6 model

Choose your case material

Choose your case finish

Choose your band type

Other Apple Watch models to consider

Apple Watch SE

Sporting the same Retina display and allowing for GPS and cellular connectivity like the flagship Apple Watch, the SE keeps out the always on feature, the blood oxygen and ECG detection apps, and reduces performance in other ways but should be more than enough to cover your daily needs, alerts and timekeeping. While it may lack some premium functions, its cost is reduced to a non-premium level, too.

Apple Watch 3

Sporting all of the above functions, the 3 Series sports GPS but not cellular service, nor does it allow for Apple’s new Family Setup features, which allow non-iPhone users to use the Apple Watch. One bonus is the case size, which you can get in 38mm or 42mm in contrast to the flagship models’ 40mm and 44mm options.

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