Apple unveils Watch Series 6 and new, more affordable Apple Watch SE
SINGAPORE — Together with a slew of announcements today, Apple announced a new line-up of Apple Watches including Series 6 of the flagship Apple Watch and the cheaper Apple Watch SE.
The new marquee feature of the Apple Watch 6 is its ability to measure blood oxygen levels.
The lower-cost SE, a new addition to the Watch family, comes with most of the same features as the Series 6, minus the faster S6 processor chip and blood oxygen sensor.
Apple Watches will be able to feed bio-data to a new subscription service, Apple Fitness+, that offers video workout programmes. Fitness+ will cost US$9.99 monthly, or US$79.99 annually, and will only be available upon launch in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US.
Family Setup in watchOS 7 was introduced, which brings the communication, health, fitness, and safety features of Apple Watch to kids and older family members of the household who do not have an iPhone.
WatchOS 7 will be available for Apple Watch Series 3 and later on 17 September.
The price for Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) starts at S$599, and Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) starts at S$749.
Apple Watch SE (GPS) starts at S$419, and Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular) starts at S$499.
The Apple Watches are available for ordering in Singapore from today onwards at the Apple site.
Here are the new features of the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE:
Apple Watch Series 6
Blood Oxygen Sensor and App conveniently measures the oxygen saturation of the user’s blood
Using a new dual-core processor based on A13 Bionic in iPhone 11, the upgraded S6 SiP runs up to 20 per cent faster, allowing apps to also launch 20 per cent faster while maintaining the same all-day 18-hour battery life.
U1 chip and Ultra Wideband antennas enable short-range wireless location to support new experiences, such as next-generation digital car keys.
Faster charging, completing a full charge in under 1.5 hours, and improved battery life for tracking certain workouts, such as indoor and outdoor runs.
Enhanced Always-On Retina display on Apple Watch Series 6 is up to 2.5 times brighter than Apple Watch Series 5 outdoors when the user’s wrist is down, making it much easier to see a watch face in bright sunlight.
When their wrist is down, the user can also now access Notification Centre and Control Centre, tap on complications, and swipe to change faces without having to wake their watch screen.
Always-on altimeter provides real-time elevation all day long by using a new, more power-efficient barometric altimeter, along with GPS and nearby Wi-Fi networks.
New blue colour joins the silver, space grey, and gold aluminium case options, along with a (PRODUCT)RED Apple Watch with exclusive matching bright red bands.
Stainless steel models are now available in graphite — a rich grey-black hue with a striking high-shine finish — and an updated classic yellow gold colour. Apple Watch Edition is available in natural and space black titanium.
Three all-new band styles offer customers innovative options that provide a tailored and comfortable fit without traditional clasps or buckles: Silicone Solo Loop, Braided Solo Loop, and Leather Link.
Apple Watch Nike now comes with new colours for the Nike Sport Band and Nike Sport Loop.
Apple Watch Hermès offers stainless steel cases in silver or space black paired with Single or Double Tour styles in an assortment of vibrant new colours.
Fall collection unveils the Hermès Attelage Single Tour and slimmer Attelage Double Tour bands, which feature a refined connection to the case that reflects the brand’s equestrian heritage, and a new Hermès Circulaire watch face that offers increased options for complications.
Apple Watch SE
Available in three beautiful case finishes made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium, and compatible with all Apple Watch bands including the new Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop.
Retina display, with thin borders and curved corners, that is 30 per cent larger than Series 3, to allow for large and easy-to-read app icons and fonts.
A variety of new watch faces are optimised for the display, so customers can easily view notifications, text messages, workout metrics, and more.
S5 System in Package (SiP) and dual-core processor deliver fast performance, up to two times faster than the Apple Watch Series 3.
Next-generation always-on altimeter provides real-time elevation all day long by using a new, power-efficient barometric altimeter, along with GPS and nearby Wi-Fi networks.
Built-in compass provides users with better directions and compass headings, in addition to incline, elevation, and latitude and longitude.
Emergency SOS on Apple Watch allows for customers to quickly call for help and alert emergency services. For added personal safety while travelling, users with cellular models of Apple Watch SE can complete international calls to emergency services, regardless of where the device was originally purchased or if the cellular plan has been activated.
The fall detection is one of the important features Apple fans find useful for seniors - it uses a custom algorithm and the latest accelerometer and gyroscope in Apple Watch SE to detect when a user falls.
More Apple announcements:
Singapore and Apple partner for national health initiative using Apple Watch
Apple unveils all-new iPad Air with A14 Bionic chip
Apple bundles TV, music, news and more in services push
