Apple Watch Series 6 Unboxing & Two-Year Review
Apple Watch Series 6 Unboxing and Buying Guide & Two-Year Usage Experience Summary
Introduction
Time flies, and it has been two years since the previous Apple Watch Series 4 unboxing article. In terms of features, the Series 4 is more than sufficient with no need to upgrade. The Series 5 and Series 6 have no major breakthrough features; their updates are improvements but not essential.
However, due to the news about Xiao Gui, I fortunately gave my original Series 4 LTE version to a family member. The LTE version can make emergency calls without needing the phone nearby, making it safer compared to the GPS version.
My personal habit is to wear it when going out and take it off to charge at home. I don’t wear it while sleeping, so I miss out on the sleep tracking feature.
I bought the LTE version of Series 4, but since I always carry my phone with me, there’s no need to pay an extra $199 monthly fee. Also, replying to messages on the watch is inconvenient, and answering calls requires AirPods to be practical. Additionally, Spotify on the watch only serves as a playback controller and cannot play independently without the iPhone (only Apple Music/KKBOX support standalone playback).
and… I am an iOS APP / watchOS APP developer
[2020–10–24 Update]: Spotify now supports standalone playback. In the watch Spotify app, select Playback Device -> Apple Watch -> connect Bluetooth headphones -> then you can play! (Offline downloads are still not supported; an internet connection is required).
Apple Watch Series 6 Unboxing
Let’s get straight to the main part of this article.
Ordering
This time, I chose the GPS 44mm aluminum model in Cypress Green (military green), matching my iPhone 11 Pro in military green.
Missed the first batch purchase, I placed the order on the evening of 9/15:
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The estimated delivery time provided by the system is 10/16~10/19 (which may coincide with the Mainland China National Day holiday).
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10/10 Shipping notification sent, expected to arrive before 10/13
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10/13 Notification: Delivery date may be slightly delayed due to customs clearance.
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Actually received it on 10/14, but still earlier than the original estimated delivery time!
Unboxing
Apple Watch + RhinoShield Protective Case Set
Flip to the back, unboxing!
The entire unboxing process requires no knife, just peel it all the way.
Open!
One band, one watch body.
The packaging thickness is noticeably reduced this generation (no more bulky charger).
Unboxing the Device
Only includes the magnetic charging cable.
Close-up of the Device
This time, the protective material is changed to paper; I remember the previous generation used black velvet.
Band Unboxing
Combination!
Back Side
When assembling, you can first attach the upper half of the band, then remove the paper protective cover to reduce the chance of slipping.
Apple Watch 6 + iPhone 11 Pro
with Olé Chicken
Swim Ring Chicken
Apple Watch 6 with RhinoShield Protective Case
Blood Oxygen Measurement
Try out the main features of this generation.
Always-On Display Sleep vs Active Display
It’s great that the screen no longer turns off, so you don’t need to raise your wrist to wake it and check messages!
Unboxing complete.
Summary of Two Years of Use Experience
Summarize my feelings after two years of use and my personal buying guide.
Enhance Life Experience and Increase Focus
Apple Watch serves as an extension of the phone, acting as a buffer between the phone and the user; currently, our reliance on electronic devices means facing the phone directly and dealing with a flood of notifications.
I don’t know if you feel the same, but phone notifications can be quite startling. Even the vibration sound can be alarming. Sometimes, my heart skips a beat when I get a notification. Then, I instinctively take out my phone to check it. If it’s important, I handle it; if not, I put the phone away. This cycle repeats every day in my life…
Although you can turn off sound notifications, disable vibrations in silent mode, or even turn off all notifications, on the other hand, you disconnect from the world and miss truly important alerts, leading to a different kind of anxiety where you constantly check your phone.
Considering the above situations, the Apple Watch acts as a lubricant, adding a filter funnel between the user and the phone. When wearing the watch and the phone is asleep, only the watch will notify. You can set notifications from specific apps to appear on the watch and disable sound/vibration for certain apps.
You might say these settings are the same as on the phone, but in terms of experience, the watch’s sound/vibration is gentler and less intrusive. Even if you turn off sound/vibration, you can quickly check notifications by raising your wrist.
The daily experience is improved by quickly reviewing notifications on the watch, then deciding whether to continue the current task or take out the phone to handle the message. The interruption time is very short (just the time spent looking at the watch), which also prevents frequent phone use that can cause distractions, thus increasing work efficiency.
Healthy Living and Exercise Tracking
The exclusive “Fitness” app, only available with Apple Watch, can track your daily life, including daily activity, walking, heart rate, and workout records. It also provides activity trends and more detailed health information. On the social side, you can compete with friends on activity levels and unlock badges to boost motivation.
However, exercise depends on the person. Those who exercise will continue to do so, and those who don’t won’t start just because of a watch; at most, it adds to the tracking and fun of exercising.
Apple Pay
You don’t need to take out your phone; just double-click the watch to make a payment, which is very convenient—especially when your hands are full and you can’t reach into your pocket for your phone. You can also install invoice apps that support Apple Watch, open the app to display the carrier barcode for the cashier to scan, and then double-click to activate Apple Pay for payment.
My most common usage habit is using the phone widget to let store clerks scan the carrier or membership barcode (like 7–11/FamilyMart, since they don’t offer Apple Watch apps), then quickly double-clicking the watch to bring up Apple Pay and making the payment with the same hand.
Stored inside, no receipt needed.
Personal Style to Mix and Match
You can change the watch face and band anytime to match your mood; I have a few watch faces set—some for workdays, some for days off. Over the past two years, I’ve bought four bands: leather, metal, woven, plus different colors of protective cases to match my outfits.
Apple Ecosystem Integration
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The watch can directly unlock the Mac computer
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The watch can find the phone with one click (forces the phone to emit a beeping sound)
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The watch can be used as a Bluetooth remote shutter button to control the phone’s camera for taking photos.
Check the Weather
I’m used to quickly checking the current weather and rain probability on my watch at a glance; using my phone requires tapping through several layers to find the info I want.
Alarm and Timer
The timer and alarm are also features I use a lot. You can quickly start the timer on the watch, and when the timer or alarm goes off while wearing the watch, it will notify you through the watch (if the watch is on silent, it will vibrate to alert you).
I personally find it very comfortable, especially when I want to take a short nap and worry that the alarm sound or phone vibration might disturb other colleagues.
Maps
It’s quite useful when riding a scooter, allowing you to view the route map directly and get route/turn vibration alerts. However, the downside is that the map is not optimized for scooters, so you need to watch out for scooter-restricted routes. The route planning capability is average.
View Route Map on Watch
Google Map has recently returned to Apple Watch, but it does not support direct route map viewing, only text navigation prompts.
Fall Detection
Since this feature has gained a lot of attention recently, I’m sharing my personal trigger experience; once, while getting on a bus, I quickly and forcefully kicked the seat with my left hand, which successfully triggered the fall detection. The watch first vibrates rapidly and sounds an alert to check if you are conscious. If you don’t respond within 30 seconds, it will call emergency services and notify your emergency contacts.
- Before watchOS 5, fall detection was enabled by default only for users over 65; it was off by default for those under 65. You can check this setting.
- Multiple emergency contacts can be designated and must be set up in advance.
Recommended Apps to Install
If you’ve read the previous unboxing, that article included unboxing, usage tutorials, and some app recommendations. Honestly, I later deleted most of them, keeping only the built-in apps and a few commonly used communication apps. At first, I installed many apps out of curiosity, but I stopped using most of them later.
To be honest, for complex tasks, you’ll use your phone. The watch is really just for quick actions.
Development of Apple Watch in the Past Two Years
As mentioned earlier, the features and positioning of Series 4 and Series 6 have not changed; both serve as extensions of the iPhone, not replacements. There have been no breakthrough features in the past two years, and battery life still requires daily charging.
Regarding third-party apps, there haven’t been many new additions over the past two years, but there is a growing trend; Line and Google Maps have recently updated and improved their Apple Watch apps, showing they are not forgotten.
I previously wrote an article sharing my experience of building an Apple Watch app myself, based on watchOS 5 development. It was clear that the official features were very limited (still pretty much the same now), so third-party apps have limited room to grow, resulting in very few apps.
watchOS
Currently updated to watchOS 7, with iOS updated once a year.
watchOS 6: Added environmental noise detection, menstrual tracking (for female users), and Walkie-Talkie feature
watchOS 7: Added sleep tracking, handwashing timer assistance, and Family Sharing features
watchOS 7 Family Sharing Feature (LTE version only)
I have actual experience because I gave my original Series 4 watch to a family member. You can refer to this unboxing video. This feature ties the watch to your phone, and the watch must be nearby to change settings. After completing the setup process, some settings cannot be adjusted again without resetting. The shared family member can only use the watch and cannot customize it themselves.
The advantage is that the wearer does not necessarily have to be an iPhone user!
According to the official website, this feature is only available on LTE models from Series 4 and later!
Buying Guide
Should You Buy It?
I believe 80% of the readers reaching this point are already considering buying it; I think it’s worth buying for tech enthusiasts to try out. If a watch is just an accessory for you, you can get a more stylish one at the same price. If you’re buying solely for sports, there are better sports watches to consider. Apple Watch is designed for comprehensive needs and enhanced experience.
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In Xiao Gui’s case, even an Apple Watch couldn’t prevent the accident. Since he fell after showering, it’s important to note that Apple Watch is water-resistant but not steam-proof. Wearing it while showering often causes damage. Also, because it needs to be charged daily, people usually take it off to charge during shower time, so it’s not worn then.
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Still just an extension of the iPhone, an experimental Apple product
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Charge once a day, and always bring a charger when going out
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There was a gap of two to three weeks without wearing a watch when switching from Series 4 to Series 6, and personally, it didn’t make much difference.
Series 6 or SE or Second-hand Series 4/5?
The performance is sufficient to last another 3 to 5 years. If you have the budget, it’s better to buy new rather than old. For better cost-performance, you can choose the SE. If your budget is limited, buying a second-hand Series 4/5/LTE version is easier to get.
Apple Watch can only pair with iPhone (Android phones and iPads are not supported). Also, consider the current iOS version of your phone: watchOS 7 requires iOS ≥ 14 (watchOS 6 => iOS ≥ 13 / watchOS 5 => iOS ≥ 12).
The iPhone must first be upgraded to the required minimum iOS version to pair and use.
Series 6 / SE do not include a power adapter.
The Family Setup feature in watchOS 7 (allows monitoring children’s activities and seniors’ health) is only available on Series 4 or later, or the SE model.
Aluminum, Stainless Steel, or Titanium?
Stainless Steel Version (Thanks to a colleague for the kind support)
It depends on how you view this watch. If you buy it for novelty and fun, the aluminum version is enough; if you want it as a fashion accessory, go for the stainless steel or higher versions—they look better and match more styles.
The aluminum version has higher demand in the second-hand market. The newer generation is easier to sell (my Series 4 can still fetch around 7,000 to 8,000).
The aluminum case and glass are more fragile, and the screen glass is not scratch-resistant. It is recommended to buy a protective case and a full-coverage screen protector.
A case (around $400) plus a screen protector is recommended—preferably a hydrogel or jelly film (around $800)—to avoid poor adhesion issues; the total adds about $1500, providing full protection even for the aluminum model.
A painful lesson: if you use a screen protector, you must also get a protective case, or the edges can easily chip (I had to replace three protectors and lost nearly $3000 because of this). Also, make sure to get a good-quality protector that fits well; otherwise, it will be hard to use and just a waste of money.
Xiaohao’s HAO Full-Coverage Jelly Gel Screen Protector
Fully transparent & fully adhesive, does not affect smooth sliding or display.
RhinoShield + Screen Protector
The screen will be slightly thicker, so the inner frame might lift a bit (depending on the case tolerance), but the clasps still snap in properly.
Xiaohao Screen Protector suggests not inserting the RhinoShield inner frame, as it may press on the screen protector; using only the outer frame is sufficient. However, my Series 4 has been fine for two years with this setup, so please decide for yourself.
40mm or 44mm?
Depending on the thickness of your wrist, men are generally advised to wear the 44mm size; anything smaller might look a bit odd.
If you plan to buy aluminum + a protective case, consider whether the case size will be too bulky.
GPS or LTE Cellular Version?
Considering I never used LTE before, I chose the GPS version this time, saving $3000.
Considerations for GPS or LTE include not only whether you will have scenarios where you only wear the watch outside, but also the much-discussed fall detection feature. The GPS version requires the phone to be nearby or the watch to be connected to a current WiFi network for emergency alerts (if these conditions are not met, alerts cannot be sent); the LTE version can operate independently, making it safer. Communication between the phone and watch works similarly: the GPS version or a watch without LTE activated communicates via the phone when it is nearby or when the watch can connect to a current WiFi network.
The watch can connect to the current WiFi network means that the phone and watch have connected to this WiFi before, and the system has a record to connect directly.
The Family Setup feature in watchOS 7 (allows monitoring of children’s activities and elderly health) is only available on LTE models because the watch’s data is sent to the organizer’s (parent’s) phone, not the wearer’s phone.
Watch Bands
The watch bands are only categorized as:
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Large: 42 (Apple Watch 3 and earlier) / 44 (Apple Watch 4 and later)
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Small: 38 (Apple Watch 3 and earlier) / 40 (Apple Watch 4 and later)
Apple also guarantees that the band sizes will not change (otherwise, who would buy the Hermès edition XD). At least for now, bands from Series 1 to 6 are compatible.
Apple Watch Official Stainless Steel Milanese Loop Unboxing
Standard / Nike / Hermès Versions
The Nike edition only adds exclusive Nike watch faces, while the Hermès edition offers exclusive Hermès watch faces as well as Hermès bands paired with the stainless steel version.
Upgrade Guide
If you currently have a Series 3, Series 2, or Series 1, it is recommended to upgrade, at least to Series 4. Starting from Series 4, the screen is full display (many new watch faces require Series 4 or above), and the processor performance is much better with almost no lag. The upgrade is noticeable.
Upgrading from Series 4 is optional since the main differences are the always-on display and blood oxygen sensor. The raise-to-wake display on Apple Watch is fast and responsive enough; always-on is better but not essential. The blood oxygen sensor is not medically certified and should be used for reference only.
If you already have Series 5, you can wait for the next generation as there is no need to upgrade.
For a detailed comparison, please refer to the official website “Compare All Models”. There are also some differences in features, such as the altimeter, compass, and more.
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