However, combined with the ability to take an ECG and monitor your heart's regular output, it's still a comfort, and those with heart conditions would probably still gravitate towards the Watch 6 as a result. Apple Watch 6 fitness The Series 6 also features Apple's signature digital crown on the top right side. Press this button to return to the watch face; press and hold it to talk to Siri; or turn it to scroll, zoom, or adjust. One thing we haven’t mentioned is the use of cellular data with your Apple Watch. The amount of times you’ll need it are limited – having the ability to have Siri with you when your phone isn’t, or to make a call, or listen to an Apple Music playlist is nice, but the extra cost of the data plan is less appealing.

Emergency SOS requires a cellular connection or Wi‑Fi calling with an internet connection from your Apple Watch or nearby iPhone. The standout feature here is a new sensor that can measure the oxygen saturation of your blood, also known as SpO2. This metric indicates how well your circulatory and respiratory systems are delivering oxygenated blood to your body. Your SpO2 reading alone can't diagnose COVID-19, but as the Yale School of Medicine advises, a reading below 90 percent may warrant a trip to the emergency room. Emergency SOS requires a cellular connection or Wi-Fi calling with an internet connection from your Apple Watch or nearby iPhone. It’s a feature that started off being quite erratic for us, but over the space of a few days it became more accurate. Charge times are from 0–80% and 0–100% using the included Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charging USB‑C Cable. Testing conducted by Apple in August 2022 using pre‑production Apple Watch Ultra (GPS + Cellular) paired with an iPhone; all devices tested with pre‑release software, Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charging USB‑C Cable (Model A2515) and Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter (Model A2305). Charge time varies with region, settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary.The watch uses data from the barometric pressure sensor, GPS, and nearby Wi-Fi networks to determine your exact location and update your elevation on the fly. You can also add your elevation as a complication on the watch face. The Series 6 is light and comfortable on my wrist, even when I wear it to bed. The 40mm and 44mm aluminum models weigh 1.07 ounces and 1.28 ounces, respectively, without the strap. The stainless steel models are the heaviest at 1.40 ounces and 1.66 ounces, and the titanium models weigh 1.22 ounces and 1.45 ounces. When you start a blood oxygen scan, you'll see a 15-second countdown timer on the screen along with a relaxing blue and red graphic. After 15 seconds, your blood oxygen saturation percentage will appear onscreen. You can also view blood oxygen measurements in the Health app on your iPhone. There’s no information on whether you spent time in deep sleep, light sleep or REM, nor any correlation with bedtimes, or how stressed you were during the day –these are fast becoming standard features on other fitness wearables, so we expected more from Apple here.

But you still need to work out when you’re going to find that 90-minute window each day to charge your Watch, if you’re not going to do it overnight, which is frustrating. Placing the Watch higher up our arm helped with the accuracy (as it’s easier for the sensor to read the pulse through the skin here), but it wasn’t comfortable and fell forwards eventually.

Apple Watch Series 6 Space Black (stainless steel and titanium)

Sadly, the Solo Loop we were sent for review purposes was too large – it hung like a bangle around the wrist – but we could see the promise of being able to just slip it over the wrist, and not have to mess around with clasps, or worry about it flopping around during the day. Apple Watch 6 display Apple Watch Series 9 has a water resistance rating of 50 metres under ISO standard 22810:2010. This means that it may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. However, Apple Watch Series 9 should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth. Water resistance is not a permanent condition and can diminish over time. For additional information, see support.apple.com/en‑gb/HT205000. The Apple Watch 6 is still a strong contender, which is why it's maintained a place in ours best smartwatch round-up, although it's not as high as it once was.