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Read PCMag's expert review of the Apple Watch Series 4, a smartwatch with a larger display, better cellular connectivity, and more advanced health features. Find out the pros, cons, price, and battery life of this Editors' Choice wearable.
- Apple
- Victoria Song
- Analyst, Consumer Electronics
- Get This Model, Stick with What You Have, Or Look elsewhere?
- Apple and ECG: Do You Need It?
- Other Health Features: Fall Detection, Low Heart Rate
- My Favorite Thing: Speed
- My Next Favorite Thing: Audio
- Bigger screen Is Better, But Untapped Watch Face Possibilities
- Battery: Two Days, Max
- Cellular: Better Connection, Similar Proposition
- Fitness: The Main Advantage Is A Bit More Battery Life For GPS Runs
- The Leader of The Smartwatch Pack -- But There's More Left to Improve
New features like automatic workout tracking, walkie-talkie communications between watches, raise to talk (no more "hey Siri") and better support for music and podcasts are all welcome additions to the Apple Watch. But those are part of the 2018 WatchOS 5 upgrade, so they're also available on older Series 1, Series 2 and Series 3models. To that end...
The most interesting new feature on the Series 4 watch, by far, is an FDA-cleared ECG app that can do more medically accurate on-the-spot heart rate checks. The Apple Watch is now an over-the-counter health device. But what that means for you may not be as sweeping as you'd think, even if it could help more people be aware of medical conditions the...
The Apple Watch S4 can also detect falls, via its improved accelerometer, gyroscope and optical heart rate sensors. Fall detection works via a combination of G-force impact and detection of arm and hand placement when falling, using the watch's updated accelerometer and gyroscope. Apple's testing and algorithms look for indicators that apparently o...
The first Apple Watch in 2015 was slow. Loading apps was its limiting factor. The lightning-quick, smooth feel of the Apple Watch Series 4 almost feels like a given, since it's how Apple products tend to feel out of the box. It's as fast, now, as an iPhone or iPad. It feels automatic. Last year's Series 3 was also fast, and it's still fine. The Ser...
More than the watch's refined design, I truly appreciate the way it handles speakerphone functions. A louder speaker truly helps with quick Siri requests (which I really do, on my wrist, when setting timers or alarms or quick tasks). A new raise-to-speak function in WatchOS 5 means I can lift and talk really closely into the watch and not have to s...
The Apple Watch S4 is the biggest design update since the watch launched in 2015. Apple followed the model of its recent iPhone designs here: The Series 4 cuts down the bezel surrounding the screen versus last year's Series 3, effectively squeezing larger screens into the same size chassis. It's still a squircle, but the look is much more refined. ...
If you wanted significantly better battery life in an Apple Watch, well, wait till next year. It still lasts roughly a day and a half to two days like it did before under normal usage -- that is, without GPS and cellular data used much. Some might find that reasonable. But I see fitness trackers that last a week or more, and regular watches that ca...
Connecting the Watch to a phone carrier for a fully connected away-from-iPhone experience is available for $100 more, plus $10 a month (or more) depending on your carrier. The new watch's ceramic back does help cellular reception, and I found it easier to place calls and get service. Cellular still eats into battery life, so expect a day max, if yo...
Some years, the Apple Watch took big strides in fitness tech: adding GPS, swim tracking and water resistance, or even optional cellular. The revamped, improved accelerometer, gyroscope and heart-rate sensor on the Series 4 seem like they could help improve tracking, but none of that clearly plays out in everyday use. For runs, walks and gym workout...
The Apple Watch Series 4 earns bragging rights for its truly excellent connected features, zippy performance and best-in-class industrial design, and ever-improving health and fitness tracking. But I'm still waiting for the Apple Watch to step up its battery life like other fitness wearables are already offering. Maybe a low-power mode that can las...
- Editor at Large
- Apple
- 7 min
Sep 19, 2018 · Apple Watch Series 4. $ 395. The Good. Great battery life. Huge, beautiful screen. Health-tracking features, not just fitness. The Bad. Siri is still unreliable. No always-on screen option....
- Apple
Sep 17, 2021 · Here’s how it works. Wellness. Smartwatches. Apple Watch Series 4 review. Reviews. By Caitlin McGarry. published 17 September 2021. The Apple Watch Series 4 makes a great smartwatch...
Mar 24, 2021 · Features. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS. Barometric altimeter. Water resistant. 50 meters1. Electrical heart sensor. Optical heart sensor. Improved accelerometer. up to 32 g-forces. Improved gyroscope. Ambient light sensor. Speaker. 50 percent louder. Microphone. Apple Pay. GymKit. Capacity 16GB. Ceramic and sapphire crystal back.
Sep 12, 2018 · Apple Watch Series 4: Beautifully redesigned with breakthrough communication, fitness and health capabilities. Featuring a Stunning New Display, Electrocardiogram and Fall Detection. The redesigned Apple Watch Series 4 features a stunning display with thinner borders and curved corners.
Compare specs for the latest Apple Watch models: Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch SE.
