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Hands-on with the new water resistant and GPS-enabled Apple Watch Series 2

By Kenny Yeo - 8 Sep 2016

Hands-on with the new water resistant and GPS-enabled Apple Watch Series 2

The new Apple Watch Series 2.

Apple has a new smartwatch and it’s called the Apple Watch Series 2. We don’t blame you if you can’t tell that its new, because it looks just like the original Apple Watch that was released about 16 months ago.

Can you tell which is old and which is new?

Nevertheless, the new Apple Watch Series 2 does boast a couple of important new features. First and foremost, it’s now water resistant to 50 meters, which means it can be used for swimming. And to complement that, the watch’s fitness tracking app now has a new mode for swimming activities.

The speakers on the new Apple Watch Series 2 have been designed to push water out of the speaker ports.

Making the Apple Watch Series 2 waterproof was a challenge, mainly because of the speakers. Speakers need to move air to create sound, which meant the case must have an area in which air and water can enter. To get around this problem, Apple had to reengineer a new type of speaker, which can eject water out of the speaker ports to prevent it from flooding.

How do you tell if its the new Apple Watch Series 2? Flip the watch over and look.

The other important new feature is that it has a built-in GPS. This is a godsend for runners who want to track their running routes. If they wanted to do this in the past, they would have to bring their phones along for the run. Now, they can leave it behind and run with their watches alone.

And of course, the new Apple Watch Series 2 also boasts upgraded components. The display is 50% brighter and is rated at 1000 nits. This makes it the brightest display on any Apple device. In addition, the new S2 SoC is 50% faster and offers double the graphics performance of its predecessor.

On the wrist, the new Apple Watch Series 2 wears identically to its predecessor.

The Apple Watch Series 2 will come in the same 38mm and 42mm sizes. And in terms of dimension, it’s nearly identical to the first generation Apple Watch  except that it’s a little thicker. On the wrist, however, the new Apple Watch Series 2 feels almost the same and the extra thickness is unnoticeable.

Like the first generation Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in a variety of case materials and colors. There’s the regular Apple Watch Series 2 that comes in aluminum and stainless steel cases, with prices beginning from S$548. Pre-orders will begin on September 9 , with availability beginning September 16 in Singapore.

Fancy a luxury smartwatch?

Fans of luxury brand Hermès will be happy to know that there’s a variety of new Apple Watch Hermès models with new lots of new bands. Prices for these will begin at S$1,788. Pre-orders will begin on September 9, while availability is expected to be on September 23.

The Apple Watch Nike+ can be loud and brash, depending on the color combination you pick.

The running app on the Apple Watch Nike+ is a little different, and its unique to the Nike+ watches.

Fitness enthusiasts can look forward to the new Apple Watch Nike+ model. It comes in an aluminum case and features a special Nike Sport band. In addition, it will also come loaded with a unique Nike running app that is only available on the Apple Watch Nike+ models. The Apple Watch Nike+ will be available in four colors and will be priced at S$548. Pre-orders for this will also begin on Sepember 9, but availability will only be later in October.

The new Apple Watch Edition comes with in a pure white ceramic case that is very striking.

The other noteworthy mention is the new Apple Watch Edition watch. Instead of gold cases, the Apple Watch Edition now comes in a stunning white ceramic case and a matching white sports band with a white ceramic pin. Ceramic is often used in high-end watches and is favored for its incredible hardness and is said to be virtually scratch-proof. Prices for the new Apple Watch Edition will begin at S$1,818. Pre-orders will begin on September 9 , with availability beginning September 16 in Singapore.

Like its predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 2 will have lots of different models and colors to choose from.

Based on first impressions, the new Apple Watch Series 2 is easily a much more capable smartwatch. Users have clamored for water resistance and a built-in GPS and Apple has duly delivered. Water resistance makes the new Apple Watch Series 2 is much more tool-hardy watch and one that can be worn the entire day without fear of it getting wet when bathing or doing chores around the house. On the other hand, the added built-in GPS now makes the Apple Watch Series 2 is a much more capable fitness tracking sports watch. We wonder how GPS sport watch makers like Polar, Garmin and TomTom are feeling right now.

Stayed tuned for our review of the new Apple Watch Series 2.

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