Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) review: This needs cellular connectivity to stand out

Note: This review was originally published on 24 September 2017 and was re-published on 8th February 2018 because the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) is launching tomorrow. We are currently testing the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) so stay tuned for our review. If you have any questions about the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular), leave them in the comments below and we will try to address them in the review.

We ain't getting cellular yet

Apple recently held a special event where they unveiled their new smartwatch called the Apple Watch Series 3. During the event, they also mentioned that they are now the number one watch brand in the world, surpassing heavyweights like Rolex, Fossil, Omega, and Cartier. Though Apple didn’t say if this is measured in terms of volume or revenue (we are guessing revenue), it is still a pretty impressive piece of statistic. 

Though the new Apple Watch Series 3 looks identical to its predecessors, it has one very important new feature. It will come with cellular connectivity - a first for an Apple smartwatch.

To be sure, cellular connectivity in a smartwatch isn’t new. Samsung’s Gear S3 and LG’s Watch Urbane, which were both launched last year, both have cellular connectivity. However, this is the first Apple Watch to boast cellular connectivity, so that’s a big deal.

The problem, however, is that we won’t be getting the models with cellular connectivity, at least not yet. Presumably, this is because of the absence of telco support for the eSIM chip that the Apple Watch Series 3 is using. So what we are getting, for now at least, are the non-cellular versions, which are also known as the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS). Representatives from Apple did say that they open to working with local telcos, so hopefully we will get the cellular versions in the near future. But first, let’s run through what’s new in Apple’s third-generation smartwatch.

What’s New

S3 Processor - The Apple Watch Series 3 gets a new and improved dual-core processor called the S3. Apple claims performance has been improved by 70%. This means a more responsive user experience and more fluid graphics. This processor is also what gives Siri enough compute power to speak for the first time on the Apple Watch.

W2 wireless chip - Apple Watch Series 3 also gets Apple’s new wireless chip called W2. W2 offers 80% faster Wi-Fi and is said to be 50% more efficient. 

Barometric altimeter - The latest Apple Watch gets a new sensor. It now has a barometric altimeter that measures your relative elevation - very useful for hikers.

New bands - Apple has been continuously releasing new bands for the Apple Watch ever since its launch and there is now a bewildering selection for owners to choose from. For Apple Watch Series 3, Apple launched new Sport Loop bands, which come in 8 tantalizing colors including Seashell, Pink Sand, Spicy Orange and Electric Pink. There are also new Sport bands, Woven Nylon bands, Leather bands, and Hermès bands.

What’s not new

Design - The Apple Watch Series 3 is still square. A lot of folks have clamored for a round Apple Watch, but I still think that a square design is best. To begin, a square display makes the most sense for displaying text. But perhaps more importantly, the square case of the Apple Watch is so distinctive now and people can recognize it from a mere silhouette, much like how people can recognize a Coke bottle from its silhouette. That is a mark of a strong design.

Size - Still available in 38mm and 42mm, the new Apple Watch Series 3 is only very slightly thicker. Both 38mm and 42mm models of the Apple Watch Series 3 are 11.4mm thick and are only 0.25mm thicker than the Apple Watch Series 2. The additional thickness is to accommodate the cellular radios used in the cellular versions of the Apple Watch Series 3. 

GPS and water resistance - The two most significant features of the Apple Watch Series 2 are unchanged on the new Apple Watch Series 3. Water resistance is still rated at 50 meters and there is still a built-in GPS. The 50-meter water resistant rating means the Apple Watch Series 3 can be used for swimming (but not diving).

watchOS 4

As you can probably tell by now, the non-cellular Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) is quite similar to last year’s Apple Watch Series 2. In fact, apart from the faster processor, W2 wireless chip, and new barometric altimeter sensor, the two are mostly the same.

The other big difference is that the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) comes preloaded with watchOS 4, Apple’s latest operating system for its smartwatch. watchOS 4 features significant improvements and updates, and there’s a strengthened focus on health and fitness. 

For example, the Heart Rate app has enhanced to show deeper insights including details like resting and walking heart rates. The app can now even alert you if it detects abnormal heart rates.

The Activity app has also been tweaked to be more personal and intelligent to help users close their activity rings. watchOS 4 can monitor your activity levels and send notifications near the end of the day with suggestions as to activities that you can do to close your rings. 

For fitness enthusiasts, the Workout app now tracks HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training). Music controls are now also directly accessible within the Workout app, making it easier for users to pound to their favorite tunes. 

Speaking of working out, watchOS 4 also introduces GymKit, which allows Apple Watch users to pair their Apple Watches with compatible gym equipment. This allows the Apple Watch to immediately gather workout data from the gym equipment.

And of course, watchOS 4 comes with new watch faces. There’s a new Siri watch face that gives instant access to Siri, plus it updates dynamically based on your information in other apps like Calendar, Reminders, Activity, and Wallet. For fans of Toy Story, there’s also new Woody, Jessie, and Buzz Lightyear watch faces that animate whenever you raise your wrist. And finally, there’s the Kaleidoscope face that changes and distorts when users rotate the Digital Crown, creating unique trippy patterns.

watchOS 4 is a nice update for Apple Watch, but it isn’t exclusive to Apple Watch Series 3. It is available to owners of the Apple Watch Series 2 and Series 1 as well and is available as a free update now.

On the wrist

I have had the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) on my wrist for the past few days and I found it to perform slightly better than the Apple Watch Series 2. It is noticeably faster in most areas. However, the difference wasn't night and day, and certainly not as great as going from the very first Apple Watch to the Apple Watch Series 2. Apple Watch Series 2 was markedly quicker than its predecessor.

The W2 wireless chip enables faster syncing of data with my phone and does appear to be more power efficient. Even after a day of use, with on and off app usage, and a 20-minute workout, I still have about 60% of battery left. But even with that much left in the reserves, I still had to charge it at night. So although the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) is more power efficient, it won’t change users’ charging habits. It is still a device that you must charge every night.

Activity tracking is mostly spot on but it can be prone to errors now and then. Here is an example: the Apple Watch counts every full minute of movement that equals or exceeds the intensity of a brisk walk as exercise, and because I drive a manual car that requires me to shift gears, it seems to think that the activity of shifting gear is equivalent to exercise. Sure, a manual car is more work to drive, but I think the Apple Watch is a little too generous in counting that toward exercise.

Insofar as comfort is concerned, the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) is faultless. Coupled with Apple’s excellent fluoroelastomer Sport band, I found the watch to be very comfortable to wear. In fact, most of Apple's straps are really well-designed and comfortable on the wrist.

Since we on the topic of straps, the new Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) retains Apple’s ingenious strap-changing system too and is compatible with every other strap that Apple has released thus far. That’s a good thing, and it is also the reason why I think Apple will be sticking to this squarish design and 38mm and 42mm dimensions for the foreseeable future. They will likely want future Apple Watches to be compatible with their incredible catalog of straps.

At S$548 (for the 42mm model), the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) is, like most Apple products, a premium device. But this is actually slightly less expensive than last year’s Apple Watch Series 2, which was priced at $598. That said, S$548 is actually quite reasonable as its competitors like the Samsung Gear S3, and not that much more than the new Fitbit Ionic. Furthermore, at S$548 the Apple Watch Series 3 still costs less than a high-end GPS running watch, and I would argue that it offers more in terms of features and usability. 

The smaller 38mm model of the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) goes for S$498 (also S$50 less). There are three finishes to choose from: silver, gold, and space grey.

Though the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) doesn’t boast many new features over its predecessor, the combination of its faster S3 processor and the new watchOS 4 means that it is still, by far and away, the best smartwatch for the iPhone and also one of the best smartwatches you can buy now. However, the lack of cellular connectivity means that it is still heavily reliant on the iPhone.

Final Thoughts: Wait for the cellular model

In terms of both features and performance, the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) is very similar to the Apple Watch Series 2, and I think owners of the latter will struggle to find any compelling reasons to upgrade. Yes, the new Apple Watch Series 3 is faster, but I never found its predecessor to be so slow that it was unbearable to use. 

The problem, if you can even call it that, is that the Apple Watch Series 2 was, and still is a very competent smartwatch, which means the new Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) needs to be very special to stand out. And unfortunately, without celluar connectivity (in Singapore), the Apple Watch Series 3 just feels like a faster version of the Apple Watch Series 2.

Therefore, for owners of the Apple Watch Series 2, it makes much more sense to wait and see if the cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 3 will be available here. Furthermore, if you were to purchase a new Apple Watch now, you can only get one with an aluminum case. That’s because the stainless steel, ceramic (Apple Watch Edition), and Hermès versions of the Apple Watch Series 3 are all only available as cellular models. 

That said, for owners of the first Apple Watch and the Apple Watch Series 1, the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS), even in its non-cellular form, can be a compelling upgrade.

You see, Apple Watch Series 3 is appreciably faster than Series 2, which is already a lot faster than the very first Apple Watch. So going from the first Apple Watch to Apple Watch Series 3 is going to get you a huge performance bump. Additionally, Apple Watch Series 3 has a lot of features that the first Apple Watch and Apple Watch Series 1 lack, such as 50m water resistance and built-in GPS.

Let's not also forget that the cellular versions of the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) would definitely command a significant premium - plus you have to take into account the additional monthly fees for cellular connectivity. If cellular connectivity isn’t one of your priorities, the Apple Watch Series 3 is a great upgrade for owners of the first Apple Watch.

Even though the Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) isn’t drastically different from its predecessor, it still is a great smartwatch. The design is great (though this is purely subjective) and the overall performance is better than ever. As I said, the Apple Watch Series 3 is a great upgrade for owners of first the Apple Watch, especially if cellular connectivity is something they are willing to forgo. For everyone else, I would recommend adopting a wait-and-see approach to see if and when  Apple will introduce the cellular model of the Apple Watch Series 3 here. After all, cellular connectivity is easily the most important new feature of the new Apple Watch Series 3.

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