The Apple Watch Extremely ($800) is our favourite smartwatch in our Finest GPS Working Watches information.
On this video, iRunFar explores its options and limitations, and the professionals and cons of choosing the Apple Watch Extremely over an alternate high-end GPS operating look ahead to lengthy distance operating.
You could have heard that the Apple Watch Extremely 2 launched in September, 2023. The dangerous information? This isn’t a evaluation of the Extremely 2 — but, we’ll evaluation it in due time. The excellent news? The options and performance of what’s coated on this evaluation are related to the Extremely 2. Primarily as a result of a lot of the updates for the Extremely 2 are quality-of-life adjustments versus adjustments to operating features.
The Extremely 2 introduces a brand new processor, some new gestures, a barely brighter display screen at most capability, and a dimmer display screen for nighttime interplay. WatchOS was moved as much as model 10, however we’ll obtain that replace for this mannequin and supply further commentary on any vital adjustments that include the brand new software program.
Now, onto the evaluation of the Apple Watch Extremely.
Store the Apple Watch Extremely
Apple Watch Extremely Evaluate Transcript
Hey and welcome to Path Trials, the video evaluation part of iRunFar. My title is Travis Liles. On this video, we take a look at the Apple Watch Extremely. We ask the query, is it “extremely?” This query applies to iRunFar readers particularly, is that this one thing you’ll put on for an ultramarathon and lengthy distance run coaching? Let’s test it out.
Earlier than we dig in, let’s discuss what this evaluation is and isn’t. This machine has been out for some time. Updates are coming to it. I’m recording this in roughly the center of July, 2023. There have been some updates since I received it. I’ll be as correct as I can about the place we’re at this time. I additionally plan on recording a supplemental video as time goes on, when options are added on which might be relevant to both my critiques, or to our sport of ultrarunning on the whole.
That’s the distinction between this and one thing like a shoe. A shoe is a shoe, till a brand new model comes out. This watch will get software program updates, firmware updates, issues can change, and be added over time.
Due to that, we now have to consider this as a point-in-time evaluation. Additionally, this isn’t an exhaustive expertise evaluation. There are a bunch of these on the market already that discuss Apple watches, their well being options, their smartwatch options.
I’m attempting to condense this down into — if I’m an ultrarunner, what do I take into consideration this watch? How does it match into my world? If I’m going to spend on a high-end machine to trace my runs, is that this one which is smart, given what I do? I hope to reply that by the top of this evaluation.
The Apple Watch Extremely. All pictures: iRunFar/Travis Liles
Apple Watch Extremely Specs and Operation
Let’s begin by trying on the general structure of the Apple Watch Extremely. First, that is an all-titanium case. It’s 49 millimeters in diameter, and for a reference level, that’s a reasonably large sports activities watch.
I’m a small particular person. I’m 5 foot, 5 inches. I’m 135 kilos. I’ve received pretty small wrists. These watches have presence, however they’re not loopy huge. Should you take a look at the 2 of those in contrast [shows two watches], that is the Garmin fēnix 7 — Sapphire Photo voltaic Version — you’ll be able to take a look at our Garmin fēnix 7 — Sapphire Photo voltaic Version evaluation, too. A number of phrases there. And right here is the Apple Watch Extremely.
The distinction is, one’s sq. and one’s round. For a reference level, these fall on the bigger dimension of the sports-watch class. There’s quite a bit occurring right here by way of sensors, and GPS, and an even bigger battery. Particularly should you’ve solely used a daily Apple Watch. However the case is made out of all titanium and it’s a giant, chunky case. Titanium is a reasonably light-weight steel. It’s mild for the scale that it’s. It has a really massive and brilliant OLED display screen, which simply means blacks are actually black. Should you’ve received an iPhone Professional, this is identical sort of display screen, clearly a lot smaller. It’s actually brilliant and vivid.
By way of working the watch, you’ve a few issues to work with. One is the digital crown, and it does a pair issues. One, as you’ll be able to see, it offers you a pink face, which is cool. Should you don’t need one thing tremendous brilliant, you’ll be able to flip to that. Should you’re tenting or no matter, that’s a enjoyable perform to have. However the crown additionally works for scrolling via the apps. Once more, it is a smartwatch, so that you work together with it via functions. After all, it has touchscreen, in addition to the crown button.
Over right here on the proper, there’s one other button, and that pops you into your not too long ago opened functions. Once more, you should use that crown to scroll. Contact remains to be a reasonably first rate interplay level with this watch, and that’s positively one thing to bear in mind. For instance, if we go into the Climate app, you’ll be able to scroll via some data. But when I need to return to the listing of places, I’ve to the touch on the display screen, and hit that time to get again. So, contact is a requirement as you’re employed with this, and we’ll discuss extra about that later.
Over right here on the facet, the factor that’s totally different from the remainder of the Apple line is that this Motion button. The Motion button is, for all intents and functions, a shortcut — a deep shortcut button into the Exercise software, in my case. After I hit that button, it goes into the Exercise app, and now it waits for a GPS sign. That could be a perform which you can activate or flip off. It will probably simply begin routinely while you hit that, or you’ll be able to wait in your sign to be totally intact. When you’ve received that able to go, you’re good. You hit that button once more, and that may begin your exercise. Or you’ll be able to edit this button to do various things, but it surely’s successfully going to right here, and I’ve it mapped to the Exercise app. Then Out of doors Run is the particular type of exercise that I’ve it go to once I begin the machine.
The Apple Watch Extremely’s operating mode.
Apple Watch Extremely Options
We’ve got a pair different issues to name out on the Apple Watch Extremely. You’ll discover these huge holes right here — it is a speaker. There are microphones on this as nicely. These act in a few features, however primarily for speaking to your voice assistant on the Apple world.
It additionally acts as a siren. You may take a cellphone name on this machine as nicely, and discuss to your wrist, which is oddly satisfying.
The display screen is made with sapphire glass, and that’s, for probably the most half, not scratchable, or extraordinarily onerous to scratch. I’m positive there are situations, however I’ve had many sports activities watches and mechanical watches via the years with sapphire glass, and I don’t know of any of them that’s scratched.
Listed below are a couple of notes on the straps. These straps are all detachable. That is the Path Loop right here. Most likely the one which’s most viable, I’d say, for most individuals, particularly with operating. It’s stretchy. It conforms to the wrist. It’s received stretch to it, but it surely will get a pleasant, comfortable match, which signifies that it locks down and get your coronary heart fee readings pretty nicely. You need it to be as darkish as could be beneath the watch to make it possible for it’s doing what it must, to take these coronary heart fee readings, these pulse readings, all that sort of stuff.
They’re simply modified out. You push these little buttons right here on the backside. This one is known as an Alpine Loop. I just like the aesthetic of this, that’s simply private desire right here. However they’re quite simple to alter out and in. There are many third-party choices. Apple makes a complete bunch which you can go check out, to alter the feel and appear of the machine as you see match.
Utilizing the Apple Watch Extremely to Work Out
Let’s take a look at what it’s prefer to work out with the Apple Watch Extremely. Should you’re going out in your run, you hit your button. It opens the Exercise app. You may map it to about no matter you need right here, even third-party functions, which we’ll discuss in a bit. That arrow signifies that I’ve received my GPS sign.
What I’ll say about that is, I turned on mobile as an possibility, as a result of I needed to place this factor via the paces. So, this may use the GPS, mobile, and pedometer features. It lays down actually good GPS tracks.
After I evaluate it to different units, I’ve by no means seen any huge swings in some way by way of the standard of the observe, or dropping sign. Actually, it’ll even do some actually sensible issues. Should you’re in crowded downtown areas — as a result of Apple Maps has integration right here, like the identical one which’s in your cellphone — it will probably fill in gaps and determine issues out.
Now, you should use your digital crown and work your means via your totally different screens right here. Coronary heart fee coaching, several types of splits, your tempo, no matter it’s, there are plenty of choices right here which you can customise to make it look the best way that you really want. That is one which’s particular to elevation, and it’ll present like a chart. Then you definitely’ve received your music choices additionally, as a result of it is a smartwatch, and you may simply plug your headphones in and take off from there.
What you’ll in all probability discover via all of that is it’s simply base-function-type monitoring. Once more, coronary heart fee, all that data, might be precisely such as you count on it to be. It tracks. It offers you your tempo. It does an important job of holding all that data in. While you’re carried out, it uploads into Apple Well being. You could have a pair interplay factors right here whereas it’s taking that knowledge. On the one facet, let’s proceed speaking about after I’ve carried out a exercise. That goes into Health.
The exercise menu on the Apple Watch Extremely.
The way in which Health works is rather like Garmin Join. It’s similar to the Coros app, or the Suunto app, no matter you’re utilizing. This syncs that knowledge right here, after which from right here, it decides on what to do with it.
Right here’s an instance of an Out of doors Run exercise. I can see my exercise time, distance, common tempo, coronary heart fee, and it’s damaged up into splits. All that knowledge that you’d count on to see. Even actually attention-grabbing issues like vertical oscillations, are you off the bottom an excessive amount of or not, what’s your common cadence, floor contact, stride size. There’s plenty of stuff in right here to essentially dig into and get details about what it’s that you just’re doing.
The opposite facet although, is what about sharing this knowledge? On the social facet of issues, you’ll be able to sync all this data to Strava. It actually goes via this setting right here, which is your machine settings. You simply join Apple Well being. When you try this, all the exercises add into Strava within the background. You may inform it to do its factor. As a result of the watch has Wi-Fi and mobile, it’s a really fast course of.
There’s a bit little bit of the app interface. Principally, you’ve received all that wealthy knowledge, similar to you’ve on all of your different apps which might be on the market, once more, like Garmin Join or the Coros app. For getting that information after which for sharing that externally, it will probably go to these different functions. I’m utilizing Strava like I feel nearly all of individuals are, however there are different platforms, and also you simply have to see if Apple Well being is a sync goal.
Apple Watch Extremely Security and Navigation
Let’s discuss security. The Apple Watch Extremely is a smartwatch, so it has mobile connectivity. Due to that, it has attention-grabbing ideas not in different sport watches in the marketplace.
You recognize, the Apple commercials you’ve seen the place a man runs into the again of a automotive and his watch says, “I detect a crash.” Identical factor applies right here. It has crash and fall detection. Additionally, with this huge speaker on right here, it really has a siren inbuilt and I’ll hit that in 3, 2, 1. [Beeping siren sound] What that does is, should you fall or get damage, you’ve received this siren, versus always screaming, you’ll be able to set that, flip it on, and it beeps repeatedly. The siren, and the frequency, and the loudness, and the way it cascades and goes up and goes down — that’s speculated to be consideration grabbing. It’s not as loud as a whistle, but it surely does always go, it takes the “you” out of getting to always blow into one thing. You may really flip that siren on and it does that for you. It’s received mobile, and due to that, if by likelihood I crashed right into a tree — I really had a coworker do that on his bike. His Apple Watch known as for an emergency, and he received pulled out due to that.
The opposite factor I’ll name out right here is the Compass app. Should you take a look at any Apple advertising and marketing, you’ll see the place you should use the Compass app’s Backtrack function. I can hit that and principally begin laying down a footpath. Or I can go into the all app display screen, and discover my solution to Compass. You may see why that motion button is basically useful in there.
Leaping to the display screen, and this has a few features which might be which might be constructed into it. One is that Backtrack perform. As a be aware, this watch doesn’t lay down a observe for you routinely. While you begin a run, you’re operating within the Exercise app. It’s monitoring your tempo, it’s monitoring your distance, it’s laying down a map within the background, however it’s not laying down a map which you can, if by likelihood you are taking a unsuitable flip, return and observe. There are triggers within the Compass app that may search for connection. When’s the final time it was capable of discuss to mobile, and different issues, or discuss to your cellphone over mobile, after which will supposedly lay down a pin. However probably the most surefire solution to be sure to have a Backtrack is actually to come back into this app that’s Compass. Begin that, and lay down this Backtrack.
You are able to do attention-grabbing issues within this app. It permits for scrolling proper out and in. I don’t get plenty of data right here essentially. Consider it extra as a, because the crow flies, as the best way the information is introduced on right here. And actually, I can lay down, , numerous factors of curiosity and such to return to a spot. If I parked my automotive, it normally leaves a parked automotive spot by default. However in case you begin at a trailhead that’s farther away, you would lay that down and return to it.
But it surely lacks within the particulars of data. You don’t get a lot in means of contour. It’s primarily only a line. It doesn’t provide you with intersecting knowledge that you just’ve gone via, trails that you just’ve handed, or something like that. It’s very a lot simply laying down a observe as you go.
That is a kind of issues that I feel from a security standpoint, is just too sophisticated. I might have favored to have seen this Compass app and the Backtrack perform like an choice to activate routinely within a exercise. As a result of should you don’t flip it on upfront, it doesn’t do it.
Or you must depend on a bunch of different elements. It’s important to hope that it begins the Backtrack function for you. That’s one half. The second half is as a result of it’s an app, the best way that you just interface between this, in case you are misplaced on a path run, and also you need to get again to the place you began, you’re bouncing out and in of those two. Okay, I’m again right here. I see how lengthy I’ve ran. I feel it was a few mile again, proper, for example. I’m going again into the Compass app. As a reference level, in case your palms are moist, or sweaty, otherwise you’re carrying gloves, all this turns into more durable to navigate via. But it surely does serve a base performance for the Backtrack. Once more, you simply need to just remember to keep in mind to show it on.
A facet view of the Apple Watch Extremely.
Talking of maps and Backtrack, let’s discuss what I might say might be the most important evident gap on this machine, because it stands. That’s the truth that you wouldn’t have maps inbuilt. You don’t lay down a observe as I discussed within the Compass half. There’s nowhere in these screens the place you’re getting the route that you just simply did, or are operating. That doesn’t seem anyplace the place that line is laying down a breadcrumb behind you. Once more, except you employ that Compass perform that I simply talked about.
If you find yourself operating a route, let’s use an instance right here of, let’s say I need to do that out of doors run. Perhaps I need to run a route that I’ve carried out earlier than. There isn’t any perform of importing a GPX file to this. Should you get a race route or one thing alongside these strains, or buddies going out on a run collectively, and also you guys are all operating the identical route and put that in your watch. Otherwise you’re going someplace you don’t know. That’s not a base perform of the watch.
What it does have is that this capacity to hint a route that you just’ve already run. You may see right here, scrolling via, there are a few routes that from my home might be part of this that I’ve carried out up to now. The set off is basically easy. You’ve needed to have carried out the route a number of instances, I imagine twice, after which you must be near that begin spot. When you do, it presents itself.
This menu solely consists of those couple of routes right here, once I’m near the start line. Then when you’re in it, it solely tells you should you’re off track. It doesn’t let you know the best way to get again on to it. That’s one of many main misses, I feel, because it pertains to path operating, is there isn’t a performance out of field for this machine to provide you that mapping that you really want.
Then there’s a giant a part of my day-to-day coaching that it data nicely. You’ve received the Compass app. It’s simply all type of clunky, bouncing out and in of a few totally different locations.
Apple Watch Extremely Smartwatch Options
What I didn’t count on with the Apple Watch Extremely was that the smartwatch options would play fairly as huge a job as they did. I didn’t count on the extent of “wow” that I, for lack of a greater time period, skilled from utilizing this watch each day. I feel that’s the actual energy of that is, , what it lacks in these different areas for, it makes up for within the smartwatch facet of issues. You recognize, I’ve every little thing I would like with me. If I need to test into my flight, it’s on my watch. If I need to, discover out the place my automotive is parked, this factor remembers the place it was. It’s a smartwatch, proper, and that’s what you’re getting. You’re getting all of this actually nice — let’s name it shopper, or high quality of life — stuff that’s inbuilt, like messaging, and mindfulness. There’s simply a lot right here — Spotify, the information, I can use my e-mail from work. There’s simply all these actually nice issues which might be right here for me to reap the benefits of, that I can look via actually simply, and see all my stuff. I can obtain these on the fly. I can take and make cellphone calls via it. I will pay for meals.
Once more, what this watch lacks within the different half, I used to be mesmerized, if you’ll, with the opposite features that got here in with it that I wasn’t anticipating. While you evaluate that to one thing just like the Garmin equal, you notice simply how binary a lot of these units are because it pertains to the smartwatch perform. These two will not be even in the identical ballpark, proper? This could settle for a name or deny a name. This can provide me a notification that somebody despatched me a textual content. I may even learn that textual content, however I can’t actually reply in a full constancy means. I’m caught with a sure or a no, or pre-canned-type of data.
This, to me, was actually an surprising profit, I feel, of what got here out of utilizing a smartwatch. That’s that I didn’t need to have my cellphone with me on a regular basis. There was a stage of freedom there that was simply surprising. While you pair this with headphones for example, it’s proper there in your wrist. Going out for my run, I can rapidly swipe over, seize my music, and join it to no matter headphones that I might need. Once more, something with Bluetooth connects proper up. I can begin listening to that, and if somebody calls, I get the decision.
Just like the workflow, or lack thereof, is fairly attractive. I might say at the same time as somebody that’s in expertise, that didn’t historically use this, I used to be very a lot impressed with the combination. You’ve received to be within the Apple ecosystem to essentially reap the benefits of it. However lots of people in the US and past are. That’s one thing to bear in mind.
A again view of the Apple Watch Extremely.
Apple Watch Extremely Use with Exterior Apps
The very last thing that I need to discuss is filling the hole with the Apple Watch Extremely. What do I imply by that? Effectively, I discussed the dearth of maps difficulty, and what a giant miss for me. However I discovered apps on-line that fill that hole. There are a few apps that work rather well, and the one I’ll discuss right here is WorkOutDoors.
WorkOutDoors is principally a full-blown sport watch software. And also you get to decide on what it’s that you just’re doing. However the place this fills the hole is on this map. This map space enables you to go in your cellphone, choose a location, add that map. It sends over the tiles, after which you’ll be able to add a route from beneath. We are able to go to settings. I can hit one in every of my routes. I’ve one in every of them on right here. The Nasty Junior is the title of my route. I can drop that route on there. Now it’s chosen. If I head again right here to my map. Alright, we will see this route is on the watch. Now I can actually go right here. I can park. It’ll give me turn-by-turn instructions, the maps there, all of the stuff that was lacking earlier than, is right here.
There are a few totally different apps that use this, and there’s totally different ways in which you are able to do this. I’ve talked a complete lot about core performance. That is the distinction right here, between [the Garmin fēnix 7 — Sapphire Solar Edition] and [the Apple Watch Ultra.] If [the Garmin] doesn’t have what you need, you’re caught, proper? On the Apple watch, you’ll be able to change screens. You are able to do this, you are able to do that. This factor actually has 1000’s of apps that you should use to make the machine work in a means that matches for you. The WorkOutDoors app is a major instance of how that occurs.
What I’ll level out although, is that it’s a third-party software. What which means is that you just’re reliant on updates from this app. You’re reliant on, , it sustaining the identical battery requirements because the Apple Exercise app does, and people sorts of issues. I discovered that to be the case, but it surely’s one thing to consider, as a result of it’s not the native perform of the machine to do the sorts of issues. At the least the mapping in the best way that that is, however should you actually need plenty of screens and totally different choices in your watch, I’d suggest this to take a look at. I’ve no monetary curiosity or something like that.
There’s a few different apps that enable for drawing of routes, and people sorts of issues. However this one let me get the screens I needed. It let me do the mapping that I needed, and allowed me to get nearer, if you’ll, to the Garmin, which I’ve received very comfy with, due to having that map knowledge at all times out there. While you’re off the grid, or not less than out of mobile vary, this, to me, was a sport changer by way of utilizing the machine.
The clock face on the Apple Watch Extremely.
Apple Watch Extremely Total Impressions
In closing, what’s my closing impression of the Apple Watch Extremely? If the query is, must you purchase this watch versus a high-end Garmin, Coros, Polar, or Suunto — it’s not a straightforward reply. That’s not usually the reply that folks need to hear.
But it surely actually will depend on what it’s that you just want. This machine has been actually nice for Monday via Friday. After I know what I’m doing, once I know what I’m moving into, once I want to have the ability to probably take a cellphone name as a result of my oldest daughter must come up with me whereas she’s watching my youngest daughter, or the varsity has to name me, or one thing occurs. I’m out and about as a result of I’ve received a free afternoon to go for a run. I can nonetheless be linked to work. I can obtain a podcast. I can hearken to music. I’ve entry to do what I have to do, and nonetheless be linked with out having to hold a cellphone in my again pocket, or placed on a waistbelt, to have that storage.
That’s a really releasing feeling that you just simply don’t get with common GPS watches. Sure, different watches in the marketplace enable for notifications and light-weight interactions. However I can actually take a cellphone name on this watch by placing my wrist as much as my mouth. I can have earbuds on, and I can ship out a textual content message. That could be a feeling of freedom and engagement that, on one hand, is possibly too linked. However then again is like, Wow, I see how that is nice.
The place it misses is all of the maps. I don’t belief what it has on it for maps, the dearth of the power to place a GPX file on there and observe a route natively, I simply don’t have the consolation in that third-party ecosystem. I need that to be a core perform of the watch. As of proper now, it isn’t.
Once more, you are able to do it. I’m positive of us will say, “You are able to do that like this.” I’ve used this app, and I did it. I simply have apprehension about it, as a result of it feels prefer it must be there, and it feels prefer it must be an even bigger a part of the bundle.
So, the place to go along with that? Should you’re an Apple person, clearly that’s a step in. Should you’ve been utilizing an Apple Look ahead to coaching and also you suppose, I may actually simply use higher battery life, or possibly you need one thing extra rugged, additionally an possibility. Or should you’re coming from that entry stage watch house, and now you’re attempting to suppose, Do I need this Apple Watch that’s a smartwatch, that does all these things, that may observe my runs? Or do I need this Garmin or Coros that may observe all my runs?
It comes all the way down to this. Would you like a sports activities watch that has some smartwatch performance, or would you like a smartwatch that has some sport watch performance?
It is a smartwatch first. You may inform that by the best way that you just work together with it, by the touch-first design, by bouncing out and in of apps, by the best way that the Compass app is disconnected from the run program within the Exercise app, and you must bounce forwards and backwards if you wish to use these two independently. If it’s moist otherwise you’re sweaty, use points could include that. How usually does that occur? These are questions to bear in mind as you’re enthusiastic about shopping for this.
Whereas these different watches are constructed sport first. My location is already there, the map is getting laid down as I run, and I don’t have to fret about sweating. They’ve contact, however my primary interplay is thru buttons that I can simply navigate up and down. However then I can’t simply stroll away from the home and never take my cellphone. I’ve to be linked. I can’t obtain music as I’m going.
In order that’s your choice level. As a result of you will get via a extremely long-distance race utilizing this Apple Watch Extremely. You may even use the previous battery trick, the place you plug it in when you’re going, and it retains recording. That every one is there to do and have. However how a lot fuss would you like?
For me, at this level, I’m extra of a set it and neglect it. I need to begin my watch. I need to know that it’s working. I need to have the ability to look down. I need to have the ability to see that my map is offered to me. I don’t need to have to consider, like, Did I begin this? Did I begin that? Will my battery final for twenty-four, 30 hours, no matter that quantity is likely to be. That’s the choice level for me.
However should you’re solely doing that a few times a yr, then it is a fairly superior setup. That is the query: the place would you like your performance to go?
I’ll shut with this. That is model one in every of this watch. Apple is a huge firm. They’ve a market cap of shut to 3 trillion {dollars}. They’ve received plenty of analysis and improvement, and many issues that they’ll do. In a conventional Apple sense, they work their means into issues slowly, after which develop into the usual. Will that occur right here? That’s onerous to say. However foundationally you’ll be able to see the place that is going, and know that that could be a firm that has deep sufficient pockets that if they’re so curious about actually going all in, they’ve that capacity to take action.
[Editor’s Note: Again, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 releases in September, 2023, and we’ll be testing it just as soon as we can get our hands on it. It appears that the most significant changes to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are a new chip, new sensors, and a brighter screen. According to Apple, we’ll see the same battery life and lack of native mapping abilities in the second version.]
You may as well test our information to the Finest GPS Working Watches to see how we in contrast the Apple Watch Extremely with different market leaders.
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Name for Feedback
So, with that stated, questions? Feedback? Are you utilizing a smartwatch in your coaching? Do you’ve these splits that you consider? What’s your machine of selection proper now and why? Go away these within the feedback under. Thanks for watching. We’ll catch you subsequent time.
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
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