Once I first noticed the Apple Watch Extremely, I wasn’t certain what to make of it. Apple’s sizzle reel had weatherbeaten explorers trekking up snow-capped mountains, operating throughout deserts, and diving into the depths of the ocean. This was an Apple Look ahead to the intrepid explorer, which arguably few tech journalists swarming the Extremely fashions on the Steve Jobs Theater have been. In reality, I’d contend that most individuals aren’t hardcore outside fans who want 49mm titanium {cases}, a sapphire crystal lens, WR100 water resistance, and EN13319 certification for diving.
That’s why, in my review, I known as the watch aspirational. I stand by that, however having lived with the Extremely for a complete 12 months, I’m nonetheless not precisely certain who the Extremely’s true viewers is.
The Extremely is a little bit of an odd duck as a result of it’s positioned as a Garmin competitor. (See: aforementioned sizzle reel.) However as we found in our in-depth video review, that’s not what it truly is. The mountain climbing security options didn’t all the time work as meant, and as a dive watch, it was proficient on the fundamentals however had limitations for extra technical use {cases}. A Garmin, Coros, or Polar watch is a multisport watch first and a smartwatch second. The Extremely is the reverse. Because of this, its health options are finest fitted to part-time adventurers and weekend warriors.
That’s not a dangerous factor. I put myself on this class! However anecdotally, of everybody I’ve polled over the past 12 months, the folks the Extremely is supposed to be for don’t really feel the necessity for one. Those that do are typically tech-savvy of us who’re annoyed with the shortage of good options on Garmins and different multisport watches. I’m undecided what number of of these of us there actually are. Anecdotally, within the few months, I partook in a neighborhood run membership, I noticed dozens of Garmins and common Apple Watches however not a single Extremely. Once I requested why, most folk mentioned they didn’t really feel the necessity for one.
So, if we throw out the entire “that is for adventurers” schtick, you would say the Extremely is for individuals who want multiday battery life — the tech nerds who love all the pieces about their common Apple Watch aside from the actual fact they should cost it every day. Besides I’m not so certain about that, both. Don’t consider me? Go learn my colleague Dan Seifert’s blog on why sporting the Extremely satisfied him to purchase a Sequence 7.
In my expertise, the individuals who complain loudest in regards to the Apple Watch’s battery are the people who find themselves bored with an Apple Watch. These folks have informed me in emails, feedback, and DMs that every one they need is the straightforward health tracker of yore — or that their Garmin or Fitbit suffices simply nice. Conversely, any time I’ve identified that the Apple Watch’s battery life isn’t the most effective, avid Apple Watch customers have regaled me with tales of their fastidious charging schedules — and the way it’s not as huge of an issue as others make it out to be.
They’ve a degree. For years, I grew to become accustomed to charging my Apple Watch every day. I had a set routine and by no means needed to fear about operating out of battery. Paradoxically, the truth that the Extremely lasts two to a few days on a cost means I’ve gotten the dreaded low battery notification extra instances up to now 12 months than within the 4 years previous it. I’ve all the time thought of multiday battery a plus, however now I query how needed it’s when you’ve gotten right into a charging behavior. I don’t lose my Apple Watch chargers, however I’ve misplaced extra Garmin chargers than I can rely. Primarily as a result of I hardly ever want them.
In truth, I’ve just about gone again to charging my Extremely for a half hour earlier than mattress each evening and counting on the longer battery life after I journey or have a very lengthy day.
So, then, is the Extremely for the primary adopters? That’s tougher to inform as a result of a lot of what units the Extremely aside from the common Sequence watches are its unique health and outdoorsy options. Issues like dual-frequency GPS, the Motion Button, an additional water temperature sensor, diving capabilities, and the siren. These are issues that I doubt the typical gadget nerd makes use of until they occur to be the outdoorsy kind, too. And once more, these of us — in my expertise — are typically Garmin lovers. Plus, watchOS 9 brings the overwhelming majority of the Extremely’s health options over to the common Sequence watches as properly. That features issues like monitor detection, customized exercises, the brand new Compass app, and watchOS 9’s superior operating metrics.
To be clear, I just like the Extremely quite a bit. A lot in order that I’m undecided I can return to the common Sequence watches as a result of 99 p.c of the time, it’s barely higher at assembly my day-to-day wants as a smartwatch reviewer. I’ve trained for a half marathon with it, and it served me properly. Even supposing I haven’t been mild with it, there are hardly any nicks or scratches. I’d have to essentially squint to see them. I admire how the bigger display improves readability and have been pleasantly stunned that the bigger 49mm case remains to be comparatively gentle, due to the titanium materials. However apart from launching exercises through the Motion Button, I exploit it the very same means I might an everyday Apple Watch.
On the finish of the day, the one actual reply I’ve is the Extremely is for anybody who desires it
My solely actual criticism is that, like different rugged watches, the Extremely’s design is masculine-coded. In a complete 12 months, I’ve but to see one other girl who wasn’t a tech journalist sporting it within the wild. I get why. There are events the place I’ve opted to go away it at residence as a result of no third-party strap may make it mesh with my outfit at a proper occasion. (I imply, have you tried making a violently orange Motion Button mix with a pastel sundress for a marriage? It’s troublesome!) That mentioned, it’s a step too far to say that this isn’t a watch for girls. In any case, ladies aren’t a monolith. I’m a lady and have worn the Extremely fortunately for the previous 12 months.
On the finish of the day, the one actual reply I’ve is the Extremely is for anybody who desires it and has $800. That’s an unsatisfying reply! I’m not pleased with it, both! However going into Apple’s “Wonderlust” occasion, I’m additionally perplexed as to what Apple may do to make the Extremely 2 dramatically higher. Give it barely longer battery life? Make it lighter? Sooner? Give it a extra unisex design? A less-orange Motion Button? It’s onerous to say as a result of normally, you enhance one thing primarily based on what the audience desires. And I’m nonetheless making an attempt to determine who that viewers is.