Neil Hughes
The new Apple Watch Series 3 will let users make phone calls, stream music, use Siri, get directions and much more without the need for an iPhone to be nearby. It launches on Sept. 22 with a starting price of $399 with integrated cellular radio.
Unveiled at a media presentation Tuesday at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, Calif., the Apple Watch Series 3 boasts a new dual-core processor with up to 70 percent more performance.
But the real stand-out feature is cellular connectivity, which will let users use features like Apple Music, Beats 1 radio, Find My Friends, Messages and more without an iPhone within range. It will also work with third-party apps like WeChat.
Apple said Apple Music support will arrive next month.
Apple executive Jeff Williams said adding cellular to the Apple Watch proved to be a huge challenge, particularly given the compact size of the wearable device.
"If you don't do it right, it gets so big it looks like a house arrest bracelet," Williams said.
Rather than add an antenna, Apple turned the display itself into the antenna. The Apple Watch Series 3 also has an integrated e-SIM that is a fraction of the size of a regular SIM card.
The casing for Series 3 is the same size as Series 2, with the only difference being a back crystal that was extended 0.25 millimeters, or the equivalent of two sheets of paper.
The new dual-core processor enables Siri to speak for the first time, so users don't need to look at the screen. And the W2 wireless chip adds 85 percent faster Wi-Fi while being 50 percent more power efficient.
The Series 3 also includes an altimeter, that tracks flights climbed and should improve apps that track skiing and snowboarding.
The Apple Watch with cellular starts at $399 for a 38-millimeter casing, while a 42-millimeter model with cellular is $429.
In the U.S., the cellular models will be compatible with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile. Williams said carriers will offer special entry plans.
An Apple Watch Series 3 without cellular will also be offered starting at $329. And the Apple Watch Series 1 remains in the lineup, with the price dropped to $249.
Apple also has a new sport loop band coming, designed for an active lifestyle. And Nike+ has exclusive new colors with a new version of Nike+ Run Club app forthcoming.
For the ceramic Apple Watch Series 3, Apple is also introducing a new grey finish. Both white and gray come with pebble sport bands and are priced at $1,299.
Finally, there will also be new colors for bands, and new Hermes watch face styles and bands.
Preorders for the Apple Watch Series 3 begin on Sept. 15, and the product officially launches on Friday, Sept. 22.
The Apple Watch Series 3 ships with watchOS 4, which will also become available to all other Apple Watch owners on Sept. 19.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
98 Comments
wonder how much that streaming music eats into your data?
Watch face as an antenna. I'm no engineer but that seems like some freaking advanced stuff.
Love it. And Apple says it was the Apple Watch they always wanted to make! Ha!
Two nit-picky critical points:
It's too bad they couldn't do FaceTime and have the Apple Watch provide its own video over that cellular connection when he called the engineer on the SUP board.
That surfer video made me absolutely cringe. I do want cellular when I'm sitting out on the lineup, but not to receive calls. I can't think of anything worse then catching the best wave of the day, and have a call call ring through on my wrist! I'd definitely turn calling off while I'm surfing. The draw is being able to be out there while I'm expecting a call, or message, and be able to check it at my pace. I get that commercial makes Apple's point very clearly, but I doubt there were any surfer's involved with this concept except the one being filmed for it. But man I would have loved to have been on that commercial shoot! Beautiful shot!
you would still need an iPhone to make this all work right?