Apple Watch Series 6 Released (2020)

Adds Blood Oxygen Sensor & New Colors

Apple today released Apple Watch Series 6, which introduces an innovative Blood Oxygen feature that offers users even more insight into their overall wellness. Although it looks exactly like its predecessor, Apple Watch Series 5, the new Series 6 offers a faster S6 processor, an always-on altimeter, and a brighter screen. Plus there’s a bunch of new colors, new band styles, and new watch faces to choose from along with new features and apps in watchOS 7.

What’s new in Series 6?

• New Blood Oxygen Sensor.
• New dual-core processor based on A13 Bionic in iPhone 11.
• Upgraded S6 SiP runs up to 20 percent faster, allowing apps to also launch 20 percent faster.
• New always-on altimeter.
• Same all-day 18-hour battery life.
• U1 chip and Ultra Wideband antennas.
• Faster charging, completing a full charge in under 1.5 hours.
• Improved battery life for tracking certain workouts, such as indoor and outdoor runs.
• Enhanced Always-On Retina display that’s 2.5 times brighter and easier to see in bright sunlight.
• New aluminum case finishes: blue and (PRODUCT)RED.
• New stainless steel case finishes: graphite and updated classic yellow gold.
• New Apple Watch Edition case finishes: natural and space black titanium.
• New Solo Loop continuous and stretchable bands in soft silicone or braided yarn.
• New Nike Sport Band and Nike Sport Loop colors.
• New Hermès Attelage Single Tour and slimmer Attelage Double Tour bands, along with new colors of classic band styles.
• New Watch Faces.
• Family Setup.
• watchOS 7.

Why Blood Oxygen?

Apple claims on-going measurements of blood oxygen levels can help manage and control asthma, heart failure, and could serve as early signs of respiratory conditions like influenza and COVID-19. It’s not clear how helpful or accurate this first generation sensor will be, so Apple is running longitudinal studies with various health providers. But like anything health related, nobody gets a second life so as the saying goes, “better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.”

watchOS 7

watchOS 7 comes preinstalled on Apple Watch Series 6, and arrives via software update on previous models. The new operating system enables Family Setup (Series 4 and higher), sleep tracking, automatic hand washing detection, new workout types, and the ability to curate and share seven new watch faces, which include Stripes, Chronograph Pro, GMT, and Artist. New health and fitness features help customers to be more active, stay connected, and better manage their health in new ways. Also, Apple Maps on the Watch includes cycling directions and Siri adds language translation.

“Apple Watch Series 6 completely redefines what a watch can do. With powerful new features, including a Blood Oxygen sensor and app, Apple Watch becomes even more indispensable by providing further insight into overall well-being.”

Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.

Family Setup

Family Setup in watchOS 7 extends Apple Watch to the entire family by allowing kids and older family members of the household who do not have an iPhone to benefit from the connectivity, safety, and fitness features of Apple Watch. Kids can take advantage of communication and personalization capabilities, access Emergency SOS at any time, enjoy an Activity rings experience that has been optimized just for them, and utilize a new mode called Schooltime, which can help them stay focused and attentive while learning at home or in the classroom.watchOS 7 also offers optimized features for older adults, starting with a simplified onboarding and configuration process, along with a refreshed X-Large face that shows the time and a rich complication at a glance. Older adults can also benefit from a new Health Checklist in the Health app on iPhone, which offers the ability to track whether health features like fall detection have been enabled in one centralized view.

Pricing

• Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) starts at:
  •  $399 (40mm) / $429 (44mm)
• Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) starts at:
  • $499 (40mm) / $529 (44mm)
• Apple Watch (Stainless Steel) Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) starts at:
  • $699 (40mm) / $749 (44mm)
• Apple Watch Edition (Titanium) Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) starts at:
  • $799 (40mm) / $849 (44mm)

Availability

• Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS) is available to order today from apple.com and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, 2020 in the US, Puerto Rico, and 27 other countries and regions.

• Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS + Cellular) is available to order today from apple.com and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, 2020 in the US, Puerto Rico, and 21 other countries and regions. For carrier availability, visit apple.com/watch/cellular.

• Apple Watch Nike is available to order today from apple.com and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, in the US, Puerto Rico, and more than 27 other countries and regions. For more information, visit apple.com/apple-watch-nike or nike.com/applewatch.

• Apple Watch Hermès is available to order today from apple.com and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18, 2020 in the US and more than 14 other countries and regions. For more information, visit apple.com/apple-watch-hermes or hermes.com/applewatchhermes.

• New Apple Watch bands are available to order today from apple.com and in the Apple Store app, with availability beginning Friday, September 18. Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop in (PRODUCT)RED will be available in late October 2020. Solo Loop and Braided Solo Loop are compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later.

• watchOS 7 will be available for Apple Watch Series 3 and later on September 16, and requires iPhone 6s or later running iOS 14. Not all features are available on all devices. 

• When customers buy directly from Apple, Apple Watch Studio gives them the exclusive opportunity to pick their preferred case and band combination to create a look that is uniquely their own.

Extra Savings

Apple also released Apple Watch SE today, which shaves off a few features, but is still plenty powerful, looks the same, and costs $120 less.