Apple Watch

Apple design chief Jony Ive became interested in building a watch shortly after Steve Jobs' death in October 2011. That December, The New York Times reported that Apple was exploring various ideas, including a "curved-glass iPod that would wrap around the wrist", which users would interact with through the Siri voice assistant, and which "could relay information back to the iPhone". In February 2013, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal again confirmed that Apple was working on a smartwatch with a curved display, and Bloomberg News said the team had grown to about 100 designers. In March 2013, Apple hired former Adobe chief technology officer Kevin Lynch, reporting to Bob Mansfield, to lead the watch project, which would become the company's first major new product without input from late co-founder Steve Jobs. The software evolved more quickly than the hardware. To test it, the team created a prototype, an iPhone strapped to the wrist with Velcro, which showed the Apple watch software in its true size and an onscreen watch crown for input. The crown was later turned into a physical dongle plugged into the headphone jack. Early on, the user interface and bundled apps were inspired by the iPhone, but they were too complex and underwent three rounds of redesign to avoid awkwardly long interactions that would annoy users. The team worked on notification vibrations and sounds for more than a year, attempting to make them reflect the nature of different notifications. They also added a way to show a contextual menu by pressing the display more deeply, called Force Touch. In contrast with Apple's usually narrow design options, the team thought a watch would need to appeal to users' diverse tastes in fashion, so they opted to give a choice of bands, models (like the 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition), and watch faces. == Unveiling and release ==

In April 2014, Apple CEO Tim Cook told The Wall Street Journal that the company was planning to launch new products that year, but revealed no specifics. In June 2014, Reuters reported that production of a smartwatch product was expected to begin in July for an October release. During a September 2014 press event where the iPhone 6 was also presented, the new watch product was introduced by Tim Cook's "one more thing" section. After a video focusing on the design process, Cook reappeared on stage wearing an Apple Watch. In comparison to other Apple products and competing smartwatches, marketing of the Apple Watch promoted the device as a fashion accessory. Apple later focused on its health and fitness-oriented features, in an effort to compete with dedicated activity trackers. The watchOS 3 added fitness tracking for wheelchair users, social sharing in the Activity app, and a Breathe app to facilitate mindfulness. The device was not branded as "iWatch", which would have put it in line with its product lines such as iPod, iPhone, and iPad. In the United States, the "iWatch" trademark is owned by OMG Electronics – who was crowdfunding a device under the same name; it is owned in the European Union by Irish firm Probendi. In July 2015, Probendi sued Apple Inc. for trademark infringement, arguing that through keyword advertising on the Google search engine, it caused advertising for the Apple Watch to appear on search results pages when users searched for the trademarked term "iWatch". Release Pre-orders for the Apple Watch began on April 10, 2015, with the official release on April 24. Initially, it was not available at the Apple Store; customers could make appointments for demonstrations and fitting, but the device was not in-stock for walk-in purchases and had to be reserved and ordered online. CNET felt that this distribution model was designed to prevent Apple Store locations from having long lineups due to the high demand. The first ever retail store to display the Apple Watch to the public was Colette in Paris. Later on, selected models were available in limited quantities at luxury boutiques and authorized resellers. On June 4, 2015, Apple announced that it planned to stock Apple Watch models at its retail locations. Both T-Mobile US and Sprint also announced plans to offer Apple Watch through their retail stores. In September 2015, Apple launched a new subset of the Apple Watch, with a stainless steel body and leather band, in collaboration with Hermès. The following year, Apple launched another subset of Apple Watches in collaboration with Nike dubbed "Apple Watch Nike+". Both subsets featured cosmetic customization, but otherwise functioned like standard Apple Watches. The Apple Watch went on sale in India in November 2015. The device also launched in Chile, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Africa. == Hardware ==

Design and materials Each Series of the Apple Watch is offered in multiple variants, distinguished by the casing's material, color, and size, with special bands and digital watch faces available for certain variants co-branded with Nike and Hermès, which are also sometimes accompanied by other unique extras, like stainless steel charging pucks, premium packaging, and exclusive color basic bands. Originally at launch, the Apple Watch was marketed as one of three "collections", designating the case material. In order of increasing cost, the collections were: • Apple Watch Sport (aluminium case) • Apple Watch (stainless-steel case) • Apple Watch Edition (originally released as an 18kt gold casing with newer materials in later models) Starting with Series 1/Series 2, Apple dropped the "Sport" moniker from the branding (apart from the sport bands), and the Apple Watch was available with either an aluminum (lowest cost) or stainless steel case. "Apple Watch Edition" branding still exists, but now refers to watch casings made from ceramic or titanium. Apple did not explicitly market the first-generation Apple Watch as being waterproof, stating that it can withstand splashes of water (such as rain and hand washing), but does not recommend submersion (IPX7). Apple introduced a higher level of water resistance with the release of the Apple Watch Series 2, and the device was explicitly advertised as being suitable for swimming and surfing. Size Since the introduction of the Apple Watch, it has been available in two sizes (the Apple Watch Ultra being the exception), primarily affecting screen resolution and area. The smaller size at launch was , referring to the approximate height of the watch case; the larger size was . Starting with the Series 4, the two nominal sizes changed to . The nominal sizes changed again with the introduction of the Series 7: ; and yet again in 2024 with the launch of the Series 10 at . The overall shape and width of the watch have not changed significantly since its release, so customizable bands and accessories are typically compatible with any Apple Watch of the same size class. Bands that fit the smaller size class ( watches) and larger size class ( watches) are generally interchangeable within the class. The casing of the watch includes a mechanism to allow the user to change the straps without special tools. Input and sensors For input, the Apple Watch features a "digital crown" on one side, which can be turned to scroll or zoom content on screen, and pressed to return to the home screen or display recently used apps. Next to the crown (on the same side of the watch) is the Side Button, which can be used to access Control Center and the contactless payment service Apple Pay. The Apple Watch also prominently features a touchscreen; before Series 6/SE, the screen included Force Touch technology, which enabled the display to become pressure-sensitive and therefore capable of distinguishing between a tap and a press for displaying contextual menus. and has been disabled via software on the Series 5 and earlier on models supporting watchOS 7. Additional sensors integrated into the Apple Watch include an accelerometer, gyroscope, and barometer, which are used to determine device orientation, user movement, and altitude. The back of all Apple Watches are equipped with a Heart Rate Monitor, which projects infrared and green light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) onto the user's skin and photodiodes measure the varying amount of light reflected. Because blood absorbs green light and reflects red light, the amounts of each type of reflected light are compared to determine heart rate. The Apple Watch adjusts the sampling rate and LED brightness as needed. the device won FDA clearance in October 2018, becoming the first consumer device capable of taking an ECG. A blood oxygen monitor was added with the Series 6 in 2020, albeit as a "wellness" device not capable of diagnosing a medical condition. The blood oxygen monitor added red LEDs to the back, allowing the watch to determine oxygen levels by measuring blood color. The Apple Watch SE reverted to the capabilities of the Series 3, dropping the electrical sensors and blood oxygen monitor. Battery Apple rates the device's battery for 18 hours of mixed usage. The Apple Watch is charged by means of inductive charging. Bands The Apple Watch comes with an included band (strap) to attach it to the user's wrist. The proprietary band attachment mechanism allows swapping models by holding down the connectors on the bottom of the watch and sliding the band pieces out. Apple produces bands in a variety of materials and colors; however, third-party bands are still compatible when using Apple's design guidelines. Bands designed for the original Series 1–3 38 mm and 42 mm case sizes are compatible with the Series 4–6 40 mm and 44 mm cases, as well as the Series 7 41 mm and 45 mm cases, respectively. Starting with the Apple Watch Series 5, Apple introduced the online Apple Watch Studio, which allows customers to mix and match bands on purchase, eliminating the need to purchase a specific combination of case and band design, and allowing for a simplification of packaging (since the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018). == Models ==

Apple Watch models have been divided into five "collections": Apple Watch (1st generation-present), Apple Watch Sport (1st generation), Apple Watch Nike+ (Series 2-Series 7, combined into Apple Watch since Series 8), Apple Watch Hermès (1st generation-present, including Apple Watch Ultra 2, excluding Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Ultra), and Apple Watch Edition (1st generation-Series 7, excluding Apple Watch SE). They are differentiated by combinations of cases, bands, and exclusive watch faces; Apple Watch comes with either aluminum or stainless steel cases, and various watch bands (only stainless steel was offered for Apple Watch 1st generation); Apple Watch Sport came with aluminum cases and sport bands or woven nylon bands; Apple Watch Nike+ comes with aluminum cases and Nike sport bands or sport loops; Apple Watch Hermès uses stainless steel cases and Hermès leather watch bands (also included is an exclusive Hermès orange sport band); and Apple Watch Edition came with ceramic cases and various bands (the Apple Watch Edition used 18 karat yellow or rose gold). With the Series 5, the Edition tier was expanded with a new titanium case. The Apple Watch Series 1 models were previously only available with aluminum cases and sport bands. As of Series 3, each Apple Watch model in aluminum, the least expensive casing, is available either with or without LTE cellular connectivity, while the models with the other casing materials available (stainless steel and sometimes ceramic and titanium) always include it. Each model through the Series 3 comes in a 38mm or 42mm size option, with the larger size having a slightly larger screen and battery. Each model has various color and band options. Featured Apple-made bands include colored sport bands, sport loop, woven nylon band, classic buckle, modern buckle, leather loop, Milanese loop, and a link bracelet. All versions of the first-generation Apple Watch have 8 GB of storage; the operating system allows the user to store up to 2 GB of music and 75 MB of photos. When the Apple Watch is paired with an iPhone, all music on that iPhone is also available to be controlled and accessed from the Apple Watch. Software support for the first Apple Watch ended with watchOS 4.3.2. The first-generation Apple Watch Edition sub-lineup had an MSRP ranging from $10,000 USD to $17,000 USD, and included the Yellow Gold and Rose Gold 18K gold cases. Second generation (Series 1 and 2) |upright=0.45 The second-generation Apple Watch has two models: the Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2. The Series 1 has a variant of the dual-core Apple S2 processor with GPS removed, known as the Apple S1P. It has a lower starting price than first generation. The Series 1 was sold only in Aluminium casings. The Series 2 has the dual-core Apple S2 processor, water resistance to 50 meters, a display twice as bright, at 1,000 nits, and a GPS receiver. The Series 2 was sold in casings of anodized aluminum, stainless steel and ceramic. The Apple Watch Edition Series 2 is the first Apple Watch model to add the new White ceramic case color option. Both Yellow Gold and Rose Gold 18K gold case color options have been removed. The Apple Watch Nike+ Series 2 is the first Apple Watch model available as the Nike, Inc. collaborate special option. The Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2 are the final Apple Watch models available with Yellow Gold and Rose Gold aluminum case color options. They have an advertised 18 hours of battery life. The software support for both Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch Series 2 ended with watchOS 6.3. Third generation (Series 3) |upright=0.45 The Apple Watch Series 3 features a faster processor, the dual-core S3, Bluetooth 4.2 (compared to 4.0 on older models), a built-in altimeter for measuring flights of stairs climbed, increased RAM size, and is available in a variant with LTE cellular connectivity. Siri can speak through the onboard speaker on Apple Watch Series 3 due to the increased processing speed of the Watch. Series 3 features LTE cellular connectivity for the first time in an Apple Watch, enabling users to make phone calls, iMessage, and stream Apple Music and Podcasts directly on the watch, independent of an iPhone. The LTE model contains an eSIM and shares the same mobile number as the user's iPhone. The Apple Watch Series 3 is the first Apple Watch model to add the new Gold aluminum case color option to match the color introduced with the iPhone 8 in 2017. Both Yellow Gold and Rose Gold aluminum case color options have been removed. It is now available in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold aluminum case color options, available in Space Black and Silver stainless steel case color options. The Apple Watch Edition Series 3 is the first and only Apple Watch model to add the new Gray ceramic case color option. It is available in White and Gray ceramic case color. The software support for the Apple Watch Series 3 ended with watchOS 8.8.2. Fourth generation (Series 4) |upright=0.45 The Apple Watch Series 4 is the first prominent redesign of the Apple Watch, featuring larger displays with thinner bezels and rounded corners, and a slightly rounder, thinner chassis with a redesigned ceramic back. Internally, there is a new S4 64-bit dual-core processor, capable of up to double the S3's performance, upgraded 16 GB storage, and a new electrical heart sensor. The microphone was moved to the opposite side between the side button and the digital crown to improve call quality. Other changes include the digital crown incorporating haptic feedback with the Apple Haptic Engine, and include the new Apple-designed W3 wireless chip. The ECG system has received clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration, a first ever for a consumer device, and is supported by the American Heart Association. The Series 4 can also detect falls, and can automatically contact emergency services unless the user cancels the outgoing call. The watch received mostly positive reviews from critics. TechRadar gave it a score of 4.5/5, calling it one of the top smartwatches, while criticizing the short battery life. Digital Trends gave it a score of 5/5, calling it Apple's best product and praising the design, build quality, and software, among others, while criticizing the battery life. CNET gave it a score of 8.2/10, calling it the "best overall smartwatch around", while criticizing the battery life and lack of watch face options. T3 gave it a score of 5/5, calling it a "truly next-gen smartwatch" due to its thinner body and bigger screen compared to the Series 3, and health features. The Apple Series 4 is the first Apple Watch model to add the new Gold stainless steel color option to match the color introduced with the iPhone XS in 2018. It is now available in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold aluminum case color options, available in Space Black, Silver, and Gold stainless steel case color options. All the ceramic case color options have been removed until the launch of the Apple Watch Edition Series 5 in 2019. Software support for the Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and the first-generation Apple Watch SE ended with watchOS 10.6.1. Fifth generation (Series 5 and first-generation SE) |upright=0.45 The Apple Watch Series 5 was announced on September 10, 2019. Its principal improvements over its predecessor were the addition of a compass and an always-on display with a low-power display driver capable of refresh rates as low as once per second. Additional new features include International Emergency Calling, enabling emergency calls in over 150 countries, a more energy-efficient S5 processor, improved ambient light sensor, and storage doubled to 32 GB. The release of the Series 5 also brought back the "Edition" model, with a ceramic model absent from the previous generation. A new titanium model was also included in two colors: natural and Space Black. At its September 2020 product introduction event, Apple also announced the Apple Watch SE, a lower-cost model, similar to the iPhone SE. but uses the previous-generation S5 processor and previous- (i.e. second) generation optical heart rate sensor; does not include ECG and blood oximeter sensors or an always-on display; and does not include ultra-wideband (UWB) or 5 GHz Wi-Fi communication capabilities. The Series 5 and above (including the SE model introduced in 2020) also incorporate enhanced hardware- and software-based battery and performance management functionality. Critics generally gave it a positive review. CNET gave it a score of 4/5, concluding, "The Apple Watch continues to be one of the best smartwatches, but it remains limited by being an iPhone accessory for now." Digital Trends gave it a score of 4.5/5. The Verge gave it a score of 9/10. The Apple Watch Series 5 was available in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold aluminum case color options, as well as Space Black, Silver, and Gold stainless steel case color options. The Apple Watch Edition Series 5 was the final Apple Watch model available with a White ceramic case color option. It was the first Apple Watch model to add the new Natural and Space Black titanium case color options. The first-generation Apple Watch SE was discontinued following the release of the second-generation Apple Watch SE in 2022. Software support for the Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and the first-generation Apple Watch SE ended with watchOS 10.6.1. Additional features include a new Apple S6 utilizing the energy-efficient Thunder cores from the A13 Bionic that is up to 20% faster than the Apple S4 and Apple S5, a 2.5× brighter always-on display, and an always-on altimeter. The S6 incorporates an updated, third generation optical heart rate sensor and also enhanced telecommunication technology, including support for ultra-wideband (UWB) via Apple's U1 chip (which is used to locate and communicate with other devices), and the ability to connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks. The Series 6 watch was updated with faster charging hardware, such that it completes charging in ~1.5 hours. Force Touch hardware was removed, consistent with the removal of all Force Touch functionality from watchOS 7. The Apple Watch Series 6 is the final Apple Watch model available with Space Gray and Gold (introduced with the iPhone 8 in 2017) aluminum case color options. It is the first time adding the Product Red and Blue aluminum case color options. It is available in Space Gray, Silver, Gold, Blue, and Product Red aluminum case color options, available in Graphite, Silver, and Gold stainless steel case color options. The Gold stainless steel case color option is now in classic yellow gold, and the Graphite stainless steel case color option is the new color, replacing the Space Black color before the introduction of the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020. The Apple Watch Edition Series 6 is now available in Natural and Space Black titanium case color options. The ceramic case option was removed. Seventh generation (Series 7) |upright=0.45 The Apple Watch Series 7 was announced on September 14, 2021, during an Apple Special Event. Pre-orders opened on October 8, with earliest shipping dates starting on October 15. Succeeding from the Apple S6, the Apple S7 is the second time utilizing the energy-efficient Thunder cores from the A13 Bionic. Enhancements relative to the prior-generation Series 6 watch include a more rounded design with a case 1 mm larger than the Series 6; a display that is 70% brighter indoors and approximately 20% larger; improved durability via a crack-resistant front crystal; IP6X certification for resistance to dust; 33% faster charging via improved internal electronics and an enhanced, USB-C based fast-charging cable; support for BeiDou (China's satellite navigation system); and the availability of an on-screen keyboard that can be tapped or swiped. The Series 7 is also equipped with new hardware that enables ultra-rapid, short-range wireless data transfer at 60.5 GHz, though Apple has not fully explained this new functionality. The Apple Watch Edition Series 7 is the final Apple Watch model to be available in Natural and Space Black titanium case color options. The Apple Watch Series 7 is now available in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Green, and Product Red aluminum case color options, available in Graphite, Silver, and Gold (introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 and the iPhone 12 Pro in 2020) stainless steel case color options. Both Space Gray and Gold (introduced with iPhone 8 in 2017) aluminum case color options have been removed. The Silver aluminum case color option was unavailable until the launch of the Apple Watch Series 8 in 2022. Eighth generation (Series 8 and SE (2nd generation)) |upright=0.45 The Apple Watch Series 8, the Apple Watch SE 2 (formerly the Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)), and the Apple Watch Ultra were announced during Apple's "Far out" event on September 7, 2022. Pre-orders opened on the same day, with the Series 8 and 2nd gen SE shipping on September 16, while the Ultra shipped on September 23. Succeeding from the Apple S7, the Apple S8 is the final processor of the Apple Watch to utilize the energy-efficient Thunder cores from the A13 Bionic. Enhancements in the Series 8, relative to the prior-generation Series 7 watch, include a new temperature sensor and more precise accelerometers, and Crash Detection. Aluminum case models are available in Midnight, Silver, Starlight, and Product Red, and the stainless steel models are available in gold, silver, and graphite finishes. The Blue and Green case colors are discontinued, and the Series 8 is not available with a titanium case. The Apple Watch Ultra is a new high-end model which Apple positioned towards endurance athletes and outdoor recreation (competing with offerings from companies such as Garmin and Polar); it shares most of its hardware with the Series 8, but it has a larger display and 49 mm band, a rugged titanium casing, a brighter display with a flat front crystal, an additional "Action" button that can be mapped to different apps and functions, integrated multi-band GPS, a water temperature sensor, and a larger battery which Apple rated at 36 hours of usage without using power saving modes. The second-generation Apple Watch SE is available in Midnight, Silver, and Starlight case color options. The Space Gray and Gold case color options have been discontinued. It retains the form factor of the previous SE, which was itself very similar to the Series 4, 5, and 6. Ninth generation (Series 9) |upright=0.45 The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 were announced during Apple's "Wonderlust" event on September 12, 2023. Before the announcement of watchOS 26 at Apple's WWDC 2025, a new feature, "wrist flick" gesture (using the wrist to quickly turn over and back to dismiss the incoming notification) will be available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 alongside the Apple Watch Series 10. Following a ruling by the International Trade Commission on a lawsuit regarding the blood oxygen monitoring feature, Apple temporarily stopped selling Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 on December 21, 2023, ahead of an import ban going into effect on December 26, 2023. At the time, 9to5Mac reported, "Apple says that the ITC’s ban only impacts sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 because those devices offer blood oxygen monitoring capabilities." A US Federal Appeals Court paused the import ban pending a US Customs and Border Protection ruling on whether Apple's changes would be enough to avoid the patent dispute, and Apple resumed sales on December 27, 2023. On August 14, 2025, Apple reintroduced blood oxygen monitoring for affected Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 Apple Watches with the iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 software updates. To circumvent patent disputes, the redesigned app no longer analyzes blood oxygen data through the on-device app. Raw data is collected by the Apple Watch, then "measured and calculated on the paired iPhone." Carbon neutrality claims Apple markets the Series 9 and Ultra 2 as its first-ever carbon-neutral products (depending on the selected case material and band) due to a combination of cutting the carbon dioxide emissions per watch manufactured and sold (Apple claims a reduction of 78% for the Series 9 and 81% for the Ultra 2) and the company's purchases of forestry and nature-based carbon offsets and credits—which some criticized for being misleading due to reliability issues in carbon accounting for forestry carbon offsets. Most of Apple's claimed emissions reductions were driven by renewable energy requirements imposed on suppliers; The carbon offsets used by Apple follow standards set by Verra, the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Alliance, and the Forest Stewardship Council. However, some investigative reporting has indicated that 94% of Verra's rainforest carbon offsets were allegedly "worthless" and that the standard may worsen global warming. Berkeley Carbon Trading Project director Barbara Haya praised the products' ~80% emissions reduction, but also criticized Apple's use of the term "carbon neutral" in advertising. Apple also introduced a new glossy aluminum finish in jet black, polished using silicon nanoparticles for a specialized surface shine. Other finish options include rose gold and silver aluminum, which are up to 10% lighter than previous models. Additionally, a new titanium finish, which is 20% lighter and carbon-neutral, replaces the stainless steel option from earlier generations. The Apple Watch Series10 retains 50 meters of water resistance and is the fastest-charging Apple Watch to date, reaching 80% battery in 30 minutes. The device features an 18-hour battery life. The Apple Watch Series10 also includes a sleep apnea detector, approved by the FDA in Sep 2024, which is also supported by the Apple Watch Series9 and the Apple Watch Ultra2. To enhance phone call quality, the Series 10 incorporates a neural network that suppresses background noise for clearer conversations. The fitness features have been expanded to include tracking for kayakers, canoers, and rowers, along with a Tides app and new depth and water temperature sensors. Before the announcement of the watchOS 26 at Apple's WWDC 2025, a new feature "wrist flick" gesture (using the wrist to quickly turn over and back to dismiss the incoming notification) will be available on the Apple Watch Series 10 alongside the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Prices for the Apple Watch Series10 start at $399, with preorders available immediately. The device was released on September20, 2024. The Apple Watch Series10 has been subject to a sales ban in Indonesia since October 2024. The Apple Watch Series 11 additionally added the Space Gray color option, in addition to the existing Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver color options that were introduced with the Apple Watch Series 10. The third-generation Apple Watch SE is the first Apple Watch model since the Apple Watch Series 7 to not come in the silver color option. It is the first Apple Watch SE model to feature the Always-On display technology. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 has the same enclosure design as its predecessors. As the Apple Watch Series 10 did, all three eleventh generation Apple Watches use the Apple S10 chip, and are the first Apple Watches to employ 5G connectivity. The Apple Watch Ultra 3 supports connectivity to satellites to send messages. The Apple Watch Series 11 also introduced an FDA-cleared hypertension notifications feature, which was trained on 9,800 participants to detect signs of high blood pressure by looking at the shape and speed of the pulse wave and a deep learning algorithm. == Software ==

watchOS is a distinct operating system designed specifically for the Apple Watch. While based on iOS, which is used in iPhones, it offers a tailored experience for the smaller screen and wrist-worn form factor. Telling time is a core function with various watch faces to choose from. and it can view and respond to notifications from an iPhone directly on a watch. watchOS has many extensive health and fitness tracking features like heart rate monitoring, workout programs, and activity rings to stay motivated. The App Store lets you download and use various apps specifically designed for the Apple Watch, covering fitness, communication, news, and more. watchOS works seamlessly with an iPhone for functions like making calls, sending texts, unlocking an iPhone, and using Apple Pay. Apple frequently releases updates to watchOS, bringing new features, bug fixes, and security improvements. One can update a watch through the Watch app on an iPhone or directly on the Apple Watch itself (if it has watchOS 6 or later). The Apple Watch runs watchOS, whose interface is around a home screen with circular app icons, which can be changed to a list view in the device's settings. The OS can be navigated using the touchscreen or the crown on the side of the watch. The Apple Watch is capable of receiving notifications, messages, and phone calls via a paired iPhone. Siri is also available for voice commands, and is capable of responding with voice prompts on the Series 3 watches. watchOS 2 was released in September 2015. Following the software update, some users experienced issues with lag. watchOS 3 was announced at WWDC 2016, with a priority on performance. Users can keep apps running in memory as well as receive background updates and refreshed information. Other updates include a new Dock invoked with the side button to replace the performance-laden Glances, an updated Control Center, and new reply options on Messages. Several new watch faces have also been added, including [], along with the ability to switch watch faces from the lock screen simply by swiping. A new feature called SOS allows users to hold the dock button to make a call to the local emergency line and pull up the user's Medical ID. Another feature is Activity Sharing, which allows sharing of workouts with friends and even sending their heartbeats to one another. A new app called Breathe guides users through breathing exercises throughout the day, with visuals and haptic feedback. It was made available to the public in September 2016. watchOS 3.1 was released to the public in October 2016, and watchOS 3.2 was released in March 2017. Both updates added minor improvements and bug fixes. watchOS 4 was announced at WWDC 2017 and released to the public in September 2017. watchOS 4 features a proactive Siri watch face, personalized activity coaching, and an entirely redesigned music app. It also introduces Apple GymKit, a technology platform to connect workouts with cardio equipment. watchOS 4.3 was released in March 2018. It introduced support for Nightstand mode in portrait orientation. It brought back the ability for music playing on the iPhone to be controlled using the Music app on the Apple Watch and also enabled control of playback and volume on Apple's HomePod. Other new features included a new charging animation and a new app loading animation. Activity data was added to the Siri watch face, and the battery complication more accurately reports battery life. watchOS 5 was first shown to the public at the San Jose WWDC developer conference held by Apple. It introduced an instant watch-to-watch walkie-talkie mode, an all-new Podcasts app, raise-wrist-to-speak Siri, a customizable Control Center, and the ability to access the notification center and control center from apps. Other features included support for WebKit to view web pages, six new watch faces, and new workout running features. It was released to the public in September 2018. On the newest release of watchOS beta, the sleep feature was shown on screen, which would eliminate the need to use third-party apps. watchOS 6 was released to the public in September 2019. It introduced more native iOS apps, such as Voice Memos, Calculator, and a native watchOS app store. watchOS 6.0 also introduced new features such as the noise app that allows one to measure ambient sound in decibels, menstrual tracking, and new watch faces. Other features include Siri being able to tell users what music they are listening to, activity trends, and a new UI framework for developers. watchOS 7 was announced on June 22, 2020, at WWDC 2020, and released on September 16, 2020; new functions include sleep tracking, additional watch faces, handwashing detection, and new workouts such as dancing. watchOS 8 was announced on June 7, 2021, at WWDC 2021 and released on September 20, 2021. It replaces the Breathe app with a new Mindfulness app, and adds a Focus mode as well as a Portrait Watch Face, updates to the Messages and Home apps, Contacts and Find My apps, and a redesigned Photos app. watchOS 9 was announced on June 6, 2022, and released on September 13, 2022. It enhances the Workout display with new views of metrics like Activity rings, Heart Rate Zones, Power, and Elevation. It also supports better sleep tracking and additional watch faces. watchOS 10 was announced on June 5, 2023, at WWDC and released on September 18, 2023. It includes a major redesign of all stock watchOS apps, more detailed metrics available for cycling workouts, and new "Smart Stacks", stacks of widgets available from the clock. watchOS 11 was announced on June 10, 2024, and released on September 16, 2024. It dropped support for the Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and 1st generation SE. watchOS 26 was announced on June 9, 2025, and released on September 15, 2025. Third-party apps In watchOS 1, third-party WatchKit applications run in the background on the iPhone as an application extension while a set of native user interface resources is installed on the Apple Watch. Thus, watchOS apps must be bundled within their respective iOS app, and are synced to the watch either manually, or automatically upon installation of the phone app. This allowed for developers to create native apps that are run on the watch itself, thus improving the responsiveness of third-party apps. In watchOS 5 and earlier, all watchOS apps are dependent apps – the watchOS app relies on an iOS companion app to function properly. In watchOS 6 or later, developers can create completely independent watchOS apps, and no longer require an app to be installed on the paired iPhone. This was assisted by the introduction of a separate App Store on the Apple Watch itself. With watchOS 10, apps can appear as widgets directly on the home screen. == Reception ==

Following the announcement, initial impressions from technology and watch industry observers were varied; the watch was praised by some for its "design, potential capabilities and eventual usefulness", while others offered criticism of these same aspects. and Steve Jobs' biographer Walter Isaacson described it as "extremely cool" and an example of future technology that is "much more embedded into our lives". Evan Dashevsky of PC Magazine said it offered nothing new in terms of functionality compared to the Moto 360, except the customizable vibration notifications. In November 2014, the Apple Watch was listed by Time as one of the 25 Best Inventions of 2014. wearing an Apple Watch Initial reviews for the device have been generally positive with some caveats. Reviewers praised the watch's potential ability to integrate into everyday life and the overall design of the product, but noted issues of speed and price. Many reviewers described the watch as functional and convenient, while also noting its failure to offer as much potential functionality as preceding smartphones. Farhad Manjoo of The New York Times mentioned the device's steep learning curve, stating it took him "three long, often confusing and frustrating days" to become accustomed to watchOS 1, but loved it thereafter. Some reviewers also compared it to competing products, such as Android Wear devices, and claimed "The Smartwatch Finally Makes Sense". Reviewers had mixed opinions on battery life though, with Geoffrey Fowler of The Wall Street Journal saying "the battery lives up to its all-day billing, but sometimes just barely," Tim Bradshaw of the Financial Times used several applications over a period of days. He concluded that there is no "killer application" so far besides telling the time, which is the basic function of a wristwatch anyhow. When using the Apple Watch, some users have reported issues using the heart monitoring feature due to permanent skin conditions, including tattoos. The Watch uses photoplethysmography technology (PPG) that utilizes the green LEDs to measure heart rate. To gauge a user's heart rate, the watch flashes green light from the LEDs at the skin and records the amount of this light that is absorbed by the red pigment of the blood. Under certain circumstances, the skin may not allow for the light absorption to be read properly and thus provide inaccurate results. can be easily worn off. Sales Financial analysts offered early sales estimates from a few million to as many as 5 million in the first year. Times Tim Bajarin summarized the breadth of reactions, writing that "there is not enough information yet to determine how this product will fare when it finally reaches the market next year". As a result, only 22 percent of the pre-ordered Apple Watches were dispatched in the United States during the weekend after the release date. It is estimated Apple received almost one million Apple Watch pre-orders in the United States during the initial six hours of the pre-order period on April 10, 2015, after which it sold out and further orders would start delivering in June. A report later on by an analyst stated that the Apple Watch was already a $10 billion business during its first year. Apple has not disclosed any sales figures for the Apple Watch. An estimate by IDC states Apple shipped over 12 million units in 2015. In late 2016, a veteran of the Swiss watch industry said Apple sold about 20 million watches and had a market share of about 50 percent. Analysts estimate Apple sold 18 million watches in 2017, 31 million in 2019, and 34 million in 2020. In 2021, analysts estimated there were 100 million units in use. In 2020, Apple sold more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry, which includes Swatch and TAG Heuer among others. Controversy In October 2024, the Apple Watch Series 10 received a sales ban in Indonesia, as an extension of the iPhone 16's sales ban. The ban is due to Apple's failure to meet a 40% quota requirement for local component certification implemented by the Indonesian government, according to minister of industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. == Intellectual property disputes ==

In December 2019, Joseph Wiesel, a New York University cardiologist, sued Apple over allegations that the Apple Watch violates a patented method for detecting atrial fibrillation. Wiesel stated he had shared details of the patent with Apple in September 2017; the company refused to negotiate. Following Apple's announcement of the Series 7, an independent software development company filed a lawsuit against Apple alleging inappropriate copying of the software keyboard functionality from an app that Apple had previously rejected from its App Store. In October 2023, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple Watch products infringed patents for light-based pulse oximetry that are owned by medical technology company Masimo. The company alleged that Apple had approached Masimo with offers to acquire or otherwise partner with the company, and went on to poach engineers from Masimo to develop the infringing technology after it declined the offers. This ruling would allow the ITC to impose an import ban, provided it is not overruled by presidential veto power within a 60-day review period ending December 25. Apple denied the allegations, stating that it had solicited partnerships with multiple vendors, declined to work with Masimo because they were not in the consumer market, and accused Masimo of attempting to "use the ITC to keep a potentially lifesaving product from millions of US consumers while making way for their own watch that copies Apple." On December 18, 2023, Apple began to halt sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the United States. On December 27, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted a stay on the import ban pending an appeal. On January 12, 2024, Masimo disclosed that the ITC had approved modifications to the products that would remove the infringing technology. Blood oxygen monitoring is not available on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States after January 18, 2024, designated by part numbers ending in "LW/A". That same day, they released iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1, returning the feature. On August 19, 2025, the same changes were brought to the iOS 26 and watchOS 26 codebase with developer beta 7. == Comparison of models ==

Life cycle Technical specifications Physical specifications Collections and materials • 1st generation only: Apple Watch was sold as "Apple Watch Sport" (Aluminum body) and "Apple Watch" (Stainless steel body). Later generations sold both body materials as "Apple Watch". == See also ==