The Apple Watch: Still Not Convinced After a Decade

Despite over 200 million units sold since 2015, the Apple Watch remains absent from my wrist. While its health and fitness features are impressive, they don't appeal to someone like me who doesn't prioritize fitness tracking. This highlights a crucial gap in the Apple Watch's market appeal—a lack of a truly compelling "killer app" for a broader audience.

The original Apple Watch focused heavily on health and fitness, a trend that continues today. However, for those of us who don't regularly exercise, this core functionality is irrelevant. While the health tools are undeniably advanced, they aren't essential for everyone. My experience with a basic fitness tracker confirmed this—it provided data I obsessed over without tangible benefits. Given my focus on reducing screen time, a smart ring would be a more appealing alternative for sleep and fitness monitoring.

Related: Smart Rings: A Better Alternative?

If smartwatches aren't for you, but you want sleep and fitness tracking, a smart ring might be a better choice.

Without a compelling core function, the Apple Watch becomes merely a notification device—something I actively avoid. While it boasts numerous hidden features, none justify its high price tag. The third-party app ecosystem hasn't addressed this core issue either. Counterpoint research from March 2024 revealed a 19% drop in Apple Watch demand, suggesting Apple needs to find that elusive killer app for users like myself. A fully AI-powered Siri could be the answer, but its arrival remains uncertain.

A Device Too Many

Even my curiosity hasn't been enough to overcome the drawbacks. The Apple Watch's bulky design is off-putting, especially to someone who hasn't worn a watch in years. Its square shape, while functional, isn't aesthetically pleasing to me. Furthermore, it adds to the ever-growing collection of devices demanding attention, battery charging, and eventually, disposal.

The constant notifications are intrusive, directly contradicting my efforts to reduce screen time. And unlike a truly independent device, it remains tethered to an iPhone, negating any potential for digital decluttering. The lack of significant battery life improvements over the past decade is also disappointing, especially compared to competitors offering two-week battery life. Tips for extending battery life often involve disabling features, defeating the purpose of owning the device.

The Apple Watch's repairability is also a concern. iFixit's repairability score of 3/10 for the Series 10 highlights its planned obsolescence.

Potential for Persuasion

Many people adore their Apple Watches, yet social media is rife with stories of users abandoning them due to lack of utility or notification overload.

• 

  Apple Watch Series 10

  The thinnest and most advanced Apple Watch yet, featuring a vibrant display, sleep apnea detection, and enhanced fitness tracking.

  Buy on Amazon See at Apple See at Best Buy

• 

  Apple Watch Ultra 2

  The most rugged Apple Watch, featuring the S9 SiP and the brightest display ever.

  $799 at Amazon

Despite my current skepticism, I'm not inherently opposed to the Apple Watch. The right combination of features and improvements could change my mind. However, a decade later, that combination remains elusive. For now, my wrist remains unadorned.

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