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Original poster

Should I buy an Apple watch?

31 replies

Meercat2 · 06/12/2018 15:45

I am thinking of buying an Apple watch for my DH for Christmas but not quite sure if it's just a gimmick or actually useful. The latest version is out of reach price wise so am thinking of series 3.
Has anyone got one and find it great and what do you use it for?

OP posts:
justasyouare · 06/12/2018 16:55

I’ve got the 3, DH got it as a surprise for me last Christmas. I do love it, but it is a lot of money for what it is.
I use mine for running and the gym. It’s also useful for work as I can’t have my phone out, but if I get a call or message, I can look immediately and see if it’s something urgent.

Storm4star · 06/12/2018 17:14

My ex bought me one when they first came out. It's sitting in a drawer gathering dust. I had a look to see if I could sell it second hand. It's worth about £50 now (if that!), and it cost £700! So personally, no I wouldn't. It is a lot of money for what it is and I don't think what it does justifies the cost.

oobedobe · 06/12/2018 18:03

Have a look at Garmin activity watches, better value imo.
My husband has this one
buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/p/602068/pn/010-01985-02#

it has GPS, waterproof, music etc.

Also battery life is better than Apple Watch.

Dancer12345 · 06/12/2018 18:06

I love mine! It’s the first series, I got it a couple of years ago - actually nearly three years ago now. I never used to wear a watch but wear it l every day. So handy to be able to see message etc without having to get my phone out of my bag. It’s also great for counting steps, movement, exercise, etc.

Original poster
Meercat2 · 06/12/2018 18:17

Thanks for all your replies😀
Storm gathering dust and not being used is what worries me.
Oobe I will have a look at the Garmin.
Does the Apple have GPS as well?
DH has an iPhone so thought I would have to get the Apple watch in order for it to work together???
He would probably use it most for running, music and messages. Oh and the GPS would definitely be great

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Jeffacake · 06/12/2018 18:21

I have a first series one- no idea what others do that mine doesn’t. All I use it for is to be able to read notifications if I get a message at work. I teach and so can’t look at my phone but I like to know straight away if DS’s childminder has text me or needs to ring.

SpoonBlender · 06/12/2018 18:23

If you ask around your friends there's almost certainly someone who's got one in a drawer or just upgraded, and might lend you the old one. It's a lot of cash to spend on a maybe!

I'm very Apple-y and I don't have one. Can't bear things on my wrists any more after 20 years without a watch.

SpoonBlender · 06/12/2018 18:24

You can choose whether or not to have a GPS model Meercat, they come in both from Series 2 upwards.

Original poster
Meercat2 · 06/12/2018 18:29

Thanks again. I will definitely have a re-think. I might have a look at getting a second hand 'unwanted' one from somewhere. It's a lot of money to spend to sit keeping your socks company...

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Frlrlrubert · 06/12/2018 19:32

I have a second hand series 3. I had an older one before but the battery life was becoming a bit rubbish. The 3 will go all day and then some, and will charge up in the time it takes to shower and dry hair.

Be warned - if you get one second hand the seller needs to unlink it from their apple account before you can use it. I sent two back before I found a seller capable of actually doing it!

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 06/12/2018 20:03

I really like mine. Had it a couple of months. Wear it pretty much every day. It's handy for seeing notifications or who's calling. Also good for heart rate. Is also have an all that has all my loyalty cards which is handy and Apple Pay. The thing I use it for most is probably finding my phone as it can 'ping' it.😹

BentNeckLady · 06/12/2018 20:07

I wouldn’t want to be without mine now, I can’t temember how I lived without it Blush

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 06/12/2018 20:33

I wear my every day. I go to a lot of exercise classes and I monitor whether I’m closing my rings, how many calories, heart rate, steps etc.

I check emails, messages and pay for most things with it..

Scotinoz · 06/12/2018 20:55

No idea which version I have, but it's awesome. I can change music, turn the heating up, ask Siri stuff, know how far I walked/ran and tell the time.

It does heaps of stuff that I have no idea about too!

Cherries101 · 06/12/2018 20:58

In certain quarters it’s beginning to be seen as a ‘woman’s watch’ like the Fitbit so if you’re looking for a watch he’d wear everyday you might as well out in an extra 150 and buy a Tissot.

MeetOnTheSIedge · 06/12/2018 21:05

I have a Fitbit which does time, stopwatch, steps, heartrate, shows texts, calendar alerts and callers from my Iphone and was considerably cheaper than an Apple watch plus it only needs charging once a week. I wouldn't buy anything like this as a gift without checking with the recipient that it was what they actually wanted.

Stinkbomb · 06/12/2018 21:09

I bought myself one as an early Christmas present and I love it!
It's really helpful to have the notifications as I often keep my phone in my bag so often don't hear it ring or ping.
I have had a fitbit for ages before this, but it does so much more than the fitbit did.

Original poster
Meercat2 · 06/12/2018 21:22

Gosh it's all so difficult to decide 😀
All the comments have been really useful but I suppose I will need to do some undercover research to establish if it's something he really wants. It's kind of an expensive mistake to make

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ajandjjmum · 07/12/2018 08:18

DS wanted one a couple of years ago, but never got it. So I've treated him for Christmas - just hope he still likes it! Bought from JL so can have a total refund if not.

carrie74 · 07/12/2018 10:31

I've got a series 2, DH has a series 1. We love them! DH will be looking to upgrade to the latest soon - we're off to the US next year, so may buy it there if the exchange rate has improved. We've got a lot of friends who have one, mostly male, so in contradiction to a PP. I use it to track activity, to motivate me to do more, to take texts and calls (and WhatsApp etc etc), I love the analysis.

I used to have a Fitbit, and it does much more than that, and I like the analysis available on the app. However, I also get mine via my health insurance, so it's been a risk-free purchase for me (the more exercise I do, the less I have to pay - it's a 2 year credit agreement, I'm more than 1 year in and so far have paid £5, and plan not to have to pay anymore). If I'd had to pay full price for it, I think I'd still have got one (we're an Apple loving household), but it would have been a tough call, as I didn't really 'get' it for quite a long time.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 07/12/2018 11:04

Love mine. Great for running as has all my music on it and Strava. I forgot to put it on the other day and felt lost without it.

My garmin and Tom Tom watches are now sitting gathering dust.

Original poster
Meercat2 · 07/12/2018 17:18

I went and had a look at one in JL today. I think I will get one now and if it's not what he wants at least it can get refunded.
Thanks for all the input from everyone

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SamanthaJayne4 · 07/12/2018 19:16

My adult DS bought the latest Apple watch, after careful consideration! He paid extra for the extra strong glass and is glad as he has knocked it a few times. It remains undamaged. He is very techie so will get the most from it.

Original poster
Meercat2 · 07/12/2018 20:37

Samantha that's really good advice

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Original poster
Meercat2 · 07/12/2018 20:39

Just a quick question... Probably shows I'm quite untechy😂

Can you download music and listen to it without having your iPhone near you?

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