The Apple Watch Series 3, introduced in 2017, marked a significant leap forward in the smartwatch industry, combining advanced health monitoring features with robust connectivity options. This professional article will provide a comprehensive, detailed, and point-by-point exploration of how the Apple Watch Series 3 works. We will cover its design, key features, functionalities, and usage, ensuring a thorough understanding of this innovative device.
Design and Build
Elegant and Functional Design
The Apple Watch Series 3 retains the iconic design language of its predecessors, featuring a rectangular body with rounded corners and a digital crown. The casing is available in two sizes, 38mm and 42mm, and comes in aluminum or stainless steel finishes.
Display and Screen
The device boasts an OLED Retina display with Force Touch, providing vibrant colors and sharp text. The display is covered with Ion-X strengthened glass (aluminum models) or sapphire crystal (stainless steel models) for durability.
Digital Crown and Side Button
The digital crown is used for navigation, scrolling, and accessing the home screen. The side button allows quick access to frequently used apps, emergency SOS, and Apple Pay.
Water Resistance
The Apple Watch Series 3 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
Core Features
Cellular and GPS Connectivity
The Apple Watch Series 3 comes with an optional cellular model, enabling users to make calls, send texts, and stream music without needing an iPhone nearby. Built-in GPS allows for accurate tracking of outdoor activities.
S3 Dual-Core Processor
The S3 dual-core processor ensures smooth performance, allowing for quick app launches and seamless multitasking.
W2 Wireless Chip
The W2 chip enhances Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, providing faster and more reliable connections.
watchOS
The Apple Watch Series 3 runs on watchOS, Apple’s dedicated operating system for the Apple Watch. Regular updates bring new features and improvements.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Heart Rate Monitoring
The Apple Watch Series 3 features an optical heart rate sensor that continuously monitors your heart rate throughout the day. It provides notifications for elevated heart rates when you’re not active and tracks your heart rate during workouts.
Activity Rings
The Activity Rings (Move, Exercise, Stand) motivate users to stay active. The Move ring tracks active calories burned, the Exercise ring tracks minutes of brisk activity, and the Stand ring encourages you to stand and move for at least one minute per hour.
Workout App
The Workout app supports various exercises, including running, cycling, swimming, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). It provides detailed metrics and personalized coaching to help you reach your fitness goals.
GPS and Altimeter
Built-in GPS and altimeter track your distance, speed, and elevation during outdoor activities, providing detailed maps and data in the Activity app on your iPhone.
Breathing App
The Breathe app helps reduce stress by guiding you through deep breathing exercises. It provides haptic feedback and visual cues to help you focus and relax.
Communication and Connectivity
Phone Calls and Messages
With the cellular model, you can make and receive phone calls directly from your Apple Watch. You can also send and receive text messages, ensuring you stay connected even without your iPhone.
Siri Integration
Siri is always available to assist with setting reminders, sending messages, making calls, and more. You can activate Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or pressing and holding the digital crown.
Walkie-Talkie
The Walkie-Talkie feature allows for instant voice communication with other Apple Watch users, providing a fun and convenient way to stay in touch.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay on the Apple Watch Series 3 lets you make secure payments with a simple tap. It’s convenient for quick purchases and eliminates the need to carry cash or cards.
Apps and Customization
App Store
The watchOS App Store offers a wide range of apps tailored for the Apple Watch. From fitness and health to productivity and entertainment, you can find apps that enhance your watch’s functionality.
Customizable Watch Faces
The Apple Watch Series 3 offers a variety of watch faces that can be customized with different colors, complications, and styles. Complications provide quick access to information like weather, calendar events, and more.
Third-Party Apps
Third-party apps can be downloaded and installed from the App Store, expanding the capabilities of your Apple Watch. Popular apps include Strava, Nike Run Club, and many others.
Battery Life and Charging
All-Day Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 3 is designed to provide all-day battery life, lasting up to 18 hours on a single charge. Battery life may vary based on usage and settings.
Magnetic Charging
Charging the Apple Watch Series 3 is easy with the included magnetic charging cable. Simply place the back of the watch against the charger, and it will snap into place and begin charging.
Power Reserve Mode
Power Reserve mode extends battery life by displaying only the time when the battery is critically low. This feature ensures you can still see the time until you can recharge your watch.
Accessibility Features
VoiceOver
VoiceOver is a screen reader that provides auditory descriptions of what’s on your screen. It’s designed to assist users with visual impairments.
Zoom
Zoom allows users to magnify the content on the screen, making it easier to see text and images.
Taptic Time
Taptic Time provides haptic feedback to tell you the time discreetly without looking at the screen. It can be customized to provide different feedback patterns.
Mono Audio
Mono Audio combines the audio channels into one, making it easier for users with hearing impairments in one ear to hear audio clearly.
Security and Privacy
Passcode Protection
You can set a passcode to protect your Apple Watch. The watch locks automatically when you take it off, ensuring your data remains secure.
Find My
The Find My app helps you locate your Apple Watch if it’s lost or stolen. You can also remotely lock or erase your watch to protect your information.
Privacy Controls
Apple Watch Series 3 offers robust privacy controls, allowing you to manage your data and who has access to it. Health and fitness data are encrypted and stored securely.
How to Set Up Apple Watch Series 3
Pairing with iPhone
Turn on your Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button.
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your devices.
Customize settings and preferences during the setup process.
Setting Up Cellular
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Go to the My Watch tab and tap Cellular.
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your cellular plan.
Ensure your carrier supports Apple Watch cellular plans.
Customizing Watch Faces
Press firmly on the watch face to enter customization mode.
Swipe left or right to choose a watch face.
Tap Customize to change colors, complications, and styles.
Downloading Apps
Open the App Store on your Apple Watch or iPhone.
Browse or search for apps you want to download.
Tap Get or the download icon to install the app on your watch.
See Also: What Does The Apple Watch Series 2 Do
Using Apple Watch Series 3
Making and Receiving Calls
Open the Phone app on your Apple Watch.
Tap Contacts to select a contact or tap Keypad to dial a number.
Tap the call button to initiate the call.
To answer an incoming call, tap the green answer button or raise your wrist.
Sending and Receiving Messages
Open the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
Tap New Message to start a new conversation.
Use voice dictation, scribble, or preset responses to compose your message.
Tap Send to send the message.
Tracking Workouts
Open the Workout app on your Apple Watch.
Select the type of workout you want to track.
Tap Start to begin the workout.
Monitor your progress and metrics during the workout.
Tap End to finish the workout and view a summary.
Monitoring Heart Rate
Open the Heart Rate app on your Apple Watch.
The app will automatically measure your heart rate.
Swipe up to see your current heart rate, resting heart rate, and walking average.
Using Siri
Say “Hey Siri” or press and hold the digital crown.
Ask Siri a question or give a command.
Siri will respond with the information or action you requested.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Customize Control Center
Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open Control Center.
Scroll to the bottom and tap Edit.
Drag icons to rearrange or add new controls.
Use Theater Mode
Swipe up to open Control Center.
Tap the Theater Mode icon (two masks).
Theater Mode silences notifications and prevents the screen from waking when you raise your wrist.
Enable Fall Detection
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
Go to the My Watch tab and tap Emergency SOS.
Turn on Fall Detection.
Fall Detection will alert emergency services if it detects a hard fall.
Share Activity with Friends
Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch.
Swipe left to view the Sharing tab.
Tap Add Friend to invite friends to share activity data.
Compare progress and motivate each other to stay active.
Use Apple Pay
Double-click the side button to activate Apple Pay.
Hold your watch near the contactless payment terminal.
Wait for the confirmation beep or vibration.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Series 3 stands as a testament to Apple’s commitment to innovation in wearable technology. With its sleek design, robust features, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, it has redefined what a smartwatch can do. Whether you’re tracking your fitness goals, staying connected without your iPhone nearby, or simply enjoying the convenience of mobile payments, the Apple Watch Series 3 enhances daily life in numerous ways.
