What Do You Actually Use Your Apple Watch for?

VenusDeMilo on 29/09/2020 - 13:06
Last edited 01/10/2020 - 14:50

*EDIT 01/10/20

Thanks for everyone's responses! really helpful insight :)

based on it and additional research think I'll keep an eye out for a good deal on a Garmin Vivo active 3M / 4, have seen past deals have had them below $400.

No need to pay monthly $10 data plan and no need to sign up to Apple music for $10 when I'm already Spotify family member feel like deciding factors!

The additional health features of apple watches feel a bit gimmicky to me and the everyday stuff (Apple Pay, Authenticator, Siri, flashlight, time, music controls etc. I find extremely easy to do with an iPhone already)

I've always enjoyed running but during Iso (in Melbourne) I've got a lot more into it. running every second day and around 120KM per month now.

I've been running with phone in hand to track runs and listen to music.

Given how often I'm running am thinking it'd be a justified purchase to invest in a watch to track my runs. Have explored other GPS watches but am leaning towards an apple Watch because I'd like to be able to do the following with it:

  • Track runs, set up interval running drills etc.
  • Listen to music / podcasts when on to go.
  • See accurate daily step count without needing to carry phone everywhere
  • Use GPS for distances whilst playing golf.

Appears only other option besides Apple watch which can do all of the above this is the Garmin Fenix 5 plus / 6 which retail for over $1K.

Where as I'm leaning towards Apple Watch SE 40mm Cellular which would set me back $499.

Although half the price still a decent investment and would then have to pay an additional $10 PM for cellular & $10 if I want to use apple music rather than spotify (currently on Family plan with 5 friends so costing me effectively $3 PM)

Just wondering what are some other useful everyday things people find the apple watch is used for?

Looking for additional inspiration or encouragement to convince myself to just pull the trigger and treat myself.

Those who did buy one do you feel like it was a great purchase and haven't looked back since? or was it a pretty expensive purchase for the amount of use it gets? (e.g. bought air pods earlier this year and feel like they've been such a good purchase and use them for countless hours each day)

Electrical & Electronics Apple Smartwatch

Comments

  • sugarfree on 29/09/2020 - 13:19
    +1

    I download Apple Music playlists to the watch and pair with airpods on runs. No need to take my phone. Plus with cellular don’t even need to download. I find the tracking is very accurate for runs.

    • VenusDeMilo on 29/09/2020 - 13:34
      +7

      yeah the ability to not take phone in hand on runs is the #1 draw card!

    • xdigger on 29/09/2020 - 14:57
      +2

      I do the same thing all with a $100-$200 Xiaomi Pace watch which has 4GB of onboard memory for offline music and has a GPS too. Amazing how overpriced the Apple ecosystem is.

      • Nalar on 01/10/2020 - 08:14
        +2

        Can you listen to Podcasts via traditional apps on the Pace? or do you have to get the .mp3 file and load it that way?

      • richadam on 01/10/2020 - 14:42
        +1

        That doesn't run Android watch OS does it? It's more of a GPS watch than a smart watch.

      • schwinn on 01/10/2020 - 17:17

        I actually appreciate the ability to do other app based activities and also the phone call function available. Fall detection is great, also being able to call someone for help, or use some smart device activation (unlock doors, but that's a complex setup).

  • Bambalam on 29/09/2020 - 13:27
    +9

    I bought one recently after holding off for a long time (I ended up caving when I could get a price match from Officeworks for a S5 cellular). I always viewed the Apple Watch as a "nice to have" gadget that was too expensive to justify. At full price I still stand by this.

    However now that I have one it definitely adds value to my life, just not $650 worth haha.

    I'm using it for exercise tracking, sleep tracking, quickly glancing at TripView, asking Siri for simple requests, walking and public transport navigation.

    If you're in the Apple ecosystem it does add some cool features that aren't a game changer. I can now skip songs on my wrist when I'm using airplay on my phone, unlock my MacBook without entering my password etc.

    Overall I am happy with mine, but it was definitely a "luxury" purchase for me. Not sure if that helps you make your decision. Happy to answer any other questions you might have.

    • VenusDeMilo on 29/09/2020 - 13:36
      +1

      That's really great insight, thanks for sharing.

      Are you currently using Spotify or apple music? if you've used both is there much of difference in usability?

      • Bambalam on 29/09/2020 - 13:56
        +2

        I use Apple Music. AM automatically syncs your recently played music. You can then add additional albums and playlists manually.

        My mate has an Apple Watch and uses Spotify. He said that the Spotify app is more like a remote for the iPhone app. Apparently there is an update coming soon that should bring the Spotify app to the same standard as Apple Music.

    • tjc589 on 29/09/2020 - 14:24

      For the watch with Cellular, do you need to be with a certain mobile provider to make use of the eSIM? Do you pay extra for it?
      Thanks

      • VenusDeMilo on 29/09/2020 - 14:30
        +4

        Yes, I believe it's Optus, Telstra & Vodafone only and they all charge $10 PM.

        Optus livechat confirmed that data pool sharing applies for adding it onto your existing mobile plan.

        • unco on 29/09/2020 - 14:55
          +2

          It's $5p/m isn't it? Or has it changed recently?

          • Chuppa on 29/09/2020 - 20:59
            +1

            @unco: $5 with Telstra (OneNumber)

        • Out24q on 30/09/2020 - 07:45
          +1

          I'm only paying $5 with Telstra.

        • cloudie9 on 01/10/2020 - 06:29
          +1

          $5 with Vodafone too.

        • schwinn on 01/10/2020 - 17:17

          $5 with Optus

        • covid-20 on 02/10/2020 - 23:14

          OP think about editing your post to fix the prices associated with Apple Music/Spotify, cellular. It's not an extra $20 a month for the functionality to play on the go, it's $5 for the data option. This means $3 (your Spotify plan) + $5 = $8 a month.

    • roweysvn on 01/10/2020 - 06:53

      This was the kind of reply I was looking for, cheers! Currently on the fence about getting an Apple watch. Sounds very much like a 'nice to have' purchase.

  • jjjaar on 29/09/2020 - 13:38
    +2

    The Garmin Vivoactive with Music (either "3 music" or "4s") can do all of that too for $500.

    I currently have the 3 without music and it can do all the other things - with the ability to bluetooth to my phone to control music (but I still need my phone on me - which is why I have recommended the 3 music or 4s for you)

    • VenusDeMilo on 29/09/2020 - 13:41

      thanks for info, didn't realise Vivoactive had golf also!

      same $RRP as apple watch model I'm looking at but music would have to be stored as opposed as to streamed.

      does anyone have any experience with how easy it is to store playlists from phone to Garmin watches for offline listening?

      • Av8r96 on 29/09/2020 - 14:11
        +1

        Not OP but I got my Vivoactive 3 Music for $330. Music storage is a matter of syncing a Spotify playlist via the Watch. The watch connects to Wifi and downloads from there. Takes a few minutes but it's a pretty painless process.

        • jjjaar on 29/09/2020 - 14:56
          +1

          Great addition - thanks!

          I got my 3 (no music) for about $250 - so I agree they can be found cheaper.

  • verio on 29/09/2020 - 13:43
    +4
    • notifications
    • Apple Pay (much faster than using an iPhone)
    • Siri for simple requests and shortcuts (it is dumb to handle complex requests)
    • workouts
    • it is convenient to quickly glance at a watch to see the current UV index
    • unlocking my Mac

    One thing to mention is that having an always-on display makes a huge difference in terms of experience.

    • VenusDeMilo on 29/09/2020 - 14:08

      I saw the previous sales for the series 5's which made them same price as SE basically. Seems like that would have been good buy for the always on.

      Given that I primarily want to use it for exercise/sports doesn't seem like a deal breaker to me?

      • verio on 29/09/2020 - 14:58

        Honestly - I don't know, you need to try both to tell if the difference is worth for you.

        However, the Workouts app has its own always-on screen mode that is showing your current workout stats, so this is a nice thing to have.

    • theo96 on 30/09/2020 - 07:13

      Yeah Apple Pay is great on the watch, especially compared to using Face ID on the phone while wearing a mask.

    • creamandpaper on 01/10/2020 - 20:51

      what kind of stuff do you use Siri for?

  • cuteseal on 29/09/2020 - 14:20
    +2

    My most used functions (in order)

    • tracking workouts
    • handy flashlight instead of fumbling around in the dark
    • weather
    • watch and date
    • controlling spotify when phone is in pocket (although it's quite slow)
    • ms authenticator (use it to approve multi-factor authentication requests for work accounts)
    • sleep tracking

    Wish I used more:

    • apple pay - I find it easier to use my phone, but it is kinda cool paying with your watch
    • notifications - most of the time I just see them and go "meh"… it's too hard to do anything on such a small screen. To do anything productive I would have to whip out the phone.

    I use mine as I got it as a birthday present. Would I purchase again with hard earned cash? Mmmm on the fence on that one. Nothing I can't do on my phone, which I have on me all the time anyway. It's nice to have but I'm thinking I probably wouldn't miss it if it was gone. Probably the reason why I'm still rocking a Series 3 and haven't been able to justify an (or seen the need to) upgrade.

    I also used to use a fitbit and could probably go back to one for fitness tracking if my apple watch ever gave up the ghost.

    • Hessian Sack on 29/09/2020 - 20:38
      +1

      "notifications - most of the time I just see them and go "meh"… it's too hard to do anything on such a small screen. To do anything productive I would have to whip out the phone."

      That's part of the point for me. It helps to stop playing with the phone every time you get a notification.

      • cuteseal on 02/10/2020 - 09:56

        Well for me it's more like - I can't do anything on the watch anyway so I won't bother checking. And so I just end up ignoring notifications on my watch.

    • smpantsonfire on 01/10/2020 - 18:23

      Are you using Apple pay correctly? It's a double tap of the long button and ya done.

      • cuteseal on 02/10/2020 - 09:53

        I'm aware. But to me the phone is just as easy and it's just muscle memory to me.

        I'm still rocking a iphone with a home button, so I just pull the phone out of my pocket with my thumb already over the button to scan my fingerprint, and hold it over the terminal and BING … simples.

      • Jackson on 02/10/2020 - 14:18

        This definitely isn't the case for Android pay on wearOS, have to put a pin in to use it! Talk about PITA

  • jallen89 on 29/09/2020 - 14:34
    +2

    While I’m a huge Apple fan, i was sceptical about the uses of an Apple Watch. I brought an S5 at the start of the year hoping it would motivate me to exercise and help me lose weight.
    I love it. I’ve been more motivated and have lost more weight this year than i have in an entire decade. What i use my Apple Watch most for is workouts, making sure I’m more active, setting reminders with Siri, email alerts, Apple Pay, controlling music (huge benefit for me), unlocking my Mac mini and using the complications on the watch face, particularly the calculator.

    • kiitos on 01/10/2020 - 16:22

      What does the watch do that had helped you over what you did previously?

  • gaz3342 on 29/09/2020 - 14:36
    +4

    Garmin Fenix 6 Pro owner here, my two cents:

    First of all Garmin Fenix 5 / 6 are not $1,000+. Being an OzBargainer you should know this ;)

    The reason I chose the Fenix is because I am a triathlete so wanted the Multisport features, if you are solely into running I would recommend the slightly cheaper but equally as feature packed Forerunner series.

    If all you want to do is track your distance / pace and listen to music, any mid range Garmin or the Apple Watch will suffice, if you are serious about running and want to do specific training for an event, go for the higher end Garmins.

    There are a LOT of features on the higher end Garmins that most people will not use but I typically use the following day to day:

    • Listen to music / podcasts (via Bluetooth headphones)
    • Track all my swimming / biking / running distance, pace, speed & routes etc
    • After a training session, my watch tells me how I performed in comparison to previous sessions, gives me a 'training score' and advises how long I should recover for
    • It also tracks my VO2 Max which is VERY rewarding when it increases over time :)
    • The Fenix 6 has very good sleep tracking and a 'body battery' which I thought was a gimmick but is scarily accurate
    • I set up specific workouts such as interval training and the watch guides me through
    • Phone notifications (phone must be in range, no cellular)
    • When I go hiking I can upload a GPX file to the watch then follow it live as I walk, this has stopped me getting lost before.
    • Other cool stuff like weather, compass etc which is fun but not really necessary in my opinion
    • simgue on 01/10/2020 - 20:37
      +1

      I'm running both the Fenix 6 Pro and a series 5 Apple Watch and agree with the above post re Garmin. In a nutshell go for the Garmin if you're serious about training, it's hand down superior in terms of data collection. Go for the Apple Watch if you just want to track workouts and have a higher level view of overall health but want a vastly superior ecosystem of other applications (bank apps, sport app, travel apps etc). One's an amazing athlete tool, the other an amazing smartwatch.

      The stock Apple Watch fitness app actually does a really decent job in its own right (i.e. also does v02 max) so unless you want to get super granular with things like ground contact time, running power, recovery times etc (which are awesome metrics for athletes) then get an Apple Watch and enjoy all the other things it does way better than Garmin.

      I also find the general Apple health dashboard when combined with the Apple watch to be far better at displaying relevant data on your health in comparison to the sometimes clunky way Garmin does it.

    • nextdoormaths on 02/10/2020 - 09:05
      +1

      Fully agree with all of the above. I went from a Garmin Vivoactive 3 which I loved, to a Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 LTE because I thought having some more smartphone-like features would be cool, but boy was I wrong. Syncing health data and workouts/runs back to Garmin/Strava was a nightmare. Battery anxiety was also too high. I had to charge it every night, sometimes twice a day if I used both GPS and LTE…

      In steps the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE. First of all, which I think is the best feature of Garmin watches compared to Apple/Samsungs, my watch battery lasts 13 days. 13!! Health and fitness tracking is out of this world. It has Garmin pay and I can get my phone notifications which is all a watch really needs to do. I can quick reply if I want (but rarely do) I just get out my phone to deal with it properly.

      My wife and I picked up his and hers Fenix 6 Pros for $550 each. Just wait for a deal or grab one off Gumtree. I would even pay much more in hindsight.

      Good luck.

  • MagicMushroom on 29/09/2020 - 14:46
    +1

    As a watch

  • mellamollama on 29/09/2020 - 15:01

    I moved from a Fitbit (which I had for ~4 years) to an Apple Watch S5, mainly because I wanted the upgrade and I use the apple ecosystem, but the fitness app and the ability to use it in the water is pretty good.

    I have been trying to close my rings every day for the last 8 months and it's a good motivator for me, you get those monthly challenges tailored to you which are quite fun. The fitness tracking and GPS is great for outdoor runs as well. I don't have the cellular option because with many service providers you have to pay an additional $5/month for usage. But I am happy with my decision because I use an armband to run anyway and have my phone on me.

    Other than working out, I use mine for music control (using spotify), using Siri (to set timers usually) and notifications, its really handy if my phone is near but not close to me - like in my bag, and I can reply on my watch.

    Oh! and the walkie talkie functionality is pretty cool if you know more people with Apple Watches. It's just fun extra that Apple provides.

  • lunchbox99 on 29/09/2020 - 16:19
    +4

    I do all my CBA credit card payments with my watch. Also scan my woolies card with it. Works the same as apple wallet on iphone except on your arm.

  • bobbified on 29/09/2020 - 16:50
    +3

    …to count the number of strokes each morning.

    • Randolph Duke on 01/10/2020 - 20:48
      +1

      Does it matter if you don’t run out of fingers to count on? Asking for a friend.

  • cauilfield on 29/09/2020 - 17:04
    +2

    I was sceptical but then bought one:

    -timers (hey siri timer for 4 hours)
    -exercise tracking
    -notifications
    -basic siri thing - whats the weather / set alarm etc
    -music control

  • TightTerry on 29/09/2020 - 17:31
    +1

    Does anyone have one and just use it for fitness and sleep tracking? I run a few times a week and will be back to the gym when they reopen, I’m also after some cool stats for sleep tracking and the silent alarm is meant to be great.

    Problem is I have a nice swiss TAG that i prefer to use as my everyday watch and not replace it with the Apple Watch. Wondering if it’s worth it just to wear for fitness and sleep?

    • ilikeradiohead on 01/10/2020 - 08:21

      I think an apple watch is overkill if that's all you're doing. I can't speak for other products, but I have a Garmin Forerunner 235 which can do running/cycling (it has a GPS so tracks distance + elevation + time) + sleep tracking + Heart rate. An old fitbit I had did a vibration thing for an alarm.

  • jackinyourbox on 29/09/2020 - 17:45

    Excercise and notifications

  • Jaystea on 29/09/2020 - 17:51

    It's nice to track exercise - getting a high heart rate gives me some sort of sense of accomplishment, arbitrary as it may seem.

    But tracking runs (even though I don't run often) is a very handy feature as I don't like carrying my phone. And the notification is great as I use my phone non-stop at work (for work reasons), and would otherwise find it too distracting to have to bring my phone out everytime.

    Having said that though, it's definitely a luxury, and I can easily function without it.

  • MsBin on 29/09/2020 - 17:56

    Tracking my daily step count, a sleep tracker and alarm, news notifications, weather, as a cooking timer and quickly getting and responding to texts and messages. I have a cochlear implant and a hearing aid, so I also use it to check the battery levels of my devices and to change the settings. Love my Apple Watch!

  • Moneyinthebank on 29/09/2020 - 18:03

    I eat mine

    • jayboi on 29/09/2020 - 18:08

      You better not have a Hermes or 24K gold model or you eat money

  • bongom on 29/09/2020 - 20:39

    Engadget accurately called the Apple Watch SE the Frankenwatch.
    https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2020/09/apple-watch-se-fitness-i…
    You'd be better off with one of the Garmin's that supports golf.

  • DoctorCalculon on 29/09/2020 - 23:11
    +3

    Making sure I wash my hands for 20 seconds every single time.

    • TimApple on 01/10/2020 - 10:46

      Or in my case it detects when I'm washing dishes and brushing my teeth 😂

      • DoctorCalculon on 01/10/2020 - 11:25

        Try randomly rubbing your hands together. ;)
        Very similar to how siri activates without being summoned while you are having a conversation with another person.

        • TimApple on 01/10/2020 - 15:11
          +2

          Yeah, my Siri gets triggered when I'm deep frying stuff while wearing my Apple Watch. Also when I say "Seriously" in a conversation.

  • ozbargainsam on 29/09/2020 - 23:32
    +1

    Primarily as a 'so I never have to hear my phone buzz on the table anymore'. Secondarily as a health tracker. I have HR readings from launch day: April 24th, 2015. Otherwise: weather/UV, timers/time, mild status bling (I've had three gens of SS Apple Watches). Oh and the gentle wake up tapping is so good in watchOS 7.

    Although, I find NFC usage aspect of watches a little awkward. With the watch you have reach your hand beyond the reader to scan, which depending on the orientation and placement of the reader can be mildly annoying. While with a phone you extend it from your fingertips so it's a little more natural.

    • unco on 30/09/2020 - 09:27

      Oh and the gentle wake up tapping is so good in watchOS 7.

      Springtide alarm is so good for silent gentle tapping!

  • voiletmay on 30/09/2020 - 07:17
    +1

    Silent alarm (bought it specifically to replace a fitbit that had a silent alarm, I walk at 4am each morning so need a 3.50am alarm even though I am usually awake)

    Paying for groceries at the checkout.

    Made myself a custom watchface that just has the temperature and the time. Because I walk at 4am temperature is super important to me, so I can always glance at it to know the temperature and the font is so big I can read it without glasses on.

    Also good as when messages come through on my phone they show up on my watch.

    Other than that, I don't take advange to other features of the watch mainly because I can't see it without glasses on.

    The only problem I find is that because I use a silent alarm, I can't use any of the features of the watch that make noise (so no walkie talkie). For the silent alarm to function, the entire watch has to be on silent. So that is my only complaint.

  • R0b on 30/09/2020 - 08:08

    I use my watch specifically to view the thumbnail notifications from surveillance cameras around the house. Originally I bought it to loose weight but turns out the watch requires extra stuff for that to happen.

    • hopper on 02/10/2020 - 09:25

      Wish wear os has a decent app which does that.

  • SteveB00 on 30/09/2020 - 08:25

    In addition to most of the other stuff mentioned above, I use mine to count laps when swimming in a pool (because I'm getting old and lose count).

  • mlbrooke on 30/09/2020 - 10:08

    I have had various Apple watches now through purchasing my first (and breaking it) and then people gifting them to me. Would I purchase one again with my own cash? not without exercise being an important use case……

    They are excellent for pushing me that little bit further and the fact that music and podcasts can be streamed has so many advantages….. again would I spend the money myself? probably not…… The fact that it just works with the iPhone etc to download podcasts and music is other plus if you are in the Apple ecosystem.

    As others have said, it is a luxury item for me as well… because I exercise everyday I enjoy the feedback but I struggle to find another use case outside of health for me. Though in saying this, a cheaper Apple Watch would make more sense to me and put it in my discretionary budget envelope.

  • OzHunterNSW on 30/09/2020 - 10:09

    Apple Watch 6 does all that plus more.
    Don't forget you have other health apps applied to assist in your golf.

  • Boogerman on 30/09/2020 - 10:12
    +3

    Sleep tracking
    Heart rate
    Exercise
    Music with Powerbeats Pro
    Apple Pay
    Loyalty card storage (eg: Woolworths Rewards card scanning)
    Unlock MacBook
    Bunnings PowerPass

    Apple ecosystem is more comprehensive & reliable than Google or Microsoft

    • ttkc on 01/10/2020 - 15:27

      Loyalty card storage

      Which app do you use may I ask?

      • hashtagbargain on 01/10/2020 - 16:43
        +3

        stocard

        • Boogerman on 01/10/2020 - 18:40
          +1

          Yeah, you can scan in so many cards & 95% of the time it gets the barcode accurately
          Gets Flybuys correct

  • MontyMacaw on 30/09/2020 - 10:38
    +1

    Can’t wait for a hydrogen powered one. Just to be cool. Apple watches are like assholes - everybody has one, including me since day one.

  • TightTerry on 30/09/2020 - 18:14

    Just purchased the Apple Watch SE, having fun playing around with it.

  • pogichinoy on 01/10/2020 - 03:45

    Notifications and fall detection

  • CandyMan on 01/10/2020 - 05:56

    Fenix 6 for the price of apples $599
    https://www.rebelsport.com.au/p/garmin-fenix-6-smartwatch-58…

  • dealcrown on 01/10/2020 - 06:12

    The Apple Watch has been a great piece of tech for me. Most things have been covered by everyone else, but I predominantly use it for;

    1 Tracking runs and other fitness workouts (I’ll be using Apple fitness + when it comes out). I have an Apple Music subscription only for this reason. I know you can download songs prior but I like to be able to stream music and sometimes decide to listen to new tracks spontaneously. Otherwise I usually listen to music on Spotify on my phone.

    1. Flashlight

    2. Notifications (primarily gmail notifications)

    3. Music control

    4. Time!

    I think the SE is a good option to go for if you don’t care about always on display.

    I wouldn’t recommend it to people who don’t do workouts though.

  • JelIyfish on 01/10/2020 - 09:19

    Look into the Forerunner 245M as well, it is a fantastic device and I believe it has all of the features you require.

  • VenusDeMilo on 01/10/2020 - 10:40
    +1

    Thanks for everyone's responses! really helpful insight :)

    based on it and additional research think I'll keep an eye out for a good deal on a Garmin Vivo active 3M / 4, have seen past deals have had them below $400.

    No need to pay monthly $10 data plan and no need to sign up to Apple music for $10 when I'm already Spotify family member feel like deciding factors!

    The additional health features of apple watches feel a bit gimmicky to me and the everyday stuff (Apple Pay, Authenticator, Siri, flashlight, time, music controls etc. I find extremely easy to do with an iPhone already)

    • ATangk on 01/10/2020 - 10:55

      I once got my iPhone fried with water on holiday (so much for waterproofing) but was still able to use Apple Pay on my watch for the duration of the holiday.

      I don’t use my watch very often anymore because I haven’t completed any exercise circles since late January… or maybe I did once? Prior to covid I would get it filled everyday.

    • thirdwill on 03/10/2020 - 12:55

      Hi! I come from a Garmin Vivoactive 4S but that unfortunately died after paddling in the water. It was also suppose to allow you to download Spotify playlists to the watch but that I never got that to work after a few days of trying ( I have Spotify premium family)

      I switched to Galaxy Watch 3 and really like it. The screen is amazing, notifications and responses are handled better on GW3 - you can even write on the watch. Even though the VA4s had an always on screen, its only visible with light. The backlighting looks outdated. OLED is more contemporary. GPS also seem to work much faster. I think the sleep tracking is also much better than Garmin.

      Downsides are the battery (2.5 days vs 5 or 6?). Strava sync seems to be not as fast as Garmin, however Samsung Health does push my runs to Strava (I just dont know if and when it will happen in Strava).

      Overall, I find the GW3 worth the extra for all the nieceties you get when you're not exercising. You have alot more watch faces and straps to choose for as well. It can be dressed up or down, where the garmin is mainly a fitness-first watch.

      I hope this helped! Good luck!

      Downside is the battery

  • Jimh66 on 01/10/2020 - 12:28

    Charging wearables annoys me the most about them, so I'm happy with my Matrix 2 powerwatch, even though it only has heart/excercise and phone notification features so far.

  • Kenny Powers on 01/10/2020 - 12:41

    I use mine primarily as a fitness tracker. I feel I have been more active since buying mine over a year ago. Its good at work to notify when I have a phone call or message, as I often move around the office without my phone.

  • blorx on 01/10/2020 - 14:46

    Exercise: run & cycle (without phone) and paying or everything. Light and comfortable, hardly know it's on - haven't really worn my tags, tissot, gshocks in the last 2 years since I got. Definitely worth it if you're running that much.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/10/2020 - 15:01

    I use the watch to watch Google products on YouTube.

  • Akya on 01/10/2020 - 15:05

    I have an Apple watch and I mostly use it for Apple pay - don't need to put pin in even if over $100 (I've paid a >$1000 vet bill with Apple watch and still didn't need to up my pin in). It's very comfortable to wear and I use it as my go to watch.

    I cancelled Spotify and hopped onto Apple Music, which I seldom use. Can use data (cellular) to stream Apple Music. I also use the Bolinda ebooks app (free access with some libraries) which allows downloads of audio books to the Apple watch.

    I have the cellular version and with Optus it's only an extra $5 a month (not $10 like you said). I think only Optus and Telstra offer Apple cellular add ons to post paid plans. It's handy to ditch my phone if I want to go out light as I can call/text/pay with it.

  • 91rs on 01/10/2020 - 16:14
    +1

    Apple pay.
    Notifications.
    Time\Date.
    Stopwatch and timers (Hey Siri, set a X minute timer).
    Heart rate and sleep tracking.
    Their activity tracker (run, walk, cycle etc)
    Spotify.

    I've got the cellular Series 5 which has been great, I also had a series 3 cellular previously
    I found it very handy for calls when you don't have your phone on you but do have your watch, knowing I can go out and pay for something and make or receive calls or messages with just my watch is great. Not for full on long drawn out conversations but for something urgent you can manage with it for a couple of minutes, even if you do look like a weirdo.

    That Garmin won't do cellular calls without the handset nearby I believe.

  • 2190sarah on 01/10/2020 - 16:15
    +2

    The most common thing I seem to use my watch for these days is to ping my phone when I have put it down somewhere random in the house.
    I seem to do this multiple times a day 😳

  • kaleidoscope on 01/10/2020 - 16:23
    +1

    Its good experience for me so far. fitness data tracking / flash light / parking apps / apple pay (huge plus since masks dont work with faceid) / voice recorder/ silent alarms etc.

  • catbug on 01/10/2020 - 17:44
    +1

    I never wanted one, and was kinda mad when I received one as a gift. I've worn it everyday the last 4 years since I've got it, and will buy a new one when this eventually dies.

    Recently I've been hearing a lot of stories about people's parents, like the lady on that's featured on HONY at the moment. If she had an apple watch she could've used that to call for help, there's a fall detection feature that will notify a contact and call emergency services. One of my aunty's friends fell in the backyard and knocked her head and no one found her for hours. Things like this can be avoided. There's probably other devices that do this but this is a major plus in my books!

    I use my mainly for tracking my exercise and movement, and I like being able to control my music from my watch and not having to reach for my phone.

    • catbug on 01/10/2020 - 17:45

      It's definitely motivated me to be more active as well. So for health reasons I love it.

  • Buckshot on 01/10/2020 - 17:49
    +5

    I held off getting an Apple Watch Celluar 44mm until I could stack some discounts.
    It's been a great investment in my opinion.

    Notably:

    (This was the main thing for me) I can wander about without my phone, screen free time is easier to do but you're still contactable. When I don't want to be tempted to browse stuff but contactable, it's a game changer.

    I'm on call for work from time to time- I now don't have to think about checking my phone to see if I've missed a call- I can go about life and the only thought that occupies my mind about getting a call for work is when I actually get one. If I happen to leave my phone at home or just want to go on a walk without it, I can still take a call if I really want to. Sure- it's speaker phone but it does the job.
    If I'm asleep while on call, I get a more subtle pulsing haptic vibration that wakes me up rather than some got awful ring tone. Also great if you've got an early plane to catch but don't want to wake the fam with your alarm.

    Fitness tracking
    Paying for things- not so dependent on my phone

  • hashtagbargain on 01/10/2020 - 17:55
    +1

    Hey op since you’ve made up your mind now I have a gift for you: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/569840

  • Jackkkkkk on 01/10/2020 - 19:07
    +1

    I haven't used it much for anything else other than check time, and for notification checks and answer calls also

    I haven't used any of the apps.

  • Moneyinthebank on 01/10/2020 - 19:40
    -1

    I use my apple watch to watch apples

  • alamodey on 01/10/2020 - 21:08
    +1

    one of the unknown uses of the Watch is as a language learning tool.

    i found some interesting flashcard apps that have helped me with my japanese and chinese studies:
    https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tokeitango/id1492526803?ls=1
    https://apps.apple.com/au/app/zungzi/id1496948615

  • whatgift on 01/10/2020 - 22:57
    +2

    I use my Apple watch almost as much as my phone every day for:
    1. Notifications - I have my phone and watch on silent permanently, since I always know from the vibration on my wrist that I have notifications. When I see the notification on my watch I decide whether to action on my phone immediately or later, since the notification badge will still show on my phone.
    2. Fitness tracking - just the motivation of closing my activity rings every day makes me do exercise, even if it's just short walks.
    3. Apple pay - the watch is pretty much all I use for paying for anything.
    4. Reminders - use a shopping list when grocery shopping, which I can tick off as I go. I use Siri to add items to the shopping list whenever I remember them, which means I never miss anything on my shops.
    5. Loyalty cards - I was using Stocard for flybuys, Woolworths rewards and Hoyts, but have managed to add them all to wallet so I can access them the same as my Apple pay cards.
    6. Music/podcast control - sometimes you want to change volume, skip tracks, add or remove songs from your library or skip ads in podcasts, which can all be done with your phone somewhere else.
    7. Timers - easy to set and keep track of while they're running.

    If you're an iPhone user it's a no brainer - you won't get anywhere near the utility or features from anything else.

    The SE is the perfect choice, the extra features on other models are not worth it in my opinion.

    • AmberChook51 on 02/10/2020 - 16:55
      +1

      non cellular series 6owner here
      Positives:
      - Shopping list was a surprise for me. It made me realise how often i was taking my phone out when i was talking through coles. Waaaay faster.
      - Stand reminders keeps me aware of spending too long at the desk
      - Payments are more convenient
      - sleep is useful
      - exercise quotas for the day are a great constant reminder - i find myself taking more time for it
      - Unlocking macbook was a great suprise.
      - New ios14 sleep reminders are awesome.
      - Charge reminders are awesome
      - pinging phone when i've put it down and forgotten where i left it

      Fitness tracking is really good. I upgraded from a mifit band (4? I think?) which i really liked, but this is kinda next level. I like how it pops up and asks you if you're on a walk outside if you're heading to the shops. Why yes, watch, I am. Then it kinda backdates the time you've spent doing the walk. Really convenient, cool stuff.

      Downsides for now:
      - the audible app on the watch is trash. Hard resets the watch at times. Syncing takes a million years
      - Different podcast players will treat the crown differently

      • tardis3 on 05/10/2020 - 10:48

        Do you use a shopping list app? How do you use your watch for your shopping list?

        • whatgift on 06/10/2020 - 18:06

          I just use the reminders app, is easy to use and works well with siri and has the app on the watch

          • tardis3 on 06/10/2020 - 21:59

            @whatgift: Great, thank you

            I use a Google Home for my shopping list. I wonder if there is a way to automatically copy that list to reminders …

            • whatgift on 07/10/2020 - 19:00

              @tardis3: I bet there would be some way to use IFTTT to do it

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