Review Apple Watch Series 11

Key Concepts

• Apple Watch Series 11: The latest iteration of Apple's smartwatch, reviewed in the video.
• Coneset: A sponsor and authorized Apple reseller in Vietnam, offering trade-in programs and installment plans for Apple Watches.
• Design: Largely unchanged from Series 10, but thinner and lighter than Series 9. Available in 46mm and 42mm sizes.
• Materials: Aluminum (Space Gray, Jet Black) and Titanium. Ceramic coating on aluminum for scratch resistance. Sapphire crystal on Titanium.
• Display: Always-On Retina LTPO OLED, with high refresh rate, contrast, and brightness.
• WatchOS 26: The operating system, featuring new watch faces (zoomable second hand, liquid effect) and improved sleep tracking.
• Features: Notifications, fitness tracking (swimming highlighted), voice input (Vietnamese supported), GPS (single-band).
• Limitations: Inability to take calls from Messenger, Zalo, etc., on the watch. Single-band GPS compared to dual-band on some RTOS watches.
• Sleep Tracking: New sleep score based on duration, consistency, and awakenings.
• Battery Life: Improved over Series 10 (approx. 11% for 46mm, 6-7% for 42mm), but still requires daily charging for most users.
• Fast Charging: 15 minutes provides approximately 8 hours of use.
• Comparison to Series 10: Minimal upgrades, with the same S10 chip. Series 10 is recommended for cost savings if available.
• RTOS (Real-Time Operating System) Watches: Mentioned as having significantly longer battery life but fewer features and less polished UI compared to Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Series 11 Review

This video provides a review of the Apple Watch Series 11, with sponsorship from Coneset, an authorized Apple reseller in Vietnam. Coneset offers trade-in programs for old watches to upgrade to newer models, along with zero-interest installment plans.

Design and Build

The design of the Apple Watch Series 11 remains largely consistent with its predecessor, the Series 10, featuring the same form factor. Compared to the Series 9, it is slightly thinner and lighter, offering improved comfort. The watch is available in two sizes: 46mm (as worn by the reviewer) with a larger display, and 42mm with a smaller display, catering to different wrist sizes.

The reviewer praises Apple Watch's simple yet elegant design, noting its continued adherence to a minimalist philosophy. In the market for square-faced smartwatches optimized for iOS, Apple Watch is presented as a dominant choice, with brands like Garmin offering some alternatives but not matching Apple's aesthetic appeal for the reviewer.

The aluminum version, specifically in Space Gray, is highlighted. The reviewer previously owned a Jet Black Series 10 and opted for a different color this year to observe new finishes. The Jet Black color is particularly admired for its premium feel, even on an aluminum casing. A Titanium version is also available but at a higher price point. Concerns about the Jet Black finish chipping on the underside, as mentioned in some comments, were not experienced by the reviewer on their Series 10. However, it is noted that the Jet Black color is generally more prone to showing scratches than other colors.

The reviewer is wearing a new Nike Run band, a combination of black and red, which is described as sporty and convenient with its Velcro closure.

Display and Watch Faces

A significant upgrade for the aluminum version of the Series 11 is the addition of a ceramic coating on the screen, enhancing scratch resistance. The Titanium version already utilizes Sapphire Crystal, making this coating unnecessary.

The display is described as "excellent" within the smartwatch market, featuring a high refresh rate, high contrast, and good brightness. The integration of software contributes to a visually pleasing experience, with a more refined and detailed interface compared to RTOS watches. However, this visual richness comes at the cost of battery life, which is discussed later.

The display technology is still the Always-On Retina LTPO OLED, which preserves viewing angles better than models prior to Series 10. WatchOS 26 introduces new watch faces, including one that zooms in on the second hand for a striking effect, and another that mimics liquid motion, reacting to the watch's movement. These new watch faces are also available on older Apple Watch models updated to WatchOS 26.

Software and Features (WatchOS 26)

WatchOS 26 is described as smooth, visually appealing, and well-integrated with iPhones. Standard smartwatch features like notifications and sports tracking are present. Notably, Vietnamese voice input is supported for quick replies to messages and navigation using Apple Maps or Google Maps.

A key software limitation highlighted for new Apple Watch users is the inability to take calls from popular Vietnamese messaging apps like Messenger and Zalo directly on the watch. This is contrasted with RTOS watches from Huawei, Xiaomi, and Garmin, which offer this functionality.

Fitness and Health Tracking

The reviewer primarily uses the swimming tracking feature, which functions similarly to previous Apple Watch models without issues. For general users who are not professional athletes, most smartwatches in the 3-5 million VND price range, including the Apple Watch, can adequately meet their needs for basic tracking like swim distance and heart rate.

The integrated GPS allows for tracking outdoor activities like walking and running without a connected iPhone. However, a drawback is that the GPS is single-band, unlike the dual-band GPS found on some newer, less expensive RTOS watches. The reviewer suggests that dual-band GPS would be a valuable upgrade for accuracy, especially in environments with tall buildings or obstructions, and hopes for its inclusion in future models beyond the Apple Watch Ultra.

WatchOS 26 brings enhanced sleep tracking features, including a sleep score. This score is calculated based on sleep duration, consistency of bedtime, and the number of awakenings during the night. The goal is to help users adjust their sleep environment or schedule for better rest. The reviewer admits to not wearing the watch to sleep regularly due to personal preference, only doing so for testing purposes.

It is also mentioned that the high blood pressure warning feature is not currently available in Vietnam due to regulatory approval requirements.

Battery Life

Battery life is identified as a significant area of improvement for the Series 11 compared to the Series 10. The 46mm version has approximately 11% more battery capacity, while the 42mm version sees a 6-7% increase.

In a test scenario, with the watch worn from 8 AM to 6 PM without Always-On Display or 5G, the battery level was 80%. Continuing to wear it until 4 AM the next morning (typical wake-up time), the battery remained at 58%. For comparison, the Series 10 would have been at 76% under similar conditions.

While improved, the battery life is not considered a "huge" leap. It allows for a few extra hours of use or potentially an additional sleep cycle. However, for consistent daily use, charging at the end of each day is still recommended. Without continuous wear, the watch might last two days on a single charge.

The reviewer reiterates that battery life remains a major disadvantage of Apple Watch when compared to RTOS watches from brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, and Garmin, which can last for weeks on a single charge. The difference is attributed to the operating system architecture.

Fast charging is supported, with 15 minutes of charging providing approximately 8 hours of use.

Conclusion and Recommendation

In summary, the Apple Watch Series 11 offers a modest improvement in battery life, which is considered its most significant upgrade over the Series 10. However, the core functionality and performance remain largely the same, with the same S10 chip as the previous generation.

For those looking to save money, the Apple Watch Series 10 is still a viable option, as it is likely available from third-party retailers even if no longer officially sold by Apple. The reviewer suggests purchasing the Series 10 until it is no longer available and then considering the Series 11.

A crucial point for potential buyers is to be aware of the battery life limitations. If daily charging is acceptable, then the Apple Watch, including the Series 11, is a strong contender, especially for iPhone users who prefer a square-faced smartwatch. However, if extended battery life is a priority, users should explore RTOS alternatives.