Review: Apple Watch 2

VERDICT

Apple has upgraded the Watch in a number of ways, and all of them useful. The extended battery life, the GPS abilities and the water-resistance now make this a compelling smartwatch - but it doesn't quite do enough to make you need such a watch in your life... yet.

PROS:

Water-resistant
GPS onboard
Two day battery life

CONS:

Expensive
Lack of useful apps
Fitness could be more comprehensive

Introduction, design and screen

You want to know two things about the Apple Watch 2 (or Apple Watch Series 2 if we're being picky): is it a big enough upgrade to beat the first Watch, and has Apple done enough to make a smartwatch a necessity, rather than just a novel luxury?

Well, Apple's brought a lot of the tech upgrades we wanted: with the Watch 2 you're getting a new water-resistant design, a GPS chip on board for tracking your runs, a swim tracker and a much faster processor.

There's a new white ceramic finish too - which takes the place of the extortionately expensive gold Apple Watch Edition - to add an element of 'luxury' to proceedings, with the Hermes band making an appearance again to keep the top cost of the Watch 2 higher.

Apple Watch 2 review

The second Apple Watch is also the poster child for WatchOS 3, which radically improves the functionality of the device - so has Apple solved the issues that prevented the original Watch becoming the must-have gadget of the year?

Apple Watch price and release date

Apple Watch 2 cheapest price at launch: $369 / £369 / AU$529
Launched on September 16

The Apple Watch Series 2 is available from September 16, and in terms of pricing it unsurprisingly arrives at a variety of levels, with the cheapest model, the 38mm version, coming in at $369 in the US, £369 in the UK and AU$529 in Australia.

Check out our Apple Watch Series 2 video review

Who's it for?

The Apple Watch 2 is a device that doesn't really fit anyone squarely. It's a good option for the 'more than idle, but not super-serious' fitness fan, or the 'I don't have a watch but I've got an iPhone and like the sound of this' user, but not perfect for either.

The ideal person for the Apple Watch 2 is someone who's on the go a lot, is constantly carrying things, and probably spends too much time looking at their phone when sat watching TV.

A person who's not averse to running or cycling, and perhaps - one day - dreams of doing a triathlon. A tech fan who likes the idea of being able to perform tasks in a new way - like firing a camera remotely with a group of friends, or paying for a coffee with their wrist.

Apple Watch 2 review

It's hard to say that there's a perfect target user for the Apple Watch 2 - especially given the high price of ownership - but there are a lot of people who would get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Should I buy it?

The Apple Watch 2 feels more like a great gift than a necessary purchase - it's the cost that prevents it being a strong buy. It doesn't feel like it's too expensive when you hold it and discover what it can do, but ultimately it's still more of a novelty than a necessity - the apps required from developers to make it the latter still aren't coming to pass.

If you're excited by the idea of what smartwatches can offer in terms of fitness and functionality, bringing out your phone fewer times in a day and making working out a simpler experience, then the Apple Watch 2 will be a great choice.

This Watch is an all-in-one device, something that's about convenience above all else - the convenience of keeping your phone in your pocket, or of not having to worry about clipping your phone to your arm to go running.

Apple Watch 2 review

The convenience of being able to take a quick note through Siri, or fire the camera remotely, or flick through your music. None of this functionality is essential to your quality of life, but this watch adds an element of gloss to these everyday activities.

The Apple Watch Series 2 is the smartwatch we wish Apple had brought out two years ago - but we're glad it's at least here now.