
Getting around has a learning curve at first, since there's more than the traditional taps and swipes in play. It's a very graphic interface, with some gorgeous built-in faces-the Astronomy and animated Mickey Mouse ones are particularly eye-catching-plus a striking app menu, although the main font is also attractive and easily read on a screen this size. The Apple Watch requires pairing with an iPhone 5 or newer running iOS 8.2, and the wearable operating system is derived from iOS, yet has its own flavor. And then there’s the Apple Watch Edition, which comes in 18-karat gold and sells for $10,000 and up. It starts at $549 for the 38mm size and $599 for the 42mm size, but can go over $1,000 if you pick the most expensive band. The standard Apple Watch swaps in stainless steel and a sapphire crystal display cover, along with a number of band options. We reviewed the entry-level Sport model this version comes with an aluminum casing, Ion-X reinforced glass face, and rubber strap, and will run you $349 for the 38mm size and $399 for the 42mm size. Pricing is determined by which variant, size, and band you pick. When it comes to hardware, they all feature a rectangular OLED display, Apple’s “Digital Crown” on the upper right side and a button beneath for quick access to top contacts and Apple Pay, and sensors on the back for determining heart rate and whether the Watch is on your wrist (as the device can auto-lock when unattached). Though there are three models and two different sizes to choose from, only their styling and materials are different.
SHOW IN GLANCES APPLE WATCH ANDROID
The Apple Watch follows the iPhone model of delivering one core design (unlike Android Wear, which functions as a platform that powers several different watches such as the Moto 360 or Asus ZenWatch).
