We have already seen teardowns of the new iPhone 8 and the iPhone 8 Plus, and now it is the turn of the Apple Watch Series 3.
The team at iFixit has been busy taking apart the latest Apple devices, and their latest project is Apple’s third-generation smartwatch.
The Apple Watch Series 3 comes with a new processor and is the first Apple Watch to feature LTE, allowing the device to be used independently from your iPhone. This significant upgrade means that users can make calls, send texts, and stream music directly from their watch without needing to have their iPhone nearby. This feature is particularly useful for those who want to stay connected while engaging in activities where carrying a phone might be inconvenient, such as running or swimming.
Enhanced Features and Performance
In addition to LTE, the Apple Watch Series 3 boasts several other enhancements. It includes a faster dual-core processor, which Apple claims is 70% faster than the previous generation. This improvement ensures smoother performance and quicker app launches. The watch also features a new W2 wireless chip, which provides 85% faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity while being 50% more power-efficient.
The Series 3 also comes with improved health and fitness tracking capabilities. It includes a barometric altimeter that measures elevation gain, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. The watch continues to offer heart rate monitoring, but with enhanced accuracy and additional metrics such as resting heart rate and recovery heart rate.
Repairability and Durability
The team at iFixit gives devices a score between 1 and 10 for repairability. A score of 10 means that a device is easy to fix, while a score of 1 indicates that it is very difficult to repair. Apple’s new Apple Watch Series 3 managed to score 6 out of 10, indicating that the device is moderately easy to repair. This score is relatively high for a smartwatch, which often contains many small and delicate components.
The teardown revealed that the Series 3 has a more robust and durable design compared to its predecessors. The display is fused to the top glass, which makes it more resistant to damage but also more challenging to replace. The battery is slightly larger than in previous models, providing better battery life, especially when using LTE. However, replacing the battery requires careful disassembly, which might be a challenge for those without technical expertise.
The iFixit team also noted that the adhesive used to seal the watch is strong, making it water-resistant up to 50 meters. This feature is a significant advantage for swimmers and those who wear their watch in various weather conditions. However, the strong adhesive also means that opening the watch without damaging it requires specialized tools and skills.
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 3 represents a significant step forward in smartwatch technology, offering enhanced performance, connectivity, and durability. While it is moderately easy to repair, the complexity of its components means that repairs should ideally be carried out by professionals.
Source iFixit
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