The Apple Watch is newer than its smartphone, tablet, and computer counterparts. But in the time since the first one launched in 2015, these devices have become more and more commonplace.
If you’re an Apple fanatic and want to try something new—or you’ve simply been looking at new watches to try—the Apple Watch will likely appeal to you. But before you commit to a purchase, you need to ask yourself several questions.
1. Will You Use Your Apple Watch?
Before anything else, you need to ask why you feel like you should buy an Apple Watch. Apple Watches aren’t cheap, and buying one is pointless if you’re going to let it gather dust in the corner of your room.
It’s worth considering a purchase if you’re interested in getting fit, and you think the investment will motivate you to move more every day. You might also want to consider buying an Apple Watch if you already work out regularly, especially if you track your results on your iPhone.
Of course, you don’t need to use an Apple Watch for workouts to enjoy its benefits. If you think you’ll use your device to help with listening to music or read messages delivered to your iPhone, it’s also worth thinking about buying one.
On the flip side, you might want to think twice about buying an Apple Watch if you quickly get bored with new gadgets. It’s also worth reconsidering the investment if you have never liked using watches and find them a nuisance to put on every morning.
2. Will an Apple Watch Improve the Quality of Your Workouts?
Asking why you should buy an Apple Watch? If you’re already a fitness enthusiast, you probably already use some form of technology to get you through those last few reps at the gym—or that last kilometer on your morning run. That could be your smartphone, another smartwatch, or wireless headphones.
You might start looking at an Apple Watch because you feel like you can be more efficient with technology while you exercise. In some cases, having a new watch might help; other times, it won’t.
An Apple Watch could help improve the quality of your workouts if you want to measure your performance without carrying your iPhone everywhere. Moreover, you could benefit from better results if you’re interested in using fitness features on the Apple Watch.
On the flip side, an Apple Watch probably won’t help if you’re currently in a rut. While you might feel more motivated to begin with, the novelty of a new gadget will eventually wear off. Similarly, an Apple Watch won’t improve the quality of your workouts if you don’t push yourself out of your comfort zone; recording your results is only one aspect.
3. Do You Have the Budget for an Apple Watch?
Okay, so you’ve decided that you’re going to get good use out of your Apple Watch. The next question you need to ask is whether you can afford one right now. The quality of Apple products comes at a price, and the same rings true when we talk about the Apple Watch. A basic Apple Watch will still cost around $199 on the Apple Store, with some models priced at over $700.
You also need to remember that to use all the features on your Apple Watch without an iPhone or Wi-Fi, you need to have a cellular watch with a cellular plan—and this will bump up your monthly expenses a bit. If you can’t afford this without going into debt, you shouldn’t buy an Apple Watch.
However, you don’t necessarily need to buy a brand new Apple Watch. If you look online, you’ll probably find somewhere to buy a used device that still works well enough. You also don’t necessarily need to buy the latest model, since older models will still receive new updates for a few years after they come out.
If you still don’t yet have the money to buy an Apple Watch after looking at used devices, don’t worry—you can always buy one later. Rather than funding the purchase on a credit card, create a savings plan (and a separate pot or account). Once you’ve got the means, feel free to make your purchase.
4. Do You Have an iPhone to Pair Your Apple Watch With?
If you think you’ll use your Apple Watch enough to justify the purchase, and you can afford to buy one, you’re on the right track. Now, all you need to do is make sure you’ve got an iPhone. When you first buy an Apple Watch, you’ll need to pair it with an Apple iPhone to set up your Apple Watch.
After setting up your device, you can technically use an Apple Watch without an iPhone. But while you can listen to podcasts and music, along with checking the time and a few other features, you’ll drastically limit what you can do.
If a family member has an iPhone, they can use Family Setup to set up your Apple Watch.
If you don’t currently have access to an iPhone, you can always buy a new one. However, since that’s a huge upfront investment, you might want to do that first and hold off buying the Apple Watch for a bit.
5. Have You Compared the Apple Watch to Other Watches on the Market?
When thinking about buying an Apple Watch, it’s important to remember that you’ve got plenty of other smartwatch choices. Moreover, while Apple Watches have plenty of exciting features and a user-friendly operating system, they might not be the best fit for you.
Popular alternatives to the Apple Watch include:
- Fitbit
- Huawei
- Garmin
- TruWood
- Samsung
While Apple Watches won’t work without iPhones, you can still use the likes of Fitbit and Samsung with your iOS device. A lot of people choose to get a Fitbit instead of an Apple Watch because they’re so much more affordable.
Ask Yourself Why You Want to Get an Apple Watch
It’s no surprise that Apple sells millions of its watches annually. These devices are an excellent companion to the iPhone, helping you track your fitness results better and perform several other functions from your wrist.
But at the same time, it’s essential to ask yourself several questions before committing to a purchase. While the Apple Watch might have been an excellent fit for the friend who recommended it, you might find that you’re better off trying something else.
Are Apple Watches worth it? That depends on your needs. If you’ve decided that an Apple Watch is ideal for you, you can afford one, and you have an iPhone to pair it with, you should strongly consider making the purchase.