The new Apple Watch mostly looks like the old one
It's the performance and feature improvements that count the most.
There are two ways to let the world know you have the next-gen Apple Watch, the Series 2, and not the original, which came out last year. You could buy the new Nike-branded one, but well, that probably won't go with your work outfit. Or you could take it for a swim: The new version is fully waterproof up to 50 meters, whereas the original was merely splashproof. Otherwise, the new version looks a lot like the old one, complete with the same two screen sizes and support for the same wristbands. The screen is brighter, sure, and the most premium version of the watch is now made from a durable white ceramic that doesn't look quite like the aluminum and stainless-steel versions that came before it. With these few exceptions, though, it's the performance that makes this a different watch.
In a demo here at Apple's iPhone 7 launch event, an Apple spokesperson gave me a guided demo of the new swim app. And by that, I mean he hit start on the swim workout so I can see how the application is laid out. Obviously, there was no water involved, which means any questions about the accuracy of the watch's newly added GPS radio will have to wait for another day. (That goes for running, too.)
As you can see in the photo above, the app shows the elapsed time, along with your calorie burn, lap count and total distance, in yards. All told, it doesn't look very different from Apple's existing workout app, except that, you know, swimming wasn't an option before. What's neat about this watch is that Apple retooled the built-in speaker so that it ejects water after a swim workout because there was no way of including a speaker that could somehow keep water from seeping in. That happens automatically when you end a swimming workout in the app.
Other than that, it's all about WatchOS 3, which has a revamped user interface and promised performance improvements. Indeed, the watch seemed faster in my brief in-person demo, but I'd prefer to live with one for a week and compare it to my old watch before delivering a full verdict. But remember this: Even if the software update does help, WatchOS3 will also make its way to the older watch, which is dropping in price to $269. The older watch is also getting upgraded to the same dual-core processor as the $369 Series 2, which makes it a great deal for people who haven't yet taken the plunge. With so many similarities, then, the new edition seems poised to compete with none other than its predecessor. Unless you're an athlete, that is.
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