Best Collagen Powders for 2022

Best Collagen Powders for 2022

Collagen is the structural protein essential in holding together the tissues of our bodies. Typically, we have plenty of collagen to go around -- it's in our tendons, muscles, skin and bones. However, collagen maintenance and production slow as we age, which leads to wrinkles and loss of bone strength.  

That's why many people turn to collagen supplements, which offer several benefits like slowing skin aging and improving bone and joint health. But there are many collagen powder options, ranging in ingredients, taste and dosage. That can make it difficult to determine which collagen powder is best. We pulled together a list of our top collagen powder picks based on price, ingredients and third-party testing. 

Read more: Best Vitamins for Hair Growth

Vital Proteins

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder takes our pick for the best overall collagen powder because of its versatility and quality. It's the type of collagen powder that everyone will like, whether you're just starting or a collagen pro. With 20g of collagen per serving (2 scoops), Vital packs a punch. It supports skin, hair, nail, bone and joint health. 

The collagen in Vital is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle. The powder contains extra benefits like hyaluronic acid and vitamin c for skin health. User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising how easily it dissolves in liquid and the results seen. 

Collagen content per serving: 20g per serving

Price: $47 for 28 servings 

Vital Collagen Powder's best features:

• Third-party tested for NSF Certified for Sport
• Vital collagen powder is certified paleo-friendly and Whole30-approved
• You get 20g of grass-fed, pasture-raised collagen in each serving. 

Things to consider: 

• Vital is priced higher than other options available. You only get 28 servings for $47. 

Orgain

If you've been around the protein powder space for a while, then you probably know Orgain and its affordable prices. Orgain's collagen powder takes our pick as the best budget collagen powder because of the balance it strikes between price and quality -- it's the most affordable on the list without sacrificing quality. 

Like many other options on the list, Orgain collagen powder is sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised cows and includes type I and type III collagen. Collagen I is most ample in skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. Type III makes up the reticular fibers of organs and soft tissues. The only ingredient on the label is collagen peptides, which makes Orgain a great choice for those looking for a one-ingredient solution that cuts out the extra sugar or artificial additives. 

Collagen content per serving: 20g per two scoops

Price: $31.99 for 45 servings

Best features:

• The 45-day supply of Orgain collagen powder is inexpensive compared to other options.
• It's dairy- and soy-free. 
• Meets CGMPs to ensure the quality and purity of the product. 

Things to consider:

• This product doesn't contain additional nutrients like vitamin C or zinc. 

Care/of

Care/of is a popular vitamin and supplement subscription service highly regarded for personalization. When you sign up for Care/of, you take the quiz that tailors your supplement suggestions based on your diet, exercise, lifestyle and health goals. That's why it's the best collagen powder subscription available. 

The Care/of bovine collagen powder is made from grass-fed cows and supports skin hydration and elasticity. It also helps strengthen nails. Made without fillers or artificial ingredients, you can easily blend this collagen powder into your tea, coffee or smoothie. This collagen powder also includes real ingredients like organic lemon and vanilla. 

Collagen content per serving: 10g per two scoops

Cost: $24 for 15 servings

Care/of best features:

• Care/of has a handy app that you can use to track your supplement routine and recommended dosages. 
• The helpful Care/of quiz is easy to take. Your results suggest supplements based on your diet, lifestyle, exercise routine and goals. 
• This collagen powder is dairy- and gluten-free.

Things to consider:

• The unflavored Care/of collagen powder comes in 15-serving containers and costs $24. It's more expensive than other options. However, you get free shipping on orders over $20.
• The flavored collagen powders from Care/of are more expensive. The matcha, vanilla oat creamer and lemon passion fruit cost $32.

Further Food

Sometimes you want your collagen powder to be seen but not tasted. If you're adding collagen powder to a smoothie or coffee and don't want to taste or smell it, consider Further Food Collagen Peptides. 

This unflavored collagen powder is hydrolyzed, meaning it's broken down into amino acids that your body can absorb more easily. You don't have to worry about fillers or artificial sweeteners with Further Food Collagen Peptides; the only ingredient is hydrolyzed bovine collagen. You'll get both types I and III collagen in this product. 

Further Food shines in testing, which is why it's one of the best collagen powders you can get. Not only is it rigorously tested for purity, but it's also third-party tested to ensure that the quality and potency of each bottle are what's advertised. The facilities that Further Food uses to produce this collagen supplement meet cGMP standards. 

Collagen content per serving: 8000mg (8g) of collagen peptides 

Cost: $24.99 for 28 servings 

Further Food Collagen best features: 

• It's available in one-month, three-month supplies and single-stick packs.
• Third-party tested and made in cGMP-certified facilities. 

Things to consider:

• The dosage of collagen per serving is slightly lower than other products at only 8g. Though a serving is only one scoop, others have a serving size of two scoops for 20g.

Ancient Nutrition

If you're someone who likes your healthy choices to taste good, try Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder. The vanilla and chocolate flavors are fan favorites, but they have unique flavors like cold brew, strawberry lemonade and cucumber lime. This collagen powder is made from grass-fed, cruelty-free and non-GMO sources.

It includes hydrolyzed bovine collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen is easier for your body to absorb because it's already broken down into amino acids. Ancient Nutrition collagen powder also includes vitamin C, hydrolyzed bovine and fish collagen peptides. 

You get 10g of collagen per serving, which is only one scoop. Some of the options on the list have a higher serving size that includes more collagen. Ancient Nutrition collagen powder has an average amount of collagen per serving -- there are options with more or less. 

Collagen content per serving: 10g per serving

Cost: $49.95 for 45 servings 

Ancient Nutrition's best features:

• Ancient Nutrition stands out for flavor variety. 
• This collagen powder includes several collagen sources -- bovine hide, fermented eggshell membrane and fish collagen peptides. 
• It's a budget-friendly option. 

Things to consider: 

• With flavors like cucumber lime and strawberry lemonade, the taste is not for everyone. 

Momentous

Athletes must pay special attention to the supplements they buy to ensure they don't contain banned substances. Momentous Collagen Peptides boasts an NSF Certified for Sport label, which means it has been tested and proven to not contain any illegal substances. NSF is the gold standard for supplements.

Each serving delivers 11.6g of collagen from grass-fed bovine collagen and Fortigel® collagen. Fortigel® collagen is a patented collagen peptide that promotes collagen production in important areas like tendons and ligaments, which is essential for athletes. Momentous collagen powder also includes vitamin C. 

Collagen per serving: 11.6g per one scoop

Price: $49.50 for 30 servings 

Momentous collagen's best features: 

• Momentous is designed to target more than just skin and hair. It contributes to long-term tendon and joint strength. 
• It's GMO- and gluten-free. 

Certifications include NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport.

Things to consider:

• Momentous Collagen Peptides powder is a little more expensive than other options on the list.

Garden of Life

All collagen supplements are derived from animal sources. Garden of Life mykind Organics Collagen Builder doesn't include any collagen. However, it includes key nutrients like vitamins A and C to help your body produce collagen naturally. It's a good option for vegetarians and vegans who want to increase collagen. Garden of Life's collagen builder is made from organic plant and tea extracts. It also includes 2,500mcg of biotin to improve the health of your nails and hair. 

Collagen content: None 

Price: $27.99 for 30 servings 

Best features:

• Garden of Life shines in product testing. It is USDA organic, vegan, and NSF-certified.
• It's a good option for vegans and vegetarians who want to boost their collagen production without taking collagen.

Things to consider:

• This product does not contain collagen. 
• There are additives like tea extracts in this collagen booster. 

How we chose the best collagen powders

The FDA doesn't regulate the supplement industry before it gets to consumers. This means that there are fewer requirements placed on the products. To supplement this, I looked at third-party tests that vouch for the products' quality and purity. Cost and collagen content were also considered when selecting the best collagen powders. 

Frequently asked questions

Should you take collagen powders?

Collagen powders have gained popularity for the various benefits for hair, nail and skin health and strengthening bone density. Typically, most people can take collagen powders without any negative side effects. However, if you have a food allergy, you should pay special attention to the ingredients label, as many of the best collagen powders include dairy, soy and eggs. 

Those who shouldn't take true collagen powders are vegans and vegetarians. The collagen powders available on the market are made from animals or fish. Vegan supplements help the body produce collagen, though they do not contain any collagen powder. 

Things to consider when shopping for collagen powders:

• Third-party testing: Given the lack of FDA regulations, third-party certifications like Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations, National Sanitation Foundation and Informed-Sport Certification help establish the quality and purity of the product. 
• Price: There are various price points across the collagen market. 
• Ingredients: Make sure to carefully read the ingredient label to see what is included in the collagen powder. Common additives include vitamin C and zinc. It's important to check the recommended daily value of these ingredients to ensure you're not getting too much of anything.
• Type of collagen: Collagen is derived from animal sources -- typically porcine, bovine, eggshell and marine. 

Is collagen powder vegan?

No collagen powder on the market today is vegan. Currently, all products that contain collagen are made from animal sources. Vegetarians and vegan options are available, though they do not contain collagen. Instead, they include vitamins and minerals that help boost your body's collagen production. 

What are the different types of collagen supplements?

Collagen powders are typically favored because they deliver the most potent doses. However, other forms of collagen are available -- liquid collagen, collagen pills and collagen gummies. All of these options have a lower dosage than collagen powders. 

How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?

Research suggests that collagen benefits like skin hydration and elasticity can be noticeable as early as four weeks or as long as 12. How quickly results take effect will vary by person. With collagen products, progress is measured in months, not weeks. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

---

Source

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Best Collagen Powders for 2022

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Best Collagen Powders for 2022

Collagen is the structural protein essential in holding together the tissues of our bodies. Typically, we have plenty of collagen to go around -- it's in our tendons, muscles, skin and bones. However, collagen maintenance and production slow as we age, which leads to wrinkles and loss of bone strength.  

That's why many people turn to collagen supplements, which offer several benefits like slowing skin aging and improving bone and joint health. But there are many collagen powder options, ranging in ingredients, taste and dosage. That can make it difficult to determine which collagen powder is best. We pulled together a list of our top collagen powder picks based on price, ingredients and third-party testing. 

Read more: Best Vitamins for Hair Growth

Vital Proteins

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder takes our pick for the best overall collagen powder because of its versatility and quality. It's the type of collagen powder that everyone will like, whether you're just starting or a collagen pro. With 20g of collagen per serving (2 scoops), Vital packs a punch. It supports skin, hair, nail, bone and joint health. 

The collagen in Vital is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle. The powder contains extra benefits like hyaluronic acid and vitamin c for skin health. User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising how easily it dissolves in liquid and the results seen. 

Collagen content per serving: 20g per serving

Price: $47 for 28 servings 

Vital Collagen Powder's best features:

• Third-party tested for NSF Certified for Sport
• Vital collagen powder is certified paleo-friendly and Whole30-approved
• You get 20g of grass-fed, pasture-raised collagen in each serving. 

Things to consider: 

• Vital is priced higher than other options available. You only get 28 servings for $47. 

Orgain

If you've been around the protein powder space for a while, then you probably know Orgain and its affordable prices. Orgain's collagen powder takes our pick as the best budget collagen powder because of the balance it strikes between price and quality -- it's the most affordable on the list without sacrificing quality. 

Like many other options on the list, Orgain collagen powder is sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised cows and includes type I and type III collagen. Collagen I is most ample in skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. Type III makes up the reticular fibers of organs and soft tissues. The only ingredient on the label is collagen peptides, which makes Orgain a great choice for those looking for a one-ingredient solution that cuts out the extra sugar or artificial additives. 

Collagen content per serving: 20g per two scoops

Price: $31.99 for 45 servings

Best features:

• The 45-day supply of Orgain collagen powder is inexpensive compared to other options.
• It's dairy- and soy-free. 
• Meets CGMPs to ensure the quality and purity of the product. 

Things to consider:

• This product doesn't contain additional nutrients like vitamin C or zinc. 

Care/of

Care/of is a popular vitamin and supplement subscription service highly regarded for personalization. When you sign up for Care/of, you take the quiz that tailors your supplement suggestions based on your diet, exercise, lifestyle and health goals. That's why it's the best collagen powder subscription available. 

The Care/of bovine collagen powder is made from grass-fed cows and supports skin hydration and elasticity. It also helps strengthen nails. Made without fillers or artificial ingredients, you can easily blend this collagen powder into your tea, coffee or smoothie. This collagen powder also includes real ingredients like organic lemon and vanilla. 

Collagen content per serving: 10g per two scoops

Cost: $24 for 15 servings

Care/of best features:

• Care/of has a handy app that you can use to track your supplement routine and recommended dosages. 
• The helpful Care/of quiz is easy to take. Your results suggest supplements based on your diet, lifestyle, exercise routine and goals. 
• This collagen powder is dairy- and gluten-free.

Things to consider:

• The unflavored Care/of collagen powder comes in 15-serving containers and costs $24. It's more expensive than other options. However, you get free shipping on orders over $20.
• The flavored collagen powders from Care/of are more expensive. The matcha, vanilla oat creamer and lemon passion fruit cost $32.

Further Food

Sometimes you want your collagen powder to be seen but not tasted. If you're adding collagen powder to a smoothie or coffee and don't want to taste or smell it, consider Further Food Collagen Peptides. 

This unflavored collagen powder is hydrolyzed, meaning it's broken down into amino acids that your body can absorb more easily. You don't have to worry about fillers or artificial sweeteners with Further Food Collagen Peptides; the only ingredient is hydrolyzed bovine collagen. You'll get both types I and III collagen in this product. 

Further Food shines in testing, which is why it's one of the best collagen powders you can get. Not only is it rigorously tested for purity, but it's also third-party tested to ensure that the quality and potency of each bottle are what's advertised. The facilities that Further Food uses to produce this collagen supplement meet cGMP standards. 

Collagen content per serving: 8000mg (8g) of collagen peptides 

Cost: $24.99 for 28 servings 

Further Food Collagen best features: 

• It's available in one-month, three-month supplies and single-stick packs.
• Third-party tested and made in cGMP-certified facilities. 

Things to consider:

• The dosage of collagen per serving is slightly lower than other products at only 8g. Though a serving is only one scoop, others have a serving size of two scoops for 20g.

Ancient Nutrition

If you're someone who likes your healthy choices to taste good, try Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder. The vanilla and chocolate flavors are fan favorites, but they have unique flavors like cold brew, strawberry lemonade and cucumber lime. This collagen powder is made from grass-fed, cruelty-free and non-GMO sources.

It includes hydrolyzed bovine collagen. Hydrolyzed collagen is easier for your body to absorb because it's already broken down into amino acids. Ancient Nutrition collagen powder also includes vitamin C, hydrolyzed bovine and fish collagen peptides. 

You get 10g of collagen per serving, which is only one scoop. Some of the options on the list have a higher serving size that includes more collagen. Ancient Nutrition collagen powder has an average amount of collagen per serving -- there are options with more or less. 

Collagen content per serving: 10g per serving

Cost: $49.95 for 45 servings 

Ancient Nutrition's best features:

• Ancient Nutrition stands out for flavor variety. 
• This collagen powder includes several collagen sources -- bovine hide, fermented eggshell membrane and fish collagen peptides. 
• It's a budget-friendly option. 

Things to consider: 

• With flavors like cucumber lime and strawberry lemonade, the taste is not for everyone. 

Momentous

Athletes must pay special attention to the supplements they buy to ensure they don't contain banned substances. Momentous Collagen Peptides boasts an NSF Certified for Sport label, which means it has been tested and proven to not contain any illegal substances. NSF is the gold standard for supplements.

Each serving delivers 11.6g of collagen from grass-fed bovine collagen and Fortigel® collagen. Fortigel® collagen is a patented collagen peptide that promotes collagen production in important areas like tendons and ligaments, which is essential for athletes. Momentous collagen powder also includes vitamin C. 

Collagen per serving: 11.6g per one scoop

Price: $49.50 for 30 servings 

Momentous collagen's best features: 

• Momentous is designed to target more than just skin and hair. It contributes to long-term tendon and joint strength. 
• It's GMO- and gluten-free. 

Certifications include NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport.

Things to consider:

• Momentous Collagen Peptides powder is a little more expensive than other options on the list.

Garden of Life

All collagen supplements are derived from animal sources. Garden of Life mykind Organics Collagen Builder doesn't include any collagen. However, it includes key nutrients like vitamins A and C to help your body produce collagen naturally. It's a good option for vegetarians and vegans who want to increase collagen. Garden of Life's collagen builder is made from organic plant and tea extracts. It also includes 2,500mcg of biotin to improve the health of your nails and hair. 

Collagen content: None 

Price: $27.99 for 30 servings 

Best features:

• Garden of Life shines in product testing. It is USDA organic, vegan, and NSF-certified.
• It's a good option for vegans and vegetarians who want to boost their collagen production without taking collagen.

Things to consider:

• This product does not contain collagen. 
• There are additives like tea extracts in this collagen booster. 

How we chose the best collagen powders

The FDA doesn't regulate the supplement industry before it gets to consumers. This means that there are fewer requirements placed on the products. To supplement this, I looked at third-party tests that vouch for the products' quality and purity. Cost and collagen content were also considered when selecting the best collagen powders. 

Frequently asked questions

Should you take collagen powders?

Collagen powders have gained popularity for the various benefits for hair, nail and skin health and strengthening bone density. Typically, most people can take collagen powders without any negative side effects. However, if you have a food allergy, you should pay special attention to the ingredients label, as many of the best collagen powders include dairy, soy and eggs. 

Those who shouldn't take true collagen powders are vegans and vegetarians. The collagen powders available on the market are made from animals or fish. Vegan supplements help the body produce collagen, though they do not contain any collagen powder. 

Things to consider when shopping for collagen powders:

• Third-party testing: Given the lack of FDA regulations, third-party certifications like Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations, National Sanitation Foundation and Informed-Sport Certification help establish the quality and purity of the product. 
• Price: There are various price points across the collagen market. 
• Ingredients: Make sure to carefully read the ingredient label to see what is included in the collagen powder. Common additives include vitamin C and zinc. It's important to check the recommended daily value of these ingredients to ensure you're not getting too much of anything.
• Type of collagen: Collagen is derived from animal sources -- typically porcine, bovine, eggshell and marine. 

Is collagen powder vegan?

No collagen powder on the market today is vegan. Currently, all products that contain collagen are made from animal sources. Vegetarians and vegan options are available, though they do not contain collagen. Instead, they include vitamins and minerals that help boost your body's collagen production. 

What are the different types of collagen supplements?

Collagen powders are typically favored because they deliver the most potent doses. However, other forms of collagen are available -- liquid collagen, collagen pills and collagen gummies. All of these options have a lower dosage than collagen powders. 

How long does it take for collagen supplements to work?

Research suggests that collagen benefits like skin hydration and elasticity can be noticeable as early as four weeks or as long as 12. How quickly results take effect will vary by person. With collagen products, progress is measured in months, not weeks. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

---

Source

You need to try these new Apple Watch 7 features

You need to try these new Apple Watch 7 features

After setting up your new Apple Watch Series 7 that you got this holiday season and pairing it with your iPhone, it's time to check out all the new features and tweak a few settings to make the most of your new Watch. The Apple Watch Series 7 comes with a larger screen, faster charging and a more durable design. That might not sound as exciting as the blood oxygen sensor that debuted in last year's Series 6. (Here's how the Apple Watch 7 compares to the Apple Watch 6.) But the Series 7's new features have the potential to add more convenience to a lot of everyday tasks, from checking the time to resp onding to texts and tracking your sleep. 

Apple unveiled the $399 Apple Watch Series 7 during its product launch event on Sept. 14 alongside the iPhone 13 family, a refreshed iPad Mini, and a new entry-level iPad. The new Apple Watch is a light update to the Series 6 that's ideal for people looking to replace a watch that's several years old.

Read more: Apple Watch 7 review: A slight upgrade compared to last year's smartwatch

If you're considering the Apple Watch Series 7 or already bought one, here's a breakdown of what's new and why it matters. You can also check out all the Apple Watch Series 8 rumors we've heard so far.

Apple Watch Series 7 has a QWERTY keyboard

The Apple Watch Series 7 should be easier to type on. 

Apple

The Apple Watch has a new QWERTY keyboard that takes advantage of its larger screen, which is about 20% bigger than the Series 6, allowing you to type similarly to how you would on a phone.

What's new: A full-size keyboard means that you aren't limited to sending a canned response to a text, scribbling a quick note or dictating a message, as is the case with the Apple Watch Series 6.

How you'll use it: The Apple Watch Series 7's QWERTY keyboard lets you tap each key to type, or use Apple's QuickPath feature to swipe between letters without lifting your finger. You'll still want to use your phone for messages longer than a short sentence, but it still generally makes it easier to text using the watch.

The bottom line: The Series 7's QWERTY keyboard makes it easier to send longer and more complex messages that are uncomfortable to scribble or too private to dictate. It's another example of how the Apple Watch has evolved to become better at working independently of your phone in the years since its launch. 

Third-party Apple Watch apps like FlickType already allow you to type on your Apple Watch, but having it as a native option on the watch results in a smoother experience. It also means watch owners won't have to rely on third parties for this potentially vital tool, which is important considering some keyboard apps have been accused of participating in App Store rating scams.

Read more: Apple Watch 7 upgrade: How to trade in your old watch to get the best deals

Larger screen on the Apple Watch Series 7 amps up reading

The Apple Watch Series 7's larger screen can fit more text.

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

The Series 7 is Apple's first major redesign since the Series 4 launched in 2018. The new watch comes in 41-millimeter and 45mm sizes for the first time, representing a shift away from the 40mm and 44mm sizes that were available on the Series 4 through Series 6. 

What's new: The Apple Watch Series 7's screen is about 20% larger than the Series 6's and more than 50% bigger than the Series 3's. The borders that frame the screen are also 40% smaller than those of the Series 6, allowing Apple to expand the screen size without making the device much larger. But don't worry, older watch bands are still compatible with the Series 7. 

How you'll use it: The Series 7's larger screen makes it better at its most important job: showing information that's easy to see at a glance so that you don't have to grab your phone. The larger screen means the Series 7 is capable of displaying 50% more text without having to scroll, making reading text messages, emails and notifications more convenient. 

There's more: Apple also updated the user interface in its apps to make better use of that larger screen. Apps like the stopwatch, activity and timer now have larger buttons, meaning it's easier to hit snooze even when you're still half asleep. You also get specific watch faces that are optimized for the Series 7's bigger display, such as a new version of the Modular face that can fit complications with more information. I've been using this new watch face to see my activity progress, the time and weather forecast at a glance.

And don't forget, WatchOS 8 introduces the ability to set Portrait mode photos as your watch face, and the Series 7's larger screen is better able to show them off.

Read more: Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 6: The biggest changes coming in Apple's new smartwatch

A brighter screen in always-on mode

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

Apple also updated the Apple Watch's display in a different way by making the screen more visible in always-on mode. It's another addition that makes it even faster to get quick bits of information from your watch. 

What's new: The Apple Watch Series 7's screen is up to 70% brighter in always-on mode when your wrist is down, according to Apple. However, Apple specifically says this applies to indoor usage.

How you'll use it: The Series 7's improved brightness means it is even easier to see information like the time, your activity rings and your next meeting without having to wake the watch's screen. It feels like a step toward making the Apple Watch's screen appear the same whether it's asleep or in use, and doing so creates a more seamless look that doesn't feel jarring when switching between awake and idle mode. 

To use this feature, you'll want to make sure the always-on display setting is turned on in the Apple Watch's settings menu. On your Apple Watch's app screen, press the settings icon, scroll down to Display & Brightness and tap Always On. From there, make sure the switch next to Always On is toggled on. 

What about battery life? You could also choose to keep this feature turned off if you want to maximize battery life, and Apple hasn't said whether the brighter always-on screen will affect the watch's power consumption. I've been wearing the Apple Watch Series 7 daily with the always-on display setting turned on, and it typically lasts for about a day and a half. But battery life will always vary depending on your usage, and activities like using GPS connectivity while running will cause it to drain faster. 

Read more: Best Apple Watch accessories

Apple Watch Series 7 charges faster than Series 6 

The Apple Watch Series 7 should charge 33% faster than the Series 6.

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

The Apple Watch Series 7's battery lasts as long as the Series 6, but the amount of time it takes to charge your watch has dipped. 

What's new: The Apple Watch Series 7 can charge up to 33% faster than the Apple Watch Series 6, according to Apple. It takes 45 minutes to charge from zero to 80%, and 8 minutes of charging should enable 8 hours of sleep tracking. In CNET's testing of the new Apple Watch, reviewers found this to be true. Charging the Watch for at least 30 minutes made the battery jump from zero to 54%. In comparison, the Series 6 only replenished 37% in the same amount of time. 

How you'll use it: We've been asking for more battery life out of the Apple Watch for years, but that's especially relevant now that Apple has added native sleep tracking to its smartwatches. Rather than extending the watch's battery life, Apple makes it easier to quickly charge the watch during short windows throughout the day, presumably so that you don't have to charge it overnight. The idea is that you'll be able to top off the watch's battery whenever you have a few spare minutes.

The bottom line: The Apple Watch Series 7's faster charging speed is another way in which Apple is trying to make its smartwatch a more capable sleep tracker. In addition to making the Series 7 easier to charge in a pinch, Apple also added the ability to measure respiratory rate during sleep with its WatchOS 8 update. Taken together, these improvements could help Apple catch up to Fitbit, which offers multiday battery life on its watches and more in-depth sleep metrics. 

Read more: Best Apple Watch bands for 2021

The Apple Watch Series 7 has a brawnier build

The Apple Watch Series 7 comes with tougher crystal and is dust resistant. 

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

Exercise tracking has become one of Apple's biggest areas of focus for the Apple Watch. The Series 7 is more suitable for outdoor activity since Apple claims it has a more durable build. 

What's new: The Apple Watch Series 7 is rated for IP6X dust resistance (a first) and is coated in a crystal cover that Apple says is 50% thicker than that of the Apple Watch Series 6. That means you'll feel at ease wearing it to the beach or during a hike. 

How you'll use it: The Series 7's increased durability pairs nicely with the new cycling features in WatchOS 8. The new software brings an updated version of fall detection that Apple says can tell the difference between falling off a bicycle and a different type of accident. Apple also says WatchOS 8 can automatically detect outdoor cycling workouts. (See Lexy Savvides' test of the new Apple Watch cycling features here.)

The bottom line: We put Apple Watch Series 7's durability to the test. Those who want a truly rugged watch have military-grade options from Garmin and Casio to choose from, or could opt for a rugged Apple Watch case. But these updates suggest Apple is trying to push the Apple Watch beyond basic workouts and appeal to those who might need a more durable watch for activities like rock climbing. That's the premise behind the rumored Explorer Edition, which Bloomberg reports will come with greater impact resistance and could launch in 2022.

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The Galaxy S21 lineup is here, with a $200 price cut, new design and S Pen support

The Galaxy S21 lineup is here, with a $200 price cut, new design and S Pen support

This story is part of CES, where CNET covers the latest news on the most incredible tech coming soon.

Samsung's new Galaxy S21 lineup is here. And the new Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra have plenty to attract would-be buyers, including new designs and $200 shaved off the starting price of their predecessors.

The South Korean electronics giant on Thursday, during its first virtual Unpacked event of the year, showed off its three new phones: the $800 Galaxy S21, the $1,000 Galaxy S21 Plus and the $1,200 Galaxy S21 Ultra. (In the UK, the S21 will start at £769, just £30 cheaper than the S20.) It also unveiled new $200 earbuds, called the Galaxy Buds Pro; $30 Tile-like Galaxy SmartTags that can track nonelectronic items like pets; and a $40 S Pen accessory. The event took place on the last day of this year's CES and more than a month earlier than normal. 

Samsung's Galaxy S21 lineup is packed with refinements to the cameras, displays and 5G capabilities. The new phones feature a redesign that accentuates the camera lenses on their backs while linking them with their metal frames, something Samsung calls "Contour Cut Camera" housing. The base amount of storage for all of the S21 models is 128GB, and Samsung boosted the photo and video capabilities for vloggers and others. 

The lower price is a nod to the realities of the world, with the coronavirus pandemic shutting down many global economies and eliminating millions of jobs. Smartphones, serving as a lifeline to friends and co-workers, remain one of the few essential gadgets. This is also one of the first phones in a few years that didn't introduce a brand new technology like 5G, which often justifies a premium. 

"In 2021, our top priority is to bring the benefit of technology to more people," TM Roh, the head of Samsung's mobile communication business, said in a statement, calling the Galaxy S21 series "the most powerful and versatile flagship lineup ever."

On the other end of the spectrum, the S21 Ultra is designed for people who want the "best of the best." It features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display, Samsung's best camera of the S21 lineup with four back lenses, and Corning's scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back. The S21 and S21 Plus have 6.2- and 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x displays, respectively, and Gorilla Glass Victus on the front. The S21 Plus also has the glass on the back, while the regular S21 features a plastic polycarbonate backing. Both have three camera lenses on the back.

This year, Samsung has brought support for its S Pen, a hallmark of the Galaxy Note lineup, to its Galaxy S family for the first time. Of the three new phones, only the S21 Ultra works with the S Pen, and it comes as a separate accessory that costs $40 for just the pen or $70 when bundled with a specially designed case that stores the stylus. Users can't stow the S Pen away inside the S21 Ultra like they can with Note, but they can use their old Note styluses with the S21 Ultra. The new accessory doesn't work with gestures or many of the other features found in the Note's S Pen, which likely means the Note line isn't dead quite yet.

Samsung will introduce an S Pen Pro later this year, though, that has some of the Bluetooth-enabled features found in the Note's stylus, like gestures. Samsung didn't give a price or release date for the S Pen Pro. 

The new phones come as Samsung faces a tougher market for 5G phones. When the Galaxy S20 lineup hit the market a year ago, there still were relatively few 5G phones available, and they weren't cheap. Now competition is fierce. Prices for 5G phones go as low as $300 in the US, and virtually all companies sell 5G models. Every phone in Apple'siPhone 12 lineup from late 2020 came with 5G by default, something that was expected to help the technology go mainstream. At the same time, the world continues to grapple with a pandemic that's limiting budgets for new gadgets. 

Samsung made the decision to drop the starting price of its new phones by $200 because of a few factors. Components like 5G processors, displays and camera modules now cost less because Samsung has such a high volume of those parts in devices across its portfolio. The company also made some minor trade-offs in its S21 and S21 Plus devices, like lowering the base level of RAM to 8GB from 12GB. 

"For people who want the highest-end, Ultra experience, we still have that, and we're not sacrificing [the features] based on price point," Drew Blackard, Samsung Electronics America's vice president of product management, said in an interview ahead of Unpacked. "For people who want value and an amazing flagship experience at the same time, we still have a great offering for them with the S21. And then we've got something kind of in between for people who want a little bit of both."

The existence of the Ultra is a reminder that not everyone feels the impact of the pandemic equally.

"The people that are buying an S21 Ultra are not feeling the pressure of the pandemic," Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi said. Samsung "could have decided that maybe [its] entry product was going to be cheaper but leave the two flagships more expensive. But it's not doing that." 

Preorders for the phones begin Thursday at 8 a.m. PT, and the phones hit stores on Jan. 29. The Galaxy Buds Pro are available Thursday on Samsung.com and will be at other retailers on Friday. People who preorder the phones get up to $200 in Samsung credit and also get a free Galaxy SmartTag. In addition, carriers are offering promotions, like AT&T's offer for up to $800 off when trading in an eligible device and purchasing the new phone on a 30-month installment plan.

Say cheese

One of the biggest differentiators for the Galaxy S21 Ultra over the S21 and S21 Plus is the camera. The pricier device comes with four cameras on the back -- ultra-wide, wide and dual tele-lenses -- and an upgraded 108-megapixel sensor. That allows users to capture 12-bit HDR photos with 64 times richer color data and more than three times wider dynamic range. In other words, sharper, better photos. 

"When designing the Galaxy S21, we thought about how people use their cameras today," Stephen Hawke, director of product management for Samsung Electronics America, said during a briefing with reporters ahead of Unpacked. "For instance, there are those fleeting moments when you just don't have time to think about the perfect mode or setting to capture a shot, let alone switch to recording video. We need our phones to do all this for us. With a Galaxy S21, you get photos and videos with the simplicity of point and shoot."

When it comes to video, the Ultra enables users to shoot in 4K at 60fps across all lenses, including those on the front, meaning they can shift to different perspectives with the same quality. A new feature called Director's View lets you see a scene from multiple perspectives simultaneously, while Vlogger View lets you shoot with the front and rear cameras at the same time. Pro Mode lets users capture images in a 12-bit raw file format to make it easier to edit the images later. 

The Galaxy S21 Ultra has four camera and laser autofocus on the back.

Drew Evans/CNET

The S20 Ultra features 100x Space Zoom, like its predecessor, but in this year's phone is a new feature called Zoom Lock that keeps the camera focused on an object for a clearer picture. Samsung said it provides "tripod-like stability with an AI-powered stabilizer." Space Zoom on the S21 Ultra is powered by Samsung's first dual-tele-lens system, which is one optical 3X zoom for midrange and one optical 10x zoom for long-range. Both have dual pixel autofocus to capture ultra clear shots. 

Low-light photography also gets a boost in the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Samsung improved its Bright Night sensor and Night Mode to reduce noise and capture challenging shots like dimly lit rooms or landscapes at night. 

The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus both have three rear cameras in ultra-wide, wide and tele-lens. They feature 30X Space Zoom with Zoom Lock, as well as Director's View and Vlogger View. Portrait Mode gets a boost from AI, which provides options for virtual studio light and effects to make the subject pop from the frame -- with both the rear cameras and the front-facing selfie lens. 

Samsung has improved its 8K Snap feature to let users grab clear images from 8K video footage, and its Super Steady Video records at an "improved" 60fps. The new Galaxy S21 phones also feature Multi-Mic Recording when paired with the new Galaxy Buds Pro, letting users record with their camera mic and earbuds mic at the same time. 

What's inside

All phones in the Galaxy S21 lineup in the US come with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 888 processor and integrated 5G modem. The new Snapdragon chip is more effective at connecting to all flavors of 5G, from the slower, more reliable nationwide variant offered by all the US carriers, or the speedier but more finicky millimeter wave version touted by Verizon, and boasts peak download speeds of 7.5 Gbps and upload speeds of 3Gbps.

The new processor with its integrated modem is "really important," Technalysis Research analyst Bob O'Donnell said. By being able to combine different types of 5G airwaves together, there's a "huge potential increase in performance in 5G," he said. 

The Galaxy S21 Plus gets a bigger battery -- 4,800 mAh versus 4,500 in the S20 Plus -- while the S21 stays steady with 4,000 mAh and the S21 Ultra retains its 5,000 mAH battery. 

Also under the hood, or rather the display, is an improved fingerprint sensor from Qualcomm. The chip giant on Monday unveiled the second generation of its 3D Sonic Sensor that's 50% faster and 77% bigger than the previous generation, making it easier for people to to unlock their devices using their fingerprints. Along with making it simpler to know where to place a finger, the larger size also allows the technology to collect 1.7 times more biometric data, speeding up the unlock time. 

Samsung also included ultra wideband, or UWB, technology in the Galaxy S21 Plus and S21 Ultra. The technology lets a user pinpoint the exact location of phones, key fobs and tracking tags, helping them find lost dogs or automatically unlock their car. UWB calculates precise locations by measuring how long it takes super-short radio pulses to travel between devices. (Note: It's different from the Ultra Wideband terminology Verizon uses for its mmWave 5G network.)

Samsung will eventually have UWB in its Galaxy SmartTags, but the first version available will use Bluetooth Low Energy. The company didn't yet say when the UWB version will be available or how much it will cost, but it sees big opportunities for UWB in the future, especially as it tries to control the smart home. 

"We recently launched SmartThings Find to help you quickly and easily locate your Galaxy devices, even when offline," KJ Kim, chief technology officer and head of mobile R&D for Samsung, said in a statement. "We took this a step further with Galaxy S21 Plus and S21 Ultra, which use expanded UWB capabilities to utilize the AR finder so you can send virtual messages to other Galaxy users during your search."

He added that Samsung has formed partnerships with "major car companies" to provide "a next-generation car experience starting this summer."

And out

The phones in the Galaxy S21 lineup all feature a matte finish that helps minimize fingerprints. In the US, the Galaxy S21 Ultra comes in phantom black and phantom silver, and it has four possible configurations. The silver only comes with 128GB of storage and 12GB RAM, while the black has 128GB or 256GB of storage with 12GB RAM, and a monster 512GB model with 16GB RAM. 

The S21 Plus and S21 have some brighter color options, including phantom violet and phantom pink, the latter of which is only in the S21. There are two storage options for those phones, either 128GB or 256GB, both with 8GB RAM.

Samsung's Galaxy S21 (left), Galaxy S21 Plus (center) and Galaxy S21 Ultra hit stores Jan. 29.

Drew Evans/CNET

Samsung's Bixby voice assistant again makes an appearance in the S21 lineup, but its button can be remapped to other tasks. It's also integrated into SmartThings, Samsung's smart home control app.

The S21 Ultra has some advantages when it comes to the screen. All three use Samsung's Infinity-O Displays, are HDR10+ certified and have an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that automatically adjusts based on what the users is doing, but the Ultra has a resolution of 3,200x1,440, while the other two are 2,400x1,080. 

The Ultra also has a Quad HD+ display -- versus flat, full HD+ in the S21 and S21 Plus -- and "the best, brightest display ever," Samsung's Hawke said. He noted the picture is 25% brighter than in the S21 and S21 Plus. The Ultra also has a 50% improved contrast ratio to deliver clear, immersive images, even when outdoors, and a brighter screen

"This is going to make content really pop, especially high dynamic range content," said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart. "People will be able to use it outdoors without [the screen] getting washed out."

For Samsung, the hope is that its lineup has something for everyone. 

"When it comes to shopping for new smartphones, first and foremost, people want choice," Samsung's Blackard said. "That is both in terms of features and in terms of price points. So we're really committed to driving a range of different devices that offer what we think is that diversity of needs that's in the market today."

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Apple Watch: It's been 5 years since my original review, and it holds up

Apple Watch: It's been 5 years since my original review, and it holds up

I'd love to say that when I first put on the Apple Watch, I'd never seen anything like it before. But of course, that's not true. By late 2014 I'd been surrounded by smartwatches for a few years. So when Apple announced it was making its own watch, my thought (as so often with Apple) was: finally.

The first smartwatch I reviewed at CNET was the Martian Passport, an analog watch that could make phone calls. It sounds so primitive now, but it was cool in early 2013. The Pebble Watch followed, and the Steel version became my favorite: It was like a Casio watch turned into a useful little pager-assistant. It was simple and had long battery life, and it was great.

There were others, too: Samsung's first smartwatches were ambitious (a camera?). Google's first Android Wear watches arrived in 2014. Meanwhile, there were Fitbits and Jawbone trackers galore.

I say this to lay the groundwork for the Apple Watch and what its impact was. Like the iPhone wasn't the first smartphone, the Apple Watch wasn't the first smartwatch... but it made the biggest footprint. It was another step validating that a world of wearables was here to stay. 

I was able to wear the Apple Watch a month before it went on sale. I spent a ton of time with it, getting used to both how it handled phone calls, and the activity tracking rings. I looked at my heart rate measurements. I accidentally ordered an Xbox One with an early Amazon app.

The Watch was, much like the first iPhone, sometimes feature-limited. But it also had some features that already stood out.

My original review was updated a year later, which you can read here. Some parts have changed, clearly, and Apple has updated the OS. But I'll comment on what I wrote then, and how I felt, and how that's evolved. Quotes from the original review are in italics.

The gold Apple Watch, way back when.

James Martin/CNET

An excellent design, with luxury overtones

Apple wants you to think of the Apple Watch as fine jewelry. Maybe that's a stretch, but in terms of craftsmanship, there isn't a more elegantly made piece of wearable tech. Look at the Apple Watch from a distance, and it might appear unremarkable in its rectangular simplicity compared with bolder, circular Android Wear watches. It's clearly a revamped sort of iPod Nano. But get closer, and you can see the seamless, excellent construction.

The first Apple Watch came in aluminum, steel and ramped all the way up to a gold model costing more than $10,000. Compared to other smartwatches, it screamed luxury.

Certain touches felt luxurious, too: the fine-feeling Digital Crown, which spun ever so smoothly like a real watch part, for instance. The OLED display, which was a first for an Apple product, looked crisp and bright.

The most amazing part, maybe, were the watch bands. Apple created a really nice series of specially designed straps, from a steel link to a clever magnetic Milanese mesh that were extremely expensive and impressively engineered. 

Its watch face designs were great, too, and they integrated some information from the iPhone that aimed to add at-a-glance ease of use. There was a Mickey Mouse watch face that danced! The Solar face showing sunrise and sunset, and the astronomy face that showed planetary alignments and moon phases, felt like magic. I wanted more, but Apple's assortment of watch faces was limited, and it didn't allow for third-party watch face design. That's still the case now.

A lot of the Apple Watch reminded me of the strides Apple began with the iPod Nano, which also had watch mode... and a Mickey Mouse watch face.

Sarah Tew

New technologies at first: fantastic haptics, a force-sensitive display

All Apple Watches have a new S1 processor made by Apple, that "taptic" haptic engine and a force-sensitive and very bright OLED display, which is differently sized on the 38mm and 42mm models. The watch has its own accelerometer, gyrometer and heart-rate monitor, but no onboard GPS. It uses Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz Wi-Fi to connect to your phone or your home network. There's a built-in speaker and microphone, but no headphone jack.

As I wore the watch on the first day, I felt a rippling buzz and a metallic ping: one of my credit card payments showed up as a message. Apple's "Taptic Engine" and a built-in speaker convey both a range of advanced taps and vibrations, plus sounds. Unlike the buzz in a phone or most wearables, these haptics feel sharper: a single tap, or a ripple of them, or thumps.

Sometimes the feelings are too subtle: I don't know if I felt them or imagined them. My wrists might be numbed from too many smart devices. I set my alerts to "prominent" and got sharper nudges on my wrist.

The first watch introduced some ideas that eventually made their way to other iPhones. A "taptic engine" delivered on some amazingly refined vibration effects, ranging from a purr to a ping to a gentle tap. These were way ahead of what anybody else was doing -- and they weren't just a gimmick. The notification types associated with unique vibrations felt distinct. Sometimes, the vibrating taps on the first Watch weren't as powerful as I wanted. But with later updates, the haptics made parts of the interface seem real: virtual wheels, clicking as if moving with invisible gears.

The more advanced haptics made their way to the iPhone next, making us used to them now. Other phones, game consoles like the Nintendo Switch, and VR accessories, have evolved haptics since, but the Apple Watch was the first mainstream device that upped the haptics game.

Force Touch was another wild idea: Apple made its watch display force-sensitive, meaning a deeper press could work like pushing a button. Though this idea was refined further into 3D Touch on the iPhone 6S, 3D Touch was a technology that never became as necessary as expected, and current iPhone models have dropped the pressure-sensitive display tech completely.

The Apple Watch still has Force Touch, though, and I think it always will.

Digital Touch: I never used it much after that.

Sarah Tew

Lots of features. Too many features?

As you can see, this is a lot of stuff. Did I have fun using the watch? Yes, mostly, but there are so many features that I felt a little lost at times. There are so many ways to interact: swiping, touching, pressing harder into the display, a button and a clickable digital crown-wheel. Plus, there's Siri. Do I swipe, or click, or force touch or speak? Sometimes I didn't know where an app menu was. Or, I'd find getting back to an app I just had open would require an annoying series of crown clicks, swiping through apps, then opening the app again.

There's a reason I used the word "complicated" to describe my feelings using that first Apple Watch. Setting up bits of information, called complications, was slow and not always intuitive. Apps took a while to load, and were sometimes so slow that it was easier to check my phone instead. Quick glances and notifications, and phone calls, were fine. Apple Pay on the watch was clever, but would I use it? I wished the watch had more battery life.

I didn't like the overcomplicated feel. The design of the OS, and the card-like swappable mini-view apps that used to be on the Watch like a dock, changed over time. It's gotten better since.

Storing music on the watch, while it took a while to sync, was easier than attempts on Samsung Gear or Android Wear. Of course, I had to hunt for a good pair of Bluetooth headphones to connect with the watch.

Today I still forget to dive into and make the most of the apps on the watch. I just dusted off Walkie Talkie: it's cool. There's noise monitoring. One app lets me remote control my iPhone camera, which has been a huge help for my stay-at-home self-shot videos. The Remote app helps me when I lose the Apple TV remote every other day. 

Third-party apps, and the grid of options? It turns out I don't use them much at all. I don't dig down deep into the layers of functions. I prefer what's on the surface: watch faces, and their readouts. But I've come to appreciate the watch's surprising number of options and settings. It's better than not having them at all.

The rings were the beginning.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Fitness: The ring idea was just the beginning

The Apple Watch doesn't work any fitness miracles that the rest of the wearable world hasn't already invented, and it doesn't ship with any new magical sensors that change the game. But the Apple-made integrated fitness apps, Activity and Workout, are far and away the best fitness apps on any existing smartwatch that isn't a dedicated "fitness watch" (Samsung Gear, Android Wear, Pebble and the like). A clever three-ring method of tracking daily activity, which simultaneously measures and rewards daily calorie burn, active exercise and standing up, feels like a fusion of rewards and metrics seen on the Nike FuelBand, Jawbone Up, Fitbit and others. 

I appreciated Apple's complete-the-ring motivational activity tracker, which felt inspired by wearables like the Nike FuelBand (not surprising, since Apple's head of fitness, Jay Blahnik, arrived from Nike). For the red ring's daily goals, it's great. It felt too easy to complete the blue Stand ring, and it still does.

There are tons of fitness advancements Apple has made on the Watch in the last five years: GPS, resting heart rate, workout controls, social sharing, third-party app integration, swimming, modes for accessibility, activity trends -- and I haven't even discussed Apple's massive health aspirations like adding ECG, checking for falls, monitoring elevated or irregular heart rate or women's health tracking. There is some form of coaching and motivation, too. But I'd still love to see more of that. I hit a wall when trying to be fit, and there's only so much watches seem to help.

The first Apple Watch was more of a Fitbit. Now, it's more of a health companion. Those two worlds still feel like they need to dovetail and grow. There are missing features, too, like sleep tracking, which feels like the inevitable next step.

You still need an iPhone, just like in 2015.

Sarah Tew

It was, and still is, an iPhone accessory

Much like most other smartwatches, the Apple Watch isn't a standalone device -- it's a phone accessory. Android Wear, Samsung Gear, Pebble and others work the same way. But here, you must own an iPhone 5 or later to use the Watch. A few Apple Watch functions work away from the phone, but the watch primarily works alongside the phone as an extension, a second screen and basically another part of your iOS experience. It's a symbiote.

One thing I noted back then was that you needed an iPhone to use the Apple Watch. Unlike other wearables that can pair with Android or iOS, or even sync with a computer, the Apple Watch was always designed to live symbiotically with the iPhone.

That's still the case now. Even with independent cellular options, and an on-watch App Store, you can't use the Watch without pairing to an iPhone. And it still won't work with Android. It's a shame, because a fully standalone watch could be a really helpful tool for many people who don't have iPhones, and it could even be a phone alternative (for kids, maybe).

Apple's AirPods created a gadget trinity where the Watch, the iPhone and AirPods can all work seamlessly together. But that trinity is an expensive one. The entry price of the Apple Watch has dropped, at least. But it feels like an extension of the iPhone more than its own device, even now.

The Apple Watch Series 5: much better, with a few similarities.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Today: the best watch in a war of attrition

You don't need an Apple Watch. In many ways, it's a toy: an amazing little do-it-all, a clever invention, a possibly time-saving companion, a wrist-worn assistant. It's also mostly a phone accessory for now. In the months and years to come, that may change: with Apple's assortment of iPads, Macs, Apple TV and who knows what else to come, the watch could end up being a remote and accessory to many things. Maybe it'll be the key to unlock a world of smart appliances, cars and connected places. In that type of world, a smartwatch could end up feeling utterly essential.

I think back to what the Apple Watch was competing against back then: Jawbone, Pebble, Fitbit, Google's Android Wear, Samsung's watches, the Microsoft Band. A lot of competitors are gone now. Fitbit was acquired by Google. Samsung still has watches. Garmin makes lots of dedicated fitness watches. There are still plenty of more affordable relative newcomers, too.

The original Apple Watch, with the Pebble Steel, Moto 360 and the original iPod Nano with wristband (clockwise from top left).

Sarah Tew

In a field of fewer alternatives, the Apple Watch's consistent addition of new features and ongoing performance improvements has made it the best option. It's Apple's commitment to gradual improvements that has made it a stand-out watch now, especially compared to the struggles of Google's Wear OS.

The Apple Watch is still an iPhone accessory. And it's still not an essential product. But it's become a really fluid and useful device, one with lots of key upgrades that work, and one that's a lot easier to use.

What's the best smartwatch now? The Apple Watch. That doesn't mean I don't want to see improvements: battery life, sleep tracking, a watch face store and most importantly, Android support and true standalone function. If the last five years are any indication, Apple will tackle these problems on its own... time.

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