After buying a Mac Mini, I’ve been wondering: what’s the next Apple product I’ll buy? This is especially ironic because, a decade ago, I used to hate Apple. (But that’s a story for another day.)
At first, I considered AirPods and AirTags—they seem useful. But recently, the Apple Watch has started to grab my attention.
A Love-Hate Relationship with Watches
Growing up, I wasn’t a fan of watches, but I did enjoy using the LG G Watch when I received it as a gift. At first, it was exciting, but after about a year, the novelty wore off. I stopped wearing it and went back to relying on my phone for the time. As Elon Musk once said to Joe Rogan, “My phone keeps the time.”
A few years ago, I got interested in Casio watches. Partly because of the “back to the ‘90s” trend and partly because they’re cheap, reliable, and practical. A Casio lets me check the time without pulling out my phone and getting sucked into distractions.
Now I have a collection of Casio watches, from sporty to classy. I love how low-maintenance they are: you don’t have to charge the battery, you don’t have to update anything, and the most you’ll do is adjust the date at the end of the month on an analog watch or toggle daylight savings time twice a year on a digital one.
But despite my love for Casios, I find myself fascinated by the Apple Watch.
Why Am I Fascinated by the Apple Watch?
There are a few reasons—some more logical than others:
- I’m in an “Apple is so cool” phase
- I’m hoping it might nudge me back onto the fitness wagon: I’d love to get back in shape, and the Apple Watch’s sport functions seem appealing
- Navigation and payments without taking out the phone or wallet: the idea of leaving my phone in my pocket while navigating or paying for something feels convenient and safe in public places
- Fall and Crash detection: riding a motorcycle and approaching my thirties has made me much more safety-conscious, and these features are a big draw for me.
What’s Holding Me Back
- Charging Hassles: having to charge another device every day or two feels like a chore
- Data Anxiety: fitness trackers can make you hyperaware of your activity levels. Some YouTubers have pointed out that constant data tracking can actually become demotivating. Imagine waking up and thinking, “I had a bad night’s sleep because my watch says so. Therefore, I won’t work out”
- Short-Lived Motivation: many people say fitness trackers are great at first but don’t sustain long-term motivation, even with gamified goals.
In Conclusion
I’m tempted to give the Apple Watch a shot, especially if the rumors about the SE3 being released at $200 are true. At that price, it’s comparable to a nice Casio watch—but with a lot more features.