The TechWithMatthew YouTube channel just uploaded their Apple Watch Series 0 vs Series 2 speed test and the results were kind of surprising. For the most part, there doesn’t appear to be a dramatic speed boost from gaining the faster S2 chip. This speed test was conducted right after a cold reboot so the memory caching shouldn’t be impacting the results too much. This test should be reflecting how quickly the chips are able to process actions.
So the obvious question becomes why would Apple feel the need to update the Series 0 to the dual-core chip if there isn’t that large of a discernible difference? From a performance standpoint It looks to me like Apple very well could have kept selling the Series 0 right up until next year. It runs today's apps almost as well as the S2. I think it was more of a future proofing move to keep customers from feeling unsatisfied in the near future.
If Apple Watch Apps start to evolve into larger more complex apps, the watch ecosystem could become S2-centric very soon. If Apple kept selling the Series 0, millions of people would be purchasing the watch between now and Christmas. If the App Store starts to become a bunch of S2-only apps by fall of 2017 how would Series 0 owners who’ve owned their watch for less than a year feel? Those who received an Apple Watch for Christmas of 2016 could be looking at an obsolete watch less than a year later. Not cool.
I commend Apple for intentionally future-proofing their watches in this way. It directly contradicts the narrative that Apple intentionally builds in obsolescence to upsell their customers in an imminent timeframe. Anyone who buys a Series 1 watch today isn’t necessarily buying a huge speed increase. But what they are buying is the opportunity to not have to upgrade for two or three years and still enjoy the latest apps.
In a way we shouldn’t be surprised. Every year Apple releases their iPhones and iPads with processors that are literally the fastest in the mobile world. They are screamers which for the most part are beyond what most software can really utilize. Where we appreciate that power is a couple years later when we have the option of either upgrading to the latest OS or selling our device which still has decent value.
If Apple Watch Apps start to evolve into larger more complex apps, the watch ecosystem could become S2-centric very soon. If Apple kept selling the Series 0, millions of people would be purchasing the watch between now and Christmas. If the App Store starts to become a bunch of S2-only apps by fall of 2017 how would Series 0 owners who’ve owned their watch for less than a year feel? Those who received an Apple Watch for Christmas of 2016 could be looking at an obsolete watch less than a year later. Not cool.
I commend Apple for intentionally future-proofing their watches in this way. It directly contradicts the narrative that Apple intentionally builds in obsolescence to upsell their customers in an imminent timeframe. Anyone who buys a Series 1 watch today isn’t necessarily buying a huge speed increase. But what they are buying is the opportunity to not have to upgrade for two or three years and still enjoy the latest apps.
In a way we shouldn’t be surprised. Every year Apple releases their iPhones and iPads with processors that are literally the fastest in the mobile world. They are screamers which for the most part are beyond what most software can really utilize. Where we appreciate that power is a couple years later when we have the option of either upgrading to the latest OS or selling our device which still has decent value.
RSS Feed