HOW IT’S DONE

Inside the new Apple Watch

Apple Watch

We take a look under the glass of the thinner, more powerful Apple Watch Series 4.

It’s Summer, and that means three things: your warm socks are being replaced by thongs, the leaves are starting to turn green, and Apple has just released some new technology.

This year we have an all-new Apple Watch, featuring a larger screen, a thinner design and some smart new health features that are sure to help save lives. When it’s on someone’s wrist, it looks so similar to the previous Apple Watches that you may not even give it a second look. But underneath all that glass is some impressive new tech.

First, it’s got a faster, more efficient chip, which has meant Apple could make it slimmer without reducing the battery life. On the back of the watch you’ll find the optical heart-rate sensor that was in previous models, along with a new electrical ring. Paired with the metal in the digital crown (the dial on the side of the watch), this forms a simple electrocardiogram, or ECG machine. It can record your heart beat and tell you whether you have cardiac problems, so you can send the report to your doctor. That’s really smart – although unfortunately the feature is only approved for use in the US so far, with global roll-outs still a way off.

On the front of the watch you’ll find a new, 30 per cent larger display. It’s thinner and extends right to the edge of the watch, curving at the corners. Just like before, it’s waterproof down to depths of 50 metres and tracks workouts, activity and more.

SPEAK UPThis larger speaker is 50 per cent louder than the previous model and uses a silicone gasket to keep the water out.DISPLAYThis OLED display extends close to the edge of the glass, and the deep blacks blend right into the background.HEART SENSORS CASINGThe casing has been redesigned to be thinner and more accessible, so your new Watch is easier to repair if it breaks. The back panel contains the wireless charging ring, as well as the electric ring that touches your wrist to enable ECG measurements.MOTHERBOARDThis single board holds almost all the Watch’s ‘brains’. The S4 chip is twice as fast as the Apple Watch Series 3.DIGITAL CROWNThis dial now clicks slightly as you turn it for improved feedback, and you touch it to use the ECG system.PADDINGThis plate sits inside the back case and absorbs heat from the motherboard to stop it reaching your wrist.BATTERYThe battery in the new Watch is actually smaller than the old one, but it still manages around 18 hours between charges.TAPTIC ENGINEThis little box uses magnets to create the feeling that the Watch is tapping you on your wrist when you get a notification.