Help to Purchase my first Apple Watch with ECG capabilities

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Level 1

10 points

Help to Purchase my first Apple Watch with ECG capabilities

Hello,

I am a female senior and I am looking to purchase an Apple Watch that will give me a good fit to assure good results when using the Heart Rate app and ECG app, and is capable of obtaining AFIB reporting and can be used while swimming. I have a very small wrist, and small pocketbook, so I am not looking for the most expensive choices.

Can you give me suggestions what the quickest way to locate which watches meet this criteria on the Apple website please. It's a little confusing.

Thank you.

Sue

Posted on Jan 6, 2023 11:46 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 6, 2023 12:14 PM in response to mouse_sg

The best option available to you from Apple, which will provide the features you want is Apple Watch 8 42mm in Aluminum. Here is a link to the information about Series 8 watches from Apple --> Apple Watch Series 8 - Apple

You need to decide what color you want. You also need to decide if you want a GPS+ Cellular model, which will let you use the watch, if your phone is not nearby. If you don't feel you'd have reason to use the watch without your iPhone always nearby, you can buy a GPS only model. Also, if you want to buy the Cellular model, you need to know if your carrier actually supports Apple Watch. This link will help with that --> Apple Watch - Carriers - Apple

Feel free to come back if you need more guidance.

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Answer 2

Jan 6, 2023 12:35 PM in response to mouse_sg

You're VERY welcome, Sue. I hope you enjoy your Apple Watch when you buy it!

One other thing I failed to mention. For ANY new Apple Watch you purchase from Apple, it must be paired to an iPhone which is updated to iOS 16 or higher (current version is 16.2). Please make sure you have an iPhone 8 or newer, if you purchase a new Apple Watch. Any iPhone older, such as iPhone 7 or older will not work with a current Apple Watch.

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Answer 3

Jan 6, 2023 1:06 PM in response to mouse_sg

mouse_sg wrote:

I have an Apple iPhone XR.

Sue

That will work just fine Sue. And to answer your question about heart health monitoring, you don't need to pay extra for the watch to track ECG, Blood Oxygen or heart rate in general. It's built into the watch.

There is Apple Fitness+ which you'll likely be offered a free three month subscription to, then you'd have to pay monthly if it provides additional benefit to you. But you don't need Fitness+ for ECG or heart health monitoring at all.

Here's a link which will help you learn more about Fitness+ if you're interested --> How to use Apple Fitness+ - Apple Support

As you'll learn, Fitness+ is more about specific workouts with guided training.

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Answer 4

mouse_sg Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 6, 2023 1:35 PM in response to lobsterghost1

That's great news there is not an xtra fee to track ECG, Blood Oxygen or heart rate. I have looked at Fitbit's but they charge $10 a month for the fitness package so I am looking at the Apple Watch to compare. Of course, I would love the Apple Watch so I'm just trying to justify the difference in price first. But, $120 a year is a lot, and could be used toward the purchase of the Apple Watch that I want.

Thanks again!

Sue

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Answer 5

mouse_sg Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 7, 2023 3:38 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Can you also tell me if I am wearing the Apple Watch, how close does your phone need to be in order for it to work? If you are far away from it, does your phone shut off? I'm wondering if not getting the GPS cellular model ends up being a disappointment after. And, if I don't get it, when you are paired to the phone, does the texting and internet usage get added on to your cell phones data usage? Hope I am asking these questions correctly.

Thanks!

Sue

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Answer 6

Jan 7, 2023 5:57 PM in response to mouse_sg

Sue, I find I can wander about 150 - 200 feet (maybe more) from my iPhone, before the connection drops. That's more than enough for just about any size home (unless you live in a mansion, of course). But I wouldn't EVER purchase an Apple Watch without Cellular connectivity. For $10/month from your carrier, it's simply a no-brainer option. And if you buy a GPS only Apple Watch, you cannot change the fact it is a GPS only watch.

As to what data charges you may or may not have to pay for, you'd have to discuss that with your carrier. My cellular plan with AT&T is unlimited. Usually, your provider knows exactly how much data you use on a monthly basis. If you pay for data by the GB., they'll let you know if you need to add more data to your plan.

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Answer 7

mouse_sg Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 8, 2023 8:28 AM in response to lobsterghost1

I live 500 feet off the road so I can see it dropping off maybe if I run up to get my mail but that sounds like it will still work while I am outside working around the house. That sounds great. That's excellent advice on the Cellular connectivity. The $10 fee from the carrier isn't bad, it's just the watch being another $100 that puts the price up there. I keep my Apple products long term though, and take care of them so I think I can justify the price. I have Xfinity Mobile and pay by the GB. I use only 1 Gig for 2 lines which is pretty low, and it only cost around $17...pretty decent I think. 3 Gig only runs about $30. I'm getting excited now to get to the store and try some on. Do you recommend taking out their AppleCare on it as well? I also read, a protective cover should be something to think about? Is there anything else I'm missing?

Thanks,

Sue

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Answer 8

Jan 8, 2023 8:36 AM in response to mouse_sg

Sue,

Cellular is a great option and worth the price of admission. You might want to take a walk and just wear your Apple Watch and with Cellular, your watch is fully functional on its own without having to have your iPhone with you. You might want to go to the grocery store or mall and not have your iPhone with you. The very first Apple Watch I bought was GPS only. Cellular wasn't an option at that time. I upgraded to a cellular watch the very next year, when Cellular became on option on Apple Watch.

I ALWAYS recommend AppleCare+ with mobile devices. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS! It's not expensive, but if you need to use it, will save you a LOT of money.

I'm excited for you!

Your new friend!

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Answer 9

mouse_sg Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 14, 2023 3:30 PM in response to mouse_sg

Hi new friend,

Well, it's done! I picked up my Apple silver aluminum Watch, series 8 with cellular with a silicone sport band the other day. I have it up and running and happy it's keeping tabs on my health. I just want to thank you for all your help! I did place a screen protector on it, it's not the glass one but something to protect from scratches. I wasn't sure if I should buy a bumper for it. It's not like I want one, but I do worry about hitting it. Your thoughts on any protection for them?

Take care,

Susan

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Answer 10

Jan 14, 2023 3:35 PM in response to mouse_sg

Congratulations and I hope you truly enjoy your new Apple Watch! I'm glad you put a screen protector on it. And if scratches could bother you, I would recommend a case (Amazon sells clear slim cases for Series 8 watches), which would ensure no scratches on the watch. If you had paid for the Stainless Steel version, it wouldn't be needed, but Aluminum can scratch easily.

Again, congratulations and enjoy your watch!

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Answer 11

mouse_sg Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 14, 2023 4:12 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Thanks! I wish I could have purchased the stainless but $300+ more is a lot for my first watch. I did grab the only case in 3 stores the day I purchased the watch just in case but I found it very bulky, and the screen faces hard to change with it. It also left a moisture like spot between the watch glass and the bumper. This was a Raptic 360x but it did not say slim case, is that the difference? And the case you mention, does it also cover the screen too?

Thanks!

Sue

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Answer 12

Jan 14, 2023 4:38 PM in response to mouse_sg

You get the health app for free with your watch. If you want the Fitness+ app, you were likely offered a three month free subscription, after which, you assume a recurring monthly charge. But the Fitness+ App has things which you may not need, such as guided workouts, etc. Otherwise, heart monitoring, Oxygen, ECG are all included with your watch at no additional cost.

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