Tag: Ion-X

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Apple Watch Series 11 (46 mm, aluminum, GPS, space gray, 2025)

Among the 12 press releases of the “base” Apple Watch models (original Apple Watch through the Series 11), 7 of the 12 have mentioned health and/or fitness features in the headline (or subhead). The Apple Watch Series 11 press release leads with “groundbreaking health insights” and specified hypertension notifications and sleep score as its primary new features along with battery improvements and a more scratch-resistant display.

Stan Ng, Apple’s vice president of Apple Watch and Health Product Marketing, said in the press release that “Apple Watch is the world’s most popular watch, using advanced sensing capabilities to empower millions of people around the world to better understand their health simply by wearing it, while also serving as a fitness coach, message center, mobile wallet, and beautiful timepiece.” He added that the “Apple Watch Series 11 is an indispensable companion that supports users’ health, fitness, safety, and connectivity throughout the day and night.”

The durability of the screen is described in more detail, noting that it is “Made from a unique Ion-X (ion-exchanged strengthened) glass…treated with a breakthrough Apple-designed ceramic coating that bonds to the glass at an atomic level through a physical vapor deposition process, significantly hardening the surface.”

The Apple Watch Series 11 was released with watchOS 26, using the Liquid Glass design also available on all Apple devices as of late 2025. Some of the new features added:

  • 2 new watch faces (Flow and Exactograph)
  • A new one-handed wrist flick gesture to easily dismiss notifications
  • Live Translation in Messages with Apple Intelligence
  • A Watch version of the Notes app (finally!!)

The Aluminum case options for Apple Watch Series 11 were available in Rose Gold, Silver, Jet Black, and a new Space Gray option. Titanium case options included Gold, Natural, and Slate.

The 46 mm model measured 46mm x 39 mm and was 9.7 mm thick. The aluminum/GPS model weighed 37.8 grams.

The screen was 416 x 496 pixels at 326 pixels per inch with an always‑On Retina display with wide‑angle OLEDs. It could display up to 2000 nits peak brightness down to 1 nit minimum brightness.

The Series 11 had an impressive list of sensors:

  • Electrical heart sensor
  • Third‑generation optical heart sensor
  • Blood oxygen sensor
  • Temperature sensor
  • Compass
  • Always‑on altimeter
  • High‑g accelerometer
  • High dynamic range gyroscope
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Depth gauge to 6 meters
  • Water temperature sensor

Connectivity options included support for 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks with Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n); Bluetooth 5.3; GPS systems including L1, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou. It used a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.

This example is in the Aluminum Space Gray option in the 46 mm size. It shipped with a black M/L Sport Band.

Sources: Apple (newsroom, specs)

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Apple Watch Series 3 (42mm, GPS, Space Gray aluminum case, 2017)

The Apple Watch Series 3 models looked identical to the Apple Watch models before them (original, Series 1, and Series 2), were available in the same sizes (38 mm and 42 mm), but were more powerful. The Series 3 had a faster processor, GPS, a barometric altimeter, and Siri support. This Apple Watch Series 3 is a Space Gray, 42 mm model.

The Series 3 Apple watch was the first to offer cellular service as an option, although this model is the GPS-only version. Apple described the Series 3 Watch in a press release:

“The third-generation Apple Watch is an amazing health and fitness companion with intelligent coaching features, water resistance 50 meters and a new barometric altimeter that measures relative elevation. Apple Watch Series 3 comes in two models, one with GPS and cellular, and one with GPS, both featuring a 70 percent faster dual-core processor and new wireless chip.”

This Apple Watch had a 312×390 OLED screen with Ion-X glass and a 7000 series anodized aluminum housing. Apple estimated the battery life at “up to 18 hours.”

The Apple Watch Series 3 used Apple’s S3 processor, “which allows for quicker app launch times and smoother graphics, and, for the first time, enables Siri to speak using the built-in speaker.” It also included a new W2 wireless chip that made Wi-Fi 85% faster and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 50% more power efficient. The watch shipped with watchOS 4.

Source: EveryMac, Apple

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Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm, Cellular, Green Aluminum, Clover Sport Band, 2021)

The Apple Watch Series 7 is similar to the Series 6 that preceded it, but has a larger, edge-to-edge display, a more durable case, and faster charging capabilities. Like all previous Apple Watch models, the Series 7 uses Apple’s Digital Crown and a touch display with haptic feedback. Apple described the Series 7 as having “a reengineered Always-On Retina display with significantly more screen area and thinner borders.”

The Series 7 introduced two new sizes, 45mm and 41mm. This example uses a 45mm display. The display is a 396×484 LTPO OLED (approximately 1.9 inches) and is “Always On.” The display is protected by Apple’s scratch-resistant Ion-X glass.

Apple described the color choices:

“Apple Watch Series 7 introduces five beautiful new aluminum case finishes, including midnight, starlight, green, and a new blue and (PRODUCT)RED, along with a range of new band colors and styles. Stainless steel models are available in silver, graphite, and gold stainless steel, along with Apple Watch Edition in titanium and space black titanium.”

The Apple Watch Series 7 has a ceramic and sapphire crystal back. Upon release, Apple offered eleven pre-configured options:

  • Green Aluminum with Clover Sport Band
  • Starlight Aluminum with Starlight Sport Band
  • Midnight Aluminum with Midnight Sport Band
  • Blue Aluminum with Abyss Blue Sport Band
  • (PRODUCT)RED Aluminum with Red Sport Band
  • Gold Stainless Steel with Dark Cherry Sport Band
  • Gold Stainless Steel with Gold Milanese Loop
  • Silver Stainless Steel with Starlight Sport Band
  • Silver Stainless Steel with Silver Milanese Loop
  • Graphite Stainless Steel with Abyss Blue Sport Loop
  • Graphite Stainless Steel with Graphite Milanese Loop

Two aluminum Apple Watch Series 7 Nike options were available at release as pre-configured options:

  • Starlight Aluminum with Platinum/Black Sport Band
  • Midnight Aluminum with Anthracite/Black Sport Band

Two Apple Watch Series 7 Hermès options were available at release:

  • Space Black Stainless Steel case with patterned blue and black leather Circuit H Single Tour Band
  • Silver Stainless Steel case with brown leather Single Tour Deployment Buckle

In addition to the included Hermès-designed bands, Apple Watch Series 7 Hermès devices with black housings include a black Hermes Sport Band and models with silver housings include an orange Hermes Sport Band.

This example is cellular 45mm Green Aluminum and shipped with a Clover (medium green) Sport Band. The cellular version of the Apple Watch can send and receive calls without a tethered iPhone for an additional cost of about $10 per month.

Sources: Apple, EveryMac