The Apple Watch may be advertised as a device for the manly youngsters in their twenties who are always out running or climbing mountains, but that’s not really the profile of most people who wear them. At least not in the offices of igamesnews. But they’re fantastic devices if you want to keep tabs on your health, make sure you don’t miss notifications on your iPhone and in the case of the elderly, they can be a lifesaver too. If you’re thinking of buying an Apple Watch for one of your older family members, here’s everything you need to know.
Do they need an iPhone?
It might seem like a basic question, but the Apple Watch isn’t that useful if you give it to someone with an Android phone or even a non-regular smartphone. They only work with iPhones and that’s most likely how it will stay (although there are rumors that Apple will allow management via iPads and Macs). So, the first most important question to answer is whether the person in question has an iPhone or not. If so, great, otherwise we recommend looking for one of the best smartwatch or fitness tracker models from our partner site Tech Advisor.
That being said, you can set up an Apple Watch on your iPhone and then give it to your elderly relative or friend. You can then use some of the health monitoring features to make sure they are safe. Here’s a look at everything an Apple Watch can do without an iPhone.
For more information on the current lineup of Apple Watches, read our guide to the best Apple Watch. We can also help you save money, read: The best Apple Watch deals this month.
What makes an Apple Watch good for seniors?
Besides the handy ability of not having to take your iPhone out of a bag or pocket when messages come in, an Apple Watch can also be very useful for monitoring the current health of an older person (and a younger one for that matter). Some models are equipped with an ECG sensor, which can detect heart problems or variations that may suggest conditions such as atrial fibrillation. Some have SpO2 sensors to measure blood oxygen levels, again this can warn if the wearer is having difficulty, potentially due to breathing problems. There is also a fall detection function which can detect when someone falls and may not be well.
You can also set up Find My features on Apple Watch models with GPS tracking capabilities. This will show you someone’s current location and can be very useful if the person in question is suffering from memory issues and can wander off.
Besides these more serious use cases, there’s also the simple truth that when hearing starts to diminish, having a notification on your wrist can mean you don’t miss important calls or messages.
What is the best Apple Watch to buy for seniors?
As with most tech purchases, it depends on what you want and how much budget you have. We’d say that unless your family member or friend is the outgoing type who’s likely to canoe through ravines, the Apple Watch Ultra will be overkill. It’s big, heavy and costs a small fortune. So, here is our selection of the current harvest:
1.Apple Watch Series 8
Price during review:
499 $
If you want the best mix of features, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the obvious choice. Not only does it have around 20% more display real estate than the cheaper Apple Watch SE, but it also comes with many of the important features listed above. That means you get the third-generation heart sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG) to monitor irregular heartbeats, as well as blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor to keep tabs on other potential health risks.
Fall detection is present, as is collision detection, which can detect if the wearer has potentially been involved in a car accident. It’s also water resistant to 50 meters, so you don’t have to take it off to do the dishes (or canoe down that ravine).
Along with those features, it also comes with GPS as standard, has an Always-On display so you can tell at a glance what notifications have arrived, and has two sizes – 45mm and 41mm – so it can fit delicate or beefy wrists.
Read our full Apple Watch Series 8 review
2. Apple Watch SE (2022)
While the Apple Watch SE might not have as many sensors as its big brother, there’s still a lot to like about this cheaper model. You still get the heart monitoring feature, but with the second-generation optical sensor. Unfortunately, there is no ECG to warn against high or low heart rates and irregular rhythms. But there’s drop detection and collision detection on board, and the SE is waterproof up to 50 meters, just like the Series 8.
The screen is slightly smaller than the 8-series, which could be a problem if the intended recipient has poor eyesight, but the 41mm and 44mm models still have clear, bright panels that convey information very well.
GPS is standard, and you can add cellular capabilities to increase what the watch can do without an iPhone (the Series 8 also has this option).
For many features senior users would need, the Apple Watch SE is a very good option, especially since it costs a lot less than the Series 8.
3. Apple Watch Series 7
If you’re happy to dive into the used or refurbished market, the 2021 Apple Watch Series 7 is a great option. It’s the same size and shares many features of the Apple Watch SE, with some notable differences. The main ones are that the Series 7 comes equipped with both ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, neither of which is available on the SE.
The SE comes with an S8 SiP chipset (the same as the 8-series) while the 7-series comes with the S7, but the difference between the S7 and S8 is minimal and the older model will be fast enough for most people. Luckily, all of the Apple Watch models on the list are rated for 18-hour battery life, so they’ll get your loved one through a full day without any issues.
Apple is selling refurbished Apple Watch Series 7 on its refurbished store for $299 / £399 and Amazon has used models for even less. If you can find a refurbished Apple Watch Series 7 at a good price, this is definitely the one to consider as it could save you some money while giving you more advanced features than on the SE.
To see what Apple has in store for its smartwatch platform, you can also read our guide to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 9.
Wondering if you need a cell phone? Read: The pros and cons of a cellular Apple Watch.
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