Apple’s watchOS 11 update is just around the corner. After rebuilding the operating system from the ground up with watchOS 10, the Apple Watch software adds new health and fitness insights, as well as even more personalization and connectivity.
In our watchOS 11 review, we discuss the pros and cons of Apple’s latest Apple Watch software update.
Smart Stack takes over watch faces
Smart Stack was first introduced with watchOS 10. At the time, it was a new interaction available under any watch face. Turning the Digital Crown would bring up widgets in the Smart Stack, with multiple timers, calendar events, music playback, and more.
With this new software update Smart stacks has received a major update and is our favorite watchOS 11 feature in this review. It now displays live iPhone activity and, thanks to machine learning, always suggests widgets you might want to use based on the time, date, location, and daily activities.
For example, if you’re at a bar and a song is playing, you can open Smart Stacks and it will suggest a Shazam icon. Or if you’re waiting for a DoorDash delivery, its Live Activity will appear there.
Sometimes, Smart Stacks take over your watch face – or at least that’s what happened in most of the beta. If that’s intentional, I’d say it’s usually more useful than using watch faces at all.
Well-being is a key part of watchOS 11
watchOS 11 brings two big changes for Apple Watch users: the new Vitals app and Training Load. Vitals App allows users to quickly view key health metrics and gain better context about their health.
This app for Apple Watch (along with information from the Fitness app for iPhone users) helps you understand if you’re within your typical range, or if you’re overdoing it or skipping too many workouts.
When two or more metrics fall outside of the typical range, users can receive a notification and a message detailing how changes in those particular metrics may be related to other aspects of their lives, such as changes in altitude, alcohol consumption, or even illness.
WITH Training loadmeasures how the intensity and duration of workouts affect a user’s body over time. Training Load helps users understand the workload of their body from training over the past seven days compared to the past 28 days. Apple says this information can help you prepare for an event like a marathon, bike race, or your first 5K, or just make informed decisions about your training each day.
While I applaud these features, I still find them overly complicated. I think it’s great that Apple has finally addressed years of complaints, but the best way to understand how your workouts and sleep affect you is with Gentle Streak.
Still, Apple offers Apple Watch users the ability to learn more about their well-being, but Gentler Streak takes it a step further by offering easier-to-understand data and a user-friendly interface.
Activity Rings have been rebuilt… finally!
The day has finally come and Apple is allowing users to do the same once and for all. customize your Activity Rings with watchOS 11. With this change, Activity rings will recognize scheduled rest days, injuries, or days off without affecting your reward streak.
It is also possible Customize your activity ring goals depending on the day of the week, so your leg workout may be different from what you would do when running outdoors.
Additionally, Fitness app allows users to customize the Summary tab to display exactly the data they want to see, including their friends’ data.
All of these features are nice and can help you take a more gentle approach to your fitness. After all, we’re all crazy about closing our rings, no matter what. Apple is finally letting us take a more gentle approach to the Apple Watch. It only took 10 years, but better late than never.
watchOS 11 has even more improvements
After covering the major changes in watchOS 11 in this review, there are a few other features that may be useful for Apple Watch users, such as:
- New watch face photos: Apple has revamped the Photos Watch watch face once again. It now uses machine learning to make recommendations based on aesthetics, composition, and even facial expressions;
- Check In is available on Apple Watch: With the introduction of iOS 17, users can now set the option to be notified when a workout is complete, so others can be notified that a user is returning home after a morning run or an evening gym session;
- Translate app: Apple Brings Translate to watchOS 11. Users Can Access Translation in One of 20 Supported Languages ​​Right on Their Wrist. Here’s Why It’s a Breakthrough App for Apple Watch;
- Double tap gesture improvements: It can now be used to scroll through any app, making it even easier to use Apple Watch with one hand;
- Snooze detection:Apple Watch now detects when you’re sleeping, even if you’re not using bedtime mode;
- Notification Summarybased on Apple Intelligence technology, will be redirected from iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to Apple Watch.
Device Compatibility
Apple has removed support for three Apple Watch models. That said, here are the wearables that will be able to support watchOS 11 starting September 16:
- Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
- Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
- Apple Watch SE (2022)
- Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)
- Apple Watch Ultra (2022)
- Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023)
- Apple Watch Series 10 (2024)
In addition to one of the above smartwatches, you’ll need an iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or later running iOS 18 to enjoy the full capabilities of the Apple Watch.
watchOS 11 Review Summary
watchOS 11 doesn’t reinvent the Apple Watch, but it does introduce features that are worth having. While it may never get Apple Intelligence, it’s great to see Apple continue to improve this wearable as a wellness device. The Apple Watch has become a key part of my active life, and I’m glad I stuck with it for almost a decade.
Learn more about watchOS 11 below.
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