I think sometimes when you make decisions about technology, they might not always be the right ones. I also think it’s good to acknowledge that.
In my previous posts, you’ll have seen me talking about the Oura Ring 5, a purchase I made after deciding my Apple Watch Series 10 wasn’t for me. Well, here we are again, and I’ve now bought another Apple Watch. This time, it’s the new Series 12 in Dark Bronze.
The main reason I decided to switch from Apple Watch to Oura Ring was battery life. I found that I was frequently having to charge my Apple Watch, sometimes forgetting to do so before heading out, and then I had something on my wrist which couldn’t even tell the time.
I thought the answer was switching to an Oura Ring, as I’d heard the battery life was amazing and could last for several days on a single charge.
However, when switching to the ring, I realised that despite its amazing metrics, I was missing one thing: a screen.
Being an Apple Watch user for several years, I thought I would be able to cope with the change. However, I was almost instantly missing the ability to quickly glance at my wrist to see key measurements and phone notifications.
I remember hearing my phone make a notification sound in another room and instinctively looking at my wrist to see what it was. Except, of course, there was nothing there to show me. I only had the ring.
It’s such a small thing, but it made me realise just how much I’d come to rely on having a watch on my wrist.
So, why another Apple Watch?
As you know, I made the decision to return my Oura Ring 5 and instead ordered a brand new Apple Watch.
I think there were two primary reasons for this. One was the promise of improved battery life, and secondly, I opted for a different colour in Dark Bronze, which was a change from my previous black Apple Watch.
Obviously, I’ve only just got the Apple Watch Series 12, so I’m still getting to know it, and I’ll do another post in a couple of weeks letting you know how I’m getting on.
What I do hope is that I see an improvement in battery life, that I’m not having to charge it as frequently, and that I notice a performance boost going from Series 10 to Series 12.
Another thing worth mentioning is that Apple Watch pricing is actually quite reasonable when you compare it with the Oura Ring.
For the ring, I paid £399, while the Apple Watch cost £469. Of course, the price varies depending on the configuration you choose. I went for the 46mm Dark Bronze Aluminium Case with the matching Dark Bronze Milanese Loop, but there are more expensive case materials available, so it really depends on what you’re looking for.
Thankfully, I hadn’t sold my previous Apple Watch when I switched to the Oura Ring, so I was able to trade it in. That brought the cost of my new watch down to £349, actually making it cheaper than the ring. Although, I appreciate that I had to trade in an older device to get that price.
I opted for the 46mm screen with the Dark Bronze Milanese Loop to accompany the Dark Bronze watch itself.
I really like how stylish the watch looks. To be honest, the Dark Bronze is subtle, but very smart. It’s a lovely change from the black model I had previously.
It’s not just about the screen
Another thing I missed when switching from Apple Watch was the deep integration with Apple’s ecosystem.
I missed the Health app, including the Apple Fitness rings, and just the way everything worked together with my iPhone. It was something I’d taken for granted until I no longer had it.
I’m also looking forward to exploring the newer health and fitness features available on the watch, and seeing whether they actually make a difference to how I use it.
There’s plenty for me to get familiar with, particularly when it comes to how the watch works alongside my iPhone and the latest software.
But for now, I’m more interested in seeing how the watch fits back into my daily routine and whether the improvements make a noticeable difference.
Was the Oura Ring a mistake?
This post is about the Apple Watch, but I do want to acknowledge that the Oura Ring is a good purchase if a ring is what you’re in the market for.
The Oura app is extremely detailed and provides some great analytics covering a range of health and fitness measurements. There’s definitely something appealing about having all that information available without wearing a watch.
I admittedly make quick decisions when it comes to technology.
I’d seen the Oura Ring 5 advertised across social media by various creators and thought to myself, “That’s a change! Why don’t I try that?”
But almost a day or so afterwards, I could feel something missing from my daily routine.
I think it’s okay to change your mind when it comes to technology. We’re in a constantly evolving world where innovative new products are released all the time, and I guess sometimes you don’t know whether something’s right for you unless you try it out.
Back where I started?
While the Apple Watch Series 12 does have some differences and improvements, it doesn’t look or feel dramatically different from the Series 10 I had previously.
I do think it was worth upgrading, though, as I tend to jump two generations at a time rather than upgrading a device every year.
Holding the new watch in my hand and looking at it on my wrist makes me feel content that I’ve made the right decision. It really is a stunning-looking watch.
I know the real test will be whether I still feel that way after a few weeks of using it, particularly when it comes to battery life.
For now, I’m happy to have an Apple Watch back on my wrist. And perhaps I’ve learned that sometimes the technology you already had was doing more for you than you realised.
I want Kit & Chris to be as conversational as possible, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Apple Watch and Oura Ring.
Have you ever switched from a smartwatch to a smart ring and realised it wasn’t for you? Or perhaps you’ve done the opposite and wouldn’t go back to wearing a watch?
Drop a comment below or reply to any of my emails. I’d love to hear your experiences and have a conversation about it.