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Should You Buy An Apple Watch Right Now? It's Complicated
Should You Buy An Apple Watch Right Now? It's Complicated
This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2022, CNET's collection of news, tips and advice around Apple's most popular product.
Apple's September event is coming up in just a few days, which means new iPhones and Apple Watches are likely right around the corner. With that in mind, you might be wondering whether it's worth buying an Apple Watch right now. The answer is complicated, and it depends on how much you're willing to spend and what you want out of a smartwatch.
Apple is expected to release three new Apple Watch models this year: the Series 8 (the successor to the Series 7), the Apple Watch SE (a new version of Apple's $279 watch) and the Apple Watch Pro (a high-end sports watch). The Series 8 and 8 Pro are expected to include a temperature sensor that may be capable of detecting whether you have a fever, according to Bloomberg. Both watches will also likely come with a new processor, but only the Pro is expected to feature a larger display, longer battery life and a sturdier design.
The new SE, by comparison, would be a refreshed version of Apple's budget watch, meaning it might run on an older processor and could be missing certain features like ECG monitoring and an always-on display.
If you're considering the Series 7, buying one right now is potentially a wise move -- as long as you can find a deal. If you don't care about having the rumored upgrades mentioned above, this could be your last chance to snag the Series 7.
Get ready for Apple's next event
You can get the GPS-only version of the Series 7 for just $300 at Walmart, which is $100 less than Apple's usual $400 price. Amazon is also currently offering the cellular version of the Apple Watch Series 7 for $400, a notable drop from the $500 that Apple typically charges. Check out our full story on Apple Watch deals for even more discounts.
Although it'll be missing the Series 8's upgrades, the Series 7 still has a large screen with a keyboard, a recent processor, health features like ECG and blood oxygen tracking and compatibility with Apple's upcoming WatchOS 9 update.
But remember there's a chance retailers could knock down the Series 7's price following the Series 8's debut -- especially as Black Friday approaches. A second Amazon Prime Day is also rumored for October. But the Series 7 may also become more difficult to find after the Series 8 arrives, and deals may sell out quickly.
The case is a little different if you're thinking about buying the Apple Watch SE. Amazon is offering a pretty compelling deal that brings the price for the GPS-only 40-millimeter model down to about $230. That's a decent discount compared to Apple's regular $279 price, but it might be worth waiting to see what Apple has in store for the rumored second generation Apple Watch SE.
The current model is probably fine for most casual users, but it also runs on Apple's S5 processor that will likely soon be three generations old. If you're able to stretch your budget, you might be able to get a newer watch that will last longer. (Plus, I'm hoping to see some upgrades like the addition of an always-on display in the 2022 model).
So, should you buy an Apple Watch right now? If you can find a good deal on the Series 7, go for it. Buying a discounted Apple Watch SE (if you can find one) isn't a terrible idea. But you might not get as much mileage out of it since it's already running on an older processor. And don't even think about buying an Apple Watch Series 3. It runs on a much older processor, which means it will probably start to feel slow, and it isn't compatible with the latest Apple Watch software.
We'll know more about what's next for the Apple Watch when Apple holds its next event on Sept. 7.
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Apple Watch SE vs. Series 6 vs. Series 3: How to choose?
Apple Watch SE vs. Series 6 vs. Series 3: How to choose?
There's a reason why the Apple Watch ($199 at Best Buy) continues to dominate smartwatch sales. It can do almost as much as your smartphone, it's one of the best fitness trackers out there and it even keeps your vitals in check. I've spent a lot of time wearing the latest Series 6 ($399), the $279 SE and $199 Series 3. I also over-research every purchase in my life. So trust me when I tell you there's no bad choice when it comes to buying an Apple Watch. (See the chart below for a full specs breakdown, including international prices.)
Even the Series 3, which still has its shortcomings (like battery life), will give you most of the features you need in a smartwatch. Everything beyond that is a "nice to have" that will mostly depend on your budget. Here's a breakdown of Apple's smartwatches to help you narrow it down.
Apple Watch Series 3: The most affordable option with a few trade-offs
If you're still unsure about making the leap from analogue wrist watch to smartwatch, or if you're on a budget, the Apple Watch Series 3 may just be your ticket. Starting at $200 the square watch face looks almost exactly the same as the more expensive models and packs in all the core fitness and smart features you need.
It's an extension of your smartphone that lets you make calls, send texts, get notifications and listen to music, as well as a fitness tracker that pushes you to improve your activity levels with a ring-based system.
Like the more expensive Apple Watches, the Series 3 automatically detects over 12 different workouts, including swimming and cycling, and it gives you access to Apple's new Fitness Plus service, allowing you to stream guided workouts from home. And thanks to its built-in GPS, you can track your route even when you don't have your phone in tow.
The Apple Watch Series 3 will also keep track of your cardio fitness levels. It has a lot of the same health features as the SE and the Series 6 including basic sleep tracking; cycle tracking; and measuring high, low and irregular heart rate alerts. The health features it misses out on include the built-in ECG, blood oxygen or SpO2 tracking, noise alerts and fall detection.
Series 3 downsides: No LTE and it's the older model
Despite its draws, there's the risk that this watch may have a shorter shelf life. It's currently the oldest model to receive WatchOS updates (Apple's smartwatch operating system) and only offers 8GB of storage which would preclude any larger updates in the future. This doesn't mean it'll stop working all of a sudden, but if and when it's left out of the WatchOS update cycle, you won't have access to the latest features and the integration with the iPhone ($269 at Amazon) may not be as seamless.
Also, Apple only offers a GPS version of the Series 3, so it won't work if you're buying it as a primary device for a child or family member and you want to use Family Setup.
Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
Apple Watch SE: The best bang for your buck
The Apple Watch SE is the Apple Watch I recommend for most people because it has the best balance of price and features. It costs more than the Series 3, but if you have a little wiggle room in your budget it may be worth it for the faster processor (S5 chip vs. S3), a bigger and brighter screen, louder speaker, fall detection and longer battery life. That last one is key if you're using the Watch to track your sleep. The SE is also the cheapest option if you need an LTE model of the Apple Watch.
Apple Watch SE downsides: No extra health features, no always-on screen
The Apple Watch SE has a raise-to-wake screen, meaning it fades to black when it's not in use. So if you're not a fan of having to flick your wrist to see the time, this might be a deal-breaker. You won't miss it if you've never used a watch with an always-on screen, but now that I've had a taste of the always-on display on the Series 6, it'd be hard for me to go back.
You also won't get the advanced health sensors found in the Series 6: the ECG and the blood oxygen monitor.
Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
Apple Watch Series 6: The FOMO-free smartwatch
Starting at $399, the Apple Watch Series 6 has the most advanced features Apple offers on a smartwatch, with an even brighter screen than the Apple Watch SE that's easy to see even when it's on standby.
The Series 6 is the only Watch with an always-on display and it has a built-in ECG app on your wrist. (These features were first introduced on the Apple Watch Series 5 in 2019, which Apple has since stopped selling.) The Series 6 is also the first, and only Apple Watch to monitor blood oxygen levels both on demand, or automatically as you go about your day (and while you sleep). It's not FDA-cleared like the ECG app and is not intended to be used as a medical device, but you can see all your readings plotted out over time in the Health app on your iPhone. Most people won't need all this data, but if you're a health nut, or have any respiratory issues, it's yet another source of information to keep tabs on.
The Series 6 is the only Apple Watch that comes in a blue and red aluminum finish (aside from the silver, space grey and gold options) and the only model that's available with a stainless steel or titanium frame.
Apple Watch Series 6 downsides: Faster charging but shorter battery life
For all its convenience, the always-on display drains the battery faster. The Apple Watch SE usually gives me a day and a half of battery before I need to recharge, while the Series 6 with always-on lasts 2 hours less. You can always disable the feature to get more out of the Watch, but that kind of defeats the purpose of getting it in the first place.
The silver lining is that the Series 6 charges faster than its predecessors and reaches a full charge in 1.5 hours, versus 2 hours on the SE.
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Make Your Apple Watch Work Better by Changing These Settings
Make Your Apple Watch Work Better by Changing These Settings
Changing a few settings on your Apple Watch can go a long way. Even though the Apple Watch is already easy to use, you'll likely benefit from making certain customizations. For example, you can choose how you'd prefer to activate Siri, make your apps appear in a list view rather than a grid and set Portrait Mode photos from your iPhone as your watch background.
You'll be able to use these features and settings on any watch model that Apple currently sells, which includes the 4-year-old Series 3 (although we wouldn't recommend buying a Series 3 in 2022). But it's best to make sure that your watch is running the latest version of Apple's WatchOS 8 software. Doing so not only ensures that your watch has access to all of the latest features and improvements, but it's also a good safety measure since updates often include security-related fixes.
This fall, Apple Watch owners will have more new features to look forward to with the debut of WatchOS 9. The update will bring more detailed sleep monitoring and a new app for tracking medications to the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer. A beta version of WatchOS 9 will be available to the public this month, Apple said when unveiling the new software in June. We're also expecting to see the rumored Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Pro debut in September, which is when Apple typically introduces new watch models.
Here's a look at the Apple Watch settings you should change to get the most out of your watch.
Read more: How WatchOS 9 Is Paving the Way for the Apple Watch's Future
Adjust all of your Activity goals
With the release of WatchOS 7 in 2020, Apple added the option to change your goals for the amount of time you stand and exercise. Previously, you could only change your Move (or calories) goal.
So instead of using the defaults -- 30 minutes of exercise and a cumulative 12 standing hours a day -- you can change either one to fit your actual daily routine.
This small change will make it possible for you to hit your own targets when you actually start your day, not when Apple tells you to. For example, if you use sleep tracking overnight and need to charge your watch more often in the morning, you won't feel like you've lost an hour of time needed to close those rings.
Open the Activity app on your watch, scroll to the bottom and tap ChangeGoals. Make your adjustments for all three metrics and start closing those rings.
Read more: Best Workout Subscription Apps
You now have full control over what it takes to close your activity rings.
Sarah Tew/CNET
So long, random screenshots
To take a screenshot on the Apple Watch, you press the Digital Crown and side button at the same time. It's a simple and convenient method, unless you're like me and find yourself frequently triggering it accidentally, filling up the Photos app with random pictures of your watch face.
To turn off the ability to take screenshots altogether, open the Settings app on your watch or use the Watch app on your phone and go to General and scroll down until you find Screenshots. Tap this option and toggle off the switch next to Enable Screenshots for a clutter-free camera roll.
Customize which apps appear in your dock
If you have a lot of apps installed on your Apple Watch, it can be difficult to find the right ones when you need them. That's where the Apple Watch's dock comes in handy. If you're not familiar, the dock is essentially the iPhone's app switcher, but for the Apple Watch. You can trigger it by tapping the side button, which pulls up a carousel of recently used apps.
However, you can also customize the dock to show any apps you want instead of your most recent apps. To do this on your watch, open the Settings menu, tap Dock and select the Favorites option. But I recommend setting this up in the Phone's Watch app instead so that you can customize these apps.
Open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap Dock. Once the Favorites option is selected, you'll see a list of apps divided into two sections: Favorites and Do Not Include. Favorites are the apps that are currently in your dock, while the latter lists all of the other apps on your watch that aren't included. Tap the Edit button in the top right corner to customize the Favorites list to your liking.
Choose the Portrait mode photos you want to see on your wrist
You can set Portrait mode photos as the background for your watch face. But first, you have to dig into the settings in the Watch app on your iPhone. To get started, launch the Watch app and navigate to the Face Gallery tab at the bottom of the screen. Then, tap the Portraits option under the New Watch Faces category. Tap the Choose Photos option under Content to select up to 24 photos that will rotate automatically when you raise your wrist or tap the screen.
Apple's new Portrait watch face lets you set photos taken in Portrait Mode as the watch's backdrop.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Keep the Apple Watch's screen awake for a longer period of time
There are times when you might not want your Apple Watch's screen to go idle right away. Perhaps you were in the middle of reading a long text message and got distracted, or maybe you want to keep an eye on your timer. Once you tap the Apple Watch's screen, it typically stays active for 15 seconds. But you can extend that to 70 seconds by launching the Settings menu on your watch, tapping Display & Brightness and choosing Wake Duration. Then select the Wake for 70 Seconds option.
Stop every app from automatically installing
Every time you install an app on your iPhone, it will automatically install its Apple Watch counterpart if there is one. This can clutter up your watch's app grid pretty quickly, making it hard to find the apps you do want to use on your watch.
The Apple Watch is so much more than a way to view your notifications.
Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
In the Watch app on your phone, go to Settings > General and then slide the switch next to Automatic App Install to the Off position. You can also do this on the watch by opening the Settings menu, tapping App Store and toggling the switch next to Automatic Downloads.
From now on, you'll install individual apps on your watch by opening the Watch app on your phone, then scrolling to the bottom where you'll find a list of available apps.
Read more: Best Apple Watch Apps
Silence those noisy notifications
Smartwatches can be useful for discreetly checking an alert or the time. But loud notifications can defeat the purpose. Turn on your Apple Watch's silent mode by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to launch the Control Center. Then tap the icon that looks like abell to trigger Silent Mode.
You can also do this by opening the Apple Watch's Settings menu, scrolling down to Sound & Haptics and toggling the switch next to Silent Mode. There's also a volume slider for adjusting how loud or quiet incoming notifications sound if you'd rather not mute them completely.
Have Siri only speak out loud when you're wearing headphones
Siri can be useful for quickly setting timers, starting workouts or checking the weather from your watch. But you might not always want to have Siri speak out loud. You can easily change this so that Siri only provides audible feedback when you're wearing headphones. Open the Settings menu on your Apple Watch, scroll down to Siri and navigate to the Voice Feedback section. Then tap the Headphones Only option. When your Bluetooth headphones are connected to your Apple Watch, you should now see the name of your headphones appear above the Siri volume setting in the watch's settings menu.
Make text easier to read by increasing the font size
Reading notifications and news headlines can be difficult on a screen that's so small. Luckily, you can increase the font size on the Apple Watch to make things a bit easier on your eyes. To do so, launch the Settings app on your watch, tap Display & Brightness and scroll down to Text Size. Rotate the Digital Crown or tap the letters that appear on either side of the meter to adjust the text size on your watch. If you have the Apple Watch Series 7, you'll have more size options for enlarging the text, since it has a bigger display.
Stop those annoying reminders to "Breathe"
Every few hours your Apple Watch will beep and tap your wrist, reminding you to take a moment to breathe. The first time it happens it's kind of comical; Why do I need a reminder to breathe, wacky watch?! Then it happens again. And again. Every 4 hours by default, for a physiological act that is literally involuntary.
The Breathe reminder is designed to help you take a few minutes to clear your mind and control your respiration, in turn lowering your heart rate and potentially helping you feel more centered and calm. But if you're like me and never follow the prompt, take a few seconds to turn it off so you no longer have to be reminded to breathe.
Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, then scroll down and tap the Mindfulness app option. Next, select Notifications off. (Note: If your watch isn't running WatchOS 8, this will appear as Breathe instead of Mindfulness.)
Unlock your Apple Watch with your iPhone
Typing in your passcode to unlock your Apple Watch can be a pain, but there's an easier way to do it. You can choose to have your Apple Watch unlock automatically when your iPhone is unlocked.
Tap the Digital Crown and navigate to the Apple Watch's Settings menu. Scroll down to Passcode, and make sure the switch next to Unlock with iPhone is toggled on. Your iPhone will now also display an alert saying that your iPhone is being used to unlock your Apple Watch whenever you put this into practice.
You usually have to type in your Apple Watch's passcode to unlock it.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
Make it easier to find your apps
The honeycomb app grid looks great in promotional photos and at first glance, but it can be difficult to find the app you want to launch, particularly if you have a lot of apps installed on your watch. Instead of in a grid, the watch can display all of your apps in an alphabetical list.
Either in the Watch app on your phone or in the Settings app on the Watch, tap App View > List View. Now, when you press the Digital Crown to leave your watch face, you'll see a list of apps that you can quickly scroll through and find what you're looking for.
See, doesn't the app list look better?
Sarah Tew/CNET
Control when you'll see Siri
There are three different ways to activate Siri on your Apple Watch. You can raise your wrist toward your mouth and start talking, long-press the Digital Crown or use the wake phrase, "Hey, Siri."
I've found that I often accidentally trigger Siri when trying to check the time or read a notification while I'm talking to someone else (but my watch thinks I'm trying to talk to Siri). It's annoying, but it can be changed.
Either in the Watch app on your phone or in the Settings app on the Watch, select Siri and there you'll find three buttons to control when you'll see Siri. Slide each button to the Off position for any of the options you don't want to use.
This is a hidden feature that you should memorize right now.
Jason Cipriani/CNET
Rearrange Control Center
Just like Control Center on your iPhone, Control Center on the Apple Watch is where you go to quickly adjust settings like do not disturb and airplane mode and to activate the flashlight.
You may find the default list of options in the Control Center isn't the best fit for how you use your watch, however, and you want to rearrange the list. For me, that means moving the Bedtime toggle from near the bottom of the list to the top. That way when I want to track my sleep over the weekend when I don't have sleep goals set, I can swipe up and tap the icon.
To access the Control Center on your watch, swipe up from the bottom of the watch face, or when in an app you can long-press on the bottom of the screen until you see Control Center start to slide up, after which you just need to slide your finger up to access it. The same trick works to view your notifications from anywhere.
Change the order, or hide some buttons in the Control Center by tapping the Edit button at the bottom of the list. The icons will begin to jiggle and show a red minus sign to hide an option. Drag and drop the icons into your preferred order, or tap the red minus button to remove the option altogether.
When you're done, tap Done or press the Digital Crown on the side of your watch to go back to the watch face.
There are plenty more Apple Watch features that are worth checking out. For example, the ECG app can help identify heartbeat irregularities, there are new workout options for Pilates and Tai Chi and you can even share your custom watch faces.
For more, check out CNET's list of the best Apple Watch bands and every iPhone setting you should change right now.
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Apple's 2021 iPads: All the upgrades to expect for the iPad Air, Mini and more this fall
Apple's 2021 iPads: All the upgrades to expect for the iPad Air, Mini and more this fall
Apple's iPad season usually comes in two waves: a few models in the spring, and the rest in the fall. Apple's big event today could be when the company finally unveils the iPad updates that back-to-school shoppers have been waiting for. Or those iPads might emerge along with new Macs at a second Apple event later in the fall. Either way, now is a good time to hold off on new iPad purchases if you can.
Read more:Apple unveils redesigned iPad Mini
Earlier this year, Apple upgraded iPad Pro models with new M1 chips. Those will remain the most high-powered, fully featured iPads of the bunch, but at a serious price -- expect to pay well over $1,000 after storage upgrades and accessories.
But Apple could add a few more pro features to other iPad models this fall, as the company tends to let features trickle down to lower-priced models. For example, last year's iPad Air redesign adopted the iPad Pro's larger display and USB-C port. Apple Pencil support and Smart Connectors also made the move to entry iPads over the past few years.
The good news is that all of Apple's recent iPads have tended to run the latest iPadOS well, and are capable of the same multitasking, Pencil note-taking and trackpad/mouse-supported tricks. So what's next?
The new iPad Mini, if it arrives, is widely expected to be the most-changed Apple tablet this year. It may have the same larger-screen, smaller-bezel look of the 2020 iPad Air, along with USB-C support and a side power button with Touch ID support. But its price will likely be higher than most parents would prefer. And as for the iPad Air, it's likely it'll receive a processor bump-up and a few enhancements.
But for the ninth-gen entry-level iPad, there could be some useful changes worth waiting for, too.
Last year's eighth-gen iPad worked with smart keyboards and Pencil support, and had a new processor. But will it keep the same older design?
Scott Stein/CNET
A processor upgrade (of course)
The eighth-gen iPad got an A12 processor last year, which was an overdue upgrade from the previous model's aged A10. But a shift to an even newer processor seems likely, considering how quickly Apple seems to be upgrading its other devices to M1s and other fast chips. An A14 (the processor on the iPhone 12) would be welcome. Or, at least, an A13.
A similar price to last year? More storage?
Apple's kept its entry iPads affordable, even at the expense of new designs or features. So $329 seems like a likely holdover price, but who knows how much storage will be included. The $329 model from 2020 only had 32GB of storage, making an upgrade to the $429, 128GB version practically required for most. Would Apple at least boost the base storage to 64GB? Come on already, it's 2021.
The entry-level iPads have used Lightning chargers. Will that change this year?
Scott Stein/CNET
Could there be MagSafe? (Or USB-C?)
The entry-level iPad still has a Lightning port (so do iPhones). But the iPad Air and Pro have USB-C/Thunderbolt. While it makes sense for all iPads to have USB-C ports, Apple might hold off another year. I say if it keeps the price lower, don't change it. But would MagSafe make an appearance? If Apple's committed to expanding MagSafe into a common (and yet again, proprietary) device format, maybe support will arrive here, too (although skipping USB-C would feel tragic).
Side Touch ID button? Maybe not
The Air, Pro and Mini may all end up with reduced screen bezels, and the Mini and Air could both have side Touch ID buttons. But don't be surprised if the entry-level iPad keeps its old-school front-facing Touch ID home button. Again, if it means shaving features for a low-cost device, maybe it doesn't need replacing.
The 2020 iPad has a fine display, but there's a lot of bezel around the screen.
Scott Stein/CNET
A larger screen?
It's possible Apple could increase the screen size of the entry iPad, which last got a slight display increase from 9.7 to 10.2 inches in 2019. Last year's 2020 iPad only swapped out the internal processor, and kept every other 2019 design element the same. That seems to suggest Apple could change things up in 2021. Some reports from months ago said 10.5 inches is a possibility, but would that mean the new iPad wouldn't fit in older iPad cases and keyboards? A larger screen would at least mean better multitasking, of which iPadOS 15 makes a little more use. But don't expect 120Hz or Mini LED at the budget iPad's price.
Better cameras?
The eighth-gen iPad's cameras were... fine. But we're still Zooming a lot in our house, and while the new iPad Pro's face-tracking camera won't be making an appearance here, a higher-res and even wider-angle front-facing camera would be welcome. I don't care much about the rear camera (sorry).
We'll find out soon: Apple's product event is on Tuesday. If Apple doesn't announce iPads then, they could be announced in October. Even if they are announced this week, we may not see them become available until weeks later. My advice: Hold off on buying any iPad until then.
TV Shopping? Consider buying a 2021 TV (and Save Money)
TV Shopping? Consider buying a 2021 TV (and Save Money)
What's happening
New 2022 TV models are now available, but plenty of 2021 TVs are still out there.
Why it matters
2022 TVs might be newer, but they're also more expensive and have similar features to the 2021 models. You'll save money right now by grabbing a 2021 unit. Or wait until the fall when 2022 TVs will be on sale.
If you're looking to get a new TV without breaking the bank, opting for last year's model or waiting a few months until prices drop on 2022 models are your best bets to get all the features you want while still saving money. That's because TVs are a mature technology, which means that new, groundbreaking features don't come out every single year. Changes are incremental, with new models adding only minor updates year-over-year. For example, a 2021 TV at a given size or price will generally have similar picture quality and features to its 2022 counterpart. There are still deals on 2021 TVs, which are significantly less expensive than the current models.
When deciding which TV to buy and when, everyone should know about the annual television pricing cycle. It starts at CES, the huge tech show that happens every January, when new TVs (plus other tech like laptops and car technology) are announced each year. Later in the spring and summer -- basically now -- many of the new models are already on the shelves. But those new sets are at their highest prices of the year. During the fall, manufacturers start slashing prices to make way for next year's crop of new TVs.
If you want the latest and greatest technology you're probably already set on a 2022 model and you'll certainly be able to save money on those in the fall. But if you're looking to get a new TV right now, scooping up a deal on a 2021 set is going to be the most affordable option. Just know that you'll probably have to jump on a bargain when you see them, as eventually manufacturers will sell out of their 2021 models.
Read more: LG C1 vs. LG C2: Which OLED TV Should You Buy?
Sony and Samsung TVs with QD-OLED, a new technology promising better picture quality, are expensive and only available in 55- and 65-inch sizes.
Sony
If I buy a 2021 model now, what new features am I missing?
To put it succinctly, not too much. There's always something new around the corner, but changes from year-to-year are usually incremental. If you worry about missing out on the latest and greatest tech, it should give you peace of mind that even if something really new hits the market, it's going to be very expensive.
New QD-OLED TVs from Samsung and Sony are a good example. They combine OLED displays with quantum dot technology, and claim higher brightness and better color compared to current OLED TVs. One of these new sets might sound enticing, but QD-OLEDs come with a premium price tag, so they might be tough to recommend over more-affordable OLEDs like the LG C2.
Read more: QD-OLED: Everything We Know About the Newest TV Tech From Samsung and Sony
In 2022, traditional OLED TVs are arriving in untraditional sizes. This year, LG introduced the 42-inch C2 Series TV, the smallest OLED on the market, while also laying claim to the largest OLED available with the 97-inch G2 TV.
New for 2022, LG's OLED C2 now comes in 42- and 97-inch sizes.
Richard Peterson/CNET
Mini-LED TVs are also on the rise and could deliver close-to-OLED picture quality, but the new models we know about so far will also be expensive. The Sony Z9K and X95K are the company's first models with mini-LED, and the TCL X925pro has a new kind of slimmer mini-LED backlight, but none of them will be cheap. Samsung, TCL and Vizio are expected to announce more TVs later this year, many of which will use mini-LED, but we doubt they'll offer huge improvements over the 2021 models.
Also rolling out across the country is NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0. This is free over-the-air 4K TV, and it's moving forward quite quickly -- it might already be available in your city. In 2022 we'll see more TVs with built-in tuners that cost less than ever. Don't feel you need to rush to upgrade, or get those specific models however, since in the worst case you'll be able to buy a cheap external tuner and connect that to your TV.
Read more:Gaming Modes, Webcams and QD-OLED: Which 2022 TV Trends Stand Out?
There's also HDMI 2.1. While 2.1 has several new technologies that are great, it's not going to make any current TVs obsolete (unless it's a current 8K TV, but that's yet another story). As long as your current TV works with your current sources, you should be fine.
Really old TVs, older than 10 years, might have issues connecting to modern streaming and disc sources, but there's no real workaround for that. If your TV doesn't work with a new Roku or Blu-ray player, then you might need to upgrade if you want to use one of those.
Do I need to upgrade?
Forget all the new tech. If your TV works and you're happy with it, keep it. Don't feel any pressure to upgrade.
Modern TVs are, on average, brighter and have better picture quality than the TVs from a few years ago. Unless you're the type of videophile who wants to tweak every setting and fixates on nits and color accuracy, however, you probably don't need a new TV.
The pressure to upgrade is pervasive in our tech culture, but TVs tend to last (and be perfectly functional) longer than most devices. They don't, for example, have batteries that lose capacity like mobile phones -- or have wires that wear out like headphones. A TV from five or even 10 years ago likely works fine, though it might not look as good as the current 4K HDR TVs. So again, if that's not a huge deal for you, you can likely keep what you have for a few more years.
Read more: Best TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X, Series S
This is even true when considering new consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. If you've got a PS4, Xbox One or any console connected via HDMI, the new consoles should work fine. They might look better on a new TV, but they'll still look great on yours.
If your TV is having issues, or you just want something larger, that's a different story. New TVs are much cheaper per inch than TVs of the past. You'll be able to replace your current TV with something the same size, looks better and is cheaper than your old TV. Or you can pay the same amount as your old TV and get something that's far bigger.
When is the best time to buy a TV?
TV sales are the biggest in the fall and culminate on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There are always some incredibly cheap 4K TVs on offer, but that's not the whole story.
First of all, the TVs that get the huge discounts are usually either no-name brands, or low-end models from name brands. They're fine if you just want a cheap TV, but they're not going to offer the picture quality of an even slightly higher-end model. The best TVs go on sale as well, but deep discounts on those are less common.
TV sales happen all year, but Black Friday season sees the biggest discounts.
Roberto Machado Noa/Getty Images
Second, massive discounts on TVs are rare in general. It might be counterintuitive, but TVs typically don't have much mark-up. There isn't a lot of profit in a $500 TV. So unless the store is trying to clear out stock, you shouldn't expect a gigantic drop in price even during sales. Plenty of good discounts are available, they're just not going to be "50% off" or similar, unless there's a specific reason that model is getting such an extreme discount. Or it's a doorbuster in limited quantities.
Third, most big companies don't allow stores to offer their own pricing. This is called UPP, or unilateral pricing policy. It means that a TV from that company is going to cost the same, whether it's on Amazon, in Best Buy, or anywhere else. Well, anywhere else that wants to continue selling TVs from that company. If this sounds sketchy, it is, but that's a topic for a different article.
The Samsung Frame may look sophisticated, but your current TV might work just as well.
Samsung
All in all, is it worth upgrading my TV?
Here's the short version:
Get a new TV now if:
Your current TV is having issues, or is too old to connect to a streaming service like Netflix.
You're willing to buy from a place that has a price-match policy, in case there's a sale.
You want something bigger than what you have now.
Don't get a TV now if:
Your current TV works fine.
There's literally anything else you need or want to spend money on.
If you've got the itch for something new, but you're still on the fence, consider giving your TV a bit of a makeover. If you've never adjusted the settings, it's easy to do and will probably make your TV look better than it ever has. That might tide you over for a bit.
And if you finally decide that, yes, you're ready to buy a new TV now, we at CNET do have some guidelines and suggested models.
As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff Morrison does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, airplane graveyards and more.
You can follow his exploits on Instagram and his travel video series on YouTube. He also wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, along with a sequel.
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NextGen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, is continuing its rapid rollout across the country. Major markets like Los Angeles, Atlanta, Denver, Houston and more all have stations transmitting. Meanwhile New York, Boston, and many other markets are slated to have broadcasts later this year. While not every station in every market has a NextGen TV counterpart, more and more are coming on the air.
What's NextGen TV? It's an update to the free HDTV you can already get over-the-air in nearly every city in the US. There's no monthly fee, but you do need either a new TV with a built-in tuner or a standalone external tuner. The standard allows broadcast stations to send higher quality signals than ever before with features like 4K, HDR, 120 Hz, and more. ATSC 3.0 proponents also claim better reception indoors and on-the-go -- whether it's on your phone, or even in your car. The best part is that if you're watching it on your TV it uses the same standard antennas available today.
One potential downside? ATSC 3.0 will also let broadcasters track your viewing habits, information that can be used for targeted advertising, just like companies such as Facebook and Google use today.
Read more:Best TV antennas for cord cutters, starting at just $10
NextGen TV to you
ATSC.org
Here's the top-line info:
If you get your TV from streaming, cable or satellite, NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 won't affect you at all.
The transition is voluntary. Stations don't have to switch. Many have already, however, for reasons we'll explain below.
It's not backwards-compatible with the current HD standard (ATSC 1.0), so your current TV won't be able to receive it. Your current antenna should work fine though.
Stations that switch to NextGen TV will still have to keep broadcasting ATSC 1.0 for five years.
There are multiple models and sizes of TV with built-in tuners available now from Hisense, LG, Sony, Samsung and others.
As of the beginning of 2022 the majority of the largest markets in the US have at least one channel broadcasting NextGen TV. By the end of 2022, nearly all major and many minor markets will have multiple channels .
Here's the map of actual stations as of January 2022. Orange denotes stations that are live now. Blue is launching before summer. White sometime after the summer.
ATSC
How it will work in your home
Put simply: If you connect an antenna to your TV you will receive free programming, just like most people can get now. Yet, that is selling the potential benefits of NextGen TV short.
NextGen TV is IP-based, so in practice it can be moved around your home just like any internet content can right now. For example, you connect an antenna to a tuner box inside your home, but that box is not connected to your TV at all. Instead, it's connected to your router. This means anything with access to your network can have access to over-the-air TV, be it your TV, your phone, your tablet or even a streaming device like Apple TV. There will be traditional tuners as well, of course, but this is a new and interesting alternative.
This also means it's possible we'll see mobile devices with built-in tuners, so you can watch live TV while you're out and about, like you can with Netflix and YouTube now. How willing phone companies will be to put tuners in their phones remains to be seen, however. You don't see a lot of phones that can get radio broadcasts now, even though such a thing is easy to implement. We'll talk more about that in a moment.
'Voluntary'
In November of 2017, the Federal Communications Commission approved ATSC 3.0 as the next generation of broadcast standard, on a "voluntary, market-driven basis" (PDF). It also required stations to continue broadcasting ATSC 1.0 (i.e. "HD"). This is actually part of the issue as to why it's voluntary.
During the mandatory DTV transition in the early 2000s, stations in a city were given a new frequency (channel, in other words), to broadcast digital TV, while they still broadcast analog on their old channel. These older channels were eventually reclaimed by the FCC for other uses when the proverbial switch was flipped to turn off analog broadcasts. Since a changeover isn't occurring this time around, stations and markets are left to themselves how best to share or use the over-the-air spectrum in their areas.
Because there's no new bandwidth, broadcasters will temporarily share transmitters. Two or more stations will use one tower for ATSC 1.0 (HD) broadcasts and those stations will use another tower for ATSC 3.0 (UHD) broadcasts. This will mean a temporary reduction in bandwidth for each channel, but potentially a limited impact on picture quality due to the better modern HD encoders. More info here.
ATSC/TVTechnology.com
While it's not a mandatory standard, many broadcasters still seem enthusiastic about NextGen. At the beginning of the roll-out, then executive vice president of communications at the National Association of Broadcasters Dennis Wharton told CNET that the improvement in quality, overall coverage and the built-in safety features mean that most stations would be enthusiastic to offer ATSC 3.0.
John Hane, president of the Spectrum Consortium (an industry group with broadcasters Sinclair, Nexstar and Univision as members), was equally confident: "The FCC had to make it voluntary because the FCC couldn't provide transition channels. [The industry] asked the FCC to make it voluntary. We want the market to manage it. We knew the market would demand it, and broadcasters and hardware makers in fact are embracing it."
Given the competition broadcasters have with cable, streaming and so on, 3.0 could be a way to stabilize or even increase their income by offering better picture quality, better coverage and, most importantly, targeted ads.
Ah yes, targeted ads…
Broadcast TV will know what you're watching
One of NextGen TV's more controversial features is a "return data path," which is a way for the station you're watching to know you're watching. Not only does this allow a more accurate count of who's watching what shows, but it creates the opportunity for every marketer's dream: targeted advertising.
Ads specific to your viewing habits, income level and even ethnicity (presumed by your neighborhood, for example) could get slotted in by your local station. This is something brand-new for broadcast TV. Today, over-the-air broadcasts are pretty much the only way to watch television that doesn't track your viewing habits. Sure, the return data path could also allow "alternative audio tracks and interactive elements," but it's the targeted ads and tracking many observers are worried about.
The finer details are all still being worked out, but here's the thing: If your TV is connected to the internet, it's already tracking you. Pretty much every app, streaming service, smart TV and cable or satellite box all track your usage to a greater or lesser extent.
Return data path is still in the planning stages, even as the other aspects of NextGen TV are already going live. There is a silver lining: There will be an opt-out option. While it also requires Internet access, if this type of thing bothers you, just don't connect your TV or NextGen TV receiver to the internet. You will inevitably lose some of the other features of NextGen TV, however.
That said, we'll keep an eye on this for any further developments.
Free TV on your phone?
Another point of potential contention is getting ATSC 3.0 tuners into phones. At a most basic level, carriers like AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile are in the business of selling you data. If suddenly you can get lots of high-quality content for free on your phone, they potentially lose money. Ever wonder why your phone doesn't have an FM radio tuner? Same reason.
T-Mobile made a preemptive strike along those lines all the way back in September 2017, writing a white paper (PDF) that, among other things, claims, "In light of the detrimental effects that inclusion of ATSC 3.0 can have on the cost and size of a device, the technology trade-offs required to accommodate competing technologies, and the reduced performance and spectral efficiency that it will have for other mobile bands and services, the decision as to whether to include ATSC 3.0 in a device must be left to the market to decide."
"The market" determined you didn't need an FM tuner in your phone, and in the few phones that had an FM tuner, if you bought it through an American provider, it was almost always disabled.
TV broadcasters, on the other hand, are huge fans of ATSC 3.0 on mobile phones. It means more potential eyeballs and, incidentally, a guarantee of active internet access for that return data path. John Hane of the Spectrum Consortium feels that tuners built into phones is "inevitable," and that international adoption of ATSC 3.0 will help push it forward. Wharton says that the focus is getting TVs to work, but mobile is in the plan.
Then there's portable TVs, of which there are HD versions on the market and have been for years. The next-generation ATSC 3.0 versions of these will likely get better reception in addition to the higher resolution offered by the new standard.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Cost (for you)
NextGen TV is not backward compatible with current TV tuners. To get it, you'll eventually need either a new TV or an external tuner.
However, you shouldn't feel a push to upgrade since:
1. NextGen TV/ATSC 3.0 isn't mandatory, and it doesn't affect cable, satellite or streaming TV.
2. HD tuners cost as little as $30 to $40 now, and NextGen TV tuners, which currently sell between $200 and $300, will eventually be cheap as well.
3. Even after they start NextGen broadcasts, stations will have to keep broadcasting regular old HD.
Here's the actual language:
"The programming aired on the ATSC 1.0 simulcast channel must be 'substantially similar' to the programming aired on the 3.0 channel. This means that the programming must be the same, except for programming features that are based on the enhanced capabilities of ATSC 3.0, advertisements and promotions for upcoming programs. The substantially similar requirement will sunset in five years from its effective date absent further action by the Commission to extend it."
In other words, the HD broadcast has to be essentially the same as the new 3.0 broadcast for five years, perhaps longer depending on future FCC actions.
Which brings us to point 3. By the time people had to buy them, HD tuners were inexpensive and are even more so now. The HD tuner I use is currently $26 on Amazon. The first generation NextGen tuners available now are more expensive than that, though they're not outrageous. We'll discuss those below. By the time anyone actually requires one, however, they'll almost certainly be affordable.
Which is good, because there aren't any planned subsidies this time around for people to get a tuner for cheap. I'm sure this is at least partly due to how few people actually still use OTA as their sole form of TV reception. Maybe this will change as more stations convert, but we're a ways away from that.
As you can see, there are lots of parts that need to get upgraded all along the chain before you can get 3.0 in your home.
ATSC/TVTechnology.com
Here's another way to think about it: The first HD broadcasts began in the mid-90s, but when did you buy your first HDTV? As far as the 3.0 transition is concerned we're in the late-90s, maybe generously the early 2000s, now. Things seem like they're moving at a much more rapid pace than the transition from analog to DTV/HDTV, but even so, it will be a long time before ATSC 3.0 completely replaces the current standard.
How to get NextGen right now
LG
If you want to check it out for yourself, many of you already can. The first stop is to go to WatchNextGenTV.com. That website will help you find what stations in your area are broadcasting, or which ones will soon.
Next up you'll need something to receive it. If you're in the market for a new TV there are several options available from Hisense, LG, Samsung, and Sony. Here's our list of all the 2022 TVs with built-in next-gen tuners.
If you want to check out NextGen TV without buying a new television, you'll need an external tuner. It's still early days, so there aren't many options.
The Tablo ATSC 3.0 Quad HDMI DVR
Nuvvyo
At CES 2022 Nuvvyo announced the Tablo, a quad-tuner box that can connect to a TV directly, or transmit over a network to Rokus, Apple TVs, or computers on your home network.
The Silicon Dust has two models, the $199 HomeRun Flex 4K and the $279 HomeRun Scribe 4K. Both have ATSC 1.0 and 3.0 tuners.
If you want a more traditional tuner, BitRouter plans to start shipping its first ZapperBox M1 tuners in the spring. You can reserve one now for $249. It doesn't have internal storage, but BitRouter plans to add the ability to save content on network-attached storage, or NAS, devices via a firmware update. They also plan to add the ability to send the content around your home network, like what the Scribe 4K does.
Zapperbox
Then there's what to watch. Being early in the process, you're not going to find much 4K content, possibly not any. This was the same with the early years of HDTV. It's also going to vary per area. There is certainly a lot of 4K content being produced right now, and that has been the case for several years. So in that way, we're in better shape than we were in the early days of HD.
Basic and paid cable channels over-the-air?
One company is using the bandwidth and IP nature of NextGen to do something a little different. It's a hybrid paid TV service, sort of like cable/satellite, but using over-the-air broadcasts to deliver the content. It's called Evoca, and right now it's available only in Boise, Idaho. Edge Networks is the company behind it, and it wants to roll it out to other small markets where cable offerings are limited, and broadband speeds are slow or expensive.
It's an interesting idea for underserved and often forgotten-about markets.
Read more: Cable TV channels and 4K from an antenna?
Seeing the future
The transition from analog broadcasting to HD, if you count from the formation of the Grand Alliance to the final analog broadcast, took 16 years.
Though many aspects of technology move rapidly, getting dozens of companies, plus the governments of the US and many other countries, all to agree to specific standards, takes time. So does the testing of the new tech. There are a lot of cogs and sprockets that have to align for this to work, and it would be a lot harder to fix once it's all live.
But technology moves faster and faster. It's highly doubtful it will take 16 years to fully implement NextGen TV. As we mentioned at the top, dozens of stations are already broadcasting. Will every station in your city switch to NextGen TV? Probably not, but the bigger ones likely will. This is especially true if there are already other NextGen TV stations in your area. There's a potential here for stations to make additional money in the long run with 3.0, and that's obviously a big motivator.
There's also the question of how much content there will be. If it follows the HDTV transition model, big sporting events in 4K HDR will come first, followed by lots and lots of shows featuring nature scenes and closeups of bugs. Seriously -- this was totally a thing. Then we'll see a handful of scripted prime-time shows. My guess would be the popular, solidly profitable ones that are produced (not just aired) by networks like CBS and NBC.
So should you hold off buying a new TV? Nope, not unless you only get your shows over the air. And even if you do, by the time there's enough content to be interesting, there will be cheap tuner boxes you can connect to whatever TV you have.
For now, NextGen TV seems to be well on its way.
As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.
He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, along with a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.
