I\u2019d been thinking for some time \u2014 probably since day one \u2014 about the benefits of the data gathered and features versus the drawbacks of having a clunky device strapped to my wrist 24 hours a day. Then, some discomfort where the watch touched my skin turned into a mild burn during a normal session of weight training and elliptical exercise. That was the last straw.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Before the Apple Watch, I had a fitness tracker for about two or three years. It was the Huawei Band 8 (or 9?). I thought it was great, except for the lack of a light sensor to automatically adjust the brightness. Outdoors on sunny days, I had to navigate through the menus to turn the brightness all the way up before leaving the house, or I wouldn\u2019t be able to see what was on the screen.<\/p>\n That was it, and\u2026 well, it was the only notable problem. The system was a bit slow and the sync app, Huawei Health, terrible \u2014 minor issues that little devil in my ear would blow out of proportion while trying to convince me to trade it in for an Apple Watch. I resisted for years, until I finally gave in.<\/p>\n In most comparisons, the Apple Watch outperforms the Huawei band. I know, it\u2019s a bit of a silly comparison to make, given that the Apple Watch costs ten times what I paid for the Huawei band.<\/p>\n Beyond the smoother, more beautiful software _ full of subtle animations, elegant little touches, and other details \u2014 I discovered many differences while using the Apple Watch that I really liked. From the obvious ones, like making payments by tapping it, to the less-discussed ones, like automatically unlocking my MacBook when I get close to the laptop.<\/p>\n Even Siri, poor Siri, has started getting used more often. Sure, I\u2019m doing the same things I used to ask for via AirPods \u2014 setting timers, pausing the podcast or song that\u2019s playing \u2014, but now I\u2019m using it more frequently, in different contexts. (For example, during breaks at the gym.)<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth noting that Apple\u2019s commitment to high-quality materials remains in the Apple Watch: aluminum case, durable glass, super-bright OLED display, sensors protected by sapphire crystal. The Sport Loop band is comfortable to wear.<\/p>\n I haven\u2019t really gotten used to the watchOS apps. Even with Apple\u2019s latest chip for watches, everything is slower than ideal, so I often see the icon of the app I just opened in the center of the screen with a \u201cloading\u2026\u201d spinner around it. Even the timer app, which I thought (and perhaps is) one of the least demanding.<\/p>\n Combined with the limited usefulness of the specific apps, the slowness led me to remove every app I could. On the bright side, none of them offered me any advantages (whatever they might be) over their phone versions. At the same time, in many cases, notifications (critical emails) and dynamic cards (wait time for a ride-hailing car) are already sufficient.<\/p>\n I liked having Apple Health\u2019s medication reminders on my wrist \u2014 which I use to track my daily meds \u2014 and the noise level tracker, which validates my theory that the world is just too loud. As you\u2019ve probably concluded, these are minimal benefits, almost curiosities.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Rereading what I\u2019ve written so far, I\u2019m left with the impression of a neutral review, leaning toward the negative. This aligns with my broader perception, that comes to mind when I think of the watch on my wrist.<\/p>\n The Apple Watch comes to mind more often than I\u2019d like. Sometimes because of the welts (and the fateful burn) where the sensor lights hit my skin, sometimes because of its mere presence, hard to forget since it\u2019s a large watch.<\/p>\n Choosing the 46mm model went against my usual pattern when buying devices with screens. Except for external monitors and TVs, I always choose the physically smaller version. This time, I let laziness get the better of me: instead of trying on both case sizes at a mall or somewhere similar, I turned to dubious online guides that suggest the (supposed) correct watch case size based on wrist circumference.<\/p>\n It\u2019s big, but I think it was the right model. I imagine the 42 mm one would look comically small on me. Whatever my choice, the Apple Watch will always be bigger than my only recent reference point, the Huawei band, which never bothered me.<\/p>\n I think there\u2019s room for an \u201cApple Band.\u201d I\u2019d wear it.<\/p>\n Another difficulty I have when putting it on is getting the strap clasp right. The Sport Loop uses Velcro, which expands the possibilities, but turns finding the ideal fit \u2014 neither too tight nor too loose \u2014 into a game of chance.<\/p>\n I also bought some generic silicone (or rubber) ones with holes to secure the clasp. They\u2019re awful, and among the limited holes, I couldn\u2019t find one that fit me comfortably.<\/p>\n The fact is that the Apple Watch has become a physical nuisance. It\u2019s always making itself felt, demanding (my) attention. When I took it off my wrist on the 20th, I felt tremendous relief, which, at first, I also associated with the significant reduction in the generation and collection of biometric data. Thinking about it more a few days later, I realize the relief is entirely from not having the watch on my arm. I feel lighter, both physically and psychologically.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n And what is all that data for, anyway? The initial excitement of having so much data available and the insights from it slowly faded away. In recent weeks, I\u2019ve only been paying attention to the data on aerobic activity (during exercise) and sleep.<\/p>\n There is a fine line between using such biometric data as a reference and letting it become our master<\/a>. I get the feeling that companies play dirty to keep us enslaved to the watch, with magical scores\u20140 to 100 for \u201csleep quality,\u201d \u201cexercise load,\u201d \u201cbody battery.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/manualdousuario.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/queimadura-apple-watch.jpg\")
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