The Apple Watch 6 is a definite upgrade over its predecessor, but two new strap options are causing frustrating problems.
The Solo Loop and Braid Solo Loop straps are the culprit. The bands have no clasps or buckles and are not adjustable, as they simply stretch to fit the wearer's wrist. Apple offers nine different sizes, but if the size does not fit, the entire watch must be sent back to Apple, rather than just the strap being replaced.
Indeed, Apple offers a printable tool to help estimate the size of the strap needed. However, according to MacRumors, this size is not always accurate, and if it is wrong, you will have to send back the entire Apple Watch 6. If you just got the Apple Watch 6 and want to actually use it, that's less than ideal.
However, supplies of the new Apple Watch 6 models are limited, so if you return your watch with the loop strap, you will have to wait until late October or late November before you get your watch back.
Understandably, some people who purchased the Apple Watch 6 are quite frustrated by this. And people have vented their anger on the MacRumors forum.
"I thought if I ordered the wrong size, I could keep the watch and just return/exchange the band. But Apple support told me over chat that I had to return the watch and band. Very wasteful. And frustrating," said one user named Kermit262.
"I measured at home with cloth tape, they used their own tool, and went to the Apple store...When I put the 5 on, I quickly discovered that it was sadly too big (and frustrating because I had pre-ordered the watch with the 5)," said another forum poster
Apple Watch.
In her hands-on review of the Apple Watch 6, Kate Kozuch also found the Solo Loop strap a bit disappointing. Kate felt it might not be the right size, did not like the way it felt when hooked to her hand, and eventually went back to the classic strap.
Thanks to the closure of some Apple stores, it may be difficult to pop into a store and try on the Apple Watch 6 with Loop strap before purchasing. So many people seem to be at the mercy of Apple's measurement tools (and luck).
Since more traditional straps are available for the Apple Watch 6, we recommend ordering the wearable with those straps and purchasing the loop strap as a separate accessory.
While there may be some frustration with Apple's handling of loop straps that don't fit, the Apple Watch 6 itself offers solid upgrades over the Apple Watch Series 5, albeit incrementally. Of particular note are the blood oxygen measurement feature and the bright, always-on display.
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