I've been a consistent Apple Watch user since the wearable first launched back in 2015. While I wasn't always on board with the Apple Watch as a concept, it's gradually become an essential staple in my life.

Stunning looking display; Best smartwatch out there; watchOS 5 is great

Expensive; Lack of third-party Watch Faces; Unclear when ECG features will come to Canada

Apple takes unjustified heat for iterating on a product year after year. By not tossing out the whole platform and design, however, the company has created a game-changer with the Apple Watch Series 4.

Has there been a learning experience for Apple quite like the Apple Watch Back when the original model launched in 2015, there was – not unfairly – a sense that Apple itself wasn't quite sure what exactly it should do.

Mesmerizing new display; Fast and smooth performance; Health features could be game-changers; Battery life hasn't suffered

Siri still falls short; Expensive

For pretty much as long as smartwatches have been a thing, the Apple Watch has been treated by many as the gold standard.

Incredibly smooth software experience; Great look and feel

You have to own an iPhone; No ECG in Australia

When Apple first introduced the Apple Watch way back in 2015, it wowed, but was also a major disappointment for some consumers the world over. This was a rare instance when an Apple product had polarising opinions across the board. At the time, people did not know what to exactly do with it.

Just as Samsung, Google and the Wear OS gang look like they're catching up to Apple, it goes and streaks ahead. The truth is that the Apple Watch Series 4 is in a different league right now, and balances style, features and specs to make an excellent smartwatch.

Better design; Lifesaving metrics; Top sports features

More expensive; Battery life still short; Siri integration still not great

The updated Series 4 Apple Watch is a fantastic wearable. The bigger screen makes a huge difference, as do the niceties such as the haptic feedback when you turn the crown. WatchOS 5 is by far the best of its type, and its easier and speedier than even on the Series 4. You might not use all its features, but you'll find a subset indispensable. We can't yet test some of the health features, and would advise anyone tempted by the ECG feature to wait until it's available if that's your main reason for buying. Although there's an LTE version, bear in mind you'll still need a compatible iPhone to use an Apple Watch. And now that the Series 3 has had a price drop, it makes the Series 4 look pricey. But if you want the best, this is it.

For pretty much as long as smartwatches have been a thing, the Apple Watch has been treated by many as the gold standard.

The usual caveats apply, but the new Apple Watch is still far and away the best smartwatch experience out there.

Incredibly smooth software experience; Great look and feel;

You have to own an iPhone; No ECG in Australia;

Editor's note (Sept. 24): This review has been updated to reflect more impressions and results of iFixIt's Series 4 teardown .

Big; beautiful display; Advanced health sensors; Faster processing power; Useful Raise to Speak Siri

ECG app not available at launch; Expensive

Earlier Apple Watches were impressive wearables, but the new Series 4 is the strongest argument yet for wearing a smartwatch. And that's not just because of bigger, edge-to-edge screen or its improved fitness tracking either.