A Brief History of WHOOP and Apple Watch
WHOOP and Apple have taken different paths towards developing cutting-edge wearable technology.
Founded in 2012 by former Harvard athletes, WHOOP focuses specifically on providing advanced physiological metrics to optimize human performance. Their first product, the WHOOP Strap, launched in 2015 as a wearable that continuously tracks key biomarkers like heart rate variability without the distractions of screens or notifications.
In contrast, Apple entered the smartwatch market in 2015 with the goal of creating a stylish, multi-functional wearable that serves as an extension of the iPhone. The Apple Watch combines fitness tracking with messaging, apps, payments and more in an aesthetically-pleasing touchscreen design.
While originating from different perspectives, both WHOOP and Apple have pushed the boundaries of wearables through relentless innovation. As they continue evolving to meet consumer needs, their offerings provide unique benefits depending on one‘s priorities.
Key Features and Capabilities
Let‘s examine some of the standout features of WHOOP and Apple Watch:
Design
The WHOOP Strap 4.0 features a minimalist, screenless design focused solely on tracking biometrics. Made from a comfortable, lightweight material, it‘s worn on the wrist or upper arm.
In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 8 has an elegant watch-like shape with a bright always-on retina display. You interact through the touchscreen, side button and digital crown. It comes in 41mm and 45mm size options with customizable bands.
Battery Life
The WHOOP Strap runs for 5 days on a single charge, or up to 21 days using the Battery Pack accessory. This exceeds the 18 hours of regular use or 36 hours of low power mode offered by the Apple Watch.
Storage
As a screenless tracker, the WHOOP Strap has no onboard storage for apps, music or payments. Instead, it focuses solely on collecting biometric data and immediately syncing it with WHOOP‘s cloud platform for analysis through the mobile app.
Conversely, the Apple Watch contains 32GB of storage for apps, music, photos and more. It functions as a satellite device to the iPhone, providing storage for features that don‘t require constant connectivity.
Connectivity and Compatibility
The WHOOP Strap connects to iOS and Android devices via Bluetooth LE and WiFi. Apple Watches, however, only pair with iPhones. Both transmit data to partner apps for consolidated dashboards.
Health and Fitness Tracking
WHOOP provides in-depth tracking of key biomarkers like heart rate variability, resting heart rate, sleep performance and respiratory rate. It uses this data to calculate daily "Strain" and "Recovery" scores to optimize training and lifestyle choices. WHOOP automatically detects workouts but doesn‘t display real-time metrics.
Conversely, the Apple Watch Series 8 has an extensive range of health sensors to track activity, sleep, heart health, oxygen saturation and more. You can view your progress in real-time and share data with Apple Health. It also enables competitions, coaching and workouts via Apple Fitness+.
Smartwatch Capabilities
With its sleek OLED touchscreen, the Apple Watch functions as a smartwatch, fitness tracker and miniature iPhone. You can respond to messages, take calls, use apps, make payments via Apple Pay, control smart home devices, stream music and more while staying connected on the go.
Meanwhile, the WHOOP Strap solely focuses on tracking and analyzing biometrics. Outside of monitoring performance, it offers no smartwatch functionality for third-party apps, notifications, contactless payments or device interaction.
Side-By-Side Comparison
| Specification | WHOOP Strap 4.0 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 2020 | 2022 |
| Dimensions | 1.8 x 0.6 x 0.4 inches | 1.77 x 1.18 x 0.41 inches (45mm) |
| Weight | 0.48 oz | 1.28 oz (45mm) |
| Display | None | Bright always-on retina OLED display |
| Battery Life | 5 days (up to 21 days with Battery Pack) | 18 hours (36 hours in low power mode) |
| Onboard Storage | None | 32GB |
| Water Resistance | 5ATM | WR50 |
| Sensors | Green & red LEDs, accelerometer, relative SpO2 sensor | Optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor, SpO2 sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, compass, ambient light sensor |
| OS Compatibility | iOS, Android | iOS only |
| Starting Price | $30/month after $324 down payment | $399+ (depending on size and connectivity) |
Best Use Cases
Based on their distinct capabilities and limitations, WHOOP and Apple Watch best serve different needs:
WHOOP Strap
The WHOOP Strap caters to serious athletes invested in tracking performance metrics. It provides unmatched depth into strain, recovery and sleep quality to optimize your training. The lack of screen and smart features help maintain complete focus on biometrics rather than unnecessary distractions.
Apple Watch
With its versatile performance tracking and connectivity, the Apple Watch suits fitness enthusiasts who want a capable sidekick during everyday activities. The ability to stream music, use apps, take calls and make payments expands its usefulness beyond just health stats for an all-purpose smartwatch.
Pricing and Value Comparison
Pricewise, the Apple Watch provides outstanding value starting at just $399. Despite packing advanced technology into an elegant design, it manages to undercut competitors on price. Monthly payments starting at $16 further improve affordability.
WHOOP seems exorbitantly expensive at first glance. Paying an upfront $324 plus $30 monthly for a screenless band surprises many. However, given WHOOP‘s unmatched insights for serious athletes and expansive connected ecosystem, it delivers value commensurate to its niche audience. For those relying on physiological metrics to reach peak performance, it provides indispensable guidance.
Ultimately both deliver premium capabilities at reasonable prices based on their target demographics. It comes down to aligning each product’s strengths with your budget and needs.
Where To Buy
The Apple Watch Series 8 is available from the Apple website, Apple retail stores or consumer tech retailers like Amazon and Best Buy in 41mm and 45mm options starting at $399.
You can purchase the WHOOP Strap directly through WHOOP‘s website as they do not allow third-party retail distribution. This includes buying the WHOOP membership subscription mandatory for accessing the platform.
The Verdict: Which is Better For You?
So when considering the WHOOP vs Apple Watch debate, which reigns supreme? In reality, both cater to distinct audiences better than the other.
For serious athletes fixated on biometrics, WHOOP‘s unparalleled insights into strain, recovery and sleep give it a decisive edge. It offers essential metrics to continually optimize performance absent flashy bells and whistles.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch appeals to ordinary consumers pursuing both fitness goals and cutting-edge tech in a stylish package. The convenience of messaging, apps and Apple Pay complement its solid activity tracking at a reasonable price point.
Ultimately, choose based on your budget, fitness dedication and desire for smartwatch capabilities vs a single-minded focus on biometrics. Rest assured though, both WHOOP and Apple offer enticing options to augment your health through technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WHOOP do that Apple Watch can‘t?
WHOOP offers unprecedented 24/7 tracking of advanced physiological markers like heart rate variability plus in-depth analytics into how lifestyle choices impact performance. This level of biological insights remains unmatched.
Is the Apple Watch or WHOOP better?
The Apple Watch works better as an everyday smartwatch for casual users wanting basic activity tracking plus features like notifications and contactless payments. WHOOP excels for serious athletes laser-focused on using biometric data to optimize training.
Can you wear a WHOOP and Apple Watch together?
Yes! WHOOP provides valuable sleep and recovery data to complement the Apple Watch‘s activity and workout metrics for a more complete picture. Syncing the two provides elite athletes the best of both worlds.
Does Apple Watch track sleep as extensively as WHOOP?
While the Apple WatchSleep app tracks basic duration and stages, WHOOP goes much further in assessing sleep performance impact on recovery. However, Apple Watch still provides reasonably robust sleep tracking for most casual users.
Can I wear WHOOP on the same wrist as my watch?
WHOOP recommends wearing their band approximately an inch away from your wrist bone to ensure accurate biometrics tracking. If also wearing a timepiece, put WHOOP on the opposite wrist or further up your arm rather than directly alongside.
The Last Word
When it comes to optimizing your health through wearable tech, both WHOOP and Apple provide outstanding yet differentiated offerings catering to unique needs. WHOOP unlocks unprecedented personal biometrics for data-driven athletic development while Apple packages robust fitness tracking within an intuitively powerful smartwatch. Ultimately, choose the option best aligned with your budget, priorities and interests for the optimal wearable experience.
