Apple used its March Spring Forward event to announce the a new MacBook, ReasearchKit as well as provide the final details on its Watch wearable. While there still are some unanswered questions, Apple did fill in most of the blanks, confirming the pricing and launch details for the Watch. Below you will find a list of pressing Watch questions that were answered either by Apple and in hands-on reviews that followed the event.

When will the Apple Watch go on sale?

The Apple Watch will be available in stores starting on April 24, 2015. Apple will begin accepting pre-orders starting April 10 and may be using a new reservation system with appointments that provide the customer with time to try on the Watch when they select an in-store pickup option.

In what geographic locations will the Watch be available?

Apple will begin selling the Watch on April 24th in select regions, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany and France. Apple will roll out the Watch to additional countries in the coming months.

What is the base pricing for the different Apple Watch collections?

The Apple Watch Sport will be the least expensive option with a starting price of $349 for the 38mm Sport Watch with a Sport band. The Stainless Steel Apple Watch starts at $549 for the 38mm version and climbs up to $1049 depending on the band options. The luxury Watch Edition will start at $10,000 includes a sapphire glass screen and an 18-karat gold case in yellow or rose. The most expensive Watch models ship with the Classic buckle strap and cost $17,000.

Will the size of the Watch affect the pricing?

Apple confirmed that the 42mm Watch versions will cost $50 more than their smaller 38mm counterparts. For example, the base 38mm Sports Watch with a green Sports band will cost $349, while the similar 42mm version will cost $399. This price jump is even greater for the Watch Edition with the 38mm 18-karat rose gold watch with white Sport band costing $10,000 and the 42mm version costing $12,000. 

How much will bands and accessories cost?

Apple will sell a variety of bands with prices starting at $49 for the fluoroelastomer Sports band. Also available are the  Leather Loop, the Milanese Loop, and the Classic Buckle for $149 each; the $249 Modern Buckle and the $449 Link Bracelet. Apple also is making available two extra Watch charging cables with a shorter 1-meter cable costing $29 and a longer 2-meter cable priced at $39.

How interchangeable will the bands be?

Before Monday’s announcement, Apple was only showcasing certain bands with select Watch models. Now that the Watch page on Apple’s website is fully live, it is apparent that the Watch bands are interchangeable based on size. Any 38mm band will pair with any 38mm-sized Watch, while 42mm bands will attach to any 42mm Watch. Apple also is including two bands in the box for customers who purchase the Sports model.

Will Apple Pay on the Watch work with older iPhone models?

The Apple Watch is compatible with the iPhone 5 and newer iPhone models, which means Apple Pay will work with these models. Apple Pay on the Watch allows you to swipe your Watch and then authorize payment using the iPhone’s Touch ID sensor (iPhone 5s, iPhone 6/6 Plus) or via a pin code (iPhone 5s/5c). Older models such as the iPhone 4 and 4s are not supported.

Will you be able to swim or shower with the Apple Watch?

No, you will have to remove the Watch if your plans require you to get wet. The Apple Watch has an IPX7 rating for its water resistance, which means it is resistant to splashing but should not be immersed. You can wash your hands and walk in the rain, but you should not wear the Watch in the shower or while swimming.

What is the Watch battery life?

Apple confirmed that the Watch will deliver “all day” battery life with a goal of up to 18 hours on one charge. Apple notes that battery life varies by use and that actual results will vary. The company tested a preproduction Apple Watch and found that the device delivered up to 3 hours of continuous talk time, 6.5 hours of continuous audio playback via Bluetooth and 6.5 hours of usage when tracking an active workout session. Apple also confirmed the existence of a Power Reserve mode that allows the Watch to display only the time for up to 72 hours when the battery gets low.

Is AppleCare+ available for the Apple Watch?

Yes, AppleCare+ will be available to purchase with the Apple Watch. The extended warranty adds an additional two years of warranty coverage and offers up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage. Pricing on the plan and the service fee for accidental damage is not known, but the plan for the iPhone and iPad costs $99 with a per-incident damage replacement fee of $79 and $49, respectively. The Watch will ship with Apple’s standard hardware warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship.

How will the Apple Watch integrate with iOS?

We already knew that the Apple Watch was tightly integrated with the iPhone and on Monday, we learned how the devices will communicate with each other. iOS 8.2 installs a new Watch app that allows Watch owners to pair and sync their Apple Watch with their iPhone. Owners also can manage apps and customize watch settings via the app. Curiously, the app is installed on all iPhones regardless of whether the person owns a Watch. In the current iOS 8.2 release. The Watch cannot be removed and is useless to those without a Watch.

Which apps will ship on the Apple Watch?

Apple demoed a variety of built-in and third-party apps during its Spring Forward event, but those apps are only a small sample of what will be available for Watch owners when the device arrives next month. Apple will ship the Watch with the following 20 built-in apps:  Messages, Phone, Mail, Calendar, Activity, Workout, Maps, Passbook, Siri Music, Camera Remote, Remote, Weather, Stocks, Photos, Alarm, Stopwatch, Timer, World Clock and Settings that allow you to check the weather, set an alarm, view your messages and lots more on your wrist. There also will be a dedicated section in the App Store just for Watch apps.

Let me know if this answered all your questions, if not, please do feel free to drop us a line in the comments below.

Don’t forget to check:

➤ Apple Watch customization options — band styles, watch faces, and color choices

➤ What you need to know about Apple Watch’s hardware features

➤ Apple Watch: The hardware innovations that make the device unique

➤ Apple Watch and Apple Sport: The difference between Sapphire and Ion-X glass displays.