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Apple Watch itself has not gained a built-in camera. The product behind this headline is Wristcam, a third-party replacement band with a removable camera module. It is listed at $299, and the Apple Watch required to use it is sold separately.
The original story appeared on December 11, 2020, when Wristcam cost roughly as much as the entry-level Apple Watch SE. That comparison is historical; it should not be treated as a current Apple Watch SE price claim.
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What is Wristcam?
Wristcam is a camera accessory made by Endless Technologies Ltd. It replaces the usual Apple Watch band and adds independent photo and video capture to the wrist. It is not an Apple product, an Apple Watch model, or a native watchOS camera feature.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe camera module is removable, and Wristcam sells replacement bands separately. Those band-only listings do not include the camera core, so buyers should check exactly what is in the box before ordering.
Two cameras, but modest hardware
According to Wristcam’s current product information, the module includes:
- 8-megapixel world-facing camera
- 2-megapixel self-facing camera
- 8GB of onboard storage
- Bluetooth 5 and Wi-Fi
- Approximately 23 grams
- IPX8 water-resistance claim, tested by Wristcam to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes
- Magnetic charging
Wristcam advertises 4K photos and 1080p video, with stabilized 720p video also mentioned on its product page. These figures need careful interpretation: “4K photos” does not mean the device records 4K video. Wristcam lists video capture at 1080p.
The specifications are manufacturer claims, not an independent assessment of image quality. An 8MP sensor and a small wrist-mounted lens are unlikely to offer the same flexibility, low-light performance, processing, or stabilization as a modern iPhone. That does not make Wristcam useless; it makes its appeal more about convenience and unusual perspectives than replacing a phone camera.
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How the camera works
- Attach the Wristcam module and band to a compatible Apple Watch.
- Install the Wristcam companion app.
- Use the Apple Watch app to view the camera feed, take photos, record video, and review media.
- Save captures to Wristcam’s internal storage.
- Sync them through the companion app, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, then export or share them through the iPhone or supported watch functions.
Wristcam says its physical quick-capture button takes a photo with one press and starts video recording with a long press. Automatic syncing is intended to free storage, but a failed sync can eventually limit how much more the camera can record.
Rank #2
- An Apple Watch is required and is not included.
- Add superpowers to your apple watch! Use the Wristcam app on the watch as a viewfinder and to take photos and videos, or use the hardware button for an even faster shoot. Quickly preview your photos and videos on the watch, or use Wifi to download the full quality photos and HD videos to your iPhone.
- This item fits the following Apple Watches: [41mm Apple Watch Series 7], [40mm Apple Watch Series 6], [40mm Apple Watch Series 5], [40mm Apple Watch Series 4] , [38mm Apple Watch Series 3], [38mm Apple Watch Series 2], [38mm Apple Watch Series 1]
- Removable core, additional bands color and styles are available for purchase.
- The box includes: removable Wristcam core, single color band for Wristcam core with matching short and long bands , Wristcam charging cable and two USB port charging wall adapter for ease of connecting the Wristcam and Apple Watch chargers simultaneously.
The accessory also advertises video calling between Wristcam and an iPhone or another Apple Watch. This happens through the Wristcam app—not FaceTime. Wristcam says Apple Watch Family Sharing is not supported, and only one Wristcam is supported per instance.
Apple Watch compatibility
The original 2020 announcement listed compatibility with Apple Watch Series 5, Series 6, and the Apple Watch SE. Wristcam’s current site additionally advertises support for Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2, alongside newer models that meet its stated software requirements.
There is an important compatibility inconsistency. Wristcam’s current product information refers in one place to watchOS 8 or later, while another section says watchOS 7 or later. The App Store listing for the Wristcam app says it requires watchOS 7.0 or later, but app compatibility does not necessarily guarantee that every hardware feature works on every supported watch.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Before buying, confirm compatibility for the exact Apple Watch model, case size, watchOS version, and current app version. Ultra owners should also check the physical band fit. Family Setup users should not assume the accessory will work, because Wristcam explicitly says Family Sharing is unsupported.
Rank #3
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What does it cost?
Wristcam was announced at $299 in 2020, with the original report listing approximate prices of £223 and AU$401. The official Wristcam site still showed the camera product at $299 when checked on August 18, 2026.
The meaningful cost is higher than the headline suggests because the purchase does not include an Apple Watch. A buyer may need to account for:
- A compatible Apple Watch
- The $299 Wristcam camera and band
- Replacement bands, if desired
- A separate charging setup and another battery to maintain
- Potential future app, firmware, or support limitations
Wristcam’s accessories page has shown band-only listings around $99.99, plus a charging cable and power adapter listed at $19.99 each. A promotional page has shown a temporary 10% discount, bringing the listed price to $269.10, but discounts can expire and should be verified at checkout.
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So the original “as much as the Apple Watch SE” line was a striking 2020 comparison, not a reliable way to compare Wristcam with the current SE lineup.
Rank #4
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Is it worth buying?
Wristcam makes the most sense for someone who specifically wants an independent camera on the wrist. It could be useful for hands-free, first-person, or spontaneous footage during activities where reaching for an iPhone is inconvenient. Wristcam itself positions the product for situations such as running, hiking, travel, and video messaging; those are product-positioning claims rather than independently tested results.
The compromises are substantial:
- High accessory cost: $299 is a large outlay on top of the price of the watch.
- More bulk: The camera module adds weight and makes the watch-and-band combination less minimal.
- Two charging routines: The camera has its own battery and magnetic charger. Wristcam describes battery life as roughly a day with moderate-to-heavy use, but continuous video recording or calls can reduce runtime.
- Software dependence: Capturing, syncing, calling, and storage management rely on Wristcam’s app and support ecosystem.
- No native Apple integration: It is not controlled through Apple’s standard camera experience and does not support FaceTime.
- Privacy concerns: A wrist camera may be less obvious to people nearby than a phone. Recording should be made apparent, and users must respect local laws and restrictions in workplaces, schools, private venues, events, and changing areas.
The App Store listing shows version information dated February 5, 2024. That is not proof that the product is unsupported, but it is a sensible reason to check current maintenance, compatibility, returns, and customer support before spending $299.
The free Apple alternative: Camera Remote
Most Apple Watch owners already have access to Apple’s free Camera Remote feature. It turns the watch into a viewfinder and remote shutter for the iPhone camera, with controls such as flash, timer, Live Photos, and shot review.
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Bottom line
Wristcam does give an Apple Watch camera capability, but Apple did not add a camera to the watch. It is a $299 third-party band with 8MP and 2MP cameras, onboard storage, its own battery, and an app-dependent workflow. It may appeal to enthusiasts who genuinely need independent wrist-based capture, but buyers wanting native Apple software, FaceTime, Family Setup, phone-level camera quality, or a simpler one-battery setup should skip it. For everyone else, Apple’s free Camera Remote feature covers the much cheaper use case of controlling an iPhone camera.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
