If you are considering buying your first smartwatch the experts all agree that you should definitely consider the Apple Watch Series 5. And while the Series 5 isn’t a drastic change from the Series 4, the new features are a definite improvement.
Always-On
The best new feature of the Series 5 is the “Always-On” display feature which allows you to tell the time at a glance without having to lift your wrist to turn on the watch. This may sound like a small thing but it really is a huge improvement. The experts really like this feature because it makes the Series 5 look and feel much more like a “regular watch”. The one issue with this feature is that the battery life seems to be slightly reduced so you definitely need to remember to charge your watch every night.
iJustine on the “Always-On” Display
Memory Upgrade
Another upgrade is the memory. The Series 5 has 32 GB of memory which is double from the 16 GB in the Series 4. This is especially helpful for those who download lots of apps and music onto their watch.
Emergency Alerts
Another added feature is international emergency calling which alerts local officials in whatever country you are traveling if you have an emergency. It feels like all Apple Watches should have this feature, but for now, it is only available on the Series 5.
Compass
And finally, the last new feature we will mention is . . . drumroll, please . . . the compass. Most experts wonder about this feature. Who uses a compass and for those who do, are they really buying an Apple Watch for their compass needs??? Maybe there’s a Navy Seal version coming out. Anyway, if you ever feel the need to direct yourself via compass, now you can!
Cellular
Just like the Series 4, the 5 can be used alone like a smartphone (minus the photo taking abilities of course) if you buy the cellular model ($100 more) and pay the cellular company service fees. Who should consider this option? If you don’t want to take your phone along when exercising, hiking or swimming but still want to be able to call, text, and listen to music, then this option is for you. But can you just buy the Apple Watch and not have an iPhone? Nope. Because in order to set up the watch, or in other words, for it to even work. . . guess what? Yep. You need to connect it to an iPhone. Bummer. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be a new iPhone.
Zone of Tech Explains the Apple Watch Reliance on the iPhone
Should You Upgrade?
Now, what if you have a Series 3 or older Apple Watch? Should you upgrade? The experts generally agree that an upgrade would definitely be worth it if you have a Series 2 or older watch. And if you have a Series 3 it may be worth upgrading if you really want to use your watch more like a phone or take advantage of all the exercise and heart beat tracking options available on the Series 5.
Marques Brownlee on Upgrading from the Series 3 or 4
Pricing
So how much will the Series 5 set you back? The Apple Watch Series 5 starts at $399 and goes up to $1500 depending on the choice of materials used on the face, casing and bands. There are two face sizes available. The 40mm which starts at $399 and the 44mm which starts at $429. If you would like to add the cellular option to the watch it’s $100 more (plus the monthly service fee of your cell carrier). With the base cost of the watch, Apple offers a wide range of band colors within 4 different style options. The two fluoroelastomer bands come in 19 solid colors and 8 perforated Nike band colors that have the pin-and-tuck closures. The two Nylon weave bands have the hook-and-loop fastener and come in 12 colors from Apple and 7 Nike colors which have the addition of a reflective thread within the weave. If you would like to buy additional bands from within the four base ones just mentioned they would be $49 each. Apple also offers a variety of leather and stainless steel bands to truly fit anyone’s style preference, but all of these come with a cost (sometimes a big cost). On Apple’s website you can design your watch to see exactly what it will look like. It is easy and fun to see all the different options to make a confident purchase.
Conclusion
Apple is at the top of the market with smartwatches. The experts love how comfortable they are and really love the many features and apps. Whether the Series 5 is for you depends on budget and how important the new features are to you. But keep in mind the Series 6 and SE just launched and you’ll want to check that out. Bottom line, it’s a great watch and if it fits your budget!