Our Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 4 is slight and a lot faster than the Series 2 , has a bigger screen and the option of cellular , and offer some major new wellness feature . Call quality and audio volume are improved , and the Digital Crown is easygoing to utilise . This is a major footstep up , and much as it pains us to admit it – the Series 2 was a Brobdingnagian ducky of ours , earning a five - star review – the clip has arrive to make the rise .
TheApple Watch Series 4was announce on 12 Sept 2018 andwent on saleon 21 Sept. But how does it compare to previous editions of Apple ’s wearable ?
We ’ve antecedently looked at thedifferences between the Series 4 and 3 , but in this article the new child on the block goes chief to head with theSeries 2 , for many of us a high period of the series . We compare design , feature , glasses and economic value for money .
Should Series 2 owner upgrade to the Series 4 ? We ’re going to help you adjudicate .
Apple Watch History
These Apple Watches are soon to be interchange with newer models . We ’re expecting to seeApple Watch Series 10 , Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE third generation , runningwatchOS 11 , launch in September 2024 at the company’sGlowtime event(seehow to observe the September upshot ) . If you ’re in the market for a new Apple Watch , see ourApple Watch buying guide , stave - up of thebest Apple Watch softwood , and advice on whether you shouldbuy Apple Watch now or waitress . You might also be concerned in what othernew Apple productsare fall this year , and when is thenext Apple event . you’re able to happen links to all our Apple Watch reviews below
Price & Availability
The Apple Watch Series 4 commence at £ 399/$399 with GPS , or £ 499/$499 with cellular . you may pre - order from Apple ’s website now , and pre - ordered units will transport on 21 Sept.
Here ’s the full monetary value list :
The Series 2 was a little garish , set forth at £ 369/$369 . However , it ’s no longer sell by Apple . It was lay off in September 2017 after only a year on sale , so you may struggle even to find units on third - party reseller web site , although eBay is always a possibility .
It ’s always disappointing when a production induce more expensive for a new generation – Apple historically has been quite penetrating to incline each gimmick at the same Leontyne Price its predecessor cost a twelvemonth before . But considering the improvement in the Series 4 we think this modest increase is more than justified .
Design & Build
Apple kept the same design for three generation , and the Series 2 looks the same as the original role model before it and the Series 3 after . But thing change a fair second when the Series 4 come along .
Most straightforwardly , the Series 4 is more or less taller and all-embracing than the earlier models : it ’s now sold in 40 mm and 44 mm sizes rather than 38 mm and 42 mm . Note that this measurement refers to the height of the case . But it ’s also flatter , and Apple says each Series 4 will have a lower bulk ( and , we would think , weight ) than the equivalent Series 3 or sooner .
The Series 4 has far small bezels : the screen goes virtually to the border of the chassis , and indeed arc at the corner to more closely fit the machine ’s contours . This , unite with the more or less larger body , enable Apple to offer screens that are more than 30 percent bigger than on the Series 3 and earlier .
Here ’s what the Series 2 look like :
And now here ’s the Series 4 :
The Digital Crown has been redesigned for the Series 4 and now cater tactile click feedback for more exact scrolling . The newer manakin also bring forth a black ceramic back ( which allows wireless wave to penetrate to improve cellular reception ) , and a repositioned microphone and kick upstairs verbalizer , which Apple say render better call timbre and 50 pct more sound volume .
Colour options
The Series 4 gets a new Au stainless brand finish . It ’s available in the come after material / colour combinations :
The Series 2 did n’t have that gold steel selection , but it did have a ( far more expensive ) ceramic Edition adaptation , which is no longer offer . Alsosee our round up of the best Apple Watch strapsfor all Series .
Specs & Features
Speed
Let ’s start with the central processor chip . The Series 2 had the S2 microprocessor chip , which was unspoilt for its day ; the latest Apple Watch , however , sire the S4 which is obviously two generations more advanced and should be a lot faster ( Apple claims it ’s doubly as fast as the S3 , so it ought to leave the S2 in the dust ) .
Now , it ’s always debatable how useful it is when fellowship compare the swiftness of two mainframe in theoretic terms . Will it make much dispute ?
In this vitrine , yes it will .
Apple Watches tend to get slower with metre , and the Series 2 has engender noticeably more sluggish in the retiring yr or so . The Series 4 will feel it much easier to launch the more demanding apps and watchOS update that have been released since 2016 , and is more future - proofed too . From S2 to S4 is a significant whole tone up in processing power .
Cellular connectivity
Another large footmark ahead : this was the headline feature of the Series 3 launch , but because we ’re skip fore two generations in a single bound it ’s just one more on the list of upgrades .
Whereas the Series 2 requires Wi - Fi or a cellular piggyback from its companion iPhone for on-line updates , the Series 3 and 4 have the choice of their own cellular connection . These are truly sovereign equipment , which can be taken on a streak , for instance , and extend on streaming Apple Music or blame up iMessages without you having to fetch an iPhone along for the ride .
Now , a duet of word of caution .
Firstly , getting cellular toll extra at point of sale ( it ’s an extra £ 100/$100 ) , then also costs more over the life of the gadget because you ’ll have to pay a little extra fee on your mobile data stack . And second , think cautiously about whether you really need it : we say “ for instance ” above , but Apple Music while ply is overwhelmingly the most convincing economic consumption shell . In most others you could probably oversee without cellular , or with an iPhone .
But it ’s great to have the option , and some people will find it indispensable .
Fall detection
A completely young feature of speech for the Series 4 is the ability to observe when you ’ve had a capitulation . If it guess you ’re badly hurt ( ie you do n’t move very much afterwards ) it will call the emergency services and send your position to your SOS contact . Here’show to use drop detection on an Apple Watch .
Heart monitoring
The Series 2 has a pump rate monitor , but heart monitoring is greatly expand in the Series 4 .
Most straightforwardly , it now calculate out for low heart rate as well as elevated ones , as well as irregular heart beat – a warning sign of atrial fibrillation .
Most interestingly , though , you’re able to get an ECG reading by touching a fingertip to the Crown . By taking readings whenever unusual mettle activity pass off rather than hoping it appears under the Doctor of the Church ’s regard , watch owners should be more likely to get an early , accurate diagnosis .
Verdict
We ’ve covered only the most substantial differences in the above comparison – we did n’t even have metre , for illustration , to mention the cool new dynamic lookout man face up available for the Series 4 ’s larger screen . But hopefully you get the idea .
The newer fashion model is slender and a band faster , has a bigger screen and the option of cellular , and offers some major new wellness feature . Call calibre and audio volume are meliorate , and the Digital Crown should be easier to apply .
There ’s a major footmark up from the Series 2 to the Series 4 , and much as it hurt us to admit it – the Series 2 was a immense favorite of ours , earning a five - sensation review – the metre has come to make the upgrade .
