Our Verdict
We ’re not confident that the Apple Watch Series 5 offer enough to absolve the ascent from a Series 4 , but it ’s certainly the full of the two if you ’re new to the smartwatch market or own an older model of Apple Watch .
Best Prices Today: Apple Watch Series 5
With the reveal of the Apple Watch Series 5 in September 2019 , Apple officially retired the Apple Watch Series 4 . But while it ’s not available from Apple itself , the Series 4 is still useable at push aside price from third - political party retailers , which begs the question : which Apple Watch should you corrupt ? Apple ’s late and greatest , or a disregard Series 4 ?
Or perhaps you already own an Apple Watch Series 4 and are considering the upgrade to the latest model ? Whatever your ground , here , we go against down the key differences between theApple Watch Series 5andApple Watch Series 4 .
Apple Watch History
These Apple Watches are soon to be replaced with newer models . We ’re carry to seeApple Watch Series 10 , Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Apple Watch SE 3rd generation , runningwatchOS 11 , establish in September 2024 at the company’sGlowtime event(seehow to catch the September case ) . If you ’re in the market place for a new Apple Watch , see ourApple catch purchasing usher , round - up of thebest Apple Watch deal , and advice on whether you shouldbuy Apple Watch now or wait . You might also be interested in what othernew Apple productsare come in this twelvemonth , and when is thenext Apple outcome . you may find links to all our Apple Watch look back below
Price and availability
The Apple Watch Series 5 starts at £ 399/$399 for the 40 mm aluminium framework with sport stria , but there are a stove of fabric and shoulder strap to take from , some more insurance premium than others . The Apple Watch Series 5 is set to be released on 30 September 2019 , but those interested can pre - prescribe the smartwatch from theApple Storeand third - party retail merchant likeAmazonandCurrys PC Worldin the UK decently now .
The Apple Watch Series 4 , on the other hired hand , has officially been break off by Apple and is no longer usable to bribe from the company itself . It isavailable from third - party retailersincludingCurrys personal computer World(from £ 379 ) andArgos(from £ 349 ) in the UK andBest Buy(from $ 349 ) in the US at the time of writing , but we think blood line will become scarce as time goes on .
Design and build
It ’ll be tough to severalise the difference between the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 4 when examining them side - by - side , and that ’s because the physical design is almost completely unchanged . Like the Series 4 , the Apple Watch Series 5 is available in 40- and 44 millimeter discrepancy with 1.57- and 1.78 in displays respectively , although the new Apple Watch shoot a line a slight change in casing fabric .
As herald by Apple during the September 2019 reveal , the aluminium form of the Apple Watch Series 5 is now made from 100 percent recycled Al .
There ’s also a brand - Modern Titanium chance variable that boasts better durability ( and a damage tag to match ! ) alongside the recurrence of ceramic and unsullied steel caseful . For reference , the Apple Watch Series 4 has only ever been uncommitted with aluminium or stainless steel torso .
Features and specs
One of the key differences between the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Series 4 is the presentation ; while both volunteer the same sizing and resolution , the Series 5 bluster an always - on display instead of the raise - to - awaken functionality employ by the Series 4 whilst boast the same 18 - 60 minutes battery life .
How ? The Series 5 display can intelligently switch refresh rate ( from 60Hz to 1Hz ) when not in use to meliorate efficiency , and we opine the novel S5 mainframe is more top executive - effective than its harbinger too .
Another key difference in features between the Series 5 and Series 4 is the inclusion of compass functionality in the latest model . The reach in the Series 5 provides hikers and Explorer with more precise position data to help navigate the environment .
There ’s also more storage useable on the Series 5 at 32 GB , compare to the 16 GB of storage on offer from the Series 4 .
apart from that , you ’ll get the same GPS support , 50 m water impedance , ECG , heart rate sensors and enhanced speakers no matter which variant you choose for . Take a smell at our breakdown of specs below to see just how similar the two smartwatches are :
Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch Series 4
Dimensions
40 millimetre : 40 x 34 x 10.7 millimetre
44 millimetre : 44 x 38 x 10.7 millimeter
Display
40 millimetre : 1.57 in OLED Retina display with Force Touch
44 mm : 1.78 in OLED Retina display with Force Touch
Always - on display
Yes
No
central processor
S5
S4
Storage
32 GB
16 gibibyte
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0 , Wi - fi 802.11 b / deoxyguanosine monophosphate / n , NFC , optional LTE
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Ambient Light Sensor
Heart rate sensing element
ECG
Barometer
GPS
Compass
water supply opposition
Yes – up to 50 G
shelling lifespan
18 hours
Price
From £ 399/$399
From £ 399/$399 ( formally discontinued but available from third - political party retail merchant )
availableness
Apple Store
Argos
Verdict
It ’s clear-cut to see that the Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Series 4 are very similar smartwatches in terms of design and build , with only key features – like the always - on display , new processor and increase storehouse – differing between the two . Of course , the Apple Watch Series 5 is the better smartwatch of the two , but we do n’t think there are enough changes on offer to deserve an upgrade if you ’ve already amaze an Apple Watch Series 4 .
With that being suppose , if you ’re yet to buy a smartwatch ( or have an old Apple Watch ) then the Apple Watch Series 5 would be the better choice of the two .
For more Apple Watch help , take a look at ourApple Watch buying advice .
