How different can one Apple Watch model be to the next? We
all know what the score is with new iPhone releases - a faster chip, a
bigger/more responsive screen, clever new camera features and so on.
But how much innovation can be packed into something the
size of a smartwatch? Is it worth paying more for the most up-to-date model, or
can you get much the same performance for less money by opting for an older
one?
Here we run through the key features of the Apple Watch
Series 3, 4 and 5 to help you make up your own mind.
Apple Watch Series 3
So let’s start with the oldest and the cheapest - the one
you will probably start with if you are shopping on a budget. At between £150
and £200, the Series 3 is still a sizeable investment in a piece of wearable
tech, so are you getting your money’s worth with the features on offer?
The broad answer is, yes. The Apple Watch Series 3 is by any
standards a very decent smart watch. If you’re primarily looking for fitness
tracker functionality, the Series 3 does everything the Series 5 does in that
regard. It also offers the same battery life, the same water resistance to a
depth of 50m, and the same connectivity to your smartphone.
What the Series 3 doesn’t have is direct cellular
connectivity, so you can’t message friends or check the weather if you don’t
have your phone on you. It also has only 8GB of storage - half what the Series
4 has - which means less choice of music to accompany you on your run.
Another thing to consider with the Series 3 is that, for all
its value, it is next in line for Apple to stop technical support, so you may
end up stuck with a watch you can’t get updates for.
Apple Watch Series 4
Compared to the Series 3, the main upgrades Apple made with
the Series 4 were a bigger screen, better safety features, LTE (4G)
connectivity and, as mentioned, more storage.
Of these, the increase in screen size was a big improvement
in terms of day-to-day functionality, as it just makes the touchscreen that
much easier to operate. In addition, LTE connectivity means you don’t have to
have your phone on you to use data features.
It should also be pointed out that the Series 4 doesn’t
represent that much more of an investment than the Series 3 these days - you
can easily pick one up for just over £200.
Apple Watch Series 5
From looks alone, it is hard to tell the Apple Watch Series
5 and Series 4 apart - Apple stuck with the same shape and dimensions. So what
upgrades in tech features and functions makes it worth the additional £100 or
so you’d have to fork out for a Series 5?
The biggest change with the Series 5 is the Always On
display, meaning you don’t have to lift your arm or touch the screen to view
it. Storage capacity is doubled again to 32GB, which translates to a pretty
massive music library, and also offers LTE connectivity. But apart from that,
most of the other features are the same, apart from the Series 5 offers a
compass to go with the GPS mapping and altimeter - although some types of band
apparently interfere with the compass’s accuracy!
Made a decision? Don’t forget to protect your new purchase
from life’s little accidents with our great value Apple Watch insurance, starting at just £3.99
a month.
*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.