Considering an upgrade or your first Apple Watch? The choice between the Apple Watch Series 5 and its predecessor, the Series 4, can be a tough one. Both offer a fantastic smartwatch experience, but subtle differences might sway your decision.
The Series 5 brought some exciting new features to the table, most notably the always-on display. This seemingly small addition dramatically changes how you interact with your watch, offering glanceable information without needing to raise your wrist.
However, the Series 4 remains a highly capable device, delivering excellent performance and a robust set of health and fitness tracking features. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you determine which Apple Watch truly fits your needs.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | iwatch 5 | iwatch 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | Same (1.57″ or 1.78″) | Same (1.57″ or 1.78″) |
| Display Type | Always-On Retina | Retina |
| Processor | S5 | S4 |
| Storage | 32GB | 16GB |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| ECG App | Yes | Yes |
| Fall Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Compass | Yes | No |
| International Emergency Calling | Yes | No |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Optional Cellular | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Optional Cellular |
| Materials | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium (Nike+ & Hermès editions) | Aluminum, Ceramic (Hermès editions) |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display
- Iwatch 5: Features an always-on Retina display, meaning the screen is always visible without needing to raise your wrist or tap it. This is a significant upgrade for convenience and quick glances. The display is bright and clear in all lighting conditions.
- Iwatch 4: Has a bright and vibrant Retina display that turns off when not in use, requiring a wrist raise or tap to activate. While excellent when active, the lack of an always-on function can be a minor inconvenience for some users who prefer constant visibility.
- Winner: iwatch 5
Processor & Performance
- Iwatch 5: Powered by the S5 chip, which is essentially the same as the S4 chip in the Series 4 but with added optimizations for the always-on display and other new features. Performance is smooth and responsive for everyday tasks and apps.
- Iwatch 4: Utilizes the S4 chip, which was a substantial leap forward in performance over previous generations. It offers excellent speed and efficiency for most smartwatch functions and apps.
- Winner: iwatch 4
Storage
- Iwatch 5: Comes with 32GB of internal storage, doubling the capacity of the Series 4. This allows for more music, podcasts, apps, and photos to be stored directly on the watch.
- Iwatch 4: Offers 16GB of internal storage. While sufficient for many users, it can become a limitation for those who want to load a large amount of media or apps onto their watch.
- Winner: iwatch 5
Navigation & Compass
- Iwatch 5: Includes a built-in compass and the ability to view your current latitude, longitude, and elevation. This is a valuable addition for hikers, explorers, and anyone who wants to know their orientation.
- Iwatch 4: Does not have a built-in compass. While it can track location, it lacks the directional guidance and orientation features of the Series 5.
- Winner: iwatch 5
Cellular Connectivity (GPS + Cellular models)
- Iwatch 5: Offers international emergency calling and fall detection. This means you can make emergency calls even without your iPhone nearby, and the watch can detect hard falls and automatically call emergency services.
- Iwatch 4: Also features fall detection and can make emergency calls without your iPhone. The functionality is largely the same in this regard, providing peace of mind.
- Winner: iwatch 4
Health Monitoring
- Iwatch 5: Includes all the health features of the Series 4, such as ECG app, irregular rhythm notifications, and blood oxygen monitoring (though the latter is often region-dependent and not a core differentiator against the 4). It also inherits the fall detection.
- Iwatch 4: Introduced the groundbreaking ECG app and irregular rhythm notifications, allowing users to take an electrocardiogram from their wrist and monitor for signs of atrial fibrillation. It also features fall detection.
- Winner: iwatch 4
Battery Life
- Iwatch 5: Apple officially rates both the Series 5 and Series 4 for 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. In real-world usage, the always-on display of the Series 5 can slightly reduce this for some users, though it’s generally comparable.
- Iwatch 4: Advertised with an 18-hour battery life. It provides a full day of use for most users with moderate activity.
- Winner: iwatch 4
Design & Materials
- Iwatch 5: Available in a wider range of materials including aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, with more case finishes. It also introduces the Nike and Hermès editions.
- Iwatch 4: Offered in aluminum and stainless steel. While stylish, the material and finish options were more limited compared to the Series 5.
- Winner: iwatch 5
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Display Technology | iwatch 5 (Always-On) |
| Navigation Features | iwatch 5 (Compass) |
| Storage Capacity | iwatch 5 |
| International Features | iwatch 5 (Emergency Calling) |
| Core Health & Fitness | Tie |
| Value (New Purchase) | iwatch 4 (Likely lower price) |
What They Have in Common
- Display: Both watches feature a bright and clear Retina display with rounded corners, offering excellent visibility for notifications and apps.
- Health & Fitness Tracking: They share robust health and fitness tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring, activity tracking (steps, calories, exercise), and workout detection.
- Water Resistance: Both models are water-resistant up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
- Ecg App: The electrocardiogram (ECG) app is available on both the Series 5 and Series 4, allowing users to take an ECG reading similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram.
- Fall Detection: Both smartwatches are equipped with fall detection, which can automatically call emergency services if a hard fall is detected and the user is unresponsive.
- Siri Integration: Users can interact with Siri on both devices for voice commands, setting reminders, sending messages, and more.
iWatch 5 Vs iWatch 4 Buying Guide
Performance and Speed
The Apple Watch Series 5 boasts a newer S5 chip, which offers a slight but noticeable improvement in performance over the S4 chip found in the Series 4. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother animations, and a generally more responsive user experience.
While the Series 4 is still very capable for everyday tasks, the Series 5 provides a more future-proofed experience, especially if you tend to use more demanding applications or expect your smartwatch to keep up with the latest software updates for longer. (See Also: Nintendo Switch Vs Switch Lite )
Display and Always-On Feature
The standout feature differentiating the Series 5 is its always-on Retina display. This allows the watch face to remain visible at a dimmed state without requiring you to raise your wrist or tap the screen. This is a significant convenience for quick glances at the time or complications.
The Series 4’s display is excellent when active but requires interaction to see information. If you value the ability to see your watch face at a glance without interruption, the Series 5 holds a clear advantage. Both displays offer vibrant colors and sharp resolution.
Health and Safety Features
Both the Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5 offer robust health tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring, ECG app for detecting atrial fibrillation, and fall detection. These features are crucial for personal safety and proactive health management.
The Series 5 doesn’t introduce major new health sensors over the Series 4. However, the inclusion of a built-in compass on the Series 5 adds an extra layer of utility for outdoor activities and navigation, which can be indirectly linked to safety and exploration. (See Also: Pixel 6a Vs Iphone 12 )
Connectivity and Storage
Both models offer GPS and cellular variants. The cellular models allow you to make calls, send texts, and stream music without your iPhone nearby, providing excellent independence. Storage capacity is also consistent across both generations, with 16GB available for apps and music.
Where the Series 5 gains an edge is in its improved Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, potentially leading to faster data transfers and more stable connections to accessories. For users who frequently rely on these connections, the Series 5 offers a more seamless experience.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy iwatch 5 If…
- You want the convenience of an Always-On display to check the time and notifications at a glance without needing to raise your wrist.
- You frequently travel internationally and would benefit from the international emergency calling feature.
- You need the built-in compass for navigation or outdoor activities.
- You desire a larger storage capacity for more music, podcasts, and apps directly on your watch.
Buy iwatch 4 If…
- You are looking for a capable smartwatch with excellent health and fitness features at a potentially lower price point.
- The Always-On display is not a critical feature for your daily use.
- You don’t require the built-in compass or international emergency calling.
- You are satisfied with the 16GB of storage for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest difference between the Apple Watch 5 and 4?
The most significant upgrade in the Apple Watch Series 5 is its always-on Retina display, allowing the watch face to stay visible at a dimmed state. It also includes a built-in compass for enhanced navigation and a slightly faster S5 chip for improved performance compared to the Series 4’s S4 chip.
Is the Apple Watch 5 worth the upgrade from the 4?
Whether the Series 5 is worth the upgrade depends on your priorities. If the always-on display and built-in compass are highly desirable features for you, then it’s a worthwhile investment. For users who are content with the Series 4’s functionality, the upgrade might not offer enough compelling new features to justify the cost. (See Also: Galaxy Watch 6 Vs Active 2 )
Which Apple Watch has better battery life, Series 5 or Series 4?
Both the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 4 offer an “all-day” battery life, typically rated for around 18 hours of use on a single charge. The always-on display on the Series 5 can consume slightly more power, but Apple has optimized it to minimize impact. In practical, everyday usage, the battery life is very similar between the two models.
Can I use ECG on both the Apple Watch 5 and 4?
Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 4 are equipped with the ECG app, allowing you to take an electrocardiogram from your wrist. This feature can help detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), providing valuable insights into your heart health. Both models offer this important health monitoring capability.
Is the Apple Watch 5 faster than the Apple Watch 4?
The Apple Watch Series 5 features the S5 chip, which is an evolution of the S4 chip found in the Series 4. While the difference isn’t drastic, the S5 chip offers a slight performance boost, leading to quicker app loading times, smoother animations, and an overall more responsive experience. For most users, the speed difference is subtle but present.
Final Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 5 builds upon the already excellent foundation of the Series 4, introducing the highly convenient always-on display and a useful built-in compass. While the Series 4 remains a capable smartwatch, the Series 5 offers a more refined and feature-rich experience for those who value glanceable information and enhanced navigation. The performance upgrade is noticeable, making the Series 5 the superior choice for most users looking for the latest and greatest.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 5