Apple Watch Series 5 Hands On: Always-On Display is Great, but Otherwise Not Much of an Upgrade

[atomx66]

Is it really... screen comes on anyways when you turn your wrist. This is just a battery killer....

I like this feature, as I monitor my target heart rate during workouts, and it is annoying to have to turn the wrist when on on certain machines.

I wonder how durable the titanium case will be, and I wonder if Apple will produce a matching titanium band.

 

[I am Sampson]

I’m surprised by all the S3 people saying it’s a worthy upgrade for them.
Seriously, I still daily wear my S0, the original, and whilst the AOD on this is tempting and I’d love one, the cheapest large size is £429. Is it really going to be £429 better than my perfectly functioning S0? No. No it obviously isn’t, it’s still basically the same thing. do I want. it, hell yes, but to claim it’s a big upgrade from an S3 is mad, it’s not from my S0.

 

[Mactendo]

If the screen is still OLED then how always on display will affect it, considering the burn in issue of OLED displays?

 

[russell_314]

I placed a pre order but after reading this, I am thinking I will cancel the order and wait till next year.

Wait you ordered it knowing exactly what the watch did but now some article says it's not that great so you want to cancel... LMAO *facepalm*

 

[The Game 161]

If the screen is still OLED then how always on display will affect it, considering the burn in issue of OLED displays?

You do realise android phones have always on display on their phones, Right?

 

[russell_314]

I’m surprised by all the S3 people saying it’s a worthy upgrade for them.
Seriously, I still daily wear my S0, the original, and whilst the AOD on this is tempting and I’d love one, the cheapest large size is £429. Is it really going to be £429 better than my perfectly functioning S0? No. No it obviously isn’t, it’s still basically the same thing. do I want. it, hell yes, but to claim it’s a big upgrade from an S3 is mad, it’s not from my S0.

You seriously think it's the same as your series 0 or are you making some kind of joke?

 

[HobbesInVA]

I would trade AOD in a heartbeat for the ability to go 48 hrs without recharging the watch.

 

[whoknows2597]

I see no reason to upgrade from a 3 to this. What's the big deal about the always-on display? Yeah it's nice, I guess, but is it really that difficult to move your wrist to make the screen come on? This is the amazing innovation from Apple now? Geesh.

Plus, what about if I don't want info popping up for everyone to see, if my wrist/arm is pointed away from my face but toward people sitting next to me, in a meeting, etc.? So now we have to turn alerts off or will it not show until you.. move your wrist?

For myself, to upgrade to Series 5 or even Series 6 next year from Series 4 (which is fantastic by the way) I do not see the hype over Always-On Display. First, the potential for burn-in is evident in the long run. Second, privacy. Do you REALLY want a stranger standing next to you so see what is displayed on your watch? Third, battery life with a number of complications. The more complications displayed, the more draining it gets.

The only reason that I may personally benefit from an Always-On Display would be during exercise. Having the information available at a glance could be good, but again, is it that hard to raise your wrist slightly? Perhaps S7 in the future will entice me to upgrade.

 

[PickUrPoison]

I wouldn't describe previous models as junk, but I agree this is a huge step up for Apple Watch. It's a very significant moment in the journey of the product.

Yup, previous models were hardly junk. Though some wouldn’t buy without AOD, others already want to turn it off ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[andiwm2003]

I'm holding out at least that long, depending on what they upgrade maybe not until S7. I'm hoping for blood pressure and blood glucose sensors in the future as those are issues that run in my family. Fortunately my Apple Watch has helped me lose so much weight that I'm hopeful I can go off my low-dose blood pressure meds at my next doctor appointment (I never had diabetes but would like to keep an eye on it as I get older).

i don't think we will see blood glucose any time soon. There is just no way to measure blood glucose via light sensors alone. Blood pressure is also hard to implement as it needs a some sort of counter pressure via the band. I would not expect to see these features in the next 10 years if ever.

 

[StyxMaker]

Finally! I don’t even use an Apple Watch but I was tired of seeing douchey blank black squares on people’s wrists. At least now it will look like a freaking watch!

Obviously every one was wearing them just to irritate you.

 

[russell_314]

For myself, to upgrade to Series 5 or even Series 6 next year from Series 4 (which is fantastic by the way) I do not see the hype over Always-On Display. First, the potential for burn-in is evident in the long run. Second, privacy. Do you REALLY want a stranger standing next to you so see what is displayed on your watch? Third, battery life with a number of complications. The more complications displayed, the more draining it gets.

The only reason that I may personally benefit from an Always-On Display would be during exercise. Having the information available at a glance could be good, but again, is it that hard to raise your wrist slightly? Perhaps S7 in the future will entice me to upgrade.

Are you seriously worried someone will find out the time or your lap count? I doubt it will be randomly displaying your emails when nothing is open. As to burn in do you really think Apple would make the display if it was a significant issue?

 

[whoknows2597]

I'm disappointed they discontinued the s4 because I was hoping for a discount on Black Friday, which usually only discounts the previous generation. The high price tag of the s5 is what prevented me from getting the s4. I have a s1, so I'll have to wait for a sale or a refurbished s4. $400 is just too steep at the moment.

Depending on what retailers are in your area, you may benefit from others still selling the Series 4. Perhaps Target or some other company may carry S4 until the holidays to get rid of stock, at a reduced price of course.

 

[russell_314]

Obviously every one was wearing them just to irritate you.

If I thought it irritated Apple haters I might wear one on both wrists

 

[dumastudetto]

Are you seriously worried someone will find out the time or your lap count? I doubt it will be randomly displaying your emails when nothing is open. As to burn in do you really think Apple would make the display if it was a significant issue?

Dimming most of the time should help mitigate any risks of burn-in as well, should they exist.

 

[QCassidy352]

I’m surprised by all the S3 people saying it’s a worthy upgrade for them.
Seriously, I still daily wear my S0, the original, and whilst the AOD on this is tempting and I’d love one, the cheapest large size is £429. Is it really going to be £429 better than my perfectly functioning S0? No. No it obviously isn’t, it’s still basically the same thing. do I want. it, hell yes, but to claim it’s a big upgrade from an S3 is mad, it’s not from my S0.

“Big upgrade” is subjective. I think it is because I wear my watch with the screen facing in, where raise to wake doesn’t really work. So always-on is the single thing I’ve wanted the most the entire time I’ve had an Apple Watch. That ALONE makes it a big upgrade.

All the other stuff that the s4 has and the s3 doesn’t will just be gravy.

 

[tridley68]

How's the constant on screen going to effect battery life and screen burn in.

 

[whoknows2597]

Can you actually turn off the display and have it not ever turn on unless you touch the screen or push the crown? I would like additional battery life.

I found that turning on Theater Mode at night helps save battery life. I charge my S4 to 100% around 11pm, then when I wake up at 6am, the percentage is between 91-94%. During the day, I keep it enabled so I finish the day with around 50% left.

 

[russell_314]

How's the constant on screen going to effect battery life and screen burn in.

It has the same battery life and as to burn it only Apple knows. I seriously doubt they would sell it if burn in was going to be a problem. People expect Apple products to work well
[doublepost=1568152512][/doublepost]

I found that turning on Theater Mode at night helps save battery life. I charge my S4 to 100% around 11pm, then when I wake up at 6am, the percentage is between 91-94%. During the day, I keep it enabled so I finish the day with around 50% left.

Same here. It lights up so often when I'm not actually looking at it but just moving my hand. I wonder if there will be a theater mode that shows the always on display. This will make battery life outstanding because no need to brighten the display for time

 

[edolecki]

I have a S4 and I love it. I like the compass and AOD of the S5. But I'll wait until the S6 is released. I'm not ready to part with my current.

 

[tumtumtum]

How dim does dim really mean when it is AOD?

 

[Deliro]

I’ve been waiting for more pics of the titanium model, I don’t know if it’s worth the jump from my stainless series3, yet

Probably not, series 5 isn't big enough for me to even upgrade from a 0.. It still does all the basics well.

 

[steven3130]

Why do people say "Not Much of an Upgrade?" when you're not supposed to upgrade every year? I have their Series 2 model and I plan to ride it out for a few more years before I upgrade. What makes series 4 worth upgrading if you had a series 3? A new design doesn't always warrant an upgrade.

From Series 3 to 4...bigger screen landscape, way better battery, way faster processing...these are the main upgrades other than the other features like heart rate ECG and walkie talkie.

The AWS5 is pretty much an “S” update

 

[Deliro]

I have a S4 and I love it. I like the compass and AOD of the S5. But I'll wait until the S6 is released. I'm not ready to part with my current.

Unless the 6 has some significant additions, your 4 will last much longer.

 

[russell_314]

I personally would love the titanium model but I can’t justify spending that much money on a watch that I won’t keep very long. For those that would keep their Apple Watch more than two or three years it might make sense.