Apple Watch Series 5 Review Roundup: Always-On Display Solves Biggest Complaint, But Little Else to Warrant Upgrading

[Dorv]

I legitimately do not understand the people clamoring for 24 hour or multi-day battery life.

My watch is on the charger for about 45 minutes before I got to bed, and about 30 minutes in the morning (while I'm having breakfast/showering). I wear it at night for sleep tracking and during the day. It is generally at 100% charge when I put it on at night/in the morning after both of those charging sessions.
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I find it weird that when the AW first came out, everyone was basically saying the display turning off wasn't a big deal even thought Samsung and other watch makers had an always on display.

What? You're saying that in five years people's opinions aren't allowed to change?

 

[AZMecha]

@MacRumors, @Dan or anyone

If you have a Nike S4 watch, will Watch OS 6 provide the new Nike watch faces or do you have to buy S5?

 

[hipnetic]

I'm in no hurry to upgrade from my series 3 (I think). I'm looking for two particular features:
1) Round face
2) *Fully* customizable watch faces (i.e., allow 3rd party developers to create/sell them)

 

[centauratlas]

Yeah you can turn Always On off.

I am anxious to see how that improves battery life, but that is great to know.

 

[DaveOP]

I think this is doubtful until the new WatchOS number series. Series 4 and 5 are going to be seen as very similar for some time. I bet that most features coming to the 5 will go to the 4 simply because there is little difference. The Series 5 will last longer, of course, due to its newer processor.

I dont think the Series 5 has a newer processor does it? They didn't highlight anything or mentioned a new SOC.

 

[DotCom2]

Has anyone been able to confirm if you can put the Series 5 into a mode like how 4 worked on the display? For additional privacy and/or extend the battery life.

That's what I would like to know. We'll find out soon I guess. I don't see what the big deal is about the always on thing. It's never been a problem for me but I guess many others wanted this feature. I would really like an option to turn it off.

 

[UltimaKilo]

Why do reviewers say “little else to warrant upgrading” as if everyone has a Series 4...? I have a Series 2, and millions of others don’t have a 4 either, and this would be a great upgrade for me. Such a dumb headline

I’m on the same boat. The Series 0 never appealed to me because I couldn’t swim laps with it, so I waited for the 2.

While my Series 2 still functions fine, the S5 is the first update that has me interested. Sometimes while I’m on a run, having to turn my wrist and tap the screen to see my distance, pace, etc. is annoying.

I am a little disappointed we’re not at 20 hours of battery life yet and the lack of built in sleep tracking, but I usually charge my watch while I shower and it’s good to go. What’s Apple doing with Beddit anyways?

A compass!

If it makes you feel better that you spent money on a S4, sure, tell yourself that. However, this is the biggest upgrade yet for AW.

 

[JustForward]

The people that wear  watch isn’t as popular as some of the people think. The battery life isn’t good enough and it really hurt the adoption rate..

 

[incoherent_1]

Yeah you can turn Always On off.

Came here to ask this question and it was already asked and answered. Glad that, as usual, you all are faster and better informed than I am!

 

[djlythium]

Yeah this is a very very good upgrade for anyone on Series 0 thru 3.

It’s funny when reviewers say “not worth the upgrade” as if only people with the Series 4 are looking for a new watch.

Spot on.

 

[ABHolt]

What percentage of people actually upgrade their watch every year? It seems like a product to upgrade every 2-3 years and if that’s the case this is a huge difference between the S2 and S3 and the 5. I for one will be getting the 5 because it finally look more like a traditional watch.

 

[incoherent_1]

The people that wear  watch isn’t as popular as some of the people think. The battery life isn’t good enough and it really hurt the adoption rate..

This is what has held me back for so long from picking one up... I have yet to meet in-person an Apple Watch owner who is very satisfied with their purchase. The strongest endorsement I've heard is "Yeah, it's fine I guess..."

 

[djlythium]

Now we just need like at least 4 days battery life and its near perfect.

Hella, 4 days WITH constant usage, music streaming, GPS workouts, etc. THAT’D be a breakthrough. C’mon, Series 6!

 

[mono1980]

I am upgrading from a series 0 so anything will be welcome change iol

Oh man, this watch is going to blow your mind coming from a series 0!

 

[Khedron]

Quote
Traditional compasses spin randomly when you bring a magnet near them. Series 5's compass won't do this, because it uses the gyroscope to see if you're actually moving. The compass won't be fooled by a magnet because it can tell the watch itself isn't spinning around. Smart.

Yet a few days ago we had an article stating that Apple has confirmed on their own website that some of their own watch bands with magnets can cause interference....

That description just means once the phone is pointing in a direction then it locks it in unless you physically move. It doesn't mean the direction it's pointing in is actually north. A magnet constantly placed in proximity like on a strap could introduce an error, that error just wouldn't change in time.

 

[TheRealDGD]

Have not had to upgrade my Rolex in 27 years, it has an always on display and the battery never runs out.... by the time people finish 27 years of Apple watch upgrades you'll be out the price of a new Rolex, have a watch that is worth nothing and still have issues with its performance.... BTW, my Rolex is worth more now than when I bought it......

 

[anthonymoody]

At the very least I'm going to wait to see how WatchOS6 is before deciding, though at the moment I lean toward staying with my S4 for this year.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Most people still don’t own an Apple Watch. Upgrading is irrelevant.

Exactly!

Perhaps the Apple Watch Series 5 wasn't made for people who already own a Series 4

Maybe it's for people who don't have an Apple Watch at all!

With almost a billion iPhones out in the world... there is nowhere close to a billion Apple Watches out in the world.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Nice upgrade this year, but the always-on screen isn't something that has ever bothered me personally. I suppose I'm actually quite pleased that there hasn't been an improvement to the form factor - my stainless series 4 is safe for another year yet

 

[DocMultimedia]

I upgraded just for the always on. I do lots of physical activities, and sometimes trying to get that watch on when you are covered in sweat becomes really annoying. Flinging/twising my arm around doesn't really help my running very much.

 

[JustForward]

This is what has held me back for so long from picking one up... I have yet to meet in-person an Apple Watch owner who is very satisfied with their purchase. The strongest endorsement I've heard is "Yeah, it's fine I guess..."

Beyond that, the customer also need to wait 2 hours for  watch to fully charge and it’s a very small device.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

Have not had to upgrade my Rolex in 27 years, it has an always on display and the battery never runs out.... by the time people finish 27 years of Apple watch upgrades you'll be out the price of a new Rolex, have a watch that is worth nothing and still have issues with its performance.... BTW, my Rolex is worth more now than when I bought it......

I have literally no interest in a Rolex because all it does it tell time, but I'm really happy for you!

 

[Crowbot]

Indeed. That’s the great thing about Apple, they never changed the band port [Not that they needed to], because the executed the simplicity and ease of use with the band port. I just love how it takes seconds to change out a band to personalize the watch at any given point during your day/or your outfit.

Well they did from the S0 to the S2 (my case). I wasn't too upset but I would have like to keep my Milanese Loop. Water under the bridge. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jim Lahey]

maybe add iCloud messaging im sick of deleting messages from my watch when they are removed from iCloud

Yeah this is a major irritation for me. I don't really use the messages app on the watch other than for reading notifications. Then once in a while I open the app and realise I have like a hundred messages that were deleted from iCloud several months ago. AND deleting them individually on the watch is a long, laborious process.

I'm not sure why it just cannot at least stay synced with the phone. An option would be nice.

 

[DoctorTech]

I’m going from an S0 to an S5. Kinda stoked!

You are going to be blown away. I had the original AW about a month after they were released. I liked it but there were very noticeable delays when launching apps. I then jumped to the S2 which was a lot faster then the S4 with the upgraded display, cellular, etc. Going all the way from S0 to S5 is going to be amazing for you!