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

[Arndroid]

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..

Right. But still the most popular watch in the world.

 

[gnasher729]

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

That may come as news to use, but people don't usually buy a Rolex watch to tell the time. Expensive watch = socially acceptable jewellery for men.
[doublepost=1568819645][/doublepost]

I doubt this as the S5 processor is marketed exactly the same way as the S4 chip: "Up to 2x faster than S3 processor". This means that there is zero speed gain from S4 to S5.

Actually, your conclusion is faulty. If out of ten tasks, watch B does two 2x faster than watch A, and watch C does seven tasks 2x faster than watch A, then both are "up to 2x faster" but C is still a lot faster than B.

That said, "fast" is not what you want your watch to be.

 

[Apple TarHeel]

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 don't disagree ... On the flip side I could also end up sending the Series 5 back and keeping my Series 4 if I don't get the warm and fuzzy feeling the upgrade was justified ... but who knows? We'll start to see on the 20th!

 

[Bandaman]

I've never been put off by the display turning on/off, never in a situation where I need to be covert, or need to check my watch at some weird angle while holding a side plank or busting out a Warrior's Pose Looking forward to scoring a killer deal on an S4 (that would be a 44mm in SG, Wifi only, if you're selling )

The only situation I found it to be incredibly annoying was during exercise, especially cardio when I’m constantly checking my heart rate. I couldn’t just glance over at my wrist. I’ll still hold off until the next one when they decide to upgrade the chip.

 

[MN7119]

I find amazing people saying "I NEED the always on display". Really? You NEED that?? I seriously just need to tilt my arm to see the display of the Series 4. Thus, AOD is a nice to have but not a NEED in my view. Not a NEED that would cost me $449 plus tax since Apple only pays $100 for my in perfect condition Series 4.

 

[JohnApples]

When the Apple Watch first released, there were a slew of missing features that people wanted to see in the watch. They included:

• Slowness (solved with Series 2 and moreso with 3)
• No swim-proofing (solved with series 2)
• No cellular connectivity (solved with Series 3)
• Square, TV-esque display (partially solved with Series 4)
• No always-on screen (now solved with Series 5)

The only real major complaint remaining for the AW is “no multi-day battery”. And a fully round watch if the series 4 wasn’t enough.

Not bad.

 

[Xenomorph]

These Series 5 reviews keep talking about how they now have an LTPO OLED.

Now? The Series 4 also used LTPO OLED.

 

[Apple TarHeel]

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 love my Rolex's - Stainless Steel Submariner I bought myself and the other is a gold and stainless steel Date Just that my father gave to me before he passed - but I have to admit I rarely wear either one since the Apple Watch Series 4 purchase - I'll never sale them as my son will get them when he can appreciate what they are.

 

[Bandaman]

I find amazing people saying "I NEED the always on display". Really? You NEED that?? I seriously just need to tilt my arm to see the display of the Series 4. Thus, AOD is a nice to have but not a NEED in my view. Not a NEED that would cost me $449 plus tax since Apple only pays $100 for my in perfect condition Series 4.

I find it amazing that you don’t understand why people need this.

 

[The Game 161]

Nuts really how far ahead of the comp the Apple Watch really is.

 

[aliensporebomb]

My question (not reading all the replies) is: can you have this act like the previous models and not be always on to improve battery life (like a mode toggle? always on vs legacy mode?)

How many here are "series 0 holdouts"? Series 0 represent! Hopefully this year I can get a series 5.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

That may come as news to use, but people don't usually buy a Rolex watch to tell the time. Expensive watch = socially acceptable jewellery for men.

You mean people buy rolexes for totally different reasons from the apple watch? I'm SHOCKED! It's almost like comparing the two, the way the person I was responding to did, is completely pointless.

 

[Spytap]

I thought cellular streaming was on AW4.

Edit: AW 3 and up support it.

Amazon doesn't have a music app.

 

[Brien]

Am I the only one who still thinks even the 44mm is too small?

I hope the future involves an even thinner bezel on Apple Watch, and possibly 50mm version.

You must have big wrists. 44 is already pushing it on my frame!

 

[sidewinder3000]

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

“But little else to warrant upgrading”? Jamming this sort of casually dismissive conclusion onto the end of a headline is misleading journalism and don’t serve the reader or consumer. Breaking it down:

“Little else...”
For a functional object called a “watch”, the ability to always read the time is absolutely fundamental. What “else” could possibly compare with finally actualizing the core functionality of the device? The always on display without hatcheting battery life is a huge deal for many users.

“...to warrant upgrading”
Upgrading from what? How could the editors possibly know what watch their readers have now? And how could they possibly know what features matter to the each end user, and whether it’s worth it for them to upgrade?

A more accurate and helpful headline would be:

Apple Watch Series 5 Review Roundup: Always-On Display Solves Biggest Complaint

Let the actual article convey the facts and nuance of the watch’s upgrade worthiness.

 

[rpat701]

I've never been put off by the display turning on/off, never in a situation where I need to be covert, or need to check my watch at some weird angle while holding a side plank or busting out a Warrior's Pose Looking forward to scoring a killer deal on an S4 (that would be a 44mm in SG, Wifi only, if you're selling )

Check Costco. That's where I got mine a few months ago. I think I saved like $50.

 

[deeddawg]

I find amazing people saying "I NEED the always on display". Really? You NEED that?? I seriously just need to tilt my arm to see the display of the Series 4. Thus, AOD is a nice to have but not a NEED in my view. Not a NEED that would cost me $449 plus tax since Apple only pays $100 for my in perfect condition Series 4.

I find it amazing people don't realize many folks use the words NEED and WANT interchangeably. (yes they mean different things and technically it's incorrect usage, but it is what it is)

 

[3rdiguy]

I currently own a Nike+ Series 4 model and will be looking forward to the improvements over the next couple years. Really wanna see what upgrades will be possible in 2021. Plus I’ve adapted to flicking my wrist to activate the display and now it’s no big deal. Definitely not worth an upgrade for the always on feature. Now I did jump from Series 3 to the bigger screen of the Series 4 and that felt worth it for me.

 

[sidewinder3000]

dan9700 said: ↑
maybe add iCloud messaging im sick of deleting messages from my watch when they are removed from iCloud

This is a big miss for Apple, hopefully it will be corrected soon. I've put the suggestion in several times, because deleting messages from the watch is just terrible.

A big miss? I think it’s pretty obvious why this hasn’t been prioritized: very few people spend any time deleting messages.

 

[name99]

Apple and the Internet: a play in two acts
Act 1: "Apple deliberately structures their releases to force people to upgrade"
Act 2: "This keynote sucks. Nothing makes me want to upgrade"

Apple and the Internet: the sequel
Act 1: "If only Apple fixed iPhone battery life and made the watch screen always on, I'd totally upgrade"
Act 2: "Apple thinks all they need to do is fix battery life and make watch screen always on and I'll upgrade? Screw that"

 

[javisan]

Actually, your conclusion is faulty. If out of ten tasks, watch B does two 2x faster than watch A, and watch C does seven tasks 2x faster than watch A, then both are "up to 2x faster" but C is still a lot faster than B.

That said, "fast" is not what you want your watch to be.

Sure.... But hey, you have the right to believe the S5 processor has any speed gains.

I'm sure most of Series 0-2 watch owners will completely disagree with you regarding the importance of speed. When opening apps or even starting a workout takes a long time, it discourages its use.

 

[McTool]

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

Couldn’t agree more.
[doublepost=1568821891][/doublepost]

Apple and the Internet: a play in two acts
Act 1: "Apple deliberately structures their releases to force people to upgrade"
Act 2: "This keynote sucks. Nothing makes me want to upgrade"

Apple and the Internet: the sequel
Act 1: "If only Apple fixed iPhone battery life and made the watch screen always on, I'd totally upgrade"
Act 2: "Apple thinks all they need to do is fix battery life and make watch screen always on and I'll upgrade? Screw that"

You’re so right.

 

[sidewinder3000]

These Series 5 reviews keep talking about how they now have an LTPO OLED.

Now? The Series 4 also used LTPO OLED.

Do a deeper dive. It’s a different type of LPTO OLED with more advanced functionality.
[doublepost=1568822403][/doublepost]

Sure.... But hey, you have the right to believe the S5 processor has any speed gains.

I'm sure most of Series 0-2 watch owners will completely disagree with you regarding the importance of speed. When opening apps or even starting a workout takes a long time, it discourages its use.

gnashers subtle joke about not wanting your watch to ‘run fast’ was totally lost on you. Of course the best watches run neither fast nor slow but “on time”.

 

[xDKP]

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.

It doesn’t sound like it will give you a lot of additional battery and regarding the privacy it’s really not something that should hold you back. There’s even a privacy setting if you’re really worried people stare at your watch and see when your next appointment is

I‘d gladly take 24 battery life over everybody seeing my notifications and the contents of my complications.

You should see how it actually works before commenting on it. Watch the Vector review of it. He walks thoroughly through the settings for it

 

[otozuz]

Damn I have S4 and even I'm looking to upgrade just because of the always-on!