Buy Apple Watch series 6 or keep series 5?

[zehcnassurfero]

Hello, I have the Apple Watch series 5 SBSS and I was thinking to buy the new AW6 because next year I am going to buy the AW7 and maybe the AW5 it’s going to lose more than half of the price next year.

This time I though to buy the aluminum AW6 (to not waste a lot of money as if I buy a stainless steel like this year), but one of the reason which I bought last year SBSS was the sapphire crystal and I don’t know if it’s a good decision.

What do you think? Did you replace your AW5?

 

[djpatrickb]

I have upgraded every year since version 3 (had 1 skipped 2). The upgrades for version 6 aren't enough to justify upgrading. I won't ever use the blood oxygen level feature.

 

[Bow Commander]

Unless you want blue or red I would stick with the 5.

 

[skywalkerr69]

I’m still rocking my S0. I’ve thus found no reason to upgrade yet lol

 

[lifereinspired]

Hello, I have the Apple Watch series 5 SBSS and I was thinking to buy the new AW6 because next year I am going to buy the AW7 and maybe the AW5 it’s going to lose more than half of the price next year.

This time I though to buy the aluminum AW6 (to not waste a lot of money as if I buy a stainless steel like this year), but one of the reason which I bought last year SBSS was the sapphire crystal and I don’t know if it’s a good decision.

What do you think? Did you replace your AW5?

It depends on you - only you can make that decision. Here's why. For most, the blood oxygen sensor (SPO2) isn't a game changer. But for me, I have a rare breathing disorder and it's a dream come true. So, the S6 is literally the ONLY choice for me. You just have to look at the differences and see if they will make any difference.

I posted a chart that gives an in-depth comparison between all the Apple Watches starting at S3. I've been making some updates and will post the newer version in the next few days. But there is a ton of data. It might help you decide. Check it out and look for the newer version shortly: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/i-created-an-apple-watch-comparison-chart-to-share.2256661/

 

[gymratjudy]

I ordered the blue aluminum series 6 and returned it and kept my series 5. I really didn't see much of a difference. It just felt like the same watch in a different color. The SPO2 was too hit and miss for me. I already have a SPO2 finger reader so having one on the watch was just extra.

 

[jz0309]

I’m staying on my S4 SBSS as I don’t see enough value to upgrade.
Especially SS loses value fast, you’ll have to factor that in upfront... only you can decide on upgrading or not

 

[Deliro]

A very pointless upgrade. You already spent extra on the 5 for the upgraded case material. There’s absolutely 0 reason to upgrade to a 6 aluminum at all. Zilch. I can see at least a small point if someone wanted to go from a 5 aluminum to a 6 SS/Ti but even that is not a smart move if you value your $$.

 

[legaleye3000]

How about 4 to 6 upgrade? Any comments?

 

[deeddawg]

How about 4 to 6 upgrade? Any comments?

All depends on the value you place on the feature differences relative to the impact of the upgrade cost.

i.e. only you can decide what decision is best for you.

Me? No brainer. Always on Display is a great feature that puts the watch back into wristwatch category -- prior to my S2 the last wristwatch I had with a blank inactive display was a late 70's LED digital watch. The blank inactive display of the Apple Watch was a step backwards in functionality that was outweighed by the other capabilities, but as soon as AOD was available I was in.

 

[Deliro]

How about 4 to 6 upgrade? Any comments?

How much do you value AOD? Enough to shell out the cash for it? A 4 is still a great device. But the 6 is a bit quicker, has some wifi improvements, the 02 Blood senor (meh), etc.. I understand, I get the itch to upgrade at times too, but the whole excitement of opening up that brand new Apple box fades when I weight the actual benefits to my day to day.

Personally, a 4 to 6 would not be something I'd do.

 

[chanerz]

I’m keeping my series 5. I will definitely upgrade to a series 7.

 

[puckhead193]

I don't see the value in upgrading feature wise. Money wise depends on what you can get for it.

 

[MisterSavage]

I went 4,5,6 with no regrets. The 4 to 5 was huge for me for AoD. The 6 is a "nice to have" but not "must have". I was interested in the blood oxygen measurement in case I contract COVID-19 (yes I know the AW is not a medical device). I like how it's easier to see in bright sunlight.

 

[Deliro]

I went 4,5,6 with no regrets. The 4 to 5 was huge for me for AoD. The 6 is a "nice to have" but not "must have". I was interested in the blood oxygen measurement in case I contract COVID-19 (yes I know the AW is not a medical device). I like how it's easier to see in bright sunlight.

Does Apple send you Christmas cards?

 

[MisterSavage]

Does Apple send you Christmas cards?

My loved ones love this time of year!

 

[44267547]

I don't see the value in upgrading feature wise. Money wise depends on what you can get for it.

Probably true, but I’m someone that likes to try new materials, I usually opted for the stainless in the past, but it’s Aluminum this year I want to give a shot. I’m more of a materialistic person when it comes to the watch with matching with bands, how it looks versus just upgrading for ‘Watch features.’

 

[BigMcGuire]

Probably true, but I’m someone that likes to try new materials, I usually opted for the stainless in the past, but it’s Aluminum this year I want to give a shot. I’m more of a materialistic person when it comes to the watch with matching with bands, how it looks versus just upgrading for ‘Watch features.’

Have you posted about your review of the aluminum vs Stainless Steel? I'm very interested.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Probably true, but I’m someone that likes to try new materials, I usually opted for the stainless in the past, but it’s Aluminum this year I want to give a shot. I’m more of a materialistic person when it comes to the watch with matching with bands, how it looks versus just upgrading for ‘Watch features.’

After seeing all your posts about SS, I am shocked you went with Al this year.

 

[Deliro]

Have you posted about your review of the aluminum vs Stainless Steel? I'm very interested.

As someone that has had both, there's no difference other than weight, looks, and scratch resistance. AI is matte, SS has a gloss, but I'm sure you've seen photos. The weight difference is minimal. The regular/silver SS does get micro abrasions on the case, but can be polished out easily though. The Graphite SS and SBSS have a DLC coating, so they'll practically look new for the life of the tech.

I found aluminum to be durable as well, but it can scratch easier if you bang it hard or drop it on concrete.

What specifics are you looking for in an AI vs SS comparsion?

 

[perezr10]

For people who normally upgrade every year, if there was ever a year to miss, it’s this one. The Series 7 is probably going to be an all new design.

 

[kenni417]

sticking with s5, as well as the 11 pro. i usually upgrade both every 2 years. spo2 is nice i guess, and the brighter AOD is tempting but not deal-breaking.

 

[weeesss]

I would have stayed with the 5 but I miss LTE.

 

[44267547]

For people who normally upgrade every year, if there was ever a year to miss, it’s this one. The Series 7 is probably going to be an all new design.

That would be about right, the Apple Watch changes form about every three years. It’s hard to exactly imagine what changes they likely will make, because I feel like there’s only so much they can do with the watch casing (Less casing/more display area), Maybe haptic buttons, thinner, Ect. I think the watch matured so quickly, that it doesn’t really need a lot of changes, but then again, Apple has to create sales, and they have to make changes were necessary. What I would really like to see, [and I think they will eventually get there], is when they offer a round variant In conjunction with the square design. Then they would completely own the smart watch market. (And for those who say that a round ‘display shows less information’, they can make it work, the technology is there, it’s Apple having to step out of their boundaries to do so.)

 

[Aspasia]

Hello, I have the Apple Watch series 5 SBSS and I was thinking to buy the new AW6 because next year I am going to buy the AW7 and maybe the AW5 it’s going to lose more than half of the price next year.

This time I though to buy the aluminum AW6 (to not waste a lot of money as if I buy a stainless steel like this year), but one of the reason which I bought last year SBSS was the sapphire crystal and I don’t know if it’s a good decision.

What do you think? Did you replace your AW5?

I thought about it when I saw the AW6 would offer a blood oxygen sensor, then decided to buy a pulse oximeter for $20 instead of a few hundred bucks for a new watch.