Deciding between S3 vs S5 (or S4 maybe)

[Starcrowl]

Im planning to get an AW nowadays and never used it before, it will be my first time. Price of the AW3 42mm is awesome but it doesn't feel futureproof enough, I lean towards Series 5 but it is almost 2.5x more expensive than it. I don't wanna spend my money on a device that won't satisfy me but picking an older device can also effect my thoughts. S4 is very close to the price of S5 in my country that's why I don't included in my options. What should I do?

 

[Namara]

Im planning to get an AW nowadays and never used it before, it will be my first time. Price of the AW3 42mm is awesome but it doesn't feel futureproof enough, I lean towards Series 5 but it is almost 2.5x more expensive than it. I don't wanna spend my money on a device that won't satisfy me but picking an older device can also effect my thoughts. S4 is very close to the price of S5 in my country that's why I don't included in my options. What should I do?

Waiting for the S5 to go on sale might be worth it. I imagine we’ll see an S5 price drop once the S6 is available. Do you have the Apple Refurb Store in your country? There are good discounts there for the S5.

 

[Starcrowl]

Waiting for the S5 to go on sale might be worth it. I imagine we’ll see an S5 price drop once the S6 is available. Do you have the Apple Refurb Store in your country? There are good discounts there for the S5.

I can't wait to buy it actually, everyday new taxes comes in way and electronic products become impossible to buy in my country. Since I have money for it, I decided to get one. Sadly we don't have any Refurbished Store here. S4 is almost same price as S5, its very awkward...

 

[Shirasaki]

S4 and S5 don’t really have huge differences other than AOD, so it makes sense that S5 has similar price than S4.

 

[waw74]

the size difference in screens between the s3 and s4/5 is HUGE.
the display area for both sizes is about 1/3 more than the similar size in the series 3.
It may not seem like much, but it's a very noticeable increase.

 

[The Hammer]

the size difference in screens between the s3 and s4/5 is HUGE.
the display area for both sizes is about 1/3 more than the similar size in the series 3.
It may not seem like much, but it's a very noticeable increase.

So the OP should get the five.

 

[BasicGreatGuy]

Forget the series 3. If budget allows, go with the series 5.

 

[Relentless Power]

Ultimately, if I had to make a decision, it wouldn’t be about performance, it’s simply about the new/larger display size. The Series 4/5 makes a huge difference in terms of interacting with the display with the extra display ratio. For that alone, then I would recommend anything from the Series 4 and above.

 

[stanza.richi]

Looking for good price on series 4 or 5.

 

[zkap]

I was in a similar boat, contemplated between the very affordable S3 and a much better display on the 4 or 5.
I went for the Series 4 44mm, I found one at a discount. It turned out to be an open-box unit so it was discounted to 84% of the price of the S5 44mm. Decided to get it and I'm loving it.

I decided not to buy the S3 because of the display and general future-proofing.

Also, I wouldn't wait for the S6 to be released, if you have the money just buy the S5 and you'll be happy with it (or the S4 if you happen to see a discount on it).

 

[Jack Neill]

S3 is still a great watch, I wear one on my right wrist every day. The S4 is a better watch, I wear that one on my left wrist. I would recommend a S4/5 for someone new to AW.

 

[QCassidy352]

I went from the S3 to the S5, and it's a big upgrade. I wouldn't recommend getting a S3 a couple of months before the S6 is going to be available. I think you're setting yourself up for slow performance and limited future support.

 

[fridayxiii]

Im planning to get an AW nowadays and never used it before, it will be my first time. Price of the AW3 42mm is awesome but it doesn't feel futureproof enough, I lean towards Series 5 but it is almost 2.5x more expensive than it. I don't wanna spend my money on a device that won't satisfy me but picking an older device can also effect my thoughts. S4 is very close to the price of S5 in my country that's why I don't included in my options. What should I do?

Are you fully dedicated to the idea of the AW or is this a trial run? I'm a new user as well, but chose the 42mm S3. I'd been using a Fitbit Inspire HR and wasn't sure if how I'd like the Apple Watch, if I'd find the utility and value. (As it turns out, I love it.)

But to my point, I read more than a few reviews from various sources that swayed me towards the S3. I don't need AOD, and the S5 didn't have enough other feature advantages to convince me it was worth the extra money, especially as this was basically a trial run for me. Another factor: I'm planning to get the iPhone 12 this year, so a big portion of my tech/toy budget will go towards that. Given the fact that I love my Apple Watch, I'll plan on getting the latest & greatest in 2021 (S7?), so it'll be minimal cost for the first year of ownership.

Just my humble opinion, but I think you'll be happy no matter which model you choose.

 

[pldelisle]

Series 5. The experience of the Series 5 worth it. You get half of it with Series 3.

 

[compwiz1202]

the size difference in screens between the s3 and s4/5 is HUGE.
the display area for both sizes is about 1/3 more than the similar size in the series 3.
It may not seem like much, but it's a very noticeable increase.

Honestly, I think size is really the only thing I feel good about with getting 5 instead of 3. I could take or leave AOD. I don't have meetings at work where I need to glance down at the time instead of raising the watch.

 

[firedept]

Series 5. Will last you much longer. Worth spending the extra.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

3 served me well, depends on use case. If you were to decide on a 5 I'd be holding out until the 6 is released.

 

[snipr125]

My Apple Watch series 1 is getting very long in the tooth now, battery life is just not lasting like it used to you which is understandable considering I brought it in 2016. I actually mainly use it as a glorified fitbit, to track my steps and exercise in airplane mode and then sync with my iPhone at the end of the day only. I want to upgrade to a Apple Watch 4, but the prices are just too high at the moment. I’m hoping once the Apple Watch 6 is released, the AW4 will take the place of the AW3 in the £199 price point on the Apple store and other retailers.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

My Apple Watch series 1 is getting very long in the tooth now, battery life is just not lasting like it used to you which is understandable considering I brought it in 2016. I actually mainly use it as a glorified fitbit, to track my steps and exercise in airplane mode and then sync with my iPhone at the end of the day only. I want to upgrade to a Apple Watch 4, but the prices are just too high at the moment. I’m hoping once the Apple Watch 6 is released, the AW4 will take the place of the AW3 in the £199 price point on the Apple store and other retailers.

I think the 4 is discontinued so maybe the 5 will be the cheap version, probably a bit more expensive than the 3 is now as it has a sapphire back (alu model). Apple need to keep a cheaper option to get people into the product. I have a SS4 and am happy with it EXCEPT, for swimming AOD would be handy, so if it was £230ish I would keep my 4 and just use the 5 for sports (Unless the 6 is utterly groundbreaking of course).

 

[snipr125]

I think the 4 is discontinued so maybe the 5 will be the cheap version, probably a bit more expensive than the 3 is now as it has a sapphire back (alu model). Apple need to keep a cheaper option to get people into the product. I have a SS4 and am happy with it EXCEPT, for swimming AOD would be handy, so if it was £230ish I would keep my 4 and just use the 5 for sports (Unless the 6 is utterly groundbreaking of course).

if its the apple watch 5 then even better but it has to be less than £250, as dont want to spend too much on the watch as will also getting iphone 12 5’4 inch model and maybe the ipad air 4 when released. As you Probably know us UK apple customers get fleeced, so need to save where i can!!!

 

[iFone88]

Do Apple offer certified refurbished units in your country?

If so, get the S4