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Deciding between S3 vs S5 (or S4 maybe)

Which would you suggest for a newcomer

  • AW3 42mm

    Votes: 3 20.0%

  • AW5 44mm

    Votes: 12 80.0%
  • Total voters
    15
Starcrowl

Starcrowl

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 22, 2017
37
11
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?
 
Starcrowl said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
Namara said:
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.
Click to expand...

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...
 
S4 and S5 don’t really have huge differences other than AOD, so it makes sense that S5 has similar price than S4.
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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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).
 
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.
 
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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.
 
Starcrowl said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
waw74 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
snipr125 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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).
 
Monkswhiskers said:
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).
Click to expand...

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!!!
 
Do Apple offer certified refurbished units in your country?

If so, get the S4
 
I would wait if possible OP

Otherwise, I’d recommend the series 4 for a few reasons:

1) it’s much cheaper than the s5 right now, but the same Processor and design, unless you really want ceramic or titanium (titanium is really nice)

2) battery lasts a bit longer I’ve noticed on s4 vs 5. Not a huge diff but enough that it could be 2 full days off charger vs 1.5

I have a S4 SS and S5 titanium, and will be returning the S5. I got the S4 for about 40% the price (less than half) if you can find a similar deal, I’d get that because it’s *significantly* cheaper for a similar experience

Some People may claim the always on display is a must. I found it really cool but useless in practicality. I am in health care and the second hand is what has the most use, in the rare moments I need it. It’s not visible with the always on display. You can kind of see the display as well, but whenever you raise your wrist to see the screen, it works the exact same as any other Apple watch so it’s a cool feature but not really useful. Definitely a feature I’d like to have in general, but practically and functionally doesn’t make a diff


So to summarize, don’t get the S3
I would get either the s4 or s5 over the s3 if you need one now
If you can wait, just get a s6 as it’s around the corner
 
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