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Hunter5117

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 17, 2010
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I have the opportunity to buy a new old stock 44mm gold stainless series 4 watch for about half list price. I already have a series 3 Nike edition. I am not 100% in love with the gold stainless but I figure I will outfit it with a nice leather band for a dress watch. Is the series 4 still a reasonable choice. It seems that the series 5 and 6 have been pretty incremental in their updates with alway on and blood O2 being the 2 biggest new features. Thanks for your thoughts.
 
I have the opportunity to buy a new old stock 44mm gold stainless series 4 watch for about half list price. I already have a series 3 Nike edition. I am not 100% in love with the gold stainless but I figure I will outfit it with a nice leather band for a dress watch. Is the series 4 still a reasonable choice. It seems that the series 5 and 6 have been pretty incremental in their updates with alway on and blood O2 being the 2 biggest new features. Thanks for your thoughts.

I still highly recommend the Series 4, as you still have the new form factor, but you don’t have the ‘always on display’, which for some, they prefer that feature and others don’t care. The most important thing with the Series 4, is you probably have approximately two years of watchOS updates remaining. So that said, if you can find a decent sale price and take that into acceptance, I would opt for one.
 
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I have a 3 (well just gave it away). 4 selling big jump from the 3. Now a 6 and other than the AOD display I see ZERO reason for me to upgrade. The O2 (TOY) is neat but its the most unreliable add-on Apple has ever done. I may keep the 6 for the AOD but short of that its just not worth it. If I had a 5 I would take the 6 back for sure. I am the guy who always buys the latest and the 5 was more like a 4.01 version or should have been the 4s and the 6 is more like a 4.10 version or a 4ss. If they can make the O2 tester better and more functional via software perhaps it may change.

Back to your original question you will be happy with the 4 for a good deal.
 
I ordered a nice leather band for it on Amazon. Assuming it fits ok (I have almost 10" wrists) then I will be keeping it. It is eligible for AppleCare so I will put it on the monthly plan. It is also cellular so I will also add it to my TMO plan, I do like having the cellular service.
 
While yes, S4 is a really nice upgrade from the S3, I'd look very carefully at the price difference between that S4 and an S5 from Apple's refurb store.

I was skeptical about the utility of Always On Display when I went from S4 to S5, but today wouldn't have a watch without it.
 
May I recommend looking at Apple Refurbished for Series 5? 44MM Stainless $579 with a one year warranty.

Ive purchased Refurb from Apple directly before and they are like new.

 
May I recommend looking at Apple Refurbished for Series 5? 44MM Stainless $579 with a one year warranty.

Ive purchased Refurb from Apple directly before and they are like new.

I appreciate the suggestion but that is still almost $200 more than what I paid for the S4. Even the refurb S4's from Apple are $100 more, and mine is new. I have bought from the Apple refurb store a number of times and yes the product is indeed like new.
 
I just went from a series 4 to a series 6(both running WatchOS 7). The 6 is lightyears a head in comparison to the 4. Apps and complications are much more responsive. The always on display, compass, altimeter, blood oxygen features would make me rethink going from a series 3 to a series 4.

Why not just save up some more cash to purchase a series 6 or series 6 SE?

My girlfriend still has a series 3. She's not a big watch user so she's fine with the 3. When I compare her 3 to the previous 4. The 4 is a large upgrade.

Whether you go for a series 4 or wait it out until you can get a series 6, either way you're looking at a huge upgrade and happiness factor. :)
 
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Why not just save up some more cash to purchase a series 6 or series 6 SE?

Its not a matter of cost, other than I am a cheapskate and I mostly always buy tech a generation behind just to get the most bang for my buck. I do agree that the always on and O2 features are tempting and something I would enjoy. However, for over $300 difference for the same other features, I am still leaning to the S4. I may change my mind and go for the S6 before my return period is over, I am waiting for my new band to arrive so I can properly assess the S4 since the band it came with is much too small for my wrist.
 
I‘m also satisfied with my stainless steel AW4, battery max capacity is at 93% after 2 yrs for my daily use case. The update to an AW6 is not necessary for me. If half the price is a good price for you, just be sure to check the battery capacity. After those updates regarding the health sensor, gps sensor, altimeter, compass, international SOS calling, and blood oxygen measurement: I would prefer the new AW6 when coming from an AW3.
 
If half the price is a good price for you, just be sure to check the battery capacity.

It is a brand new watch from an Apple retailer. Battery is still at 100% health. I will be putting AppleCare on it and keep it until at least the S7 comes out and then look at retiring my S3 which is going to be my "work" watch for the near future.
 
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