Some guy on YouTube said Series 4 was to be discontinued because Series 5 will be too similar to the previous gen. So they'll keep Series 3 alongside the 5. Does this make any sense? I hate it when they discontinue products just one year after their release. It's like forcing you to buy the newest model! Who wants to wear a discontinued model?
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Series 4 to be discontinued?
- Thread starter rmoliv
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It's certainly plausible that if Series 5 is really more like a Series 4s, that they would keep Series 3 and discontinue Series 4.
But as a Series 4 owner, that would have zero impact on me whatsoever. It's not like we're going to be orphaned sooner because of it when they'd still be selling an even older model.
But as a Series 4 owner, that would have zero impact on me whatsoever. It's not like we're going to be orphaned sooner because of it when they'd still be selling an even older model.
‘Some guy on YouTube’? Don’t believe everything you read/hear, unless it’s a direct from a credible source. But is it possible that Apple could remove the Series 4 in place of the Series 5? Absolutely. Especially if the Series 5 is only a ‘spec jump’ in terms of what it offers, then it might be too competitive against the Series 4, and Apple naturally wants the newest Apple Watch to sell v.s. a discounted model. That would be my theory behind Apples logic in terms of move(s) they made in the past.
Well, yes, don’t trust anything you hear or see, especially virtual reality is very real nowadays, but uh, Idk.
When talking about discontinuing series 4 though, back in 2017, Apple released series 3, and discontinued series 2. Series 3 was known as series 2 + cellular for the most part. At that period, Apple sold series 1 alongside series 3. So, if series 5 only adds titanium and ceramic casing, series 4 will almost certainly be discontinued afterwards, as even with a spec bump, 4 would be too similar to series 5.
However, if series 5 has some killing features that can differentiate itself from 4, I don’t see Apple discontinuing 4.
Time will tell. Just a few days to find out.
When talking about discontinuing series 4 though, back in 2017, Apple released series 3, and discontinued series 2. Series 3 was known as series 2 + cellular for the most part. At that period, Apple sold series 1 alongside series 3. So, if series 5 only adds titanium and ceramic casing, series 4 will almost certainly be discontinued afterwards, as even with a spec bump, 4 would be too similar to series 5.
However, if series 5 has some killing features that can differentiate itself from 4, I don’t see Apple discontinuing 4.
Time will tell. Just a few days to find out.
IMO, Apple will keep Series 4 around as a cheaper alternative to Series 5 and phase out Series 3.
For the record, I believe that Series 5 will not announce next Tuesday, but will instead be a 2020 model. I expect the Titanium and Ceramic watches to be Series 4 models.
For the record, I believe that Series 5 will not announce next Tuesday, but will instead be a 2020 model. I expect the Titanium and Ceramic watches to be Series 4 models.
Series 3 and 5 would make a lot of sense - Series 3 to have a cheap entry level model and Series 5 to make the jump to top tier big with edge to edge display and some new killer feature.
Would make sense to extend the Series 4 life to the spring with materials now and maybe lots of bands and Series 5 in the spring... To have both iPhone and Watch in the fall is maybe a bit too much
I think if anything they would discontinue the 3, because I thought the 4 had a 64 bit processor and the 3 did not, could be wrong tho. And if that is the case with the processor difference, I think Apple would want to stick with the 64 bit architecture like they've done with iPhones & iPads.
Right on the bottom of the attachment that you listed, it says that the Series 4 has 64-bit dual core processor, the Series 3 does _not_ have 64 bit architecture. That’s a crucial thing moving forward in terms of software updates and overall longevity with the Apple Watch.
I think the 5 will be too close to the 4 in features that they will discontinue the 4 and keep the 3 as the entry level model.
TIL: never start a sentence with "some guy" you will get, I repeat, will get roasted
I don't believe there will be a Series 5 because there have been no leaks about it - and the folks looking for said leaks are too skilled to have missed it, IMO.
All they have found is two new materials and four new part numbers, which have to be Titanium in 40mm/44mm and Ceramic in 40mm/44mm. As such, they have to be Series 4 models because there is no way Apple will release a Series 5 as an Edition model in only two materials - one almost certainly close to $1000 (Ti) and one over $1000 (Ceramic).
If a Series 5 was happening, we'd have had at least eight new part numbers to also cover a Series 5 Aluminum GPS in 40m/44mm and a Series 5 Aluminum with Cellular in 40mm/44mm. And that assumes the Hermes model and the three Stainless Steel models were discontinued. If not, then we would need sixteen new part numbers to cover them all.
All they have found is two new materials and four new part numbers, which have to be Titanium in 40mm/44mm and Ceramic in 40mm/44mm. As such, they have to be Series 4 models because there is no way Apple will release a Series 5 as an Edition model in only two materials - one almost certainly close to $1000 (Ti) and one over $1000 (Ceramic).
If a Series 5 was happening, we'd have had at least eight new part numbers to also cover a Series 5 Aluminum GPS in 40m/44mm and a Series 5 Aluminum with Cellular in 40mm/44mm. And that assumes the Hermes model and the three Stainless Steel models were discontinued. If not, then we would need sixteen new part numbers to cover them all.
You mean like the Series one, that was a ‘spec jump’ over the first GEN watch. It’s Very possible, that’s kind of what I expect with the Series 5, nothing drastic in terms of features or hardware upgrades, but maybe some native sleep tracking/updated internals and other proprietary software for the Series 5.
I think the Series 5 will be to the Series 4 what the Series 1 was to the original.
They might discontinue the Series 4 in favor of the new model (like the iPhone X) but it’s hard to say.
I can say that my Series 3 performance is definitely worse on watchOS 6. Still useable, but definitely another step toward obsolescence.
They might discontinue the Series 4 in favor of the new model (like the iPhone X) but it’s hard to say.
I can say that my Series 3 performance is definitely worse on watchOS 6. Still useable, but definitely another step toward obsolescence.
Rumors are saying that no new hardware is needed to add sleep tracking so if true, then the Series 4 can do it which would be another reason not to release a Series 5 on Tuesday.
Not good to hear about WatchOS 6 on the Series 3. I don’t have the Series 3 anymore, but I would think that the Series 3 dual core processor would still be sustainable enough where it’s not really affected by watchOS 6, but it’s obviously still in the ‘beta phase’ without the final release yet. When you say your performance is definitely worse, are you referring to the battery life being affected or just overall sluggishness?
I agree that there’s no series 5 coming in 2019, only new finishes for series 4. So of course it will not be discontinued.
If it still works fine, I don't mind if it's outdated. If I can get it for cheaper than when it was brand new I'll take it.
It’s just slower to load apps and pages. Talking on the activity rings now shows a loading circle, so does the messages complication. It’s still fully useable but kind of disappointing. Hopefully they’ll get it together with the final release.
Well we got our answer and yes it is. You’ll still be able to buy it for some time yet though as retailers get rid of their stock.