Series 6 is more like Series 5S

[wilberforce]

I’ve had a number of Apple watches over the years. I went with SS for Series 0,2,3, and 4. And now Titanium for Series 5 and 6. The resale value of the SS watches has always been absolutely terrible. Even selling them on my own, rather than doing a trade I would only get $200-$300 for them at the one year mark. Interestingly I did much better with my Titanium Series 5 watch and I was able to sell it for a bit over $500.

I think the problem is that most of the people who want to buy a used Apple Watch are doing so because they want to spend as little money as possible. I suspect that most of them don’t really care whether the watch is aluminum or SS and so the percieved value for the used SS watches is little more than the perceived value for the aluminum watches. This is the first year I tried to sell a titanium one, but I think that there may be a better market for used titanium watches because there are much fewer of them out there and people are still willing to pay a premium for a titanium watch, but maybe not full price for a brand new one.

Well said.
Also, there is a significant market for ceramic watches; those likely will retain value quite well. The white look is unique, and currently there is no other option other than buying used

 

[MacCheetah3]

I've read a lot of the responses, not all. And quite frankly, it does appear most don't see the Series 6 as a huge upgrade from the Series 5, that is, at least according to used unit pricing. The Watch SE certainly has my attention, however, I thought, "many people will be listing their current watches for sale as they upgrade to the Series 6, thus creating a competitive used market." Well, from what I've seen, most Series 5 owners are pricing at $300+, some even still $400+. Indeed, I don't think the Series 5 is a poor value, though used for that price? A brand new SE 44mm is ~$330 including tax -- obviously it varies a little. And despite some similarities, the attraction is subjective, because the 5 does have ECG and AOD whereas the SE has the improved altimeter. Still, to me, that level of value should be a comfort for Series 5 owners.

 

[jdb8167]

I've read a lot of the responses, not all. And quite frankly, it does appear most don't see the Series 6 as a huge upgrade from the Series 5, that is, at least according to used unit pricing. The Watch SE certainly has my attention, however, I thought, "many people will be listing their current watches for sale as they upgrade to the Series 6, thus creating a competitive used market." Well, from what I've seen, most Series 5 owners are pricing at $300+, some even still $400+. Indeed, I don't think the Series 5 is a poor value, though used for that price? A brand new SE 44mm is ~$330 including tax -- obviously it varies a little. And despite some similarities, the attraction is subjective, because the 5 does have ECG and AOD whereas the SE has the improved altimeter. Still, to me, that level of value should be a comfort for Series 5 owners.

I like that most people perceive the Series 5 as a good value because that increases the resale price. Getting 60% of the cost of a new Series 6 back on a sale makes it easy for me to decide to get the latest version. For most people, I’m sure getting a deal on a Series 5 is a great value compared to a new Series 6.

 

[jdb8167]

I’ve never used the Home app on any of my devices as I’m invested in the Echo version but I have noticed a decent performance improvement with OS7. I’ve never trusted putting a beta onto my watch.

I wait almost until the end of the beta cycle. And I watch to make sure there aren’t a bunch of “my watch is bricked” and “my battery life is terrible” complaints. Usually by that time it is pretty safe but I wouldn’t recommend most people install betas on anything and the watch is the most dangerous because you can’t revert to the shipping version.

 

[Donnation]

For comparison, I got offered $180 trade-in via Apple for my pristine aluminum GPS-only S5. Just goes to show the higher end SS watches retain very little of their premium cost. Which makes sense, as people looking to purchase used/refurb watches are looking for lowest cost and are more price-sensitive.

Last year I got $140 trading in an aluminum GPS-only S4 for an S5. So trade-in value this year is a little better than last year.

I expect if you held on to the S5 another year you would be offered around $150.

Well to be fair, there is a difference between selling the watch and giving it to Apple on a trade in. You can get much more for your watch than $180. That price has nothing to do with price sensitivity. It has everything to do with selling the watch you gave to them for about double of what they bought it back from you. I always look at trade ins with Apple as essentially paying them again for whatever you are trading in.

I understand the ease of trading items in with Apple, and they know that that is the appeal. But they absolutely railroad you on the price so that it can be sold for a handsome profit elsewhere.

 

[anticipate]

You can go into Settings > Battery on the watch.

Thanks I never knew!

 

[anticipate]

Yep, haptics are slightly but noticeably stronger for the wake up alarm and when getting phone calls. Based on the tear down, it looks like they squeezed a slightly bigger Taptic Engine into the watch so that is likely why.

I have noticed this too. Minor but noticeable.

Over time now, I can't say I notice the increased speed all that much, but at times it definitely seems more snappy than my S5.

Battery life seems much better than S5, and recharge times are definitely noticeably faster (thank God!!).

And the 5GHz speed when installing items, etc. is profoundly faster.

The blood oxygen seems to be spot on and I like how it works while sleeping. It doesn't alert you or anything though.

 

[deeddawg]

Well to be fair, there is a difference between selling the watch and giving it to Apple on a trade in. [...]

I understand the ease of trading items in with Apple, and they know that that is the appeal. But they absolutely railroad you on the price so that it can be sold for a handsome profit elsewhere.

What you identify and many folks seem to forget is that trading in to Apple is functionally no different than selling to any other wholesaler. It's really convenient, little to no risk, but also rock bottom dollar.

Per an article I read some time back but no long have a link to, trade-ins at Apple go to a third party company for cleanup and possible refurbishment before being resold - either domestically or abroad. Those costs come out of what you get paid. The prices paid for trade in are also dictated by the wholesaler - not by Apple. Wish I could find the article, I do try to cite stuff like this.

ANyway, you'll nearly always net substantially more cash in pocket reselling privately. It can be more risk and it's usually more effort, but depending on the watch and model it can also be another $100+ in your pocket too.