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jwolf6589

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 15, 2010
4,468
1,273
Colorado
I am still using the series 4 and probably will keep it for a while. Anyone else doing the same? Besides a few new apps what’s the big difference between the 4 and 6?
 

jwolf6589

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 15, 2010
4,468
1,273
Colorado

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
13,880
6,967
I upgraded from 4 to 6. The deciding factor was that I was able to get $140 for the 4 by trading it in at Apple.

The new sensors are fun to play with, but I don't have much practical use for them. The screen is much brighter and crisper. The battery is the real game changer. Lasts a lot longer and charges a lot faster. I'd say it takes a little over an hour to charge from totally depleted to full. But then it lasts over 24 hours, which means it rarely dips to below 10%. I often find myself putting it on charger at 30-40%, then it goes to full in less than an hour. I used to charge the watch twice a day to use it for sleep tracking, but now I only need to charge once a day.
 

jwolf6589

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 15, 2010
4,468
1,273
Colorado
I upgraded from 4 to 6. The deciding factor was that I was able to get $140 for the 4 by trading it in at Apple.

The new sensors are fun to play with, but I don't have much practical use for them. The screen is much brighter and crisper. The battery is the real game changer. Lasts a lot longer and charges a lot faster. I'd say it takes a little over an hour to charge from totally depleted to full. But then it lasts over 24 hours, which means it rarely dips to below 10%. I often find myself putting it on charger at 30-40%, then it goes to full in less than an hour. I used to charge the watch twice a day to use it for sleep tracking, but now I only need to charge once a day.
Do you charge your watch once a day? I charge my series 4 once a day.
 

Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
13,880
6,967
Do you charge your watch once a day? I charge my series 4 once a day.
Series 4, I used to charge twice a day. I wear my watch to sleep to do sleep tracking, so I'd top it off before bed, then top it off again when I woke up, because the battery didn't quite last 24 hours.

With the 6, I just have to charge once a day, since it lasts over 24 hours. I charge it on the morning while I'm getting ready for the day, and with the 4, I had to charge it again in the evening or it'll die during the night, the 6, I'm confident it'll last until I wake up.
 
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TinyChip

macrumors regular
Sep 19, 2015
173
103
California
I’ve the series 4 since Launch day and still very satisfied with it. Battery is at 50% at end of day. Also I looked at the series 6 but nothing about it appeals to me. I too saw the trade in value for series 4 at Apple store. I only used the ECG feature on my AW4 like twice ever, never after that, so the ECG and O2 sensor on the series 6 is not appealing to me. The Always On Display seems gimmicky to me.

So I will wait for series 7 or 8, instead I went ahead an upgraded to iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro 11 and AirPods Pro.
 
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robotica

macrumors 65816
Jul 10, 2007
1,248
1,354
Edinburgh
Series 4 checking in! Love this watch so much. Basically the same performance as the series 6. Everything is fast and the screen looks amazing. Does all my health stuff. If it broke, I would upgrade. If the right sensors came out, I would upgrade. As it’s stands right now I don’t see the point.
 

jwolf6589

macrumors 601
Original poster
Dec 15, 2010
4,468
1,273
Colorado
Series 4, I used to charge twice a day. I wear my watch to sleep to do sleep tracking, so I'd top it off before bed, then top it off again when I woke up, because the battery didn't quite last 24 hours.

With the 6, I just have to charge once a day, since it lasts over 24 hours. I charge it on the morning while I'm getting ready for the day, and with the 4, I had to charge it again in the evening or it'll die during the night, the 6, I'm confident it'll last until I wake up.

my series 4 will last the night if I choose.
 

iPhonNick

macrumors regular
Nov 18, 2019
137
194
Netherlands
Another S4 checking in. Battery health is at 90%. It's fast, it does what it needs to do (health stuff) and battery life is great.
If I choose, my S4 will last 2 days without needing another charge.
After the first day, the watch is at about 60%. After the second day, it'll be around 25-30%.
Keep in mind I'm not using the watch for sleep tracking.
 
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applefan19

macrumors regular
Sep 26, 2019
135
37
I upgraded from 4 to 6. The deciding factor was that I was able to get $140 for the 4 by trading it in at Apple.

The new sensors are fun to play with, but I don't have much practical use for them. The screen is much brighter and crisper. The battery is the real game changer. Lasts a lot longer and charges a lot faster. I'd say it takes a little over an hour to charge from totally depleted to full. But then it lasts over 24 hours, which means it rarely dips to below 10%. I often find myself putting it on charger at 30-40%, then it goes to full in less than an hour. I used to charge the watch twice a day to use it for sleep tracking, but now I only need to charge once a day.
In my experience, battery life is worse on the 6 than the 4. Granted I have AOD on.
 
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applefan19

macrumors regular
Sep 26, 2019
135
37
I am still using the series 4 and probably will keep it for a while. Anyone else doing the same? Besides a few new apps what’s the big difference between the 4 and 6?
AOD is the main difference. Pulse ox works, but isn't necessary IMO. The form factor feels different -- not sure if it has to do with the added pulse ox sensors.
 

Jack Neill

macrumors 68020
Sep 13, 2015
2,175
2,181
San Antonio Texas
I am still using the series 4 and probably will keep it for a while. Anyone else doing the same? Besides a few new apps what’s the big difference between the 4 and 6?
I'm still on the 44 LTE Space Grey I bought last Christmas. It does everything I need and its still fast enough, battery life is still 1.5 days. I would like a blue 6 but 400+ right now seems like a lot just to change colors.
 
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rosegoldoli

macrumors 6502a
Feb 21, 2019
957
1,208
my boyfriend has the S4 (I'm on the S6). Honestly the AOD is a game changer for me. I upgraded to the S6 after selling my S5 and noticed that the watch is just slightly faster in speed and charging, but if you have a S4 or S5 it's not necessary for an upgrade. He's happy with his S4
 
Last edited:

AppleSmurf

macrumors member
Nov 12, 2020
64
75
I am still using the series 4 and probably will keep it for a while. Anyone else doing the same? Besides a few new apps what’s the big difference between the 4 and 6?
I’m still using a series 3 and I don’t plan on upgrading anytime soon
 
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44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,643
42,520
Yeah, I’m still on a Series 0. 🤣 Needless to say, I’ll be in for quite a shock when I finally upgrade.

Isn’t it amazing though, being that you’re still on the first GEN watch from 2015 and it still performs. I keep saying it over this forum many times over, that’s why I like Apple, their products are so well-made, they last if you maintain them properly with charging, storage temperatures, etc.

I know Apple likes to push their latest marketing on the Series 6, but what they don’t tell you, is they’re older GEN watches work perfectly fine, you just sacrifice some of the latest health features and hardware in place of primarily what we all use our watch work, which is ‘basic notification and fitness’.
 
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applefan19

macrumors regular
Sep 26, 2019
135
37
Update: Just noticed lag in time on AOD by at least 2 mins today. Kinda defeats the AOD purpose. Is this normal?
 

DNAppleGold

macrumors 6502
Apr 9, 2009
338
69
To OP

Yes. Still Works great. I am the day with 40% or more battery. Apps still load quickly with very little lag. I am jealous of the always on display. But that will have to wait a year. For me it feels like the watch is a every three-year upgrade.
 

Globug

macrumors 6502a
Mar 16, 2012
518
108
Brisbane Australia
I didn’t have any plans to update mine but about 4 days ago the watch turned off and wouldn’t charge. It finally charged after a full 3 days on the charger. Although now the phone lasts only about 4 hours on a charge. I have rapid battery drain. :(

Anyone know what might have caused this and how to fix it? I did order a new 6 but would prefer to fix my 4 if I could.
 
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Night Spring

macrumors G5
Jul 17, 2008
13,880
6,967
Update: Just noticed lag in time on AOD by at least 2 mins today. Kinda defeats the AOD purpose. Is this normal?
Yeah, I've seen it discussed in other threads in this forum. Not clear if it's a bug or it's how it was designed, but many people have reported this behavior.
 
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