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Still using series 4?

I have an S4 since launch day 2018. While the buy one get one AT&T offer running this week is sort of tempting, I've decided to hold off for the S7, which is rumored to have a new design. The battery has faded a touch, but it is still good enough and there just isn't anything compelling about the S6 to make me really want to rush out and get one. The AOD is something I would probably not use, and the ECG feature on my S4 I've used a grand total of maybe one time in 2 years.

So....I'll wait to see if the S7 is really any different and hang on to my S4. My girlfriend has an S3 and feels the same way.

In fact, we've decided to hold onto our phones for the 13 as well. My 11PM is really great, and her XS Max is also humming along just fine.
 
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I'm still rockin the S1 from July of 2017. My son is rockin his S4 from Dec 2018. And my husband has a S5 from May of 2020 (after heart attack). My husband hates watches, abuses his stuff because he welds, hammers, does plumbing and electrical, solders, etc. But he does love the apple pay via watch. If it weren't for that, he'd throw the watch back at me 😆
 
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harriska2 said:
I'm still rockin the S1 from July of 2017. My son is rockin his S4 from Dec 2018. And my husband has a S5 from May of 2020 (after heart attack). My husband hates watches, abuses his stuff because he welds, hammers, does plumbing and electrical, solders, etc. But he does love the apple pay via watch. If it weren't for that, he'd throw the watch back at me 😆
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All these years, and cashiers are still flabbergasted that you can use the watch to pay at the terminal. You’d think they know that by now, but technology is amazing.
 
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I upgraded this year and the difference is minimal at best. Apps open up a little bit faster, Siri is a little bit more responsive, and it has a compass and blood oxygen meter (which I never use). The one big upgrade is the always on display. Other than that, there is really nothing else I feel like I was missing out on. Battery life is completely identical. Not much of an upgrade in that department. I sold my S4 for a good price which Is the only reason I upgraded.
 
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jwolf6589 said:
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?
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I went from the S4 to the S6. I had wake on wrist raise off on the S4 and still do on the S6 to conserve battery. The always on display is nice that I can always see the time. It seems to have a bit more battery life but the S4 was enough if I didn’t forget to charge it. If you’re happy with the S4 keep it and wait for the S7
 
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I still have and am using my launch day S4. I used to be on a every 2 year cycle, but it seems that I’m going to upgrade every 3-4 years. I love my S4, and didn’t see any reason to upgrade. I barely use the ECG feature and deactivated the cellular feature on my watch. I haven’t even upgraded the software to WatchOS 7 yet. I’m more interested in upgrading my iPhone. The battery life on my S4, still has been the same. I now carry my cable with me to top up during the day if need be.
 
My wife's 38mm Series 3 is still going strong and was purchased when they first came out. I'm not aware of any battery issues she's having (still lasts from the time she gets up to the time she goes to bed). I believe it's still on watchOS 5.x something, but I'm not certain. She's never complained of any issues she's having to me (and I'd definitely hear about them if she were).
 
jwolf6589 said:
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?
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What is the typical life of a watch. I've had my Series 4 for more than a year and I don't really feel the need to change it anytime soon.
 
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sjsharksfan12 said:
What is the typical life of a watch. I've had my Series 4 for more than a year and I don't really feel the need to change it anytime soon.
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That is tough to answer since the S0 was introduced in 2015 and there are some who still use it.
My S4 is about 2 1/4 years old and I expect to use it at least til the S7 comes out and maybe beyond...
I think realistically AW has a life of about 4 years, not sure the battery will do much more than that but it heavily depends on your usage... my battery healt sits at 89%, to me the watch will become “useless” if it doesn’t last the day anymore, and currently I end the day somewhere in the mid 40% range.
 
I just went from a 4 to a 6 today. My friend sent me a Amazon Black Friday deal for the 44m Sport LTE model for $429 ($100 off) and I decided to sell my S4 SS which I estimate will get around $300. So I will end up getting a new model for around $130 more five or take. I’m tired of shelling out $700-800 for the SS models and used this as an opportunity to switch.

So far I like the AOD and noticed the battery does charge quick. It’s snappier as well. I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to upgrade from the S4, but if you get a good deal like I did, it’s not as painful on the wallet.
 
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Still rocking my Series 4 Stainless Steel. Works great and happy about everything. I charge once a day now that we are all at home and also use for sleep tracking. No issues whatsoever.
 
mbhforum said:
I just went from a 4 to a 6 today. My friend sent me a Amazon Black Friday deal for the 44m Sport LTE model for $429 ($100 off) and I decided to sell my S4 SS which I estimate will get around $300. So I will end up getting a new model for around $130 more five or take. I’m tired of shelling out $700-800 for the SS models and used this as an opportunity to switch.

So far I like the AOD and noticed the battery does charge quick. It’s snappier as well. I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to upgrade from the S4, but if you get a good deal like I did, it’s not as painful on the wallet.
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I also have a S4 SS. I tried the S6 Aluminum and realized how much I gotten used to SS look and feel. Given that S4 is still working strong, I returned the S6. My next upgrade will sure be SS as well.
 
sjsharksfan12 said:
What is the typical life of a watch.
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Depends on the health of the lithium ion battery. If it was charged regularly and not reduced below 80%, you can easily achieve two years beyond expectancy. The problem with lithium ion batteries with smart watches, is they’re exposed to elements of hot and cold, which in general, is hard on a battery and shortens the lifespan. Overall, charging frequency really is the determination.
 
Honestly I couldn't see why anyone would upgrade to the S5 when it launched, and while the S6 is a bit more of a substantial update with some cool new features, it's just not all that compelling for S4 owners IMHO. Not that I'm complaining. I've had my S4 for about 18 months and it basically still feels brand new in terms of speed/functionality.
 
Even though the blood oxygen sensor would be beneficial for my asthma, I still don’t see a compelling reason for me to upgrade my S4. It still lasts me 1.5 days, charges fast enough for me, and apps still open the same. Maybe next year I’ll upgrade to the S7, or wait until 2022 to upgrade.
 
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Malus120 said:
Honestly I couldn't see why anyone would upgrade to the S5 when it launched, and while the S6 is a bit more of a substantial update with some cool new features, it's just not all that compelling for S4 owners IMHO. Not that I'm complaining. I've had my S4 for about 18 months and it basically still feels brand new in terms of speed/functionality.
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I actually agree with this. The only reason I upgraded was that I was able to get $140 for my S4 in trade-in. It was wait until next year, and buy the S7, when I'd probably only get $50-60 for my S4, or buy the S6 now, taking advantage of the trade-in deal.

I think if the trade-in values stay where they are, upgrading every other year is probably what I'll be doing.
 
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After 2.25 years use my fours battery health is 88% and it’s working better on the latest updates. I would like the always on display but I’ll wait for next year because maybe Apple might change the design.
 
I'm still using an S4 Stainless, traded my S4 GPS in on a S6 when I got my phone. Between what they gave me for the watch and a promotion, I was able to get $175 off. Figured why not. I'm not going to say the new sensors and features they bring aren't nice, because they are but the difference between the two in terms of speed, performance and battery isn't as big as a jump as was my experience moving from S2 to S4. I feel like that's a testament to S4 on up. One thing that is noticeably faster are the updates. I'm enjoying the Blood Oxygen monitoring and have found it to be +/- 1-2 from the Pulse Oximeter I have. That's more reliable than I thought it would be.

AOD for me isn't anything special. Raise to wake is what I use when I'm exercising and that works perfectly for my needs. If you can swing it, sure go for it, but don't feel like you're missing out by keeping the S4 around. It's still a very solid watch in my opinion.
 
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Relentless Power said:
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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I am still using a first gen watch as well. But only because Apple replaced the battery when the original battery swelled up and pushed the screen off. So yes, Apple stuff is well designed and made, in general.
 
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I have the S4 Nike version and am see no reason to upgrade. I only wear it when I run so I get feedback and the VO2 information is great. The only problem is it refuses to update the iOS which Apple is aware of and slow to fix.
 
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