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I am a big fan of the alway–on display. This was the killer feature the watch needs.

But the battery life is bad. My two year old S3 was better. I usually leave it on the charger once I hit my goals until I go to bed (midnight or so). Wear overnight for sleep tracking with Autosleep. The next day it’s below 20% by 7pm.

I have done a complete reset/set up the watch as new and it didn’t get better. I guess that’s just how it is. 40mm here.

I agree that Apple needs to tweak the always on display battery calibration, as it’s not nearly as efficient as it should be. But, this is the first generation AOD and its existence and will see more improvements in the future. Personally myself, I actually prefer ‘raise to wake’, as it’s been tweaked to the point where it’s so sensitive, I personally don’t find AOD that appealing for my use cases.
 
I recently sold my series 4 cellular version for $270 and picked up a series 5 gps for 299. I have never used the cellular anyway - it just never worked well on either of my cellular watches - so I really just couldn’t pass up basically paying $30 for the new watch.

I like it, and unless the 6 is absolutely amazing in some way, I will keep my 5 til 6s go on sale or 7s come out.

I haven’t noticed a huge difference in battery life from my series 4. I end the day with a little less than before, and I wouldn’t likely make it 2 full days, but always a day and a half.
 
I broke the screen on my S5 and had to use my S4 for a week or so while I waited for it be repaired. I can’t ever go back to a non-AOD now.

My habits have changed with the Series 5. Before the Series 5 I used to do the exaggerated wrist flip to see the time. After the Series 5, I got used to doing a more normal glance to see the time. But when I went back to the Series 4, it was infuriating to me to see a black void when I would glance down to my wrist.

AOD to the Apple Watch is like ESPN to Cable TV. Yeah, it’s only one feature but for many, it’s a deal-breaker.
 
I love my series 5 LTE, bought it back in May to replace my s0. I got it through Verizon, they were running a sale for Memorial Day. AOD is a game changer! I workout 5-6x/week and usually end the day with about 20% battery. I actually really like the LTE, I use it on my outdoor runs with the Nike Run Club app and Apple Music. If I need to make a quick run to the grocery, I'll leave my phone at home and just take my AirPods to pair with the watch
 
If you have a series 4 I would wait unlit series 6 comes out as the series 5 isn't really an upgrade (except AOD). I have a series 5 (was trying to hold out until series 6 came out but my series 3 broke back in February). I get two days of usage, and I don't have AOD on. I find AOD annoying. Raise to wake works just fine and gaining the battery life out ways the AOD.
 
Upgraded to S5 from S2. Got to say, it is a MASSIVE upgrade for me. The AOD is surprisingly useful in all those small ways throughout my day (during transit, workouts, when both of my hands are carrying documents), and the watch feels alot more refined especially with the stronger and improved haptics, performance, sensitivity, and the time and sensitivity it takes to summon Siri.
 
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improved haptics, performance, sensitivity, and the time and sensitivity it takes to summon Siri.

There’s been no improvement in terms of ‘sensitivity‘ summoning Siri with the microphone. That was implemented directly through watchOS, and was incorporated into the Series 3 Apple Watch.
 
Never really gave the Iwatch much thought to tell you the truth, but my son was upgrading to the 5 so had his 2 for a day before the wife claimed it, although she chipped in for my 5.
Thankfully went for the 5 as the OAD display gives it a finesse over the 4 in my opinion.
Must admit really impressed with it, text using the speech option really works even with my broad Glaswegian accent.
The different faces and straps make it feel like a different watch each day.
Battery, no real complaints for what I use it for and usually end up about 30% at end of day and it charges reasonably quick.
All in all really pleasantly surprised, come Wednesday the pubs here in Scotland open and will bore everyone in sight with my newly acquired gadget.
 
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S5 was my first. Unsure if S6 will be something I want more than the 5 however I’m planning to get it. I’ve decided that I want the cellular version.
 
There’s been no improvement in terms of ‘sensitivity‘ summoning Siri with the microphone. That was implemented directly through watchOS, and was incorporated into the Series 3 Apple Watch.
By sensitivity, I mean Siri now appears even if I say "Hey Siri" in a quieter/higher pitch etc voice, or when I raise my wrist and directly speak a command (without saying Hey Siri on my S5), Siri appears quicker and in more cases. Before, Siri may not catch the command or initiate wake up.
 
I’m a first time AW buyer but I’ using other Apple devices since 15 years… the phone since the 3s. I’d like to share my personal opinion of the AW 5 - I want to like it although I have a few issues that make me like it much less.

The always-on screen is definitely worth it - it’s beautiful, legible in bright light, watch faces a plenty and easy to adapt to one’s taste.

The AW is very light and comfortable to wear with a sport loop.

I thought battery would be an issue but it’s not at all for me. I got the AW a few days ago, adjusted a few non-essential settings (for me) and finish my day with 50% but indeed it won’t last 2 days when used a bit more intensely.

However: I expected some things to work (differently):


1) Activity rings - why on earth are adjustments limited to the move goal?
In other words, why can’t one adjust the exercise and stand goals?
30 min exercise per day is a goal?
Standing up 12 times in 12 hours?
Seriously?
The non-adjustable activity rings are a joke. I’m completing the exercise goal by 7:00 am….


2) Music without an iPhone - I expected a seamless (!) integration / data transfer between phone and watch so that I can enjoy music without my phone in the pocket while walking or cycling (I mean that’s the whole point right??)
Music file transfer is a nightmare. The official method doesn’t work at all. Transferring a single mp3 takes forever. De-activating Bluetooth on the phone and forcing a wifi connection works a bit better, In can transfer a playlist or an album in a few minutes.
The sound is nice but would it be that difficult to add an equalizer option to make some limited sound adjustments?
With an official EU price of 479€ (540 USD), I’d have expected a bit more for my money.


3) Podcasts - why can’t I just transfer the latest episode or a specific episode of a podcast to the watch…. it’s the last 3 or as many non-read as available. What’s the point? Just give me the option to transfer the podcast I want.


So, I think, despite the fact that I love the design of the silver aluminium watch with a khaki sport loop, I am going to return it and wait for the next generation of watches because this watch doesn’t fulfill some basic needs despite being an extremely cool gadget.
 
By sensitivity, I mean Siri now appears even if I say "Hey Siri" in a quieter/higher pitch etc voice, or when I raise my wrist and directly speak a command (without saying Hey Siri on my S5), Siri appears quicker and in more cases. Before, Siri may not catch the command or initiate wake up.

I agree that Siri is better than before, but it’s still not reliable. Just last night I had to yell at it 3 times and flick up my wrist in an exaggerated fashion for it to activate. Ironically the only part Siri “caught” was me saying to a family member “why isn’t Siri listening to me?” To which she replied “I’m not sure how to help you”

Speaking of Siri, why can’t Siri listen to a request from when the notification shade screen is activated? And why can’t I use Siri to do things like 1. Stop my timer alarm? It goes off while I’m grilling and I have both hands full of meat juice and I have to tap on screen to stop the alarm. You let me set a timer but not stop the ringing? 2. Why can’t I tell Siri to return to the main watch screen?
 
Very happy with the watch - great battery life (except when apps run into bugs), AOD, ceramic still looks pristine and likely to remain so indefinitely. But if I’m an owner of a S4 watch, I’d probably hold on to it.
 
Love the watch and what it does. Battery life is what i dislike. A 3 mile walk plus a gym session i imagine would die by 21:00 each night.

So once gyms open i will be looking at needing to charge the watch when i get home at 7pm to last til i go to bed.
 
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