Upgrading from 4 to 5 worth it?

[sjinsjca]

My personal opinion is that it would ONLY be worth the change if it bothers you a lot to turn the Apple Watch to see the time, or in other words if you would appreciate the always on display.

There are other differences, as I pointed out earlier in this thread. Folks fixate on the AOD as if it were the only difference vs. the Series 4, but Series 5 offers several times more onboard storage, there are new international SOS and fall-detection capabilities, and the compass may interest some folks too.

 

[Reflej0]

So I started saying the answer my personal opinion. I know there are other improvements but:

• The 32GB, 16GB memory I think were enough, it is not bad that they improve the memory, but it is not a radical change, adding more memory to any device is not an innovation is a linear and predictable improvement.
• International SOS calls, it is good to worry in this section, but being honest, I do not make SOS calls every day, or every week, nor do I think so during the year.
• Compass, is dedicated to a very specific audience, the user segment in large cities will not use it at all.

At the time, the inclusion of GPS (which the first version did not have), the inclusion of LTE, and the ability to swim with the watch on, that I consider were notable improvements, among others.

 

[superstarmc]

If you were upgrading from the 3 to the 5 then yes but not from the 4 to series 5. I had to turn my always on display off because of the drained battery.

 

[Significant1]

• Compass, is dedicated to a very specific audience, the user segment in large cities will not use it at all.

Why not. It's a lot easier to orientate on a map, when you have compass. Even in large cities.

 

[MisterSavage]

I broke the screen on my Series 5 and have been using a Series 4 until I get my 5 fixed. I kept getting so angry at my Series 4 that it was forcing me to turn my wrist to see the time. It’s almost as bad as having to pull your phone out of your pocket to see the time.

For me, I can’t go back any more.

Exactly. It's not a big deal to pull my phone out of my pocket to pay with Apple Pay but it's so much nicer/convenient to use my Apple Watch instead. I never use my phone for Apple Pay anymore. It's the same with AoD for me. Once I got used to being able to always see the time and my complications there was no going back.

 

[Otflyer]

I switch from S4 to S5 because, I like the latest tech when it comes to iPhone and Apple Watch. Other Apple products not so much.

 

[Significant1]

I broke the screen on my Series 5 and have been using a Series 4 until I get my 5 fixed. I kept getting so angry at my Series 4 that it was forcing me to turn my wrist to see the time. It’s almost as bad as having to pull your phone out of your pocket to see the time.

For me, I can’t go back any more.

This author seems to agree with me: https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-watch-series-5-vs-3-compared-review-specs-size-2020-1

I follow you. I have a S4. Because i hate it to turn on and off, I keep it on teater mode. But that means I need to use two hands for checking the time and it is easier to just check my phone. So even though I wear it Daily, I don't really use it as a watch, just activity tracker.

 

[GDF]

So, I went against my own advice to you and ended up upgrading to SBSS Series 5 from SS SS Series 4 44. Sold my 44 for $400, so why not upgrade now. Will be interesting how much I like the AOD.

 

[sjinsjca]

So, I went against my own advice to you and ended up upgrading to SBSS Series 5 from SS SS Series 4 44. Sold my 44 for $400, so why not upgrade now. Will be interesting how much I like the AOD.

Nice choice. Enjoy! Report back after you've had a chance to live with it for a few days. I adored my S0 and am a bit shocked how far this product has come in 4.5 years.

How'd you sell your S4? That's a decent price.

 

[GDF]

Nice choice. Enjoy! Report back after you've had a chance to live with it for a few days. I adored my S0 and am a bit shocked how far this product has come in 4.5 years.

How'd you sell your S4? That's a decent price.

On Craigslist. I was surprised, as had listed it on their since Sept. Figured for that price, might as well upgrade...

 

[ssledoux]

I have been trying to decide about this very same thing, but mainly because I’m considering going from a 40mm to a 44mm, although with a fairly small wrist, I’m really torn about that too. I considered it last year, but I have a good many watch bands, and the thought of having to start over with only 1 bothers me.

 

[The Game 161]

if you care about AOD and would use it yes but if not stay with series 4...

 

[sjinsjca]

if you care about AOD and would use it yes but if not stay with series 4...

I'm surprised how much I like the AOD on my Series 5. Battery life is great.

The 5 also offers much more storage for music, podcasts, etc. And the nearly worldwide support for emergency alerts (including fall detection) is comforting to have.

No dig against the S4, but the S5 is about more than the always-on display.

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

It has been said above, and is worth saying again: The storage was doubled between AW 4 and 5. More apps, more years of OS updates will fit, more music on the device.

Got a Nike in black aluminum with dark grey ventilated band.

 

[Significant1]

It has been said above, and is worth saying again: The storage was doubled between AW 4 and 5. More apps, more years of OS updates will fit, more music on the device.

Yes on paper, but I have yet to hear an S5 owner tell they can add much more than 8GB of music as S4. That said, I really hate how Apple manage music. Again and again it has removed songs from watch.

 

[icloudUser]

The 5 has much more storage, so if you listen to lots of music and/or podcasts and wish to leave your phone behind, that might be compelling.

on the S5 music storage is limited to 8GB or less. There you go!
That said, AOD is nice but i dont see it as a games changer. I move my wrist anyway to look at the time.
Battery life is slightly worse than the S4.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I own a series 5 and my wife has a series 4. In my opinion I’d say save your money for the next watch as these two are far too similar to be wasting money just to have one or two minor features. There’s no way I’d be changed my watch every 12 months when 3 years seems to be the best period between upgrades.

 

[sjinsjca]

on the S5 music storage is limited to 8GB or less. There you go!
That said, AOD is nice but i dont see it as a games changer.

Apple has reserved 8GB of the 32GB for music in the current WatchOS. Similar partitioning seems to at one point or another have been enforced for earlier models-- trying to get an authoritative answer on this point is a little murky online. As I understand it, this was to prevent there not being enough room in which updates can be performed. In any case the non-music storage is available for photos, podcasts, apps, etc.

Maybe I'm the only frequent international traveler around here, but one thing that swung me to the 5 was the international emergency alerts and fall detection. Nice peace of mind there. I keep bringing this up but no one else seems to regard it as desirable!

Also, based on my few weeks with the 5, I gotta say: AOD is one of those things you miss when you don't have it. (You can quickly turn it off by engaging Theater Mode. I did that on a long flight yesterday, turning it back on when I landed 11 hours later. By the time I face-planted in my hotel, the Watch still had more than 40% battery 28 hours after first putting it on.)

Anyway, both are great watches and I'm really happy with my 5. I do wish the podcast-sync situation would see a resolution soon.

 

[bobsamm]

I sold my SG aluminium S4 a month before S5 came out as it was fairly scratched up, thinking i would get the S5 and havn't got anything yet. Should just kept it and not sure what to do now. Should get a SS as the aluminium will do the same but don't want/need the cellular, so would be $479AUD extra here.

 

[GadgetGeek71]

No. I would keep the 4. I have the 5. And really, I still raise my wrist to look at the time anyway. But it's how much you want the AOD. Up to you.

Agree...not updating my S4 because AOD is not a big deal for me.

 

[bobsamm]

Got a Nike S5 44mm today, not much has changed since the S4 I had and sold last year. Always on is ok, new watch faces. Would like bigger really, another size up would be good. The bottom of the watch still sticks to the skin.

Not sure if I will keep it, not really seeing the $829Aud with AC here value yet.

 

[Yptcn]

Apple has reserved 8GB of the 32GB for music in the current WatchOS. Similar partitioning seems to at one point or another have been enforced for earlier models-- trying to get an authoritative answer on this point is a little murky online. As I understand it, this was to prevent there not being enough room in which updates can be performed. In any case the non-music storage is available for photos, podcasts, apps, etc.

Maybe I'm the only frequent international traveler around here, but one thing that swung me to the 5 was the international emergency alerts and fall detection. Nice peace of mind there. I keep bringing this up but no one else seems to regard it as desirable!

Also, based on my few weeks with the 5, I gotta say: AOD is one of those things you miss when you don't have it. (You can quickly turn it off by engaging Theater Mode. I did that on a long flight yesterday, turning it back on when I landed 11 hours later. By the time I face-planted in my hotel, the Watch still had more than 40% battery 28 hours after first putting it on.)

Anyway, both are great watches and I'm really happy with my 5. I do wish the podcast-sync situation would see a resolution soon.

The 4 also has international emergency calling if you have your phone close by , like the 5 . The only difference is if you have the 5+cellular , in that case you do not need your phone . I just looked it up as I travel a lot abroad .

 

[CarolG]

I broke the screen on my Series 5 and have been using a Series 4 until I get my 5 fixed. I kept getting so angry at my Series 4 that it was forcing me to turn my wrist to see the time. It’s almost as bad as having to pull your phone out of your pocket to see the time.

For me, I can’t go back any more.

This author seems to agree with me: https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-watch-series-5-vs-3-compared-review-specs-size-2020-1

I totally agree too. I always got angry at the black screen. The S5 is my 4th AW. I upgraded from the S4 for that AOD. It is very important to me to have that feature. I just glance at my wrist. I don’t raise to look at it. LOVE the AOD. I always get aluminum so I can justify upgrading every time a new feature I “must have” comes out. It was maddening that Apple (and other places) only offered $99 for my S4 But the SS models were only about $20 more in resale. I gave my S4 to my sister in law

 

[russell_314]

I totally agree too. I always got angry at the black screen. The S5 is my 4th AW. I upgraded from the S4 for that AOD. It is very important to me to have that feature. I just glance at my wrist. I don’t raise to look at it. LOVE the AOD. I always get aluminum so I can justify upgrading every time a new feature I “must have” comes out. It was maddening that Apple (and other places) only offered $99 for my S4 But the SS models were only about $20 more in resale. I gave my S4 to my sister in law

If you want more for your AW just put an add in Craigslist or one of those for sale apps. Apple is just buying it for the components so if you trade it to them think of it as a $100 trade in discount and not selling your old watch to them.

 

[heyyitssusan]

I was contemplating grabbing The S5 with the sale going on and selling my 4 (I’ve come to terms that I want a space grey watch and not gold anymore) but we are about what, 4 months away from the S6 being announced? Guess I’ll just wait it out.