Skip to main content

Apple Watch Series 5

See All Stories

Apple Watch Series 5 release date

The Series 5 was announced during Apple’s fall event on September 10, 2019. Customers were able to purchase the device later that day, and it was released on September 20. The headline feature for this model is the first-ever, always-on display. The new display will always show the time and complications. The new Apple Watch is also the first to include a built-in compass.

Apple is also bringing international emergency services to every cellular model. The Series 5 also brings back ceramic white, and new natural brush and space black titanium models.

Apple Watch Series 5 pricing

Pricing starts at $399 for the GPS-only model. If you want the LTE connected model, it will start at $499. These prices are for the aluminum models. If you want a stainless steel, ceramic, or titanium model, the pricing goes up as you choose various options. Edition Series 5 starts at $799 for the new titanium finishes, gray ceramic did not return, and white ceramic comes in at $1,299.

Apple Watch Series 5 features

The new Series 5 runs on a new Apple S5 chip inside: 64-bit dual-core S5 processor, up to 2x faster than S3 processor (includes W3 wireless chip). Apple Watch bands now include purchasable gold options including leather straps, something we haven’t seen since the original. The  Series 5 includes 32 GB storage, up from 16 GB from previous models.

The Series 5 will be preloaded with watchOS 6.

Apple Watch speed boosts: watchOS 7 enhances app launching with faster Dock, always-on display

watchOS 7 is one of those software updates that makes your Apple Watch feel faster without upgrading to a new model. Subtle enhancements to how launching apps works on watchOS 7 contribute to this effect. These include changes to the Dock and Apple Pay on all Apple Watch models with watchOS 7 and the always-on display on Apple Watch Series 5.

Expand Expanding Close

Knockoff Apple Watches can clone the design, but you can’t photocopy the experience

Xiaomi Apple Watch clone design but not experience

We noted last week that Xiaomi’s new smartwatch is unsurprisingly an Apple Watch clone. This will arrive as the first smartwatch with the Xiaomi branding after its subbrand Huami photocopied Apple’s wearable earlier this year.

Design is just one aspect of what makes Apple’s wearable so fantastic. Looking at Xiaomi’s Mi Watch details, it’s a good reminder that even though companies will continue to clone Apple devices, they can’t offer anything close to the same experience. And when it comes to Apple Watch, that includes potentially life-saving features like fall detection, auto 911 calls, and ECGs.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Running Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon with Apple Watch Series 5 and AirPods Pro

Apple Watch Disney World

I signed up for this year’s RunDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon seven months ago without realizing I would be moving into a new house throughout the month before race day. It’s been a busy few weeks!

I also didn’t know Apple would have an all-new version of AirPods released just five days before the 13.1-mile race! The run around Disney World would be my fourth half marathon race, but my first of that distance using Apple Watch Series 5 and AirPods Pro.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Review: Apple Watch Series 5 always-on display is a big improvement, but it comes at a cost [Video]

It’s been over a month of Apple Watch Series 5 ownership, which has given me plenty of time to assess its value in our Apple Watch Series 5 video review.

Series 5 is very much an iterative upgrade over its predecessor, perhaps more so than any other Apple Watch upgrade thus far. In fact, it shares so much in common with the Apple Watch Series 4 that they could easily be confused for the same device outside of a few obvious differences.

Although Apple Watch Series 5 is ultimately a big step in the right direction for the hardware, such growth isn’t totally devoid of growing pains. Should you upgrade from a previous generation Apple Watch? Our hands-on Apple Watch Series 5 video review provides the details.
Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Design VP Alan Dye talks Apple Watch face design on Hodinkee Radio podcast interview

Apple’s Vice President of Human Interface Design Alan Dye is no stranger to giving interviews about the Apple Watch and what goes into what shapes the software experience. Dye’s latest Apple Watch conversation can be heard on the Hodinkee Radio podcast where he discusses how Apple Watch faces are designed and much more.


Expand
Expanding
Close

[Update: watchOS 6.1 beta] Apple Watch Series 5 battery life struggling to last all day for some users

[Update 10/7: Disabling always-on display and other features saw minimal battery life gain. Reluctantly, I installed watchOS 6.1 beta over the weekend as a last resort troubleshooting step before exchanging the hardware. We don’t yet know when this watchOS update will be released or if it intentionally targets a battery life bug.

However, after three days of testing, watchOS 6.1 beta on Apple Watch Series 5 with always-on display enabled has turned 12 hour battery life into 17.5 hours. We’ll have our full review after watchOS 6.1 is officially released. Original coverage of the battery life situation without watchOS 6.1 beta below.]

I’ve been eager to review the new Apple Watch for the fifth consecutive year, but there’s just one problem: I can’t get through a full day without it dying. Apple Watch Series 5 introduces an always-on display so you can read the time at a glance, and Apple says battery life is unchanged from Series 4 models.

My routine hasn’t changed either, but my battery life experience has. Battery life problems are not affecting everyone, but Apple Watch Series 5 battery problems are definitely affecting more customers than just me.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Watch Edition: Hands-on with the redesigned white ceramic Series 5

Apple Watch Series 5 introduces the return of the ceramic Edition after being notably absent for the Series 4 lineup. That means this is the first time ceramic has been an option with the redesign that debuted last year, and the new look is stunning. Check out our initial hands-on with the Apple Watch Edition before our full Series 5 review later next week.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Watch Series 5 announcement

Apple Watch Series 5: Using the Always-On display and how to turn it off

One of the major new features arriving with Apple Watch Series 5 is the Always-On display. It’s turned by default and may be valuable in a variety of scenarios. However, there are still reasons why you may want to disable or customize it. Read on for some tips on using the Apple Watch Series 5 Always-On display and also how to turn it off.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Poll: Early Apple Watch Series 5 users report mixed battery life, what about you?

The Apple Watch Series 5 is the first to feature an always-on display, and Apple touted that it was able to achieve that without a measurable impact on battery life. Now that the Series 5 is widely available, however, some users are reporting mixed results when it comes to battery performance – but it could be a software bug.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Watch Studio: Hands-on with the in-store personalization experience

The Apple Watch has always been Apple’s most customizable product. To make choosing a case and band that fits your own style easier, Apple is introducing a new retail feature called Apple Watch Studio alongside the Series 5. Available both online and in-store, Apple Watch Studio lets you mix and match styles to build your own personalized model. Here’s how the process will work when you walk in to an Apple Store.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Watch Series 5 uses the same processor as the Series 4

apple watch pro titanium

Apple announced last week an all-new generation of Apple Watch “Series 5” with an always-on display, built-in compass, and new case finishes. Despite showing all these new features during the keynote, Apple didn’t mention anything specific about Series 5 achieving better performance than last year’s Series 4, not even on its website. We now know that’s because there are no improvements over the CPU included in Apple Watch Series 5.


Expand
Expanding
Close

Apple Watch Series 5 review roundup: Always-on display worth the upgrade, battery life lives up to claim

After you read my re-review of the Apple Watch Series 3 at its new Fitbit-killing price, dig into the just-released early reviews of the brand new Apple Watch Series 5. This year’s hardware builds on the success of Apple Watch Series 4, touting a new always-on display and built-in compass. Here’s what the reviewers are saying:


Expand
Expanding
Close