apple watch - what's the gen?
Discussion
wife wants one. I see the series 5 is the most recent. But why the huge prices variances? I can't see why the stainless steel (a cheap material) is 8 hundred quid when aluminium is 400? what the heck?
also do I need 'cellular' or not? She has an iPhone and iPad so don't know if that makes a difference.
any advice? I'm not big into it so can't be arsed to pore over every detail. Wondering if anyone can give me the basics.
also do I need 'cellular' or not? She has an iPhone and iPad so don't know if that makes a difference.
any advice? I'm not big into it so can't be arsed to pore over every detail. Wondering if anyone can give me the basics.
You don’t need cellular if you always have your phone with you.
Cellular is only supported on a couple of uk networks anyway. Cellular gives you network features when out sf phone range, including making calls.
Just get a bog standard series 5, the more expensive ones are just the same, with some cosmetic differences.
They are not cheap, but are very good.
Cellular is only supported on a couple of uk networks anyway. Cellular gives you network features when out sf phone range, including making calls.
Just get a bog standard series 5, the more expensive ones are just the same, with some cosmetic differences.
They are not cheap, but are very good.
Edited by mph999 on Sunday 19th July 23:22
As above, just go with the basic one aluminium one. The only difference with the others is the case, the internals are identical. And it’s not like a mechanical watch that can be kept, treasured and passed on - in a few years it’ll be obsolete and being replaced. Zero point in my mind in the more expensive cases.
As with any other technology, I’d always get the latest one you can (Series 5 in this case) as that’ll give you the longest time before obselecense.
The cellular ones just give it the ability to function fully without the phone being nearby, if that’s useful to you.
As with any other technology, I’d always get the latest one you can (Series 5 in this case) as that’ll give you the longest time before obselecense.
The cellular ones just give it the ability to function fully without the phone being nearby, if that’s useful to you.
The watches tend to depreciate much more quickly than the phones do.
I have a Series 5 aluminium cellular model, which I paid £499 for upon initial release. Now through Music Magpie, who I find generally offer the best buy rates, are offering only £245.
The stainless steel models depreciate even more quickly. Music Magpie is also just offering £245 for the stainless steel model, in spite of the £200 difference at new retail. There just isn't the same second hand demand for the stainless steel models.
EE, O2 and Vodafone support the cellular functions on the watch. The watch basically shares the same number as the phone, so a call and texts etc can be sent and received from both. Only really needed if you'll ever be away from the phone for any significant stretch of time. I frequently go out for runs lasting up to 2 hours, so it's handy to send a few podcasts to the watch to accompany me on the run, and for family to be able to see my route etc.
A new watch (probably called Series 6) is likely to go on sale in 2 months' time, so I would personally hold off from getting a watch until the new one is announced - normally 2 weeks before going on sale. Apple normally discounts the older model and third party retailers will also be discounting the Series 5. At least then you can decide whether to pay current Series 5 prices for a new Series 6, or make a little saving by going for an outgoing Series 5.
I have a Series 5 aluminium cellular model, which I paid £499 for upon initial release. Now through Music Magpie, who I find generally offer the best buy rates, are offering only £245.
The stainless steel models depreciate even more quickly. Music Magpie is also just offering £245 for the stainless steel model, in spite of the £200 difference at new retail. There just isn't the same second hand demand for the stainless steel models.
EE, O2 and Vodafone support the cellular functions on the watch. The watch basically shares the same number as the phone, so a call and texts etc can be sent and received from both. Only really needed if you'll ever be away from the phone for any significant stretch of time. I frequently go out for runs lasting up to 2 hours, so it's handy to send a few podcasts to the watch to accompany me on the run, and for family to be able to see my route etc.
A new watch (probably called Series 6) is likely to go on sale in 2 months' time, so I would personally hold off from getting a watch until the new one is announced - normally 2 weeks before going on sale. Apple normally discounts the older model and third party retailers will also be discounting the Series 5. At least then you can decide whether to pay current Series 5 prices for a new Series 6, or make a little saving by going for an outgoing Series 5.
Edited by Cybertronian on Monday 20th July 07:37
CoolHands said:
Yeah I didn’t know about the cycle thanks. I can wait. Then I’ll probably go with series 5 at lower price as soon as they drop it. Cheers all
There is a risk that they drop it entirely. However I think they will want to retain it. Note the Series 4 was dropped entirely last year instead of keeping it at a lower price and the Series 3 retained as the entry level. But there is quite a jump between the Series 3 entry level and the current-spec Series 5 (199 to 399 entry prices). I would think Apple would like to have a 299 watch in that gap. So I'd expect Series 3 might drop to 179, Series 5 drop to 299 and Series 6 come in at 399. Unless they can sell the Series 5 for 199 and still make the desired marginI went for the series 3 for £195 near the start of the year. I was tempted to splash out on a series 5, but I didn't know if I'd get on with it, as before buying the Apple watch, I never wore a watch, therefore the 3 was a much cheaper entry point.
It's a brilliant bit of kit, it has so many little useful functions I never knew I needed! I don't think I'd want to be without one now. Part of the appeal of the series 3 for me is that the smallest size (38mm?) is perfect for me, and whilst I've not used/been hands on with a Series 5, the 3 feels pretty decent to use, doesn't feel slow or compromised in any way. I'm sure I'll be tempted to upgrade by one of the next iterations though, mainly if they manage to make the battery life much longer & perhaps if they introduce sleep tracking.
It's a brilliant bit of kit, it has so many little useful functions I never knew I needed! I don't think I'd want to be without one now. Part of the appeal of the series 3 for me is that the smallest size (38mm?) is perfect for me, and whilst I've not used/been hands on with a Series 5, the 3 feels pretty decent to use, doesn't feel slow or compromised in any way. I'm sure I'll be tempted to upgrade by one of the next iterations though, mainly if they manage to make the battery life much longer & perhaps if they introduce sleep tracking.
George7 said:
I went for the series 3 for £195 near the start of the year. I was tempted to splash out on a series 5, but I didn't know if I'd get on with it, as before buying the Apple watch, I never wore a watch, therefore the 3 was a much cheaper entry point.
It's a brilliant bit of kit, it has so many little useful functions I never knew I needed! I don't think I'd want to be without one now. Part of the appeal of the series 3 for me is that the smallest size (38mm?) is perfect for me, and whilst I've not used/been hands on with a Series 5, the 3 feels pretty decent to use, doesn't feel slow or compromised in any way. I'm sure I'll be tempted to upgrade by one of the next iterations though, mainly if they manage to make the battery life much longer & perhaps if they introduce sleep tracking.
Agree with this. I found it surprisingly useful, but if you don't the series 3 is a cheaper way to find out.It's a brilliant bit of kit, it has so many little useful functions I never knew I needed! I don't think I'd want to be without one now. Part of the appeal of the series 3 for me is that the smallest size (38mm?) is perfect for me, and whilst I've not used/been hands on with a Series 5, the 3 feels pretty decent to use, doesn't feel slow or compromised in any way. I'm sure I'll be tempted to upgrade by one of the next iterations though, mainly if they manage to make the battery life much longer & perhaps if they introduce sleep tracking.
I’d always buy the stainless steel version. Yes, it’s a hard price difference to swallow but I wear this thing all day every day, and the stainless just feels so much nicer. It can be ‘dressed down’ where as the aluminium is more difficult to ‘dress up’. If I was young and in to sport I’d think different, but I’m neither.
page3 said:
I’d always buy the stainless steel version. Yes, it’s a hard price difference to swallow but I wear this thing all day every day, and the stainless just feels so much nicer. It can be ‘dressed down’ where as the aluminium is more difficult to ‘dress up’. If I was young and in to sport I’d think different, but I’m neither.
How have you found the screen durability on yours?I had a Series 4 that had a number of very light scratches over the screen - unsure if it was the top layer of oleophobic coating or the screen itself beneath that was affected.
Cybertronian said:
page3 said:
I’d always buy the stainless steel version. Yes, it’s a hard price difference to swallow but I wear this thing all day every day, and the stainless just feels so much nicer. It can be ‘dressed down’ where as the aluminium is more difficult to ‘dress up’. If I was young and in to sport I’d think different, but I’m neither.
How have you found the screen durability on yours?I had a Series 4 that had a number of very light scratches over the screen - unsure if it was the top layer of oleophobic coating or the screen itself beneath that was affected.
George7 said:
I went for the series 3 for £195 near the start of the year. I was tempted to splash out on a series 5, but I didn't know if I'd get on with it, as before buying the Apple watch, I never wore a watch, therefore the 3 was a much cheaper entry point.
It's a brilliant bit of kit, it has so many little useful functions I never knew I needed! I don't think I'd want to be without one now. Part of the appeal of the series 3 for me is that the smallest size (38mm?) is perfect for me, and whilst I've not used/been hands on with a Series 5, the 3 feels pretty decent to use, doesn't feel slow or compromised in any way. I'm sure I'll be tempted to upgrade by one of the next iterations though, mainly if they manage to make the battery life much longer & perhaps if they introduce sleep tracking.
I think the 5 has sleep tracking , I’ll have to check. The battery life is maybe a couple of days, but it has an always on display. It's a brilliant bit of kit, it has so many little useful functions I never knew I needed! I don't think I'd want to be without one now. Part of the appeal of the series 3 for me is that the smallest size (38mm?) is perfect for me, and whilst I've not used/been hands on with a Series 5, the 3 feels pretty decent to use, doesn't feel slow or compromised in any way. I'm sure I'll be tempted to upgrade by one of the next iterations though, mainly if they manage to make the battery life much longer & perhaps if they introduce sleep tracking.
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