Yahoo Finance The Apple Watch 5 is Officially the Cheapest Its Ever Been - Here's the WH Review
Okay, so the Apple Watch Series 5 is on sale for the cheapest it's been - ever. Yeah, we know, it's kind of a big deal. Especially as trend experts Mintel found that that 33% of Brits believe wearable technology will 'make their lives better.'
So we’re here to try and answer the burning question: Is the Apple Watch Series 5 worth buying because even though it's on sale, it's still an investment.
Whether you’re an ‘Apple or nothing’ person or feel like you want to graduate from a cheaper brand to the rocket-ship of fitness tech, these are the key features of the latest Apple Watch Series 5. At the very least it'll help you to decide whether nixing your morning flat white is worth it to afford the luxe piece of kit.
9 Key Features of the Apple Watch Series 5
1. Always-On Display
Ever used your nose to wake your screen in the middle of a burpee? How about on the commute – do you check the time and risk hurtling down the bus as you temporarily let go of the pole?
The key development for the Apple Watch Series 5 is the inclusion of an always-on display. So, gone are those days mentioned above plus any risk of spilling your coffee trying to ‘wake’ the screen to see the time.
The new model has a dimmer but still visible watch face on permanently. Low power technology means it maintains the all-day 18 hours battery life.
WH review: I've been wearing my watch for the past week and haven't noticed any drop in daily power.
Only available on Apple Watch Series 5
2. Compass and Current Elevation
Let’s face it, following a map without that all-knowing blue dot is an absolute pain. Luckily the inclusion of an inbuilt compass means you can track your movement on your watch as you walk.
The use of maps is independent to the watch with cellular versions and requires Bluetooth connection to your phone on GPS only models.
WH review: Looking for a local restaurant for a girls’ catch up dinner was super simple. Plus – no worries about getting my phone nabbed out of my hands!
The compass also enables you to track elevation on outdoor workouts like hikes and trail runs.
Only available on Apple Watch Series 5
3. International Emergency Calling
With cellular models, you can now call local emergency services almost anywhere in the world just by pressing and holding the side button—even when your phone isn’t nearby. Great news for those on runcations or trekking on a fitness retreat.
Hopefully a feature you’ll only ever need for peace of mind.
WH review: Luckily I've not had to test this feature!
Only available on Apple Watch Series 5
4. Hearing Health
With the new Noise app, Apple Watch can monitor the noise around you and notify you if decibels reach a level that could impact your hearing.
Eave, a London-based firm that designs hearing-protection gear, recently collected data on the loudest tube lines—Victoria, Bakerloo, Jubilee and Northern. The Economist shared that the noise inside Underground carriages often reach 85 decibels (dB) – something you could detect with the new app.
Luckily for most, time spent in these conditions is minimal but if you’re concerned about where to stand at a gig…
WH review: I'm lucky enough to be able to cycle to work so don't have Underground noise levels to deal with. However, I did test how loud the roadworks out my living room window were from my sofa... only 65 (anything about 80 over a long period is troubling), so I guess I should stop complaining.
Available on Apple Watch Series 5 and all Apple Watches that support the latest watchOS 6 (3 and 4 from September 19 2019).
5. Period Cycle Tracking
The latest in period tracking, the Cycle app gives you simple data directly on your watch as well as optional reminders for both your period and where your fertility is at at any gievn point.
For those who don’t already use a tracker on their phone, this is hassle free way to start. Better understanding of your own menstrual cycle brings ease and empowerment to your life.
WH review: I have been tracking my period using a phone app for a while and luckily this meant my cycles had been stored on the Health App. This made set up immediate using my historic data. Logging when you're on could not be easier than a couple of taps on the watch.
Available on Apple Watch Series 5, and all Apple Watches that support the latest watchOS 6
6. Activity Trend Awareness
Whether you’ve owned an Apple Watch before or not, you’ll know about ‘closing your rings’.
Well, now you can see how your exercise and activity levels have developed and changed over a longer period of time.
Looking at a 90 day period the app (viewed on your phone) will show you the trend of your progress allowing you to understand what external factors may be affecting your fitness and wellbeing.
So, you may notice yourself slipping at certain times of year (ahem, summer), or be able to forgive a drop in performance if you realise it correlated exactly with a stressful time at work or house move for instance.
WH review: A glance at mine shows my running pace is up and my stand goal is down. What does this tell me? Well, clearly the desk change at work has had more of an impact than I realised and I need to make more of an effort with screen breaks!
Available on Apple Watch Series 5, and all Apple Watches that support the latest watchOS 6
7. Superior Workout Tracking
Apple Watch has been developing its workout tracking functions with every update. These days, you can record runs, swims, cycles, HIIT training, tennis, functional training, hikes, as well as nearly all indoor, outdoor and water sports.
Runners can make use of the ‘Rolling Mile’ metric which shows your pace for the last mile as you keep moving, while gym fans can even sync the watch to any Technogym equipment in your club.
WH review: Members of the WH team have a varied approach to fitness and all have made use of Apple Watch workout app. Rolling mile is especially useful for races.
Available on all Apple Watches
8. Ultimate Smart Watch Functionality
Once upon a time we didn’t all keep our lives on our phone, well now that our calendars, alarms, messages and emails are all in one place, we can confirm having them direct to your wrist is as helpful as it sounds.
WH review: No need to for constant haptic alerts instead opt in or out of whichever notifications you want. Personally, emails direct to my wrist is a step too far but I've never missed a meeting since. Sadly, WhatsApp isn't compatible with the Apple Watch yet, but with the number of group chats I'm in, that may be a good thing!
Available on all Apple
9. Music Playback and Controls
One of the best things about having a smartwatch while you work out is being able to leave your phone behind or to one side.
For that to work for most people there needs to be music options on the watch. Luckily the Apple Watch not only has control capabilities – skip and pause from your wrist – it also allows you to load offline playlists for use with Bluetooth headphones.
Oh, and Spotify is completely compatible. Win.
WH review: You don't realise how amazing changing music from your wrist is until you forget your watch and have to get your phone out again. Similarly if you've never had a phone-free run with tunes, you won't realise the freedom it gives you. One of the simplest – but most useful – features.
Available on all Apple Watches
3 Big questions people Google about the Apple Watch
What's the difference between the Apple watches?
Some differences are based in the hardware; the Apple Watch Series 5 is the only version that can support always-on display and a compass.
Similarly, the Apple Watch Series 4 and 5 are the only models able to check for an irregular heart rate.
However, some features are rolled out with updates to the operating software and will work with older models - for instance the cycle tracking and hearing app.
How much is the Apple watch?
So, the Series 5 40mm face is currently on sale at £379 but prices start at £499 (GPS and cellular) and £429 and £529 for the 44mm face respectively.
Is an Apple watch worth buying?
For anyone with the money to invest, the Apple Watch is the ultimate all rounder. You won't find another smartwatch that so seamlessly integrates activity and workout tracking with everyday phone functions like texting and emails.
Oh, and once you've lived with Apple Pay on your wrist, you'll never go back.
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