How exciting is the Apple Watch Series 5? Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com finds out.
Along with the iPhone 11 series, Apple also launched its next generation Apple Watch Series 5 at the Steve Jobs theatre in Cupertino, California, on September 10.
We were expecting something new from Apple, but the Series 5 is merely an upgrade of the Apple Watch Series 4 in specs and design.
While it finally has an Always-On Retina Display and Built-In Compass, I wonder why it took Apple five generations to get the former right.
Given that Apple missed the Always-On Display bus by a full five years -- the competition had this feature even then -- they have now found all kinds of 'unique' ways to highlight it.
Like, it helps you sneak a look at the time when you are busy in a office meeting, or when you are gymming and both your hands are busy, or when you are travelling in crowded places.
The Always-On Display means you don't have to raise your hand to activate the screen.
The Series 5 also allows you to activate International Emergency Calling.
Discerning buyers, who would want to go for the cheaper Series 4 instead, will be surprised to know that it so no longer available at Apple Stores.
However, the older Series 3 is, and has become more affordable at $199 (approximately Rs 14,102).
Here, then, are the latest features in the Apple Watch Series 5.
Always-On Retina Display
This technology allows users to check the time and other information which is now visible all the time on a dimly-lit screen.
The watch brightens up when tapped or when the wrist is raised.
Apple uses a combination of components like low-temperature polysilicone and oxide display, ultra-low power display driver, power management integrated circuit and an ambient light sensor that consumes less power and offers all day battery life.
The watch faces, too, are optimised to preserve battery.
Built-In Compass
The Built-In Compass, along with the maps app, allows users to navigate the routes.
The watch can now provide information like direction, incline, latitude, longitude and elevation.
International Emergency Calling
Apple has added an International Emergency Calling safety feature.
The watch can place a call to emergency services of the country you are in, even if you have purchased the watch in your home country.
It also works with fall detection, if enabled.
watchOS 6
The watchOS 6 includes new, customisable faces.
In addition to health and fitness, here are some of the additional features you'll find in the Series 5:
The Cycle Tracking app
This app allows the user to log information related to her menstrual cycle and see the predicted timing for her next period and fertile window.
The Noise app
With the help of this app, the watch detects the noise around you with its built-in microphone and alerts the user if it’s harmful.
The user can also check if the ambient sound is harmful through the decibel meter in the app.
The watch comes in a variety of cases made out of titanium, ceramic and stainless steel. It comes in gold, silver and space black colours.
Also, the new recycled aluminium edition, which is cheaper than the stainless steel, ceramic and titanium cases, but is equally tough, is available in silver, gold and space gray colours.
Hardware
The Apple Watch Series 5 runs on Apple's latest S5, 64 bit dual core processor.
The prices, at a glance
The Apple Watch Series 5
The Apple Watch Series 3
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