Apple Watch Series 5: The Always-On Revolution
Hey there, tech enthusiasts and Apple lovers! get your mind back to September 10, 2019, Ring any bells? If not, let me help you with your memory. It was the day Apple held its “By innovation only” event, and boy, did they deliver on that promise! The star of the show? The Apple Watch Series 5, the smartwatch that finally brought us the feature we’d all been waiting for “an always-on display”.
During that event, Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO proudly announced that “Apple Watch Series 5 is the most advanced Apple Watch yet, with powerful new features that help you stay connected, motivated, and healthy.” I know it is the same script every year but who cares if it works lol, the Series 5 was about to change the game in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
So, buckle up, chads! We’re about to dive deeply into the Apple Watch that never sleeps – literally!
The Always-On Game Changer:
The Apple Watch Series 5 wasn’t just an incremental update, it was a quantum leap in smartwatch technology. With the introduction of the always-on Retina display, Apple was essentially saying, “Your watch is always there for you, even when you’re not looking at it.” But that wasn’t all. Let’s break down what made the Series 5 fine.
Technical Specifications:
Alright, let’s start with the most important thing we all love, What made the Apple Watch Series 5 so special? Here’s the lowdown of techy stuff:
Display:
The standout feature is “an always-on Retina LTPO OLED display” with 1000 nits brightness.
Processor:
Powered by the S5 chip, delivering smooth performance and efficient power management.
Storage:
A generous 32GB of internal storage, perfect for your apps, music, and podcasts.
Materials:
Available in aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, and for the first time, titanium.
Connectivity:
GPS and GPS + Cellular models are available.
Battery Life:
Up to 18 hours, even with the always-on display, considering it’s a new feature, this time is pretty good.
New Sensors:
Built-in compass and improved emergency SOS features.
The Always-On Display: A Game Changer
The standout feature of the Series 5 was undoubtedly its always-on display. For the first time, you could glance at your watch without having to raise your wrist or tap the screen. This was made possible by Apple’s innovative LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxid) OLED technology.
As Jeff Williams, Apple’s COO, put it during the launch event, “This is the first Apple Watch that’s always on, but doesn’t always look the same.”
Here’s a quick comparison of the display features:
| Feature | Series 4 | Series 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Always-On | No | Yes |
| Brightness | Up to 1000 nits | Up to 1000 nits |
| Dimmed State | N/A | Yes, power-saving mode |
Design and Materials:
The Apple Watch Series 5 maintained the sleek design of its predecessor but introduced some exciting new material options:
- Aluminum: The standard model, now made from 100% recycled aluminum.
- Stainless Steel: For those who want a more premium look.
- Ceramic: The ultra-premium white model made a comeback.
- Titanium: A brand new option, offering durability with a premium feel.
As Jony Ive, Apple’s former Chief Design Officer, once said, “We’re constantly challenging ourselves, looking for materials that are beautiful, that are durable, but also have the essential properties to make an amazing product.”
New Features and Improvements:
Beyond the always-on display, the Series 5 brought several other noteworthy features:
- Built-in Compass: Perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- International Emergency Calling: Safety features that work in over 150 countries.
- Noise App: Monitoring environmental sound levels to protect your hearing.
- Cycle Tracking: Helping women log important information about their menstrual cycles.
watchOS 6:
The Series 5 came with the watchOS 6, which brought several new features and improvements:
- App Store directly on the watch
- New watch faces
- Activity trends
- Audiobooks
- Calculator app
Performance and Battery Life:
Despite the addition of the always-on display, Apple managed to maintain the same 18-hour “all-day” battery life as previous models at least on paper. This was achieved through a combination of the power-efficient S5 chip and the variable refresh rate of the LTPO display.
Impact and Legacy:
The Apple Watch Series 5 marked a significant checkpoint in Apple’s wearable journey. The always-on display addressed one of the most common complaints about smartwatches, making the device more useful and more like a traditional watch.
Conclusion:
The Apple Watch Series 5 was more than just an upgrade, it conquered a mandatory obstacle in the path of the successful wearable smartwatch. Its always-on display, new materials, and enhanced features redefined what we could expect from a smartwatch.
As we look at the latest Apple Watch models today, it’s clear that the Series 5 set a new standard for the industry. It pushed the boundaries of what a smartwatch could do and how it could fit seamlessly into our lives.
So, the next time you glance at your Apple Watch without raising your wrist, take a moment to appreciate the legacy of the Apple Watch Series 5. It might not have been the first Apple Watch, but it was the one that truly became an always-present companion on our wrists.
Want to know how the Apple series 4 changed the dynamics of health features in smart wearable watches? checkout this article: Apple Watch Series 4: The Wearable That Redefined Smart Health