The Apple Watch Series 5 is by far the best smartwatch available in the market right now. It retains everything great about its predecessor while adding some new features. Following the launch of Series 5, Apple discontinued the Series 4 and made the Series 3 the entry-level option for consumers. In this Apple Watch Series 5 vs Series 3 comparison, we explore why the older model could be a better buy than the latest Watch.
The Series 5 has an Always-On display, a larger 32GB of internal storage, Fall Detection, ECG, the ability to make international emergency calls, a faster processor and a louder speaker. The Series 5 Watch runs Apple’s custom 64-bit dual-core S5 processor with W3 wireless chip compared to the Series 3’s dual-core S3 processor and W2 wireless chip. But these are the reasons that make the Series 3 a compelling buy.
Apple Watch Series 5 vs Series 3: Attractive pricing
If you are in the market to buy a new Apple Watch, you might be interested in the latest Series 5 model. The Series 5 starts at $400 for the GPS model and $500 for the Cellular+GPS version. Its price goes all the way up to $1,300 for the ceramic version. Customizing the band and case to your liking using the Apple Watch Studio will further push up the price.
In contrast, the Apple Watch Series 3 retails for just $199 for the GPS only model. It costs only half as much as the cheapest Series 5. You can get the GPS+Cellular model for $299. Considering it’s been around for more than two years, you can get the Series 3 at a discount at online stores.
Most of the same features
Sure, the Apple Watch Series 5 has Fall Detection, ECG, Compass, and a few other features that are missing from the Series 3. But the older model has most of the same features at half the price. Both models have the same 18 hours of battery life.
Both the Series 5 and Series 3 have a heart rate sensor, altimeter, GPS, accelerometer, microphone, gyroscope, emergency SoS, wireless chip, ambient light sensor, and ceramic design. Both models offer water-resistance up to a depth of 50 meters. Both models allow you to make payments via Apple Pay. Most of the time, you’ll be doing the same stuff with both Watch models. Both models lack sleep tracking and virtual buttons, which are expected to debut next year.
Both models allow you to track a wide range of workouts such as yoga, cycling, swimming, jogging, interval training, and more. They both offer you tips to improve your health.
Both models compatible with watchOS 6
The latest watchOS 6 software brings tons of goodies to Apple Watch. Both the Series 5 and Series 3 are compatible with watchOS 6. The Series 5 will run watchOS 6 out of the box, but Series 3 buyers will have to upgrade to the new software.
The watchOS 6 offers a dedicated Watch App Store to reduce the Apple Watch’s reliance on the iPhone. It adds new dynamic watch faces and audiobook support. The software also has a vast collection of apps. The watchOS 6 brings a new Noise app that measures noise levels around you and warns you when it’s too loud. It helps prevent long-term hearing loss.
The software also has a new Cycle Tracking app for women to track menstrual cycles. Women can log their details into the app, and it would show them the timing for the next period as well as the fertile windows. With all the new features in watchOS 6, you’ll forget that the Series 3 is a two-year old smartwatch.
The Series 3 has a more comfortable size
The Apple Watch Series 5 comes in two different sizes of 40mm and 44mm. People with smaller hands and wrists find them too big. The Apple Watch Series 3 comes in 38mm and 42mm sizes, which a large number of people find more appealing.
Also, the Apple Watch Series 3 is compatible with all the band options available for Series 5 including stainless steel, Hermes, and Loop. You have tons of bands to choose from.
If you want to buy an Apple Watch without breaking the bank, the Series 3 is a great choice. The money you save could be used to buy the next year’s Series 6, which is expected to bring exciting new features such as virtual buttons and sleep tracking.
