Microsoft Office apps now run natively on Macs with the M1 chip
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Apple Watch Series 5
88
Engadget Review
The Apple Watch is still the best smartwatch. Though the Series 5 feels like a minor update to last year’s Series 4, it will fit the bill for the vast majority of people buying Apple Watches for the first time.
Pros
- Bright screen
- Always-on display is useful and power efficient
- Compass is handy for hiking and walking directions
- International emergency calling on cellular models
- Generally fast performance
Cons
- No battery life improvements
- No third-party watchfaces
- No new fitness features
Apple
Watch
Engadget
88
Critics
15 reviews90
Gizmodo
Small improvements are still improvements
85
AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE
Users
6 reviews90
Kyuu
After several generations in the Samsung zone (Galaxy S+Gear), I decided to try the Apple route
77
AVERAGE USER SCORE
View All Critic & User Reviews
Apple Watch Series 5
- Critic Reviews (15)
- User Reviews (6)
- 85AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE15 ReviewsGizmodo90The New Apple Watch Is the Best One Yet—Thanks to a Major OS UpgradeSmall improvements are still improvements. The Series 5 might not represent a major shift in the same way the Series 4 did, with its bigger screen and ECG capabilities, but it is the more comprehensive watch.Ars Technica80A better, more independent timepieceWhile Apple will inevitably continue to try to improve the Apple Watch's hardware, the device's software continues to be why I often recommend the Apple Watch to iPhone users who want a solid wearable. It's the most intuitive on-wrist computing experience you can get, and that experience is made better by Apple's attention to detail in every iteration of watchOS.PC Mag80Apple Watch Series 5Not only is it good enough to replace your dedicated fitness tracker, it comes with a variety of health-related features you may not even have thought about, like International Emergency Calling, Cycle Tracking, and the Noise app. Add in an unrivaled app experience and the always-on display, and the Series 5 is Apple's best smartwatch yet, as well as our Editors' Choice.CNET80The always-on display makes an incredible differenceApple's subtly improved watch adds a key overdue feature and improved software with this update, but it remains largely the same great smartwatch as last year.TechCrunch80Long-awaited features like the always-on display are more about refinement than revolutionVisually, Watch remains largely unchanged from previous generations, aside from the increased display size that arrived on the Series 4. The addition of the always-on display, however, addresses a longstanding issue with the device.Wired80The capable wearable now always displays the time of dayThe only thing that would give the smartwatch even more appeal would be if Apple considered opening it up to Android users. You still have to have an iPhone to use the Apple Watch.SlashGear90Always-on makes all the differenceFive generations of wearable have seen Cupertino's timepiece lose most of its rough edges; now, the Apple Watch Series 5 is taking one of the last big usability issues to task. With an always-on display, the new Apple Watch aims to keep out-shining the competition.Pocket-Lint80Still the best smartwatch in townWith so many big advances in 2018, the Apple Watch Series 5 looks to hone and refine the experience that we saw with the Apple Watch Series 4 - which is no longer on sale. The changes, while welcomed, are fairly small this time around suggesting that Apple is putting the brakes on to avoid adding too many features too quickly.AppleInsider90The Apple Watch Series 5 leaves the competition in the dust...if that original Apple watch through the Series 3 is looking a little dated, the Apple Watch Series 5 is absolutely worth the upgrade money. And, if the fall detection summons help for you, or the better heart rate monitor technology in the newer model tells you to call your doctor, it may even help to save your life.Daring Fireball90Apple Watch Series 5To me, the always-on display is the Apple Watch’s retina display moment — once you see it, you can't go back.The Verge90The Best SmartwatchSure, the Apple Watch Series 5 hasn't reached anything close to its full potential yet, but right now, this thing is an overachiever.TechRadar80The new always-on display impresses, but not much elseThe Apple Watch 5 is a premium smartwatch, but one that doesn't offer a huge upgrade over the Watch 4, apart from the very welcome always-on display. It hasn't risen in price, and there's more storage on offer – but many will find the cheaper Apple Watch 3 a more attractive device.Digital Trends90A smartwatch close to perfectionNearly perfect, the Apple Watch Series 5 is the best smartwatch you can wear right now.The Independent90Strikingly similar to its predecessor, but with a 'game changing' featureUntil last week, Series 4 was the best smartwatch on the market by a country mile. Series 5 puts Apple further ahead of its rivals.USA Today80Always on screen lets you tell time without raising your wristFor sure, what makes a smartwatch smart is that it can do a lot more than tell you the time. In that respect, the new timepiece doesn't move the watch hand much further than Series 4, which last year brought bigger screen sizes, and such cool – and potentially lifesaving features – as fall detection and an ECG (electrocardiogram) that measures the timing and strength of the electrical signals that keep your heart pumping.
- 77AVERAGE USER SCORE6 ReviewsKyuu90June 1, 2020Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!After several generations in the Samsung zone (Galaxy S+Gear), I decided to try the Apple route. The watch 5 mostly does as promised. It's far lighter than Samsung alternatives and the strap is very comfortable. Day-to-day tasks, notifications, checking up on health work as promised. Health tracking all in all is clear and simple to use. Making payments is a breeze and I pretty much pay almost everything with the watch now, it's reliable and quick. The basics are fine, and that's saying a lot after quite a number of smartwatches I've used. Some downsides. I would consider the emphasis on all icons, no text as a downside. I often end up starting several apps in a row until I find the one I need. The icons are sort-of-logical but not perfect, maybe they make more sense to someone who's been in the Apple zone longer. I do remember also having a hard time getting started, simple things were worded far too complex. Apple has ease of use handled pretty well in many products, but this isn't one of them. Battery life is bad, getting through a full day is not a given. It's a double problem because the standard charger sometimes fails to charge it full, may leave it at 40%. Never such problems with a Belkin table combo charger though. Workout detection is also unreliable, I might have walked for hours before it realizes I might be walking. Just have to remember to use it manually, so minor inconvenience. Add ease of use and a bit better battery life, and we're golden. Even as of now, it's very good.Jody90June 1, 2020Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!First time AW wearer (AW5) - long time iPhone user.I finally took the plunge when cellular was added. Must have feature for me, as I wanted to be able to stream music without my phone during walks. In addition, I hike regularly also. For my uses the watch works very well, I wish battery life was better but I've almost never ran out of charge before bed, though I've come close a few times.Jeff60May 31, 2020Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A disappointing upgrade...I have the AW2 and upgraded to the AW5 - but after two months of use, have switched back to the AW2 - why? Because the AW5 heart-rate monitoring is much worse. The AW2 measurements match my Polaris chest-strap well, the AW5 fails to read my heart rate most of the time. I've adjusted the bands and tried it every which way.... that's the heart of the matter.Mary100May 30, 2020Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I decided to go for the Apple 5 iwatch when I saw an $85 off sale at Costco. Nothing to lose as their return policy is top notch. What really swayed me into buying it was the Fall alert on the watch since I’m 63 and have fallen a couple of times. Within a year what I paid for the watch would cover a monthly service and after that it would basically be free insurance should an emergency arise. Now that I have it I love the always on display feature so I can always see the time but I still turn off raise to wake to conserve battery life. Just a quick tap brightens the display. I love to listen to audible books on my watch. I went from a Series 3 to a 5 and I’m not disappointed! The 3 has enough going for it that it’s easy to sell and put that towards the 5....just don’t sell it back to Apple as they don’t give you much. Mine was pristine and I was able to ask $150 for it. If you go for the 5 you won’t be disappointed!Michael80May 30, 2020Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!My first Apple Watch was the Series 0. Worn continuously since launch, I loved the quick access to information and stylishness. Despite my love, there seemed little reason to upgrade. Then came Series 5.The early promise of what the Apple Watch could be was finally realized with Series 5. the addition of cellular connectivity in Series 3, the larger screen and ECG of Series 4, combined with the always on screen of Series 5 finally put all the pieces together in one watch.The improvements make the new Apple Watch feel like a completely new device, not just an upgrade. The battery life is impressive, the screen has fantastic contrast, bright colors, and incredible sharpness. The responsiveness of the 64bit processor makes feedback and launching apps feel more like you are using the latest iPhone, not something as small and weak as a watch.I waited nearly 5 years to upgrade, and couldn't be happier.Larry40May 29, 2020Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Although I have been a loyal and enthusiastic Apple devoteé since my first Mac in 1983, I have yet to strap on an iWatch. Everything about it attracts me except the most important feature: the battery. I won't be buying a version 5 because it doesn't improve on the awful battery life. Who knows? Maybe version 6 will do it.
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