What a difference a year makes: Apple Watch Series 4 versus Series 3
If you're thinking about upgrading your old Apple Watch to the new Series 4, read and watch our direct comparison first.
This comparison focuses on the new 40mm model, which will be pitted against the 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 so we can see just how much has changed in terms of size, features and functionality.
There are changes to the back, too, where Apple built in new heart sensors cased in ceramic.
Aside from that improved back and the larger display area, the most noticeable hardware design change are the speakers. They are much larger and take up the whole side of the Series 4. At least partly because of this modification, the microphone has been moved to the opposite side between the Digital Crown and the side button. Apple says the design reduces echo from the speaker during calls.
Similarly, there's also a notification screen detailing the Emergency SOS feature and fall detection feature.
Even with these extra informational screens, setting up the Series 4 is much faster than doing the same on the Series 3.
The new crown is also slimmer than the old version. That difference, plus the haptic feedback, makes returning to the Series 3 crown rather disappointing.
Another difference is that the side button is now completely flush with the body of the Series 4, whereas the Series 3's side button sticks out a noticeable amount.
Overall, the new Series 4 looks and feels much more sleek than its predecessors.
Of the new faces, the fire and water designs are perhaps the most striking. As before, Apple actually photographed these: they're not CGI rendered effects, they're shot using real fire and water.
Most of the new faces are available on older Apple Watches once those have watchOS 5 installed. However, instead of using the whole display on those models, they simply fill up a small circle on the screen.
Consequently, all of these new live watch faces -- including vapor and liquid metal, as well as fire and water -- look much better on the new Apple Watch Series 4 thanks to the larger display.
Potentially the most useful new face is Infograph, which features a slew of different complications. The options can be customized to your liking, and it really looks great, if not quite colorful.
Even though some of those new live action watch faces are available on earlier Watch models, the Infograph face with its cornucopia of complications is not.
Sound is similarly improved. The new speakers are claimed to be 50 percent louder, beneficial for both phone calls and the new Walkie-Talkie push-to-talk app. There is indeed an audible difference, as evidenced by listening to Siri's response when asking a question.
The Series 4 also has a S4 system-on-chip that doubles the performance of the Series 3, so everything on the new watch should be snappier.
Thanks to Watch's new all-ceramic back, LTE models boast better cellular reception than before because radio waves are allowed to pass through both the top and bottom of the device.
While the Series 3 can be purchased at a hefty discount, the new model is well worth the premium. Collectively, its new features and hardware stack up to the biggest evolutionary step Apple has taken with its wearable product line.
Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS Only)
You can easily tack on an AppleCare extended protection plan to these Series 4 Apple Watches for $79 by selecting the AppleCare option in your cart.
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This comparison focuses on the new 40mm model, which will be pitted against the 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 so we can see just how much has changed in terms of size, features and functionality.
Design
The new 40mm Apple Watch Series 4 is clearly smaller, closer in size to last year's 38mm model, but the actual viewable display area is greater than the older 42mm versions.There are changes to the back, too, where Apple built in new heart sensors cased in ceramic.
Aside from that improved back and the larger display area, the most noticeable hardware design change are the speakers. They are much larger and take up the whole side of the Series 4. At least partly because of this modification, the microphone has been moved to the opposite side between the Digital Crown and the side button. Apple says the design reduces echo from the speaker during calls.
Strap in
Even though all Series 4 Watches are larger than the Series 3 and earlier, strap sizes have not changed. If you already have a 38mm Series 3 and bought bands for it, those bands will fit the new 40mm Series 4 perfectly. And it's the same with the old 42mm to the new 44mm model.Setup
During the setup process, a new screen detailing Heart Health says users will receive notifications when their heart rate is too high or too low.Similarly, there's also a notification screen detailing the Emergency SOS feature and fall detection feature.
Even with these extra informational screens, setting up the Series 4 is much faster than doing the same on the Series 3.
Face up
The revamped Digital Crown, which now features haptic feedback, is used to scroll through the various watch faces available. The mechanism feels as though it should make little tick sounds as it turns, but it doesn't. Every movement is generated by a haptic engine that sends vibrations through the crown to a user's finger. That motion combines with onscreen visual cues for a visceral experience akin to traditional crowns found in many mechanical watches.The new crown is also slimmer than the old version. That difference, plus the haptic feedback, makes returning to the Series 3 crown rather disappointing.
Another difference is that the side button is now completely flush with the body of the Series 4, whereas the Series 3's side button sticks out a noticeable amount.
Overall, the new Series 4 looks and feels much more sleek than its predecessors.
Of the new faces, the fire and water designs are perhaps the most striking. As before, Apple actually photographed these: they're not CGI rendered effects, they're shot using real fire and water.
Most of the new faces are available on older Apple Watches once those have watchOS 5 installed. However, instead of using the whole display on those models, they simply fill up a small circle on the screen.
Consequently, all of these new live watch faces -- including vapor and liquid metal, as well as fire and water -- look much better on the new Apple Watch Series 4 thanks to the larger display.
Potentially the most useful new face is Infograph, which features a slew of different complications. The options can be customized to your liking, and it really looks great, if not quite colorful.
Even though some of those new live action watch faces are available on earlier Watch models, the Infograph face with its cornucopia of complications is not.
Show and tell
See the difference in the faces below. Immediately noticeable are the rounded corners on the Series 4; it looks so much better than the square display on the Series 3.Sound is similarly improved. The new speakers are claimed to be 50 percent louder, beneficial for both phone calls and the new Walkie-Talkie push-to-talk app. There is indeed an audible difference, as evidenced by listening to Siri's response when asking a question.
The Series 4 also has a S4 system-on-chip that doubles the performance of the Series 3, so everything on the new watch should be snappier.
Thanks to Watch's new all-ceramic back, LTE models boast better cellular reception than before because radio waves are allowed to pass through both the top and bottom of the device.
Have a heart
Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Series 4 is the new ability to take an electrocardiogram out of the box. Though it is restricted in terms of accuracy -- equivalent to a one-lead ECG versus the 12-lead medical standard -- it's far more convenient than waiting for a doctor's appointment. And speaking of doctors, users can save and send ECG results to care providers. Or rather, they will be able to do so once the ECG feature goes live in a coming watchOS update.Go buy it
To wrap things up, the Apple Watch Series 4 is really impressive. If you don't already have an Apple Watch and are thinking about buying one, definitely go for the Series 4.While the Series 3 can be purchased at a hefty discount, the new model is well worth the premium. Collectively, its new features and hardware stack up to the biggest evolutionary step Apple has taken with its wearable product line.
Where to buy
Apple authorized resellers B&H Photo and Abt.com are currently accepting orders for the Apple Watch Series 4. Abt.com will not collect sales tax outside Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, while B&H will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside New York and New Jersey*. For a complete list of deals and product availability, please visit our Apple Watch Price Guide.Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS Only)
- 40mm (Silver Aluminum, White Sport Band) | MU642LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, White Sport Band) | MU6A2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Band) | MU682LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Band) | MU682LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Band) | MU662LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Band) | MU6D2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Silver Aluminum, Seashell Sport Loop) | MU652LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, Seashell Sport Loop) | MU6C2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Loop) | MU692LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Loop) | MU6G2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Loop) | MU672LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Loop) | MU6D2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*)
- 40mm (Silver Aluminum, White Sport Band) | MTUD2LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, White Sport Band) | MTUU2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Band)) | MTUJ2LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Band) | MTV02LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Band) | MTUG2LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Band) | MTUW2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Silver Aluminum, Seashell Sport Loop) | MTUF2LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, Seashell Sport Loop) | MTUV2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Loop) | MTUK2LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Gold Aluminum, Pink Sand Sport Loop) | MTV12LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Loop) | MTUH2LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Sport Loop) | MTUX2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Stainless Steel, White Sport Band) | MTUL2LL/A
$699.00 ($56 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Stainless Steel, White Sport Band) | MTV22LL/A
$749.00 ($60 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Gold Stainless, Stone Sport Band) | MTUR2LL/A
$699.00 ($56 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Gold Stainless, Stone Sport Band) | MTV72LL/A
$749.00 ($60 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Black Stainless, Black Sport Band) | MTUN2LL/A
$699.00 ($56 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Black Stainless, Black Sport Band) | MTV52LL/A
$749.00 ($60 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Stainless Steel, Milanese Loop) | MTUM2LL/A
$799.00 ($64 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Stainless Steel, Milanese Loop) | MTV42LL/A
$849.00 ($68 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Gold Stainless Steel, Gold Milanese Loop) | MTUM2LL/A
$799.00 ($64 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Gold Stainless Steel, Gold Milanese Loop) | MTV42LL/A
$849.00 ($68 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Black Stainless, Space Black Milanese Loop) | MTUF2LL/A
$799.00 ($64 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Black Stainless, Sp Black Milanese Loop) | MTUV2LL/A
$849.00 ($68 off in tax outside NY & NJ*)
- 40mm (Silver Aluminum, Platinum Nike Sport Band) | MU6H2LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, Platinum Nike Sport Band) | MU6K2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Anthracite/Black Nike Sport Band) | MU6J2LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Anthracite/Black Nike Sport Band) | MU6L2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Silver Aluminum, Summit Sport Loop) | MTX72LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, Summit Sport Loop) | MU7H2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Nike Sport Loop) | MU7G2LL/A
$399.00 ($32 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Nike Sport Loop) | MU7J2LL/A
$429.00 ($34 off in tax outside NY & NJ*)
- 40mm (Silver Aluminum, Platinum Nike Sport Band) | MTV92LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, Platinum Nike Sport Band) | MTXC2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Anthracite/Black Nike Sport Band) | MTX82LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Anthracite/Black Nike Sport Band) | MTXE2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Silver Aluminum, Summit Sport Loop) | MTX72LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Silver Aluminum, Summit Sport Loop) | MTXA2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 40mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Nike Sport Loop) | MTX92LL/A
$499.00 ($40 off in tax outside NY & NJ*) - 44mm (Space Gray Aluminum, Black Nike Sport Loop) | MTXD2LL/A
$529.00 ($42 off in tax outside NY & NJ*)
* B&H will not collect sales tax on orders shipped outside NY & NJ (CO, VT & WA residents, see here).
You can easily tack on an AppleCare extended protection plan to these Series 4 Apple Watches for $79 by selecting the AppleCare option in your cart.
Keep up with AppleInsider by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider and Facebook for live, late-breaking coverage. You can also check out our official Instagram account for exclusive photos.
Comments
And then there probably things that they had considered in the original meetings that still haven't come to fruition. Waterproofing, GPS, cellular, and an altimeter are all things that didn't make the first model, but could've been on the drawing board from day—but those all in it in now so those would count. We'll have to wait until next year to get better comparisons, but I'd think some non-invasive blood sugar or O2 level checks could've been on the drawing board when they started their multi-year health initiative before the Series 0 was introduced.
Personally, I compare it more to the iPhone 5 or series than to the iPhone 4 since it started with a Retina device, but the display increase in size YoY. Or perhaps even the iPhone X since the display area in relation to its footprint increased in size YoY.
PS: One feature I would've wanted from the beginning but wouldn't have been a possibility is a personal thermostat. "No touch" IR thermostats are commonly used by medical professionals and, so far, I've only seen them used on the forehead. If these can used on the wrist, along with the other functions, it could help tell you when you'll want to sleep (your body temp apparently drops when you're body is getting ready to sleep) as well as help regulate temperatures in your room from a HomeKirt enabled A/C unit, heater, or even a smart blanket. This could even be used (along with the other biometric monitoring) to let you know that you may be coming down with a fever or that you're exerting yourself too hard, even if just to say that you're at risk of passing out or even being able to determine if you're not drinking enough water.
2) How are those not-so-smartwatches doing these days? Android has more installs than iOS so it should be the same for Android Gear, especially when you claim that the Apple Watch is a shit design compared to circular no-so-smartwatches that try to mimic traditional watches.
"Though it is restricted in terms of accuracy -- equivalent to a one-lead ECG versus the 12-lead medical standard"
I don't think that's the same as what you claim.
https://www.healio.com/cardiology/arrhythmia-disorders/news/online/{60ccdb24-e448-4832-bcbc-f696acb31b19}/cardiologists-react-to-new-apple-watch-ecg-capabilities
Cardiology Today seems upbeat about it...as a lead 1 it's mostly there to detect a-fib and irregularities. AliveCore has a 6 lead device coming...that should be interesting and about as good as a holder monitor.
Yeah, it is hard to say in terms of internally at Apple. You're probably right it is a mix. But, I'd figure stuff like cellular or maybe the health aspects were there from the start, or maybe they wouldn't have done it?
This update is a nice boost, but the demarcation point for me is the cellular and WatchOS 5. I'd have not really considered one before those, but now it is a device that is actually useful enough to seriously consider, IMO. The cellular was key to unleash from the phone and WatchOS 5 finally enables enough developer stuff to be useful. ex: podcast playing.
I suppose that is a bit analogous to the original iPhone, which was also incredibly limited (though I think more broadly wanted and accepted).
Depends. Not sure I'd totally agree there. While in some ways, such things are leaps in technology/implementation, I also feel like other companies tend to release more full-featured and complete products than Apple. This is especially true in software, where sometimes we're still waiting - a decade later - for basic functionality. And, often it has nothing to do with technical feasibility, but they just never seem to get to it, or apparently no one at Apple uses it enough to even realize the features are missing.
If you click on any of the aluminium models you should see Ion-X listed.
• https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-watch/apple-watch
However, what has changed is that all Watches now seem to have ceramic and sapphire backs, instead of plastic and plastic.
That said, I can see a path that I think could be successful for Apple and their partners. For instance, pretty much every cruise line already has cellular and WiFi throughout ships.
I don’t think it would take a lot of work for Apple to make it so Walkie Talkie work over that isolated system, along with messages. This could also include sending out a text-based time, location beacon: “Be in the main dining room at 5;45pm for dinner. Dress in your nicest clothes tonight, kids.”
A little more effort and this could also include location data that pins the wearer to a deck and area/room that will be processed by the server and read off to the parent which can also use their ship’s app for walking directions.
I think that could spark Watch sales and a family-focused cruise ship line that offered it might have a clear advantage over others.
2) That page will probably still confuse people. Look how they list Ion-X (aka Gorilla Glass) and sapphire crystal right next to each other. How many people are going to look at that and realize that Ion-X is the top glass and sapphire crystal are the sensor protectors at the bottom by looking at the Retina displays and ceramic back to make an assumption? It seems like those should be on separate lines with some more words, or at least word it something like: "Retina display with Ion-X Glass and ceramic back with sapphire crystal inlays."
Youre speaking for yourself - I know several people upgrading AW3 to AW4, me included. Mines on ebay as we speak.
While the iPhone XS has the same rounded corners as the Series 4, it still has normal squared screenshots.
However on the Series 4, the screenshots are vignetted, with the rounded corners matching the display bezels, rather than a normal squared picture like the Series 3 and iPhone XS which it most closely resembles. Interesting that Apple would choose rounded pics rather than normal squared pics like everything else. The middle picture below is the new Series 4 screenshot. The right photo is the comparable Series 3 screenshot, or how it would look taken on an iPhone XS.
I have to wonder if they intend to keep it this way, or conform it to match the way the iPhone XS handles it.