I imagine you‘re an Apple fan considering your first Apple Watch or debating if it‘s worth upgrading your older model to the latest Series 6. With so many shared features between the two most recent Watch generations, making the right call deserves some thoughtful analysis.
As an avid smartwatch user myself, I‘ll walk you through how the Series 5 and 6 compare across all the parameters you should care about as a shopper. My aim is to help you determine which model best aligns to your budget and needs. You‘ll leave better informed on precisely how the upgrades differentiate real world usage so you can invest confidently.
Sizing Up the State of the Apple Watch Line
Let‘s first level-set on the evolution of the Apple Watch line and where the Series 5 and 6 models fit:
Series 6 (2020) – Latest release packed with upgrades like blood oxygen tracking, improved performance, brighter always-on display
Series 5 (2019) – Prior model with always-on display, compass, better materials/finish
Series 4 (2018) – Major redesign reduced bezels, added ECG, fall detection
Series 3 (2017) – Swim-proofing, cellular option introduced
Series 2 (2016) – GPS, brighter screen, faster processor
Series 1 (2015) – Initial release – S1 chip, all basic sensors
As you can see, Apple has iterated meaningfully each year to expand health sensors while slimming form factors. The Series 5 first brought the much-requested always-on display. The Series 6 takes a leap forward with comprehensive oxygen saturation measurements.
But you may wonder – how much daily utility does that extra sensing provide? Let‘s find out…
Physical Dimension and Display Comparison
While keeping the signature square watch design, the Series 6 shaves noticeable weight off the Series 5‘s chassis despite packing in additional technology:
| Dimensions | 40 x 34 x 10.4 mm (40mm Series 6) |
| 44 x 38 x 10.4 mm (44mm Series 6) | |
| Display Size | 40mm: 1.57 inch |
| 44mm: 1.78 inch | |
| Display Resolution | 368 x 448 pixels (40mm)432 × 448 pixels (44mm) |
| Cover Material | Ion-X strengthened glass (aluminum) |
| Casing Material | 100% recycled aluminum Stainless steel |
| Weight (Aluminum) | 36 grams (40mm)42.3 grams (44mm) |
At first glance the displays seem identical. But Apple deserves credit for slimming an already svelte product. Shaving 6-11 grams boosts long term comfort for all day wear. And choosing eco-conscious aluminum reduces environmental impact.
Now let‘s investigate what powers these visually indistinguishable devices under the hood…
Processor Performance and Benchmark Testing
The switch from Series 5’s S5 system-in-package to Series 6’s S6 SiP brings measurable performance uplift according to independent testing from Tom’s Guide:
- Up to 20% faster app launch times
- 17% speed boost on video editing task
- Slightly faster photo editing project
What does this mean for real world usage? You’ll enjoy snappier watch face navigation, smoother and quicker app launching, and more responsive photo editing or gaming. The extra processing muscle enables demanding health algorithms as Apple expands ECG analysis and oxygen monitoring too.
Here’s a visual of the single core Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark comparing the S5 to S6 silicon prowess:
So we see tangible speed-ups – enough to feel when jumping between apps and workflows. Let‘s move onto the sensors and features that try to leverage this newfound performance.
Blood Oxygen Tracking – the Series 6’s Standout Upgrade
The ability to take on-demand blood oxygen readings gives Series 6 its headline distinguishing upgrade. This new sensor shoots red and infrared light into your skin to determine oxygen saturation levels between 70-100%.
But why does this single metric matter so much? Oxygen saturation indicates overall respiratory and cardiac health. Concerning dips often stem from issues like:
- Asthma
- COVID-19
- Congestive heart failure
- Lung illnesses
Catching events where your blood oxygen plummets arms you with critical data to connect symptoms and proactively improve conditions. Combining these insights with existing heart rate data makes Apple Watch a powerful health guardian.
And overnight SpO2 tracking unveils sleeping concerns like sleep apnea based on abnormal overnight readings. Sufferers often don’t realize they stop breathing properly while asleep until a partner notices.
Granted for athletic users not battling conditions causing blood oxygen variability, the SpO2 data may seem less urgent initially. But it can still indicate environment factors like high pollution and elevation changes impacting performance. Monitoring during travel helps quantify how your body adapts to lower oxygen levels at altitude for example.
The bottom line – this sensor provides vital supplemental information for those concerned with medical conditions or high intensity training optimization. For all users, it creates a critical data baseline for evaluating health over time.
Onto the final key upgrades to wrap up…
Brighter Display and Faster Charging Improvements
The screens may seem indistinguishable on paper at a glance. But Apple invested in noticeable outdoor viewing boosts for Series 6 by increasing typical brightness to 1200 nits up from 1000 nits on Series 5.
What does this brightness spike enable? Up to 2.5 times better screen legibility outdoors – crucial for glancing mid-run or bike ride when sunlight previously washed screens out. Expect better visibility while tackling yard work or reading by the pool as well.
And even though battery lifespan stays level at around 18 hours for both models, the Series 6 touts up to 20% faster charge times. So if you cut it close on overnight top-ups, you’ll appreciate the 1 hour recharge to 80% capacity.
Which Model Should You Buy?
With all the specs and test results in mind, would the Series 6 make sense splurging up to $120 more over the capable Series 5? Ask yourself:
Should I buy the Series 6 if…
- I want best-in-class Apple Watch capabilities
- Blood oxygen insights would help manage health
- I rely heavily on the screen outdoors
- I care about maximum charging speeds
Should I buy the Series 5 if…
- My budget is tight
- I can find refurbished/used deals
- Core features matter more than peak sensors
- I won‘t leverage blood oxygen tracking
As you can see, it comes does to balancing financial trade-offs based on how much you value specific upgrades like blood oxygen measurements and outdoor visibility.
My goal was to equip you with a comprehensive understanding off all the performance and feature differences between these two models. Let me know in the comments if this analysis gave you the clarity needed to pick the right Watch for your needs!
