This month Apple unveiled the fourth iteration of its wearable product: the Apple Watch Series 4. It’s the first Apple Watch to vary its design since the device first came to market four years ago. The new Apple watch Series 4 is both (a bit) thinner than previous models and each of its two screen sizes received an upgrade. The new Series 4 also features brand new EKG reader to measure your heart rate.
It’s these improvements that have superstar analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saying the Series 4 will be a runaway hit with sales expected to hit 18 million units in 2018. Despite introducing the Series 4, Apple also left the Series 3 on sale. So just how do the two Apple Watch series compare? Let’s take a look.
Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 3: Specs
Apple Watch Series 4
- Processor: 64‑bit dual-core S4 processor + Apple wireless W3 chip
- Models: GPS + Cellular, or just GPS
- Storage: 16GB (all models)
- Battery: 18 hours
- Display: 40 mm or 44 mm LTPO OLED Retina display with Force Touch
- Connectivity: GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 5, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and (optional) Cellular LTE
- Waterproofing: Water resistant 50 metres
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor, Gyroscope, Vibration/Haptics engine, Heart rate sensor, Barometer, Barometric altimeter, Electrical heart sensor
Apple Watch Series 3
- Processor: Dual-core S3 processor + Apple wireless W2 chip
- Models: GPS + Cellular, or just GPS
- Storage: 8GB (GPS) or 16GB (GPS + Cellular)
- Battery: 18 hours
- Display: 38 mm or 42 mm OLED Retina display with Force Touch
- Connectivity: GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, and (optional) Cellular LTE
- Waterproofing: Water resistant 50 metres
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor, Gyroscope, Vibration/Haptics engine, Heart rate sensor, Barometer, Barometric altimeter
As you can see from the specs the Series 4 (both GPS and Cellular models) beat the Series 3 when it comes to Processor and Storage. It’s 64‑bit dual-core S4 processor + Apple wireless W3 chip is twice as fast as the Dual-core S3 processor + Apple wireless W2 chip found in the Series 3. The Series 4 also features 16GB of storage in all models, while the Series 3 only offers 8GB of storage in the Cellular model.
Another massive improvement is that the Digital Crown in the Series 4 now offers haptic feedback, so you can feel the clicks it makes as you use it. The Series 3 doesn’t offer that.
Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 3: Display and Design
Both Series 4 and Series 3 come in two screen sizes, but the Series 4 has increased the screen size while keeping the dimensions of the Watch virtually unchanged. The Series 4 comes in 40 mm or 44 mm while the Series 3 comes in 38mm or 42mm sizes.
Apple has also managed to make the Series 4 just a hair thinner than the Series 3. The Series 4 is 10.7mm thin, while the Series 3 is 11.4mm thin. Both Series are also waterproof to a water resistance rating of 50 metres under ISO standard 22810:2010. This means Both series can be worn in the pool or ocean while swimming up to 50 meters deep.
One last thing: the Series 3 is only available in aluminum across all models whereas the Series 4 is available in aluminum or a stainless steel build. Both models also feature a battery life of 18 hours.
Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 3: Connectivity and Sensors
As for as connectivity goes, we already mentioned that both Series feature built-in GPS with a Cellular LTE option so you can use it as a dedicated device without required pairing with an iPhone. Other than that, the connectivity options between the Series 4 and Series 3 are almost the same: NFC and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n; and while both have Bluetooth, the Series 4 features Bluetooth 5-the latest.
The Series 4 and Series 3 also have many of the same sensors too. Both feature an ambient light sensor, gyroscope, vibration/haptics engine, optical heart sensor, barometer, and barometric altimeter. However, only the Series 4 features an electrical heart sensor, which means you can do an EKG on yourself. The Series 4 also features an improved accelerometer that will measure up to 32 G-forces, versus the Series 3 16 G-forces. Finally, the Series 4 supports fall detection.
Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 3: Cost and Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 4 starts at £399 (40mm) or £429 (44mm) for the GPS model and £499 (40mm) or £529 (44mm) for the Cellular model. The Apple Watch Series 3 now starts at £279 (38mm) or £309 (42mm) for the GPS model and £379 (38mm) or £409 (42mm) for the Cellular model.
Which should you get? Go with the Series 4 all the way. With its larger displays, haptic Digital Crown, and EKG reader it’s a better Watch by far.
