Other than software upgrade, you need to consider hardware upgrades as well. I am not referring to better processor or increase in RAM. This year, Apple introduces two new life saving features, fall detection and ECG. While your watch might need get regular update and in prestine condition, you may still be tempted to upgrade for these new upgrades.
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Realistically, how many years can I expect to get out of a S4?
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I got exactly 3 years out of my Series 0 before I dropped it and shattered the glass. The repair costs on these things are so high you're better off buying a new one, so I guess it all depends on how long it takes before it breaks.
If you manage to keep it in working order I suppose you'll get like 5 or 6 years out of the new models (with 64 bit architecture) before they stop updating it.
If you manage to keep it in working order I suppose you'll get like 5 or 6 years out of the new models (with 64 bit architecture) before they stop updating it.
I have a series 0 since launch (so 3 years and sth ago) and it’s in good condition. Series 0 is notorious for its slow response so I expect the series 4 to last even longer than that. Honestly the watch doesn’t get significant updates regularly so I don’t feel the need to get a new one unless there is a design change. Also now that all of them have GPS which is the most important feature I can’t think of anything truly significant in the future.
I’m getting a series 4 now and I expect it to last for at least 3 years as well.
I’m getting a series 4 now and I expect it to last for at least 3 years as well.
Same with me. My battery started dying the last few months. If it wasn’t for Apple not allowing further software updates, I’d have paid the $79 battery replacement and kept it maybe one or two more years.
Also, now that theyre swim proof, have gps, cellular, etc. I can’t think of too many features that’d make me wanna upgrade next time. Perhaps glucose sensor.
Is it worth spending 400+ dollars every 3 or 4 years?
In all honesty that's the quandary I find myself in. I have watches that are 30 years old and still work, and I don't mean expensive tag heuer. I just have my inexpensive watch from high school and if you know me, I'm old as dirt
Buying the S0 when it first came out, was a struggle for this very reason. I guess I've had a mindset that watches are not consumable products that you use and throw away. The Apple Watch, Fitbit, and other smart watches however are.
The screen is fine as well. Sapphire crystal would be better of course but it seems they use a pretty good glass on the aluminum model.
My Series 0 aluminum — more than three years old — still looks and performs like new. Pissed me off as I wanted a new one. Finally got the Series 3 cellular at the beginning of July as I needed the connectivity.
My Series 0 SG aluminum is still perfect. Wore it all the time even while doing yard work. Dragged it through tree branches and bumped it on door frames.. each time expected there to be some mark from it since it is just the aluminum model but it has held up perfectly. The only blemish is the writing on the underside of the watch itself it wearing off but the screen is still pristine, no screen protector since day one. If I decide to stick with Apple I’ll get another Space Gray as the depreciation of the stainless models is pretty crazy.
For me there are two issues in deciding whether to upgrade an Apple product.
The first is practical. Does the new version offer a practical benefit that’s worth the increased cost? Apple likes to pretend the answer to this question is always “yes”. The introduction of retina displays to iPhones and then Macs and MacBooks was a genuine upgrade. The addition of LTE to the Apple Watch was a genuine upgrade. 3D Touch? I’m not so sure. Face ID? Smaller bezels?
The second is aesthetic. Does the new version look/feel better? Apple tries to make the answer to this question “yes” every time as well. Even if the form factor doesn’t change, the colour offerings do. So the iPhone 7 didn’t have a new shape, but it had the jet black option, which was something new. The aesthetic question is especially relevant to the Apple Watch as — for some/many users — it’s a piece of jewellery as well as a piece of tech.
I’m upgrading to the Apple Watch 4. The larger screen and faster processor feel like genuine practical upgrades. And the new look watchfaces — especially for the Hermès — offer something new and improved in terms of aesthetics.
I’d love to be able to say that I’ll keep my new AW4 for three or four years. I’ve done that with my iMac — Apple has offered nothing better since I bought it. I’ll hopefully do the same with my iPad Pro 10.5. I went for the iPhone 8 last year and have stuck with it this year (well, I changed it for an 8+). I’m not convinced the X series really offer anything worth having.
YMMV.
The first is practical. Does the new version offer a practical benefit that’s worth the increased cost? Apple likes to pretend the answer to this question is always “yes”. The introduction of retina displays to iPhones and then Macs and MacBooks was a genuine upgrade. The addition of LTE to the Apple Watch was a genuine upgrade. 3D Touch? I’m not so sure. Face ID? Smaller bezels?
The second is aesthetic. Does the new version look/feel better? Apple tries to make the answer to this question “yes” every time as well. Even if the form factor doesn’t change, the colour offerings do. So the iPhone 7 didn’t have a new shape, but it had the jet black option, which was something new. The aesthetic question is especially relevant to the Apple Watch as — for some/many users — it’s a piece of jewellery as well as a piece of tech.
I’m upgrading to the Apple Watch 4. The larger screen and faster processor feel like genuine practical upgrades. And the new look watchfaces — especially for the Hermès — offer something new and improved in terms of aesthetics.
I’d love to be able to say that I’ll keep my new AW4 for three or four years. I’ve done that with my iMac — Apple has offered nothing better since I bought it. I’ll hopefully do the same with my iPad Pro 10.5. I went for the iPhone 8 last year and have stuck with it this year (well, I changed it for an 8+). I’m not convinced the X series really offer anything worth having.
YMMV.
Aside from performance changes gains since the original release the only added features over the years have been:
-Siri Voice
-Swimming
-Cellular
I'm trying to think of features that let the user do more things with their watch. You could argue the larger display does but in terms of what you can do with it...
In time, it be cool to see the watch measure blood sugar levels.
-Siri Voice
-Swimming
-Cellular
I'm trying to think of features that let the user do more things with their watch. You could argue the larger display does but in terms of what you can do with it...
In time, it be cool to see the watch measure blood sugar levels.
I’d say it depends on the battery. Once it no longer gets through the day it’s time to upgrade. Yes you can pay to have the battery replaced but why bother when a significantly better version of the watch will be available at that time. Batteries tend to hold up for about 2 to 3 years. That’s just my take on it.
Personally some feature upgrade may be beneficial to you causing an upgrade. For me, because I have AFib I’m upgrading my Series 3 specifically for that reason. Otherwise I would have still kept it. But generally go with the battery. My S0 was giving up when the 3 launched. So they do hold up.
Personally some feature upgrade may be beneficial to you causing an upgrade. For me, because I have AFib I’m upgrading my Series 3 specifically for that reason. Otherwise I would have still kept it. But generally go with the battery. My S0 was giving up when the 3 launched. So they do hold up.
It's entirely up to you.
I'm still using my original S0 SS watch and it is fine. (actually, to be fair; it's a bit slow... but it works fine)
I'm still using my original S0 SS watch and it is fine. (actually, to be fair; it's a bit slow... but it works fine)
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Same as many, S0 Space Gray 42mm Aluminum since launch! I love love love it still. It's definitely showing it's age and is really slow. So freaking excited to upgrade to the S4! This one should last a good 3 years I imagine unless some wild new innovations come out in future years. I'm impressed with how well the S0 has held up. Like the others, main reason is because it's aged and it won't take WatchOS 5 sadly.
My S0 watches are have passed their 3rd years. So far, they are in very good condition. Battery life on both is still astonishing well, lasting a day/day and a half. When i initially purchased the watches, i said that i would try to take them 10 years before replacement. Generally a standard watch can last up to 20-30 years, however i am curious how long i can make mine last.
Don’t forget they also added GPS... S0 (which I have a SS version) and S1 (I believe, because I dont have one) don’t have GPS.
Another series 0 owner. (Silver aluminum). Bought mine when it came out. But for the battery (about 22% off peak according to a battery app) , the watch looks and works as well as ever. We all know series 0 was pokey to begin and remains so. But I could easily buy a new battery and i bet it would work fine on WOS 4 for years. So I’m upgrading to AW 4 not because SO isn’t working but because I want something new and better. I’m giving the SO To my wife. We’ll see
My S2 is going on 2 years, and still very functional, just slow.
Hoping to get 3 years out of my S4.
Hoping to get 3 years out of my S4.
I’m another Series 0 owner who’ll be upgrading to Series 4. My watch was bought a few weeks after Series 0 went on sale and i’ve worn it every day since.
It’s a 42mm Space Grey aluminium and it’s in great condition. When I first bought it, I used a flexible film-based screen protector for the first few months, but this only served to annoy me as the edges kept peeling up due to the curve of the Watch screen, so I decided to just dump the screen protector altogether. Result: a totally flawless screen with no scratches to this day.
For this reason, when my 44mm Space Grey aluminium Series 0 turns up on Friday, I won’t be using a screen protector on it.
Really looking forward to a faster device, with bigger screen, more functionality, and upgraded spec. My Series 0 will then go into my Apple device museum
It’s a 42mm Space Grey aluminium and it’s in great condition. When I first bought it, I used a flexible film-based screen protector for the first few months, but this only served to annoy me as the edges kept peeling up due to the curve of the Watch screen, so I decided to just dump the screen protector altogether. Result: a totally flawless screen with no scratches to this day.
For this reason, when my 44mm Space Grey aluminium Series 0 turns up on Friday, I won’t be using a screen protector on it.
Really looking forward to a faster device, with bigger screen, more functionality, and upgraded spec. My Series 0 will then go into my Apple device museum
If I am happy with my Series 4 Black Stainless, I might consider purchasing a Gold Stainless as well. I have always been pleased with the performance, WatchOS support, battery longevity, Hardware, ect. The Apple Watch has to be one of the best products in the last five years for Apples Hardware releases.
That will never happen, much like how every car maker rolls out a new model each year. The issue is that they need to entice people to buy (or upgrade). if they don't update it consistently, then the consumers will flock to Apple's competitors who are doing an annual update
I have a SSSB (SBSS?) series 0 since July 2015. Daily wearer, daily workouts (walks, elliptical, other), frequent texts, mostly the same watch face. Zero third party apps are used. I check weather, use the timer, and calendar (for notifications).
I have screen burn noticeable on the image watch face. My battery life is ok (lunchtime recharges get me through most days). Charge every night and I wear it for 16-18 hours per day.
I wish I stuck with WatchOS 2.x.x and never upgraded past it into 3.x and 4.x. That was my favorite.
Siri craps out (no connection even though phone has it), pauses (I’ll tap you when I’m ready), and some actions seem to take forever (tap to reply and wait forever for the screen to update). It’s less snappy. It stutters. I’ve reduced heart rate accuracy/frequency during workouts and trimmed some other features to improve battery life.
Planning on upgrading to an alumininium black and using the zero for dirty work like working on the car where it can get damaged. Stunt watch from watch4 on out. The black link band is wearing on a few links. I think I can swap in spaces to look new again.
Expect to get 3-4 years at best. After that, I think any watch, no matter how great it is, will start to see battery degradation.
I have screen burn noticeable on the image watch face. My battery life is ok (lunchtime recharges get me through most days). Charge every night and I wear it for 16-18 hours per day.
I wish I stuck with WatchOS 2.x.x and never upgraded past it into 3.x and 4.x. That was my favorite.
Siri craps out (no connection even though phone has it), pauses (I’ll tap you when I’m ready), and some actions seem to take forever (tap to reply and wait forever for the screen to update). It’s less snappy. It stutters. I’ve reduced heart rate accuracy/frequency during workouts and trimmed some other features to improve battery life.
Planning on upgrading to an alumininium black and using the zero for dirty work like working on the car where it can get damaged. Stunt watch from watch4 on out. The black link band is wearing on a few links. I think I can swap in spaces to look new again.
Expect to get 3-4 years at best. After that, I think any watch, no matter how great it is, will start to see battery degradation.