The iPhone is such a breakout hit, that when it goes on sale, the other things that go on sale at the same time get overshadowed.  I’m not sure that’s going to happen to the Apple Watch Series 4 this year, but it might, so I wanted to run through what the Series 4 brings to the table, and talk about if you should upgrade.  

That Screen

The Apple Watch hasn’t really had a visual overhaul since it came out.  I’m not really sure that there could be that big of a change in the device.  

What Apple really did was make the watch just a little bit taller, and get rid of the bezel from the previous models.  By doing so, the screen has increased over 30% which gives you more to see.

With the increased screen size, Apple also created some new watch faces that have up to 8 complications.  A complication gives you extra information or shortcuts to use from the watch face.  

I think it might be too much, but I’d have to see once it’s out.

Those that have seen the new watch have said that it does look different than the past watches, especially at the corners, but luckily it hasn’t changed enough that they redesigned the bands.

All your old watch bands will work on the new watches!  All those thousands of bands my wife thinks I have will still work!

Sensors

Apple upgraded the sensors inside that detect motion.  They say that his will help improve the activity tracking and calorie tracking.  With the extra sensitive tracking, they also said that they can detect falls.  If the watch detects that you fell, it will bring up a screen to call for help.  If it doesn’t sense movement within 1 minute, it will automatically call Emergency Response, and send messages to your contacts that you set up to be notified in the health app.  

This is amazing work.  This work is not just for those that like technology, but actual life-saving stuff. It’s just not a flashy outward facing feature.

There are also improved heart-rate sensors on the watch as well as an echocardiogram, or as I’ve always heard it an EKG.  By placing your finger on the digital crown, the watch sends a pulse through your body and develops this EKG.  

They say it’s the first one sold over the counter in the USA.  That’s pretty cool, but again not one of those features that you’d use every day.  If you need that feature though, there aren’t any other options.

Chips

Inside, the processors have gone to 64 bit.  That probably won’t mean much now, but the apps on the watch will eventually get faster.  Regardless of that, Apple claims the watch has doubled in speed.  It’s also redesigned the back so that radio waves can go out either side of the watch which help with the signal and speed of the wireless ability.  

Models

The Series 4 comes in a broad selection of styles:

There is still silver, space grey, and gold aluminum finishes, with different selections of watches.  These start at $399 if you just want the base model with GPS.  If you want LTE as well so that you are always connected, that model jumps up to $499 plus $10 a month added to your cell phone bill.

If you want to step it up to the next level of sophistication you can get the stainless steel models in silver, space black, and now gold.  These models start at $599 and go up to $799.  You don’t get a choice if you want LTE or not, you’re getting it.

When?

Pre-Order starts October 14 at 12 AM Pacific Time. They ship October 21. 

So should I get a Series 4 Apple Watch?

If you are looking to get your first Apple Watch and you have the $399+tax to spend on one, this is the best you can right now.  Depending on your planned usage of the watch, I’d probably stay with the GPS model and not spring for the LTE.  

I got the series 3 with LTE when it launched last year, but I never turned it on.  This summer I finally turned on the LTE to see if I’d ever use it. Turns out I hardly ever use the feature since I usually always have my phone with me.  The only time I ever use the watch without my phone is when I go run.

That might change some once watchOS 5 comes out next week.  It brings the podcast app with it, so I might use it more while walking the dog, but I doubt it.  

If you feel like you might go without your phone more and want to stay connected, get the LTE.  I think it’s a nice feature to have if you have the funds to pay for it.

If you are looking to get into the Apple Watch for the least amount of money, I’d check out the Series 3.  You won’t get the fall detection or the big screen, but the Series 3 is still a great watch.

If you’re looking for something fancy, you can spring for the steel models.  I’d love to have one eventually, but I need to get a few more viewers before that happens.  

What am I getting?

Right now, I’m not planning on upgrading.  I have the Series 3, and it’s still plenty fast.  If I had the funds, I would upgrade and go with the aluminum Series 4 without LTE, probably in space grey this time.  

Once again, I’d really like to get one just to write about it, and maybe I will.  Right now though, it’s not enough to get me to upgrade.