Apple today announced the Apple Watch Series 5, alongside watchOS 6. Series 5 watches feature an always-on display, meaning you won't have to rely on wrist raises to read the Apple Watch screen. There's also a built-in compass and international emergency calling as the new standout features.
The always-on display allows the time and other important information to be visible at all times. Every watch face was optimized for the new display and to preserve battery life, featuring the ability to dim the screen when your wrist is down and return to full brightness with a raise or tap.
Despite the always-on display, Apple said that the Apple Watch Series 5 still features an all-day 18-hour battery life.
“We’ve seen Apple Watch have a meaningful impact on our customers’ lives and we’re excited to deliver even more capabilities with Apple Watch Series 5 and watchOS 6,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “The seamless integration of new hardware and software delivers an enhanced experience that makes it even easier to stay active and connected to the people and information users care about.”
There are also updated location features that provide greater navigation tools, like the built-in compass and updated Maps app. The compass app provides heading, incline, latitude, longitude, and current elevation, and it can be added as a complication to the watch face.
Series 5 cellular models include international calls to emergency services, regardless of where the device was originally purchased or if the cellular plan was activated.
The new lineup also comes with a titanium case, and returning styles include stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic. There are also the expected Apple Watch Nike and Apple Watch Hermès models.
With a new Apple Watch comes the latest updated to watchOS, which is watchOS6, including new health and fitness features like a Cycle Tracking app for women. There's a Noise app to understand the ambient sound levels in environments such as concerts, and Activity Trends to provide a long-term view of your activity patterns.
watchOS 6 also has dynamic new watch faces like Meridian, Modular Compact, and Solar Dial. Apple is also finally letting you customize exactly which Apple Watch case and watch band you buy from the get-go with Apple Watch Studio. With this, you can pick your preferred case and band combination when you initially purchase the Apple Watch Series 5.
Apple Watch Series 5 with GPS starts at $399 while the GPS and cellular models start at $499. You can order your Series 5 device today on Apple.com, and the watches will then begin to ship on Friday, September 20. Apple has discontinued the Apple Watch Series 4 and is keeping the Series 3 around at the entry-level price of $199 for GPS and $299 for GPS and cellular.
