The release of the Apple Watch Series 5 in September 2019, was a quite new and significant development in the smartwatch industry. Always-On Retina display was one of the top features that was included in this watch for users. As the previous Apple Watch in 2015 came with complications like without lifting the wrist or tapping the screen.
Since it has been many years passed with the release of this watch, but still I would say that is has a good spotlight from multiple users. Till now, Apple has released Series 8,9,10,11and the Apple Watch Ultra Series that has grabbed a premium space in the market.
I have listed about all the things users want to know about Apple Watch Series 5, in details along with its current market postion while comparing it with some of the latest Apple watches.
Key Specs About the Apple Watch Series 5
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Apple S5 SiP dual-core (identical performance to Series 4’s S4) |
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits brightness |
| Case Sizes | 40mm (324×394 px), 44mm (368×448 px) |
| Materials | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Ceramic |
| Storage | 32 GB (double that of Series 4) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, optional LTE (eSIM) |
| Sensors | ECG (electrical), 2nd-gen optical HR, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light |
| Water Resistance | 50m (swim-proof) |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours (all-day use) |
| Operating System | Shipped with watchOS 6 → supports up to watchOS 10.6.1 (2025) |
Design and Display
Apple rarely updates its product designs. The same case was with the Apple Watch Series 5. It’s almost similar to the design of Series 4. You get a titanium finish on this device. It makes the overall design sturdy. Besides this, it’s lightweight and feels good to wear.
Another thing Apple did here is bring back the white ceramic edition. You can now customize the bands before you order the watch. This means that you don’t have to purchase your favorite ones separately.
Design-wise, Apple offered more material choices than ever before:
- Aluminum: lightweight and affordable.
- Stainless Steel: shiny and premium.
- Titanium: strong, lightweight, and elegant.
- Ceramic: a luxury option, glossy and scratch-resistant.
The diversity provided individuals with the true freedom of choosing between sporty, stylish, or luxury appearance, and the ability to mix and match styles with fast-release bands and Apple Watch Studio customization made it easy.
Features Overview of Apple Watch Series 5
1. Always-On Display
This was the big headline feature. Before Series 5, your Apple Watch screen would go black when you were not actively looking at it. With Series 5, the Always-On Retina display meant you could check the time, see your rings, or monitor your workout without that awkward wrist flick.
Even today, that feels modern. Sure, the newer models are brighter (Series 9 can crank up to 2000 nits), but for everyday use, the Series 5’s screen still gets the job done.
2. Health Features – ECG & Heart Monitoring
Apple Watch Series 5 has also some of the major developments from Apple Health. It came with:
- An ECG app that could check for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
- Heart rate tracking that sent alerts if your heart was beating unusually fast or slow.
- Irregular rhythm notifications, which were pretty advanced for a consumer smartwatch back in 2019.
It was not to replace a doctor, of course, but it provided the people with an opportunity to check their health every day and in some situations, it even saved lives literally.
3. Safety First – Fall Detection & SOS
Apple also added features that made the watch more than just a fitness gadget:
- Fall Detection: If the watch detected a hard fall and you didn’t move afterward, it would automatically call emergency services.
- International Emergency Calling: With the cellular model, you could call local emergency numbers almost anywhere in the world, even if you didn’t have your iPhone nearby.
These safety tools still make the Series 5 a great option for older adults or anyone who likes that extra peace of mind.
4. Battery life
The battery life you’re getting on Apple Watch Series 5 is above average for a normal user. People usually wear this watch to view time and use some apps every now and then.
That said, heavier use does make a difference. Streaming music, using GPS workouts, or installing and testing apps can cut battery life down to around 14 hours. To get the most out of your charge, it helps to manage background activity and occasionally close apps you’re not actively using.
5. Fitness and Activity Tracking
Apple Watch has always been strong in fitness, and the Series 5 did not disappoint:
- The classic Move, Exercise, and Stand rings kept users motivated.
- Built-in GPS and compass made it easy to track runs, hikes, or outdoor workouts.
- It was swim-proof up to 50 meters, so you could take it into the pool without worry.
- With software updates, it also gained sleep tracking.
While newer watches now measure blood oxygen, skin temperature, and recovery trends, the Series 5 still covers the basics really well.
6. Design and Material Choices
Apple gave buyers plenty of options:
- Aluminum for lightweight everyday wear.
- Stainless steel for a more premium, shiny look.
- Titanium for those who wanted strength without too much weight.
- Ceramic for the ultra-luxury crowd.
With swappable bands and Apple Watch Studio customization, it still feels stylish today.
Performance – What’s It Like to Use in 2025?
- Speed: The S5 chip is basically the same as the Series 4’s processor. It’s not blazing fast compared to Series 9, but it handles apps, notifications, and Siri without frustrating lag.
- Battery life: Apple promised “all-day battery,” about 18 hours, and that’s still about right. You’ll need to charge it nightly, especially if you use workouts or GPS a lot.
- Health accuracy: The heart-rate and ECG functions remain reliable. But if you want blood oxygen or temperature tracking, you’ll need a newer model.
- Limitations: The brightness peaks to 1000 nits which is dark in case you are outside, when it is very sunny. It is also not compatible with recent versions of the watchOS and thus it will not have access to new Apple apps and features.
So in short: it’s not cutting-edge anymore, but it doesn’t feel broken or useless either.
Compatibility in 2025
The Apple Watch Series 5 in 2025 is no longer supported by the latest watchOS updates and is compatible only with older software versions from iPhone 6s and iOS 13 upwards.
The basic functions like health tracking, notifications, and connecting to most watch bands remain available, advanced features, new software updates, and security patches released after watchOS 10.6.1 are inaccessible.
Pros and Cons of Apple Watch Series 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Always-On Retina display | Limited to watchOS 10, no future updates |
| ECG and reliable heart-rate monitoring | No blood oxygen or temperature sensors (added in later models) |
| Fall Detection and Emergency SOS | |
| Wide variety of materials | |
| Swim-proof up to 50m and solid fitness tracking |
Series 5 vs Newer Models
| Feature | Series 5 | Series 6 | Series 7 | Series 8 | Series 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | Always-On, 1000 nits | Same, slightly brighter | Larger screen, thinner bezels | Same as S7 | Always-On, 2000 nits |
| Processor | S5 chip | S6 chip | S7 chip | S8 chip | S9 chip |
| Sensors | ECG + HR | + Blood Oxygen | + Blood Oxygen | + Blood Oxygen + Temp | + Blood Oxygen + Temp |
| Safety | Fall Detection, SOS | Same | Same | + Crash Detection | + Crash Detection |
| OS Support | watchOS 10 only | watchOS 11 | watchOS 11 | watchOS 12 | watchOS 12 |
Pricing & Availability in 2025
You cannot buy the Series 5 new from Apple anymore as it has been discontinued, but you can still find it on refurbished and resale markets like eBay, and and Amazon Renewed.
The pricing of the Apple Watch Series 5 is usually between $100 and $150. It is also available on Amazon to buy.
Final Words
The Apple Watch Series 5 remains a solid and feature-rich watch for 2025, but it is an older model. Its key features (Always-On screen, ECG, compass, fall detection) still work well, and it pairs with modern iPhones – however it is capped at watchOS 10 and lacks newer sensors (SpO₂, temperature, crash detection).
For a general consumer, it represents a budget-friendly way to get Apple Watch capabilities (since it’s cheap on the used market), but one should be aware that it’s effectively a 2019 product in 2025.
People Also Ask
Does the Apple Watch Series 5 have cellular connectivity?
Yes. This watch offers you cellular connectivity.
Is this watch waterproof?
Yes. This watch is fairly waterproof. However, it is recommended not to keep it in water for a long time.
How good is the battery timing of this watch?
This watch offers an average battery timing.
Is it still worth buying?
Most probably. If you want features that are useful in everyday life, this watch is still worth buying.
Does the Apple Watch Series 5 still work in 2025?
Yes, it works fine, but it won’t get updates beyond watchOS 10.
Can it measure blood oxygen with Apple Watch Series 5?
No, it does not have the ability to measure Apple Watch Series 5.
