Apple Watch has not been around for very long. But within the short timeline it has been there, the technology that it has managed to pack is commendable.It was from the Series 3 that the cellular connection was added, but while Apples introduction of this technology was impressive, there was nothing new in it. And then there was a big leap forward from the Series 3 to Series 4. And finally with the Series 5, the Apple Watch has hit its stride.With the introduction of the ECG monitor in Series 4, the Apple Watch is quite a lifesaver as well. The ECG monitor helps in detecting a heart defect called atrial fibrillation.In addition to this, a few design changes were also introduced with this series. The Series 5 features an always-on display. Also with the Series 5, Apple has moved ahead so far that it now has the liberty to focus on more subtle improvements.

Apple Watch Series 5: Design and always-on watch display

The Series 4 had bumped up the size of the Watch to 40mm and 44mm.The same size is adapted to the Apple Watch Series 5 as well. If you put the Series 4 and Series 5 next to each other, you may not be able to differentiate between their design and look. The difference comes in the new range of materials and colors available in Series 5.A new brushed titanium finish which comes in black or grey and is lighter is introduced in the Series 5. It costs 7,500 INR extra than the stainless steel variant. Ceramic has also made a comeback with Series 5 but it costs 95,000 INR, while the cheapest Series 5 will cost only 30,000 INR -- the GPS only aluminum finish.The Series 5 has options for GPS-only or cellular with each model.

The versions with cellular cost more, starting at 50,000 INR. You can also opt for leather bands and even a Milanese gold loop in addition to the ceramic and titanium finishes. Apple has now opened ways for you to customize your Watch during your purchase itself. Whether online or in-store, you can pick your favorite band for the Watch. Apple is also continuing to work with Nike and Hermes to offer bespoke bands and watch faces. If you want an Apple Watch and you are okay with trading off a few advanced features, then the Series 3 is the best option and is cheaper, starting at 24,000 INR.This is an extremely smart move by Apple with this product cycle and would probably give a tough time for its rivals like Fitbit. The notable feature that Apple has included in Series 5 is the always-on screen.

This is made possible with the aid of a new low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) display which is capable of reducing the amount of battery consumption by the screen every time it is refreshed.When this feature is enabled, dropping your wrist down by your side or covering the screen with your palm will dim the display and it will stop certain animations on the screen like the movement of the second hand.Apple claims that it has reduced the refresh rate from 60Hz to as low as 1Hz but you will still be able to see complications update as well as the minute/hour hands move. Apple has worked around a few of its own apps to fit into this new feature.For example, in the workout app, some information like the seconds will not appear. If a certain app is not designed to work on the always-on function, such as all the third-party apps, the display will blur on the screen and an overlay of a digital clock will appear.

Apple Watch Series 5: Features & watchOS 6

Even though the always-on display is the most talked-about feature that has come with Series 5, there are a few other changes introduced as well. With each new Apple Watch, there is a watchOS update. This time around the OS update that has come is watchOS 6 and works just fine on all Series of the Apple Watch.Another new feature included is the compass. But it is available only for Series 5. It is a proper compass that guides you with directions and sits in a separate app. It also measures elevation and inclination and there is a cone of confidence that tells you the accuracy in reading.

The compass comes with the disadvantage that certain magnetic bands interfere with its working. Except for hardcore hikers, compass is not a relevant feature for others. The SOS function in Apple Watch Series 5 is improved. As long as you have a cellular version of Series 5, it will contact the emergency services in any country in case of distress and will connect you with the appropriate first responders.So if you are lost in the deep forest, the compass will give you directions to get out and in times when the compass is not of great help, the SOS backup will surely save you.The Noise app is another new app which analyses sound around you and will alert you if the noise levels are too high. watchOS 6 brings good news to women. It can now track the menstrual cycle.

It is capable of tracking periods as well as the fertility window. These personal data anyway will not be displayed in any complication.As a major step to get dissociated from the iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 5 is packed with many new watch faces and an in-built App Store. If you have a cellular variant, this gives you the liberty to directly find and download apps into your watch. And those without cellular, as long as the Watch is connected to your phone, you can explore the App Store from your wrist.The apps can be searched either by voice or by text. But this comes with a disadvantage that the App Store is removed from the Watch iOS app and now the only option to access App Store is through the wrist. Even though it is much easier to search and browse apps on a phone than the tiny watch screen, this is a move to dissociate the watch from the iPhone app and to build independent Watch apps.

Apple Watch Series 5: Heart rate and GPS performance

The heart rate monitor is similar in performance to that of Series 4. Its performance is similar to that of a Garmin chest strap. Workouts can be reviewed in the Activity app on the iPhone and the analysis of heart rate data is pretty good and easily understandable. Even though VO2 Max is not something introduced in Series 5, it is presented more centrally in Apple Health.The Apple Watch readings are not validated against the treadmill readings but VO2 Max has been tested thoroughly. The expected number was between 47 and 50 and the readings from the Garmin Fenix 5S which was 49ml/kg/min. But the Apple Watch gave a much lower reading, 42ml/kg/min.

The resting heart rate average was 49 and this matched well with Fitbit, Garmin and chest strap readings.Altogether, if you look at the overall performance of the optical heart rate monitor in the Apple Watch, it is not a bad bet at all after all. It is as good as any other sports watch available in the market. Unless you seek precise performance data during your HIIT sessions, you can go for the Apple Watch which has a decent optical sensor. The distance measurements are accurate.The Apple Watch Series 5 will by default connect to the iPhones GPS if it is enabled and works fine. But if the GPS signal is bad in the iPhone, the Watch can give wrong readings.

Apple Watch Series 5: Battery life

The battery life is the same as Series 4 that is, 18 hours on a single charge. But if the always-on display is enabled, it is found that the battery life goes down. But the watch can still go on for a full day on moderate use.Life can be stretched to a day and half with lesser interaction. Considering that Series 4 can sail through for two days on a single charge, with Series 5 it is quite impossible.

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