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Apple Apple Watch Series 5 vs Apple Apple Watch Series 6
Apple Apple Watch Series 5 ($85) vs Apple Apple Watch Series 6 ($83) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right smartwatch.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $85 | $83 |
| Weight | 36.5g | 36.5g |
| Chip | S5, 64-bit dual-core | S6, 64-bit dual-core |
| Display | Always-on Retina OLED, first Apple Watch | Always-on Retina OLED |
| Compass | Built-in | — |
| Safety | International emergency calling | — |
| WR | 50m | 50m |
| Weight | 36.5g (Apple published, 44mm Aluminum) | 36.5g (Apple published, 44mm Aluminum) |
| Sensors | — | Blood oxygen (SpO2) + ECG + heart rate |
| Charging | — | 20% faster than Series 5 |
Pros & Cons
Apple Apple Watch Series 5
- First Apple Watch you can actually glance at without raising your wrist
- Built-in compass, useful for hiking and orientation
- International emergency calling built in
- Same ECG and fall detection as Series 4
- Always-on mode measurably shortens battery life
- No blood oxygen sensor, that arrived with Series 6
- watchOS support window is closing
- Titanium and ceramic variants command a used premium over aluminum
Apple Apple Watch Series 6
- Blood oxygen sensor, a meaningful addition over Series 5
- Faster S6 chip, noticeably snappier in daily use
- Faster charging than any earlier Series watch
- Always-on display carried over from Series 5
- Blood oxygen readings are wellness-only, not medical grade
- watchOS support window is closing
- Aluminum case shows wear more than steel or titanium on a used unit
- No always-on altimeter, that came later with Ultra
Apple Apple Watch Series 6 is the better value at $83. If weight matters most, Apple Apple Watch Series 5 carries lighter at 36.5g. Both are part of our curated smartwatch index — tap through to check current pricing.
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