The Apple Watch has become a staple for many, but choosing the right model can be tricky. We're pitting the older, more affordable Apple Watch Series 3 Aluminum against the newer, feature-rich Series 5 Aluminum to help you decide which smartwatch is the best fit for your lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 5 Aluminum is the clear winner, offering a brighter display, always-on functionality, ECG capabilities, and improved battery life. While the Series 3 remains a capable smartwatch, the Series 5's advancements justify the price difference for most users seeking a modern smartwatch experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 / 800 - Europe, Australia (A1891) | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26 - Europe, Australia (A1891) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 39, 40, 41 - China (A1892) | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, September. Released 2017, September | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, ceramic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 42.5 x 36.4 x 11.4 mm (1.67 x 1.43 x 0.45 in) | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 34.9 g (1.23 oz) | 36.7 g (1.31 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant | 50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 390 x 312 pixels (~303 ppi density) | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.65 inches | 1.78 inches |
| Type | Retina OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | 3D Touch display | 3D Touch display
Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S3 | Apple S5 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 4.0, upgradable to watchOS 8.7 | watchOS 6.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 768MB RAM, 16GB 768MB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 341 mAh (1.34 Wh), non-removable | Li-Po 296 mAh (1.13 Wh), non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray | Silver, Gold, Space Gray |
| Models | A1860, A1861, A1889, A1891, A1890, A1892, A1858, A1859 | A2156, A2157, A2094, A2095, A2092, A2093 |
| Price | About 480 EUR | About 450 EUR |
| SAR | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.34 W/kg (body) | - |
Apple Watch Series 3 Aluminum
- Affordable
- Reliable notifications
- Basic fitness tracking
- Outdated processor
- Dim display
- Shorter battery life
- No always-on display
Apple Watch Series 5 Aluminum
- Brighter display with always-on
- Improved performance
- Longer battery life
- ECG and fall detection
- More modern design
- Higher price
- Still requires charging (though less frequently)
Display Comparison
The Series 5 boasts a significantly brighter display and the always-on functionality, allowing you to glance at the time and complications without raising your wrist. The Series 3's display is functional but lacks this convenience and brightness, especially outdoors. The Series 5's display is noticeably more vibrant and easier to read.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Series 3 nor the Series 5 have a dedicated camera. This feature was never included in Apple Watch models.
Performance
While both watches share a dual-core processor, the S5 chip in the Series 5 offers improved performance and efficiency. Apps launch slightly faster, and the overall user experience feels smoother on the Series 5. The S3 is still adequate for basic tasks, but the S5 provides a more responsive feel.
Battery Life
The Series 5 offers a substantial battery life improvement over the Series 3. While the Series 3 typically requires daily charging, the Series 5 can often last for two full days on a single charge, thanks to its low-power display technology.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 3 Aluminum is a good option for budget-conscious buyers who primarily want basic smartwatch functionality like notifications and fitness tracking. The Series 5 Aluminum is ideal for those who value a larger, brighter display, advanced health features (ECG, fall detection), and longer battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Apple Watch Series 3 still worth buying?
If you're on a very tight budget and only need basic smartwatch features, the Series 3 can still be a viable option. However, the Series 5 offers significant improvements that make it a better long-term investment.
❓ What is the ECG feature on the Apple Watch Series 5?
The ECG feature allows you to take an electrocardiogram reading directly from your wrist, which can help detect signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
