apple Watch Series 5

The latest update gets three new features.

lASt YeAr’S APPle WAtch series 4 was widely hailed as a milestone, so what could Apple do to improve on it this year? Series 5 is an incremental rather than a radical update, but introduces three very appealing new features.

First, for the first time, Apple Watch now has an always–on Retina display, which intelligently dims when lowered, and brightens when raised or tapped. Yet series 5 still boasts all–day 18–hour battery life thanks to a new ambient light sensor and some clever ultra–low–power tech “including the industry’s only low–temperature polysilicone and oxide display”.

Second, series 5’s updated location features include a built–in compass, and a compass app that can display your heading, incline, elevation, and latitude and longitude.

Third is international emergency calling, available in more than 150 countries, even without an iPhone. It works together with fall detection, if enabled — the Watch automatically places an emergency call if it senses that the user has taken a hard fall and remains motionless for about a minute.

The range of finishes now includes stainless steel, aluminum (100% recycled), white ceramic, and titanium, available in either a natural finish or space black with a “diamond–like coating”.

There are also Nike and Hermès designer options. Apple Stores now include Apple Watch Studio, where you can pair any case with any band.

New features in watchOS 6 include a Noise app to monitor sound levels in environments such as concerts and sporting events, menstrual cycle tracking, and Activity Trends. Seeing the Watch’s appeal as a health and fitness accessory, Apple is inviting users to participate in a range of health studies.

Apple Watch series 5 starts at $399 (GPS), or $499 (GPS+cellular). Series 3 is still available, now from $199.