5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy the Apple Watch Series 5

If the prevailing rumors are correct, Apple will announce a new Apple Watch next week. All the leaked information to date suggests the Apple Watch Series 6 may keep the same square design as its predecessor, with the addition of a few critical improvements in the device. Will the new Apple Watch make the Series 5 obsolete? Or should you grab an Apple Watch Series 5 now before it's gone? We think you should say no the Series 5 and wait until the Series 6 debuts. Continue reading to learn why.
No Pulse Oximeter
Most new smartwatches on the market include a pulse oximeter. Even Garmin's low-end fitness bands can measure blood oxygen levels. Despite all that it can do, the Apple Watch Series 5 still lacks this critical sensor. Blood oxygen is an important metric that you can use to track your fitness level and sleep quality. If pulse ox is a must-have, you should wait to purchase the Apple Watch Series 6, which is rumored to ship with an onboard SpO2 sensor.
Apple Watch Series 5 Still Is Expensive
The Apple Watch Series 5 starts at $399 for the entry-level model with a 40mm aluminum casing, sports band, and Wi-Fi-only connectivity. You can grab the larger size 44mm Watch for $429. If you want LTE connectivity, add another $100 to that price tag. Apple typically is consistent on its pricing, so we expect the Series 6 to debut around the same price range. If you're going to spend $400 now, doesn't it make sense to wait a few weeks and spend that same amount on the latest model? That being said, we do expect to see some sales on the Apple Watch Series 5 in the next few weeks. Watch the prices and only jump on a Series 5 if the price is low enough.
Apple Watch Series 5 Battery Life Is Just, Meh
The Apple Watch Series 5 has a run-of-the-mill battery life that's not much better than previous Apple Watch models. Although turning off the Always-On Display will improve battery life, it typically lasts up to 18-hours, which means you'll likely still have to charge it each day. Though not confirmed, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 6 is expected to deliver excellent battery life thanks to its new S6 chipset. The S6 will boost the efficiency of the Watch, allowing it hopefully to last more than a day and possibly even two days on a single charge.
Longevity
Let's face it. The Apple Watch Series 5 is last year's technology. Though Apple is good at supporting old devices, the newer Apple Watch Series 6 will be supported longer than the older Series 5. If I am going to pay around $400 for a Watch, I'd instead go with the newer one that'll get a few more updates than a device that's essentially a year behind.
Shiny, New
Sometimes practical stuff like functionality and longevity get tossed out the door when it comes to shiny, new. There's nothing wrong with buying a device because it has the latest technology. Being able to test out the pulse oximeter and see how it compares to existing sensors is a worthwhile pursuit. Giving the battery a good workout to see how it performs is an excellent test. Trying out the latest and greatest can be a lot of fun and well worth waiting for in the Apple Watch Series 6.