Apple Watch Series 5 vs Apple Watch Series 6: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6 are two consecutive generations of the same watch. Close matchups are the hardest to call, and the Apple Watch Series 5 versus the Apple Watch Series 6 is one of them.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Apple Watch Series 6 wins
- Battery Life Tie
- Smart Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors4.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
- Display5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors5.7
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Apple Watch Series 6 has blood-oxygen readings
Some features are nice extras; for some people, blood-oxygen readings is a deal-breaker. Only the Apple Watch Series 6 has it. The Apple Watch Series 6 can take blood-oxygen readings; the Apple Watch Series 5 can’t.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 5 44 mm × 0.42 in
- Apple Watch Series 6 44 mm × 0.42 in
Neither is the “big one” here; the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6 are matched on size. The Apple Watch Series 5 is neither lighter nor heavier than the Apple Watch Series 6 in any way that counts.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 44 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 40 mm, 44 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.42 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz | 1.29 oz |
Display
Too close to call
The display specs are close enough that neither gets the point. The takeaway: display is not where these two differ.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Apple Watch Series 6 leads
By a small margin, the Apple Watch Series 6 is the stronger of the two in this area. The Apple Watch Series 6 gives you blood-oxygen readings. Wrist-based blood-oxygen data is a wellness indicator rather than a medical measurement, so treat it as a trend. If this section decides it for you, choose the Apple Watch Series 6.
Blood oxygen
Apple Watch Series 5: no Apple Watch Series 6: yes Blood-oxygen readings can add context to sleep tracking and to training at altitude.
Battery Life
Too close to call
Side by side, the battery life figures for the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6 barely differ. On battery life alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t smart features & connectivity. In short, smart features & connectivity is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 368 x 448 | 368 x 448 |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | No | Yes (winner) |
| Skin temperature | No | No |
| GPS | Built-in GPS/GNSS | Built-in GPS/GNSS |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 18 h |
| Charging | Magnetic charging cable | Magnetic charging cable |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S5 | S6 |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Software | watchOS | watchOS |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 44 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 40 mm, 44 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.42 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz | 1.29 oz |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 | $399 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6 launched at the same price, so this comes down to the specs.
Based on US launch pricing as of September 2020. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 5 if…
- you find the Apple Watch Series 5 already covers everything you need
Choose the Apple Watch Series 6 if…
- you like tracking blood oxygen during sleep or at altitude
- you plan to keep it for a long time and want to start from the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Apple Watch Series 6?
The Apple Watch Series 6 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if the Apple Watch Series 5 you own hasn’t given you a reason to switch.
Should I upgrade from the Apple Watch Series 5 to the Apple Watch Series 6?
Only if the changes matter to you. Compared with the Apple Watch Series 5, the Apple Watch Series 6 offers blood-oxygen readings, which is useful but not essential for everyone.
Does the Apple Watch Series 5 last longer on a charge than the Apple Watch Series 6?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6 are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Which is larger, the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Apple Watch Series 6?
The Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6 are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Is the Apple Watch Series 5 lighter than the Apple Watch Series 6?
Weight won’t decide this one; the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 6 are very close.
Executive Summary
Upgrading from the Apple Watch Series 5 to the Apple Watch Series 6 sounds like a no-brainer. I’m not sure it always is. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the Apple Watch Series 6 brings blood-oxygen readings.
Choose by what you’d use most: the things a spec sheet can’t capture leads to the Apple Watch Series 5, health & fitness sensors leads to the Apple Watch Series 6.
My pick: the Apple Watch Series 6, unless you already own the Apple Watch Series 5.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.