Apple Watch Series 5

Always-On Retina display

An innovative display architecture combining a low-temperature polysilicon and oxide display (LTPO), ultra-low power display driver (DDIC), efficient power management IC, and ambient light sensor dynamically reduces refresh rate from 60Hz to 1Hz when the wrist is down, keeping time and complications visible at all times.

Built-in compass and Compass app

A hardware magnetometer enables heading, incline, latitude, longitude, and elevation tracking within the new Compass app and Maps, and provides direction complications for watch faces.

International Emergency Calling

GPS + Cellular models can contact local emergency services across more than 150 countries even without an active cellular service plan or paired iPhone nearby, integrating directly with fall detection.

Titanium case finish and Ceramic return

(refinement): Apple Watch Edition introduced brushed natural and space black (diamond-like coating) titanium finishes boasting a high strength-to-weight ratio, alongside the return of white ceramic.

Apple Watch Studio retail model

(refinement): Apple introduced Apple Watch Studio in retail and online stores, allowing customers to mix and match case finishes and bands at purchase rather than forcing pre-packaged pairings.

Internal storage capacity doubled to 32GB

Storage expanded from 16GB on Series 4 to 32GB across all models to accommodate podcasts, music, audiobooks, and on-device apps.

S5 System in Package (SiP)

Upgraded SiP integrating the 64-bit dual-core processor with the new display power controller and magnetometer.

100% recycled aluminum case

(refinement): For the first time, aluminum models were fabricated entirely from 100% recycled 7000-series aerospace-grade aluminum.

Apple Watch Series 4 discontinued

Apple immediately ceased official sales of Series 4 upon Series 5's introduction, keeping the older Series 3 as the entry model.

18-hour all-day battery life

Maintained the baseline 18-hour daily runtime rating despite moving from an off-wrist black display to an illuminated Always-On screen.

Electrical and optical heart sensors

Retained the electrical heart sensor (ECG app) and second-generation optical heart sensor introduced on Series 4.

Force Touch hardware support

Retained the physical Force Touch sensor gasket beneath the OLED panel (the final flagship hardware generation with Force Touch support).

Physical design and band compatibility

Maintained 40mm and 44mm case dimensions, digital crown with haptic feedback, and band slot compatibility with all prior Apple Watch generations.