Device hub · Fitness watches · Desk research
Apple Watch Series 5
Series 5 is the 2019 Always-On 40/44mm Watch: S5, 32GB, compass, Fall Detection, and the same 18-hour table as Series 4.
In short
Series 5 is the 2019 Always-On 40/44mm Watch: S5, 32GB, compass, Fall Detection, and the same 18-hour table as Series 4. It is off watchOS 27. Buy leftover Series 5 only if Always-On on this grid is the job. Skip it if you need SpO2 or a current OS.
Product images
Placeholder — OEM press not licensedApple Watch Series 5
Credit: GadgetShowdown labeled placeholder (not an Apple asset). View official product image
Apple product images are copyrighted. Typical Newsroom “editorial use only” language does not grant a commercial comparison site a redistribution license.
Studio still only. Manufacturer press JPEGs are not hosted here. See the Apple product page for the real product photo.
Placeholder — OEM press not licensedApple Watch Series 5
Credit: GadgetShowdown labeled placeholder (not an Apple asset). View official product image
Studio still only. Manufacturer press JPEGs are not hosted here. See the Apple product page for the real product photo.
Who it is for
- Series 4 owners documenting the Always-On / 32GB / compass hop from leftover Support 118453.
- Researchers who want titanium or ceramic Series cases on the 40/44mm grid without inventing later SpO2.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who needs watchOS 27. Apple’s current list is Series 9 or later, SE 3, and Ultra 2 or later.
- Anyone who wants Blood Oxygen, hypertension notifications, or a 24-hour Series table.
- Buyers without a compatible iPhone. Support 118453 requires iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 or later. Re-check current pairing floors.
- Anyone who wants Ultra hardware.
Key differentiators
- Always-On Retina LTPO OLED on the same 324×394 / 368×448 grid Series 4 used without Always-On.
- 32GB (double Series 4) + built-in compass + Fall Detection + international emergency calling on cellular.
- Four case materials on leftover 118453: aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic.
- Still a single 18-hour battery row. No Low Power Mode hour on this leftover sheet.
Caveats
- Every numeric battery and brightness line is an Apple claim. GadgetShowdown has not lab-tested Series 5.
- apple.com/apple-watch-series-5/ 301s to apple.com/watch/. Cite Support 118453.
- Do not copy Series 6 SpO2 or later sleep-score rows onto this leftover sheet.
- watchOS 27 is not promised. Quote Apple; do not write “unsafe.”
Watch-category specs
Same manufacturer rows on every watch page.
| Attribute | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 40mm: 759 sq mm; 44mm: 977 sq mm. Support: “over 30% larger display than Series 3” | Apple Support 118453 |
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display with Force Touch; ceramic and sapphire crystal back | Apple Support 118453 |
| Display resolution | 40mm: 324 × 394 px; 44mm: 368 × 448 px | Apple Support 118453 |
| Peak brightness (OEM) | 1,000 nits | Apple Support 118453Manufacturer nits claim. Minimum-nit figure is not on leftover 118453. |
| Always-On display | Yes — Always-On Retina (Newsroom: “never sleeps”) | Apple Support 118453; Apple Newsroom, 2019-09-10 |
| Case size(s) | 40mm and 44mm | Apple Support 118453 |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic | Apple Support 118453 |
| Case dimensions | 40mm: 40 × 34 × 10.74mm; 44mm: 44 × 38 × 10.74mm | Apple Support 118453 |
| Weight | 40mm: aluminum 30.8 g / stainless 40.6 g / titanium 35.1 g / ceramic 39.7 g. 44mm: aluminum 36.5 g / stainless 47.8 g / titanium 41.7 g / ceramic 46.7 g | Apple Support 118453Case-only figures from Apple; band not included. |
| Finishes | Aluminum: Silver, Space Gray, Gold. Stainless: Stainless, Space Black (DLC), Gold (PVD). Titanium: Titanium, Space Black. Ceramic: White. Nike silver / space gray aluminum; Hermès stainless | Apple Support 118453 |
| Chip / processor | S5 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip | Apple Support 118453 |
| On-device storage | 32GB | Apple Support 118453 |
| Battery — normal use (OEM) | Up to 18 hours | Apple Support 118453 |
| Battery — low-power / saver (OEM) | Not published | Apple Support 118453 |
| Battery — GPS / outdoor workout (OEM) | Not published | Apple Support 118453 |
| Charging (OEM) | Magnetic charging cable and USB power adapter listed. 80% minute not on leftover 118453 | Apple Support 118453 |
| Water resistance | 50m (ISO 22810:2010) — shallow-water swim; not scuba, waterski, or high-velocity water | Apple Support 118453 footnote 1 |
| GNSS / GPS | GPS/GNSS (constellation list not itemized the way Series 4 named GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS) | Apple Support 118453 |
| Cellular | LTE and UMTS on GPS + Cellular models (plan required; roaming not available as worded in the 2019 footnote) | Apple Support 118453 |
| Heart rate | Second-generation optical heart sensor + electrical heart sensor | Apple Support 118453 |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) | No Blood Oxygen sensor/app on leftover Support 118453 | Apple Support 118453 |
| Temperature sensing | Not published | Apple Support 118453 |
| ECG | Electrical heart sensor on Support 118453 (same Series 4-and-later ECG path; region / age limits) | Apple Support 118453 |
| Sleep tracking | Not published | Apple Support 118453 |
| Sport / workout profiles (OEM) | Not published | Apple Support 118453; Apple Newsroom, 2019-09-10 |
| Other sensors | Compass; barometric altimeter; accelerometer up to 32 g-forces with Fall Detection; gyroscope; ambient light | Apple Support 118453 |
| Durability / ingress | 50m water resistance. No IP6X / MIL-STD row on Support 118453 | Apple Support 118453 |
| Safety / incident alerts | Emergency SOS; international emergency calling (cellular); Fall Detection | Apple Support 118453 |
| Operating system | watchOS (Support 118453). Newsroom launch OS was watchOS 6. Series 5 is off Apple’s watchOS 27 device list | Apple Support 118453; Series 12 / watchOS 27 Newsroom list |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13 or later. Re-check current pairing floors | Apple Support 118453 |
| Wireless (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth) | Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 5.0. No 5GHz Wi-Fi and no UWB row | Apple Support 118453 |
| NFC / contactless payments | Apple Pay; GymKit | Apple Support 118453 |
| Band / strap system | Apple Watch band interface (Newsroom: new bands work with any generation) | Apple Newsroom, 2019-09-10 |
| US MSRP (launch) | $399 GPS / $499 GPS + Cellular (US) | Apple Newsroom, 2019-09-10 |
| Price band | Legacy everyday ($400–$500 US launch) | Derived from $399 start |
| Announced | 10 September 2019 | Apple Newsroom |
| Availability | Order from 10 September 2019; stores from Friday, 20 September 2019; discontinued leftover after later Series | Apple Newsroom, 2019-09-10 |
Apple Watch Series 5 extras
Unique to this line or SKU.
| Attribute | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Compass | Built-in compass (Newsroom: location features / current elevation) | Apple Support 118453; Apple Newsroom, 2019-09-10 |
| Force Touch | Yes — listed on the leftover Always-On display row | Apple Support 118453 |
| watchOS 27 | Not on Apple’s watchOS 27 device list | Apple Series 12 / watchOS 27 Newsroom list |
| Recycled aluminum (OEM) | Newsroom: aluminum case made for the first time from 100% recycled 7000 series aluminum | Apple Newsroom, 2019-09-10 |
| In the box | Magnetic charging cable and USB power adapter listed on the leftover sheet | Apple Support 118453 |
Overview
Apple Watch Series 5 is the September 2019 Always-On everyday Watch. Leftover Support 118453 is the live OEM source. The physical product is a 40mm or 44mm watch in aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic — 10.74mm thick — with Digital Crown, side button, second-generation optical HR, electrical heart sensor, and a compass.
First table: watches-v1. We have not worn this watch.
Battery (OEM table only)
| Mode (Apple’s words on 118453) | Series 5 claim |
|---|---|
| Normal use | Up to 18 hours |
| Low Power Mode | Not on leftover 118453 |
| Outdoor-workout hour | Not on leftover 118453 |
Sources
- Apple Support — Apple Watch Series 5 Technical Specifications (118453) — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple Newsroom — Apple unveils Apple Watch Series 5 — accessed 2026-09-19
- Apple — Guidelines for Using Apple Trademarks and Copyrights — accessed 2026-09-19
Frequently asked questions
What is actually new versus Series 4?
Leftover sheets: Always-On, 32GB, compass, Fall Detection, international emergency calling, second-generation optical HR, and titanium/ceramic materials. Same 18-hour battery row and same 40/44mm pixel grid.
Does Series 5 get watchOS 27?
No. Apple’s watchOS 27 list is Series 9 or later, SE 3, and Ultra 2 or later.
Does Series 5 have Blood Oxygen?
Not on leftover Support 118453. Do not invent it from later Series 6+ sheets.
Is $399 a street price?
$399 GPS / $499 cellular is Apple’s published US launch start on 10 September 2019. Leftover street tickets change.
Official product page: Apple Watch Series 5. Tech specs: Apple Watch Series 5 specs.