Apple Watch Series 3 Vs Series 4: Which One Is Better?

The Apple Watch Series 4 comes with more attributes, making it a great smartwatch to have. Some of the additions are FDA cleared EKG or ECG, a more capable processor, an improvement in the screen, and a better speaker. With the arrival of Series 4, Series 3 becomes more budget-friendly, which is also a nice benefit. However, this much great news also makes choosing between the two harder, especially when the difference in price is $130.

If money is the greatest factor for you, Series 3 fits the bill, but if you care more about aspects other than the price, keep reading to find out:

The Differences In The Look And The Feel

Both models follow the same basic structure with a square face with the four corners rounded, straps can be replaced, and the wide range of finishes.

Despite its slender body, Series 4 sports a screen upgrade which is 35% and 32% bigger than its predecessor’s 38-millimeter and 32-millimeter version respectively. The edge-to-edge screen makes a clear contrast with the Series 3’s stockier bezel. This enlargement means that you have more room for display and tapping. Another improvement that also appears in this model is its ability to facilitate reading under sunlight.

The new version hugs the wrist better with a smaller optical heart rate sensor located inside the electrical heart sensor.

The enlargement does not change the size of the band. It is still replaceable so you can adjust the look as you wish.

The Series 4 also has its microphone and speaker enhanced. The latter sounds louder thanks to its bigger size while the former is relocated in the middle of the home button and the crown, resulting in clearer calls. So now on Series 4, the speaker and the microphone are sitting opposite of each other.

The red dot to help users recognize the LTE version and the Wi-Fi one in Series 3 is now replaced by a red line going around the crown, making the mark catching less attention but still serving its function as a signal for users that this is an LTE.

A more distinctive addition is the stainless steel finish that only the Series 4 has.

So bottom line, the new version looks and feels better.

What About User’s Experience?

According to Apple, Series 4’s processor has doubled the speed of its predecessor, which technically allows the watch to operate faster. However, in reality, that difference is not as obvious as many would expect. Apart from this aspect, other features determining how users experience the watch are the same.

Series 3 and 4 have the WatchOS 5 update with some interesting new additions.

In this respect, no version is better than the other.

Which One Has A Better Connectivity?

Series 4 allows faster radio waves activities, which should make it our champion in this category. However, even with this improvement, the connectivity of an Apple watch cannot be compared with that of an iPhone so do not get your hopes up just yet.

The new version may not come with an enhancement to make Siri more accessible because even when you are willing to pay a higher price, you will hear the term “Hold on…” a lot. On the other hand, connectivity still enables decent calls and music streaming.

Of course, if you do not intend to pay $100 more for an LTE version, you should not bother yourself with this aspect. The Wi-Fi version does not have this enhancement so both the Series 3 and 4’s connectivity should feel no different to you.

Series 4’s LTE version is still the winner in respect.

Which One Is More Suitable For Working Out?

For those who care most about using the watch to work out, the Series 4 is the absolute winner.

With better visibility under sunlight, the newer version allows users to gather enough information after just one glance. Many users report that to make out what the screen of the Series 3 shows, they have to slow down a bit. Users of Series 4 do not have this same issue.

However, if you can ignore this, Series 3 is not a bad smartwatch for fitness. Both series have pace alert and workout detection that works automatically, which means you do not need to initiate the watch whenever you start a training session.

For the screen, Series 4 has an obvious edge over the Series 3.

Battery Life For Longer Time Between Charging

The Series 4’s battery can hold up longer than its predecessor, but it does not mean that the Series 3 is not suitable for long working out sessions. Both can survive a typical day of activity; the main difference is that the former drains on battery a bit slower.

For more intense days, Series 4 can operate continuously for up to 6 hours while the other one can only run for 4. This much battery life of both series is are still short in comparison with some Garmin watches for example, but if you do not engage in any activity that spans longer than 4 or 6 hours, a Series 3 or 4 can endure just fine.

A more capable battery belongs to the Series 4.

Extra Features

A feature regarding health that users may appreciate in Series 4 is its ability to detect serious conditions, which makes the watch the only choice available for regular users at the moment.

However, the Series 3 does have its fair share of features supporting health. It can notify you of irregularity in heart’s rate, which has come in handy for several who have cardio conditions.

The WatchOS 5 has enabled most Apple smartwatches the feature of detecting AFib, which is an irregular heartbeat that may lead to many heart-related complications. What it does is to measure the time between each beat and alert users if something goes wrong.

Series 4 is more advanced than all of its predecessors in this respect. Most doctors need a 12-lead EKG to come into any conclusion of a heart’s well-being. The Series 4 has not yet been able to replace this but it does provide a more detailed report of user’s cardio condition, which can be compared to a one-lead EKG.