Apple Watch Series 4 Summary

Even though Apple has released the Apple Watch 5, the Apple Watch 4 is still a strong smartwatch with its upgraded design as well as display and a new ECG sensor for heart rate tracking, making it one of the most desired timepieces.

Its more rounded edges and larger screen are nicer to look at while offering more functionality. When it was first unveiled, the Apple Watch became one of the world’s best smartwatches. And of course, it is one of the more popular and expensive smartwatches.

Apple Watch 4 Release Date

Apple unveiled the Watch 4 alongside the iPhone XS and XS Max back in September 2018. The smartwatch is no longer available for purchase via Apple’s online storefront. But consumers can still find it somewhere online.

Apple Watch 4 Price

The smartwatch comes in four models: 40mm and 44mm sizes with or without LTE. The GPS only version’s price when it was first launched was $399 for the smallest model and $429 for the larger one. The price may be cheaper now, but not much.

The price of the cellular model was $499 for the 40mm and $529 for the 44mm.

Apple Watch 4 Key Features

The key feature of the Apple Watch 4 is its design. Another major upgrade is that the watch has the electrocardiogram feature, also known as ECG.

Once activated, a set of data will be sent to your Health app found on your iPhone. You can then export it as a PDF file and give it to a physician.

It also has new fall detection. But there is one thing to worry about this feature. It is how it affects the smartwatch’s battery life. For users who are older than 65 years old, this feature will be activated automatically. While this is a helpful feature, it will make you need to charge your smartwatch once a day.

With the Apple Watch 4, Apple adds a set of heart rate notifications that include one for atrial fibrillation. This means you will receive a pop-up if there is anything suspicious with your heart.

The Watch 4 also has an alert system in case your heart goes too high or too low. If for no reason, your heart rate falls hard or spikes for around 10 minutes, you will receive an alert telling you to see a physician.

Apple Watch 4 watchOS 5

WatchOS 5 brings several new features. The most impressive feature is how you can use the smartwatch for different exercises. Plus, the Apple Watch 4 can now track your exercise automatically.

The other improvements are rather minor like weather data or richer notifications.

The big software upgrade is watchOS 5.1.2 bringing the ECG feature to users in the US.

But now, with the release of the Apple Watch 5, users of the Apple Watch 4 can upgrade to watch OS 6.

Apple Watch 4 Design and Screen

If you notice something about this smartwatch, it is that it looks freaking different. Of course, not to someone who has never ever seen an Apple Watch but to those who are familiar with the series. They will instantly notice that the screen of the Apple Watch 4 is bigger. In fact, it is 30% bigger.

The screen is larger with more rounded edges. It also has a thinner overall chassis. It isn’t that noticeable compared to previous models but the weight on the wrist is minimal.

Apple has also improved the Digital Crown as well as the button for power/multi-tasking on the side of the watch. It feels like when you push the power button, it feels more premium.

The back has also seen an upgrade. Apple still uses the ceramic material for the radio signal to get through. But with the Apple Watch 4, sapphire glass is used. The radio antenna is placed around the edge. With this, it will be easier for the signal to go through without your wrist messing with the frequency.

It is impressive how Apple managed to fit into the device so much more. Sure, the sizes have increased compared to the previous 38mm and 42mm options. However, the increase in screen real estate is really useful.

Somehow, Apple has made the square screen look more circular. At the bottom of the screen, there are some tappable options that have rounded corners, making everything look even more circular.

The extra screen real estate means new watch faces. It is a colorful OLED screen indeed. However, it would have been better if Apple would bring to the table more digital clocks.

The speaker placement is better as well. It is now placed on the right of the watch and is away from the microphone, resulting in the better audio response.

However, when making and receiving voice calls with the Apple Watch, there is a need to be in a quiet environment.

It is excellent that the old watch straps made for smaller watches will still fit, saving users from having to purchase new straps.

Apple Watch 4 Fitness

With the Apple Watch series, Apple has slowly cared more about fitness than fashion. And that is excellent.

If you have been sedentary, you will receive alerts from the smartwatch, telling you that you haven’t been as active.

Apple Watch 4 can also automatically track your exercise. IF you start running or walking, you will receive an alert from the smartwatch, telling you that you are exercising and asking for your permission to track it. The heart rate monitor of the watch is mostly accurate.

Apple Watch 4 Battery Life

According to Apple, the smartwatch can last 18 hours. But in fact, the Apple Watch 4 can withstand two days of usage. It is impressive since the battery of the Watch 4 is actually smaller than the battery used in the Watch 3.

But of course, if you use the GPS, go for a long run and listen to the music, this will drain the battery a lot faster. The smartwatch has 16GB of internal storage so you can load loads of songs. Podcasts are also supported.

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Apple Watch Series 4 Full Specifications

Price
network
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  • Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
  • 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
  • 3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 / 800 - Europe, Australia
  • 1, 3, 39, 40, 41 - China
  • 4G bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26 - Europe, Australia
  • Speed HSPA, LTE
launch
  • Announced 2018, September
  • Status Available. Released 2018, September
body
  • Dimensions 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in)
  • Weight 48 g (1.69 oz)
  • Build Glass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame
  • SIM eSIM
  • 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models)
display
  • Type LTPO OLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
  • Size 1.78 inches, 10.0 cm2 (~60.0% screen-to-body ratio)
  • Resolution 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density)
  • Protection Sapphire crystal glass
  • 3D Touch display 1000 nits max brightness (advertised)
platform
  • OS watchOS 5.0, upgradable to 6.2
  • Chipset Apple S4
  • CPU Dual-core
  • GPU PowerVR
memory
  • Card slot No
  • Internal 16GB
camera
  • No
sound
  • Loudspeaker Yes
  • 3.5mm jack No
comms
  • WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE
  • GPS Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
  • NFC Yes
  • Radio No
  • USB No
features
  • Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate (2nd gen), barometer
  • Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
battery
  • Non-removable Li-Ion battery
  • Charging Wireless charging
  • Stand-by Up to 18 h (mixed usage)
misc
  • Colors Space Black, Silver, Gold
  • Models A1975, A1976, A2007, A2008