The Apple Watch Series 4 marks the most significant upgrade to Apple’s smartwatch lineup so far. I’ve always been back and forth with smartwatches—sometimes I love them, and other times they feel more like a novelty. But this time, the Series 4 is convincing me to stick around. It’s modern, powerful, functional, and genuinely fun to use.
Design and Display
For the first time, the Apple Watch gets a full redesign. It’s available in two new sizes: 40mm and 44mm, replacing the previous 38mm and 42mm models. I’m wearing the 44mm Space Grey Aluminium version, and despite the larger display, the watch itself isn’t much bigger. Thanks to significantly smaller bezels, the screen area is 30% larger without making the device feel bulky. The slimmer body and rounded corners give it a sleek, modern appearance—a big leap from previous generations.
The OLED display looks stunning, especially with the new watch faces that show off vibrant colours and deep blacks. It’s bright and easy to see in all lighting conditions, and the increased size makes it much more usable for tasks like reading messages or navigating maps.
Performance and Software
The Series 4 runs on Apple’s new S4 chip, which makes it noticeably faster than its predecessors. Interacting with apps, switching watch faces, and using Siri all feel smooth and responsive. The new watchOS 5 enhances the experience with larger buttons, easier-to-read fonts, and better navigation on the bigger screen.
The bubbly app launcher remains, and while it’s functional, it’s still not the most intuitive way to access apps. However, the new Infograph watch faces take full advantage of the larger display, offering more complications and customisation than ever before. It’s not just practical; it’s visually impressive.
Health and Fitness Features
This is where the Apple Watch Series 4 really shines. Apple has introduced two game-changing health features:
- Fall Detection: The watch uses its improved accelerometer and gyroscope to detect hard falls. If you don’t move for a while after a fall, it will automatically contact emergency services and notify your designated emergency contacts. It’s not just for older users—construction workers and athletes working at heights could benefit greatly from this feature.
- ECG Capability: While not yet enabled in Australia, the Series 4 will soon be able to perform electrocardiograms by simply holding the Digital Crown. This is a potentially life-saving feature, capable of detecting irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation. Once available, you’ll be able to export ECG results as a PDF to share with your doctor.
Fitness tracking has also improved. The watch tracks all the usual metrics—steps, calories, and heart rate—and now includes a new altimeter for tracking elevation during activities like hiking. It’s incredibly accurate, and the activity rings are as motivating as ever.
Speaker and Walkie-Talkie Mode
The speaker is louder and clearer, which is great for taking calls or interacting with Siri. Apple has also introduced a Walkie-Talkie mode, a fun throwback feature that lets you push-to-talk with other Apple Watch users. While gimmicky, it works well and adds a bit of nostalgia to the experience.
Drawbacks
No device is perfect, and the Apple Watch Series 4 has its flaws.
- No Sleep Tracking: For a watch so focused on health, the lack of built-in sleep tracking is a noticeable omission. There are third-party apps, but native integration would have been better.
- Limited Customisation: Apple still doesn’t allow third-party watch faces. While the existing options are great, more flexibility would be welcome.
- No Always-On Display: The watch still relies on the raise-to-wake feature. An always-on display would make it feel more like a traditional watch, even if it came at the cost of some battery life.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Apple Watch Series 4 is the best smartwatch Apple has ever made. The bigger screen, faster performance, and groundbreaking health features make it a standout device. If you’re an iPhone user, it’s the best smartwatch you can buy right now. Prices range depending on size, material, and whether you opt for the cellular version, but even the base model is a fantastic choice.
For me, the Series 4 has finally made the Apple Watch indispensable. It’s no longer just a nice-to-have accessory; it’s a powerful, functional tool that I don’t want to take off. If you’re considering upgrading, this is the one to get. Thumbs up from me!