Everything You Need to Know about the New Apple Watch Series 4: Price, Specs & Features

In previous iterations, Apple added cellular and GPS capability, plus waterproofing to make a compelling case to make the leap to a new watch. This year the new Apple Watch features fewer dramatic new features and more enhancements (64-bit CPU, bigger screen size, smaller bezel, thinner chassis, louder speaker, and better sensors.) But that doesn’t mean the Series 4 isn’t a dramatically different watch. Thanks to a built-in ECG (electrocardiogram) sensor and the ability of the watch to detect falls and contact emergency services for the wearer, the Apple Watch Series 4 is a healthcare provider’s dream—and one that fits on your wrist. Let’s go over everything you should know about the Apple Watch Series 4, including price, specifications, new features, and improvements.

Related: Meet the Newest Generation of the iPhone Family: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max & iPhone XR

Apple Watch Series 4 Price & Availability

Price: Starting at $399 for GPS and $499 for GPS + Cellular.

Apple Watch Series 4 Specs

• Display size(s): 40 mm and 44 mm (measured vertically) superseding the 38 mm and 42 mm sizes, respectively.
• Storage capacity: 16 GB.
• RAM:  Undisclosed.
• Processor: 64-bit dual-core S4, up to two times faster performance over previous generation.
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Operating system: watchOS 5
• Battery life: Same 18-hour battery life as previous models.
• Screen type: OLED.
• Digital Crown: Now offers haptic feedback for responsiveness.
• Speaker: Louder speaker, which is great for the new Walkie Talkie feature and for phone calls.
• Water Resistance: Up to 50 meters.

For a great summary of the difference between Storage Capacity and RAM check out this article, it goes a long way towards explaining how these terms relate to the overall function of your device.

New Apple Watch Features & Improvements

Screen Size

Just as Apple’s iPhones are getting larger, so is its Apple Watch; as users depend more on these devices, the ability to view more content becomes more important. In both the case of the new iPhone models and the Apple Watch Series 4, Apple has managed to add more screen real estate while reducing the bezel, so the extra screen size doesn’t add significantly to the overall size of the device. Compared to previous models, the new Apple Watch has a more than 30 percent larger screen, thanks to the smaller and slightly taller bezel, but the new watches are thinner, so they take up less volume overall.  

Finishes/Colors & Bands

The Apple Watch Series 4 is available with a silver, gold, or space gray aluminum case or a gold, silver, or space black stainless steel case. Bands types include sport, leather, or stainless steel and come in a variety of colors including silver, black, gold, white, pink, and more. And good news! Although new bands will be available for the new watch, your old Apple Watch bands will fit the newer models as well.

New Apps & Complications

More content is displayed in watchOS 5 and Apple’s built-in apps. The larger screen can accommodate more complications (making that term even more appropriate.) One complication I liked is the option to add photos of your favorite contacts right on your watch face so you can tap them for one-touch connect. Apple will support third-party app content, including graphics, directly on the watch face, such as flight boarding info, stock scores, and more.

Health & Safety Features

On the health and safety front, Apple offered a number of enhancements. The new watch features an enhanced accelerometer and gyroscope, making the watch precise enough to detect falls! It can then dial 911 and share your location. The system supports notifications for low heart rate, irregular rhythm (atrial fibrillation), and even an electrocardiogram (ECG) using sensors on the back and the Digital Crown. Apple even earned clearance from the FDA (first of its kind) and had the head of the American Heart Association, Dr. Ivor Benjamin, on stage to endorse the watch.

The enhancements to the Apple Watch are welcome and ironically, could make carrying around an iPhone less important. A cellular-based Apple Watch with a larger screen is now more independent and more useful than ever.