Remember when the Apple Watch Series 3 first landed? It felt like a significant leap, a truly capable smartwatch that could keep up with your life. And then, just a year later, the Series 4 arrived, promising even more. It’s easy to get lost in the specs, but let’s break down what really set these two generations apart, and why you might still be pondering which one is right for you, or was right for you back then.
Looking back, the Series 3 was a solid performer. It was lighter, weighing in at 42 grams compared to the Series 4's 48 grams, and a touch narrower, measuring 36mm versus the Series 4's 38mm. For some, those subtle differences in physical feel could be quite noticeable. It also boasted features like weight tracking and, interestingly, temperature tracking – something that wouldn't become a mainstream Apple Watch feature for quite some time. And here's a point that might surprise some: the Series 3 actually had an Always-On Display, a feature that was notably absent in the Series 4, which required a wrist raise to wake the screen. It also had a slightly smaller body volume, by about 7%, which might appeal to those who prefer a more compact device.
But the Series 4? Oh, it brought some serious upgrades to the table. The most talked-about was undoubtedly the ECG technology. This was a game-changer, allowing users to take an electrocardiogram right from their wrist, a significant step forward in personal health monitoring. Fall detection was another major addition, providing an extra layer of safety by automatically calling emergency services if a hard fall was detected. Visually, the Series 4 offered a noticeably bigger screen, a 7.88% increase, making everything from notifications to app interfaces easier to see. The display itself was sharper too, with a 1.51x higher resolution and a 14.24% higher pixel density, making text and graphics pop.
Under the hood, the Series 4 also packed a punch. It included a compass, which was a handy addition for navigation. Battery life saw a modest improvement, offering about 6.89% more power with its 291.8 mAh battery compared to the Series 3's 273 mAh. And for those who cared about connectivity, the Series 4 jumped to Bluetooth 5, a step up from the Series 3's 4.2.
When you look at the user reviews and ratings from back in the day, the Series 3 often scored a perfect 10/10, praised for its longevity and consistent performance. Users reported them working just as well years later. The Series 4, while still highly rated at 8.2/10, received slightly lower scores in areas like performance and fitness features compared to the Series 3's perfect marks in those categories. Build quality and design were also areas where the Series 3 shone with perfect scores, while the Series 4 was also well-regarded but not quite hitting that same peak in user perception.
Ultimately, the choice between the Series 3 and Series 4 often came down to priorities. If you valued a lighter, more compact design, the simplicity of an always-on display, and perhaps a slightly more robust build quality in user perception, the Series 3 held its ground. But if cutting-edge health features like ECG and fall detection, a larger and sharper display, and improved performance were on your radar, the Series 4 was the clear winner. It’s a fascinating look back at how quickly technology evolves, and how even a year can bring such distinct advancements to a beloved device.
