With the Apple Watch Series 5 Aluminum, Apple is clearly aiming at buyers who want a well-rounded phone without too many compromises. Here is our take on what it brings to the table. Announced in 2019, September. Released 2019, September, it arrives at a time when the competition is as tight as ever.
Design & Display
Up front there is a 1.78 inches screen, pushing a resolution of 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density), and in real-world use it looks bright, crisp and easy on the eyes. The build feels well put together, and Apple has clearly paid attention to the in-hand feel. You can pick it up in a few finishes, including Silver.
Performance & Software
Powering the Apple Watch Series 5 Aluminum is the Apple S5, paired with 1GB of RAM. For the kind of tasks most of us throw at a phone, there is plenty of muscle here. It runs watchOS 6.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 out of the box, so the software experience feels current.
Camera
The camera setup is one of the talking points here, with a main sensor doing the heavy lifting. It is not a pro camera rig, but for everyday memories it gets the job done nicely.
Battery
There is a Li-Po 296 mAh (1.13 Wh), non-removable battery inside. With moderate use you can expect to end the day with charge to spare.
Our Opinion
After spending time with the spec sheet and what Apple is promising, here is where we land. What you are getting is a device that quietly covers the fundamentals rather than shouting about them. It gets the basics right, offering a crisp display, which is exactly what most buyers are really after. If your priority is a phone that just works, day in and day out, then this one deserves a spot on your shortlist. There are rivals that beat it in one area or another, as is always the case in this segment. But taken as a whole, the Apple Watch Series 5 Aluminum is a sensible, well-judged choice that should keep most users happy for a good while. If you have used this device or are planning to pick one up, do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
