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Apple Watch Series 5 & Apple Watch Series 11 have some important differences, it’s all about balancing features with budget. Apple Watch Series 11 is the newer, more advanced model with a wide-angle LTPO3 brighter display, wrist flick gesture support, 5G capability, and improved health sensors. Apple Watch Series 5 remains a solid performer with core Apple Watch functionality at a lower cost. This comparison will help you quickly understand the differences and decide which model is the better fit for your lifestyle.
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Processor:- Apple Watch Series 11 features the S10 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine that delivers faster app launches and improved power efficiency.
- Apple Watch Series 5 uses the older S5 chip with slower performance.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Display:- Apple Watch Series 11 has an LTPO3 wide-angle OLED display that reaches 2000 nits to improve outdoor readability.
- Apple Watch Series 5 has an LTPO OLED display with up to 1000 nits brightness.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Display Resolution:- Apple Watch Series 11 includes a 416 x 496-pixel display on the 46mm size to show more content and sharper details.
- Apple Watch Series 5 comes with a 368 x 448-pixel display on the 44mm size.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Gesture:- Apple Watch Series 11 comes with wrist flick and double tap gesture support to allow quick hands-free control.
- Apple Watch Series 5 does not support gesture controls.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Fast Charging:- Apple Watch Series 11 supports fast-charge capable 0–80% in about 30 minutes and includes short-charge options that provide 8 hours of normal use from a 15-minute charge and 8 hours of sleep tracking from a 5-minute charge.
- Apple Watch Series 5 does not support fast charging.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Low Power Mode:- Apple Watch Series 11 supports Low Power Mode that extends battery life to 38 hours for longer use between charges.
- Apple Watch Series 5 does not include extended Low Power Mode.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Connectivity (5G):- Apple Watch Series 11 supports 5G connectivity that enables faster data transfer when away from Wi-Fi.
- Apple Watch Series 5 is limited to LTE connectivity.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Water & Depth Features:- Apple Watch Series 11 includes a depth gauge and water temperature sensor to track underwater activities like swimming & snorkeling.
- Apple Watch Series 5 does not include depth or water temperature measurement.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Durability:- Apple Watch Series 11 comes with 2× scratch-resistant Ion-X glass and sapphire crystal on titanium models to resist daily wear damage.
- Apple Watch Series 5 has standard Ion-X glass with no scratch-resistance upgrade.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Dual-Band Wi-Fi:- Apple Watch Series 11 comes with Wi-Fi 4 dual-band support for stable 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections.
- Apple Watch Series 5 has Wi-Fi 4 with 2.4GHz only.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Hypertension Notifications:- Apple Watch Series 11 includes hypertension notifications to help detect elevated blood pressure early.
- Apple Watch Series 5 does not have hypertension alerts.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Internal Storage:- Apple Watch Series 11 comes with 64GB storage to store more music, apps, and data.
- Apple Watch Series 5 comes with 32GB storage.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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GPS and Sensors:- Apple Watch Series 11 has Blood Oxygen Monitoring, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Temperature Sensing, L1 GPS with GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou to improve navigation accuracy.
- Apple Watch Series 5 includes GPS with GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS.
Winner: Apple Watch Series 11 |
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Specs at a Glance
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch Series 5 |
|---|
| Case Sizes | 46mm or 42mm | 44mm or 40mm |
| Case Material Options | Aluminum, Titanium | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium, Ceramic |
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED, up to 2000 nits | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED, up to 1000 nits |
| Display Area (Large Size) | 416 x 496 pixels, 1220 sq mm | 368 x 448 pixels, 977 sq mm |
| Processor | S10 chip, 4-core Neural Engine | S5 chip |
| Storage | 64GB | 32GB |
| Connectivity | 5G + LTE, Wi-Fi 4 (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3 | LTE, Wi-Fi 4 (2.4GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery Life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Low Power Mode | Up to 38 hours | Not available |
| Charging | 0–80% in ~30 mins, 15 mins for 8 hrs use | Standard charging |
| Health Sensors | Blood Oxygen, Temperature sensing, Sleep apnea notifications, Vitals app | No Blood Oxygen, No Temperature sensing, No Sleep apnea notifications |
| Water Features | Swim + snorkel, depth gauge to 6m, water temp sensor | Swim only |
| Gestures | Wrist flick, Double tap gesture | No gesture support |
| Siri | On-device Siri with health data access | Standard Siri |
Who Should Buy What?Buy the Apple Watch Series 11 if you:- Want the latest S10 chip for faster performance and smooth multitasking.
- Need a brighter display and larger screen for better outdoor visibility.
Care about advanced health tracking like Blood Oxygen, temperature sensing, and sleep apnea notifications. - Prefer fast charging and longer battery life with Low Power Mode for travel days.
- Want 5G, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and gesture controls for a future-proof experience.
Check Apple Watch 11 Best Price Buy the Apple Watch Series 5 if you:- Are on a budget and want a more affordable Apple Watch with core features.
- Do not need 5G or advanced health sensors like Blood Oxygen or temperature tracking.
- Are satisfied with standard battery life and do not need fast charging.
- Prefer a watch that still supports Always-On display and ECG without paying for newer tech.
- Want stainless steel or ceramic case options that are not available in the Series 11 lineup.
Check Apple Watch 5 Best Price |
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|
| Processor | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Always-On Display | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| LTPO3 Technology | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Battery Life | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Low Power Mode | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Fast Charging | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Connectivity (5G) | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Wi-Fi Dual-Band | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Depth Gauge & Water Temp | Apple Watch Series 11 |
| Gestures | Apple Watch Series 11 |
What They Have in Common
- Always-On Retina Display: Both models feature an always-on Retina display, so you can check the time and glance at important information without raising your wrist or tapping the screen. This enhances convenience and usability in everyday scenarios.
- ECG App: Each watch supports the ECG app, allowing users to take electrocardiograms right from their wrist. This feature helps monitor heart health and detect irregular rhythms early.
- Fall Detection: Both Series 5 and Series 11 include fall detection, which automatically alerts emergency services if a hard fall is detected and the user is unresponsive. This adds a critical layer of safety for active users and seniors.
- Workout Tracking: Both watches offer comprehensive workout tracking for a wide range of activities like running, cycling, swimming, and yoga. This ensures accurate fitness data and motivation for users across different exercise preferences.
- Water Resistance: Each model is water resistant up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming and showering. This durability allows users to wear their watch during most daily and fitness activities without worry.
- Notifications & Calls: Both watches let users receive calls, texts, and app notifications directly on their wrist. This keeps users connected without needing to reach for their iPhone.
FAQ (Quick Answers)
Does Apple Watch Series 11 have better performance than Series 5?
Yes, Apple Watch Series 11 uses the newer S10 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine, which makes it significantly faster and more efficient than the S5 chip in Apple Watch Series 5.
Is the display on Apple Watch Series 11 brighter than Series 5?
Yes, the Series 11 display reaches up to 2000 nits of brightness, which is twice as bright as the 1000 nits display on the Series 5, making it much easier to read outdoors.
Does Apple Watch Series 11 support fast charging?
Yes, Series 11 can charge from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes, while Series 5 charges at a slower standard rate.
Can Apple Watch Series 11 connect to 5G networks?
Yes, Series 11 supports 5G connectivity for faster data speeds when away from Wi-Fi. Series 5 is limited to LTE only.
Does Apple Watch Series 11 have sleep apnea detection?
Yes, Series 11 includes sleep apnea notifications that help users identify possible breathing issues during sleep, which Series 5 does not provide.
Is temperature sensing available on Apple Watch Series 11?
Yes, Series 11 includes wrist temperature sensors that provide nightly tracking and retrospective ovulation estimates. Series 5 does not have this feature.
Does Apple Watch Series 11 support wrist gestures?
Yes, Series 11 supports wrist flick and double tap gestures for hands-free navigation, while Series 5 lacks gesture support.
How much storage is available on Apple Watch Series 11?
Apple Watch Series 11 comes with 64GB of storage for apps, music, and watchOS updates. Apple Watch Series 5 includes only 32GB.
Are there any new health features in Apple Watch Series 11 compared to Series 5?
Yes, Series 11 includes Blood Oxygen monitoring, a Vitals app with multiple metrics, and advanced sleep tracking features missing on Series 5.
Which model is better for swimming and water sports?
Apple Watch Series 11 is better because it supports swimming, snorkeling, and includes a depth gauge and water temperature sensor. Series 5 supports swimming but lacks depth and temperature features.