Apple review
Series 5 (44MM)
The 44mm Apple Watch Series 5 set a benchmark with its Always-On display. Years after launch, it remains a capable wrist companion if you keep its aging battery and water seals in mind.
The 44mm Apple Watch Series 5 set a benchmark with its Always-On display. Years after launch, it remains a capable wrist companion if you keep its aging battery and water seals in mind.
Pros
- +Always-On LTPO display remains sharp and easy to read at a glance
- +44mm case provides ample screen area for text and fitness metrics
- +Comprehensive health baseline with ECG, compass, and heart rate monitoring
- +S5 SiP handles core watchOS tasks and notifications smoothly
- +Comfortable daily wear with broad third-party band compatibility
Cons
- −Original batteries now show significant capacity loss and reduced runtime
- −Tightly glued chassis makes screen and battery servicing delicate
- −Water-resistant seals degrade over years of sweat and liquid exposure
- −Lacks newer health sensors like blood oxygen or temperature tracking
Overview
When the Apple Watch Series 5 (44MM) arrived, it delivered the single biggest quality-of-life update to Apple's wearable line up to that point: the Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display. Built around the expanded 44mm chassis style, it allowed users to check time and workout stats without lifting their wrist or tapping the screen. Powered by the dual-core 64-bit S5 System in Package (SiP), the Series 5 added an integrated compass, international emergency calling on cellular variants, and reliable electrical heart sensing for ECG checks.
Looking at the Series 5 from a long-term ownership perspective, it stands as a sturdy bridge between legacy smartwatches and modern designs. However, keeping a 44mm Series 5 running reliably over many years comes with distinct hardware realities, particularly regarding battery health and structural seals.
Design and build
The 44mm casing strikes a practical balance between screen real estate and wrist comfort. The LTPO display dynamically dials its refresh rate down to 1Hz when idle to preserve power while staying visible. Surrounding the display is a sleek aluminum or stainless steel housing, backed by a ceramic and sapphire crystal rear sensor cover.
The tactile feedback from the Taptic Engine and Digital Crown remains a highlight of the hardware experience. However, because the front glass and display assembly are glued directly to the body with a rubberized adhesive seal and a Force Touch gasket layer, opening or servicing the casing requires substantial heat control and patience.
Everyday performance
Despite its age, the S5 SiP holds up remarkably well for primary daily tasks. App launching, notification interactions, Siri queries, and media controls feel responsive. While it lacks the sheer speed of newer chips, the performance bottleneck in daily use rarely stems from processor slowdown.
Fitness tracking, GPS route mapping, and heart rate monitoring execute accurately. The 44mm screen makes navigating workout metrics and reading text threads comfortable compared to smaller watch sizes. Unless you require advanced sensors like blood oxygen or wrist temperature, the daily feature set covers all essential smartwatch duties.
Battery, durability, and longevity
Battery life is the single largest variable for long-term owners. The 44mm variant shipped with a slightly larger capacity battery than the 40mm version, but after years of charge cycles, original lithium-ion cells suffer notable capacity drop-off. Enabling the Always-On display on an aged battery can mean struggling to stretch runtime through a full day.
Physical durability of the chassis is high, but water resistance is not permanent. Sweat, soap, salt water, and normal thermal expansion gradually break down the perimeter adhesive. Over time, the watch loses its factory resistance against water ingress, making high-moisture environments risky for mature hardware.
Common issues owners hit
As the Series 5 ages, a few recurring failure points emerge among long-term wearers:
- Battery Swelling: As the lithium-ion cell reaches the end of its chemical lifecycle, it can swell and physically push the screen upward, lifting the display away from the housing.
- Cracked Display Assembly: Direct drop impacts or excessive force can crack the outer glass or ruin the underlying OLED layer beneath it.
- Water Damage & Corrosion: Degraded water seals allow liquid into the interior, causing corrosion on the main logic board, Taptic Engine, or Digital Crown encoder.
- Torn Display Flex Cables: Attempting to service the interior without proper technique frequently rips the delicate ribbon cables connecting the screen and Force Touch sensor to the board.
For additional hardware notes, you can check our dedicated Series 5 (44mm) device page or browse common smartwatch failure patterns in our problems index.
Who it's for
The 44mm Series 5 is ideal for budget-minded users who want a high-quality Apple Watch with an Always-On display without paying top dollar for current-generation models. It is also a great candidate for hands-on owners willing to swap out a degraded battery to restore full day-and-night usability.
Bottom line
The Apple Watch Series 5 (44MM) remains a well-designed piece of wearable hardware. Its Always-On display and solid S5 platform keep it relevant, provided you account for natural battery wear and aging water seals over time.
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Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm) was a high-water mark for Apple's wearables. While hardware wear—particularly battery degradation—is an unavoidable factor today, it still provides excellent utility for fitness tracking and daily notifications.
