The Apple Watch can feel like an extension of the iPhone — until it doesn't do its job very well anymore. Whether it's because of age or you want newer features, there comes a time when you no longer want to stick with your same old watch.
1. The watch's battery no longer lasts a day

Apple Watch batteries typically last a day or more; If your watch fails to do so, this is a sign that an upgrade is needed. Since the Apple Watch has a completely different charging cable and is supposed to be worn on your wrist all day to track every metric, poor battery life isn't really that inconvenient.
You can know the specific status by checking the battery status of your Apple Watch. If your battery is below 80%, you'll start to notice that you have to charge it more often.
You should also know that newer Apple Watches also charge much faster, and according to Apple, they can reach 80% from zero in just 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the model.
However, if you still want a cheaper alternative, you can also choose to replace the battery.
2. The watch does not receive new software updates

Apple Watch also receives major feature updates every year, but older devices gradually lose access to those upgrades. Even if you're not interested in newer features, you'll lose access to security updates.
For example, watchOS 11 has some great features, but it only supports Apple Watch Series 6 and later. So if you have an old watch, you're out of luck.
Speaking of software updates, remember that you'll need an iPhone running the latest version of iOS to activate the watch. If you are using an older device like an iPhone X, the watch will not work.
3. You're missing out on newer sensors

Apple has added a number of different sensors to track your metrics over the years, and some of them could also save your life. A great example is the Collision Detection feature on Apple Watch Series 8 and later, which can automatically detect if you're in a serious car accident and automatically call emergency services if you're unresponsive. Still fine.
If you're wearing an older watch, like the Apple Watch Series 3, you should definitely upgrade without thinking, because you'll also miss out on the ECG sensor, which can tell if your heart is beating irregularly or You can also use it to perform an electrocardiogram right on your watch.
You also get better cycle tracking and temperature sensing on Apple Watch Series 8 and later, and you can get a better understanding of all the other sensors by comparing your current watch with these. newer one on Apple's comparison page.
Note: While all Apple Watches since Series 6 have an SpO2 sensor to monitor blood oxygen, those sold in the US after January 18, 2024 have had this feature disabled due to the infringement lawsuit patent.
4. The watch is running out of storage space
Older Apple Watches, like the Series 3 and Series 4, had 8GB or 16GB of storage. If you've used up all this space, you're a productivity user and might consider upgrading.
However, if you regularly load media onto your watch or rely on third-party apps, it's worth noting that the new Apple Watch has a sizable 64GB of storage – far more than most people will need. everybody.
5. The current watch seems too small

Older Apple Watches have smaller screens, usually from 38mm to 44mm, which many people feel is too small. The new models come in larger sizes – the Apple Watch Series 10 starts at 42mm and also has a larger 46mm option. If you want an even larger screen, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a 49mm screen.
The larger screen also makes a difference in features. From Series 7 onwards, you can use the on-screen keyboard, a feature not available on older models.