Is the Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 Still Worth It? (2025)

In the ever-advancing world of tech, it’s easy to get caught up in chasing the latest and greatest. But what if one of the smartest purchases you could make is a “classic flagship”? The **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** is exactly that—a hidden gem in the pre-owned market. It was a landmark device, the first Apple Watch to introduce the game-changing **Always-On display** and the vital **ECG app**. Today, you can get these premium, once-exclusive features for a price that often rivals a basic, new Apple Watch SE. But is a watch from 2019 still a viable choice in 2025? This definitive 2500+ word review will analyze every feature of the Series 5 and the Amazon Renewed program to answer that critical question: is this the best-value Apple Watch you can buy today?

Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm, GPS)

The classic flagship. Get the game-changing Always-On display and ECG app—features the SE lacks—for an incredible price. Backed by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee.

Check Price on Amazon

Introduction: The Value Proposition

The core value proposition of a **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** is **flagship features for less than a budget price**. It represents a unique “sweet spot” in the market. You get two of the most desirable Apple Watch features—the convenient Always-On display and the powerful ECG app—which are not available on the newer, budget-friendly Apple Watch SE models. By choosing a renewed Series 5, you are essentially getting a more feature-rich experience for a price that is often the same or even lower than a new SE, making it an incredibly smart purchase for the discerning value-seeker.

Target User Profile

A **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** is a perfect choice for:

• The Ultimate Value Seeker: Anyone who wants the most features for the lowest possible price will see the Series 5 as a clear winner over a new SE.
• The First-Time Apple Watch Buyer: It provides a feature-rich introduction to the ecosystem, including the Always-On display, which many consider an essential part of the modern watch experience.
• The Health-Conscious Individual on a Budget: It is the most affordable entry point to get an Apple Watch with the FDA-cleared ECG app for proactive heart health monitoring.
• The Person Upgrading from a Series 3 or Older: The jump in screen size, speed, and the addition of the Always-On display make the Series 5 a massive and worthwhile upgrade.

Key Features & Specifications

Design: The 44mm Silver Aluminum Case

The **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** features the classic, iconic Apple Watch design. The 44mm Silver Aluminum case offers a clean, timeless look that pairs beautifully with the included White Sport Band. The aluminum is lightweight and comfortable for 24/7 wear, and the display is made from strengthened Ion-X glass. The larger 44mm case provides a generous screen size that makes reading notifications and interacting with apps a breeze.

Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm, GPS)

The classic flagship. Get the game-changing Always-On display and ECG app—features the SE lacks—for an incredible price.

Shop Now on Amazon

Performance: The S5 Chip in 2025

The **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** is powered by the S5 chip. While it’s not as fast as the latest S9 chip, it’s important to put its performance in perspective. The S5 is more than capable of running the latest watchOS smoothly for all core tasks. You’ll experience fluid animations, quick access to notifications, and reliable performance in the Workout app. For everyday use—checking messages, tracking fitness, using Apple Pay, and running most apps—the S5 chip still provides a great experience that feels responsive and modern.

Ease of Use: The Apple Ecosystem

Part of the magic of any Apple Watch is its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. The setup process is famously simple: just bring the watch near your iPhone and follow the on-screen prompts. Once paired, it works in perfect harmony with your phone, delivering notifications, syncing health data, and allowing you to do things like unlock your Mac automatically. This effortless connectivity is a huge part of the value.

Sizing Guide: The 44mm Display

The 44mm case size on this **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** offers a large and immersive display. It is the ideal choice for those with average to larger-sized wrists or for any user who prioritizes screen real estate for maximum readability. The bigger screen allows for larger watch face complications and makes tapping on small interface elements easier.

Pros and Cons

Who Should Buy a Renewed Apple Watch Series 5?

You should buy a **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** if the **Always-On display** and **ECG app** are important to you, and you are on a tight budget. It is the most affordable way to get these two flagship features. It’s a much smarter purchase than a new Apple Watch SE if you value these specific capabilities over having the latest processor.

Deep Dive: The Game-Changing Always-On Display

The Series 5 was the first Apple Watch to feature an Always-On display, and it remains a massive quality-of-life feature. It means the watch face is always visible in a dimmed state, so you can glance at the time or your complications without needing to raise your wrist or tap the screen. It makes the device feel much more like a traditional watch and is a feature you will deeply miss if you go to a model without it, like the Apple Watch SE.

Component Comparison: Renewed Series 5 vs. Renewed SE

This is the key comparison for budget-conscious buyers.

• Choose the Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 if: You want the **Always-On display** and the **ECG app**. These two hardware features are absent on the SE.
• Choose the Renewed Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) if: You want a **faster processor (S8 vs. S5)** and the newer **Crash Detection** safety feature. You are willing to give up the Always-On display and ECG for better performance and a more recent model.

Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm, GPS)

Unlock flagship features like the Always-On display and ECG app at a price that rivals budget models.

Check Price on Amazon

Customer Reviews: The Renewed Experience

Customer reviews for the **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** often highlight it as a “hidden gem.” Buyers consistently express satisfaction with the “like-new” condition and are thrilled to get premium features like the Always-On display for such a low price. Many reviewers specifically state they chose it over a new SE because of this feature, confirming its powerful appeal.

Top Benefits of Choosing a Classic Flagship

• Premium Features on a Budget: Get the Always-On display and ECG app, features that are still reserved for Apple’s more expensive watches.
• Proven Performance: The Series 5 is a mature, reliable product with years of user feedback and software refinement.
• Maximum Value: It arguably offers the best feature-per-dollar value in the entire renewed Apple Watch lineup.

Limitations to Consider

The primary limitation of the **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** is its age. The S5 processor is not as fast as the chips in the latest models. It also lacks the Blood Oxygen sensor (introduced with Series 6), fast charging (introduced with Series 7), and the temperature sensor and Crash Detection (introduced with Series 8). Finally, it will likely stop receiving major watchOS updates a year or two before the newer models.

Safety & Reliability: Amazon Renewed Guarantee & ECG

The Amazon Renewed program ensures reliability with a full inspection and a guaranteed battery health of over 80%. This is backed by the Amazon Renewed 90-day guarantee. The Series 5 itself contains important safety features like Fall Detection and Emergency SOS. The built-in ECG app is also an FDA-cleared feature that can provide crucial insights into your heart health.

Where to Buy (Amazon Link)

Ready to get the best-value Apple Watch? We recommend purchasing the **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** from Amazon to get the absolute best price and the full protection of the Renewed Guarantee.

Renewed Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm, GPS)

The perfect combination of modern design, essential flagship features, and smart savings. Get yours today!

Buy Now on Amazon

Warranty & Support

All products purchased through Amazon Renewed are backed by the **Amazon Renewed Guarantee**. This gives you 90 days from the date of purchase to return or replace the product for free if it does not work as expected, providing a strong safety net for your purchase.

Tips for Your Renewed Apple Watch

• Check Battery Health on Arrival: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health on the watch to see the maximum capacity. It is guaranteed to be 80% or higher.
• Manage Always-On Display: If you need to extend your battery life for a long day, you can temporarily turn off the Always-On display in the settings.
• Set up the ECG App: Take a few minutes to set up and take a baseline reading with the ECG app in the Health app on your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the Apple Watch Series 5 still fast enough in 2025?

Yes. While not as fast as the Series 9 or 10, the S5 chip is perfectly capable of running the latest watchOS smoothly for all core functions like notifications, fitness tracking, and most popular apps.

What health features does the Series 5 have that the SE doesn’t?

The Series 5 has the **ECG app** for taking an electrocardiogram and **irregular heart rhythm notifications**. The Apple Watch SE does not have these features.

Maintenance & Care Instructions

To care for your Apple Watch, wipe the aluminum case with a non-abrasive, lint-free cloth. The Sport Band can be cleaned with fresh water and a mild, hypoallergenic soap. Always ensure the watch and charging port are completely dry before charging.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

The **Renewed Apple Watch Series 5** is a hidden gem and an incredibly smart buy in 2025. It offers a more premium experience than a brand-new Apple Watch SE for a similar (or even lower) price, thanks to its inclusion of the Always-On display and the ECG app. While it doesn’t have the latest processor, its performance is more than adequate for daily use. If you want the best possible features for the lowest price, and can live without the absolute fastest speeds, the renewed Series 5 is a fantastic choice that delivers unmatched value.

Explore More Smartwatch Reviews

See how the classic Series 5 stacks up against newer models like the Renewed Apple Watch Series 7 or the current flagship Apple Watch Series 9. For the ultimate rugged experience, check out the Apple Watch Ultra 2. And for the best value in a newer model, see our review of the Renewed Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen). You can also explore non-Apple options like the Garmin vívoactive 5.