Honestly, looking at an Apple Watch Series 4 in 2026 feels a bit like finding a perfectly preserved vintage sports car in a garage. It’s clearly from another era, but you can’t help but respect the lines. Back in 2018, this thing was a monster. It was the first "big" redesign Apple ever gave their wearable, stretching the screen to the edges and introducing that "squircle" shape we all take for granted now.
But things move fast.
If you're holding one today, you've probably noticed it's started to feel its age. The battery might be struggling to make it to dinner time. Maybe some apps take a beat too long to open. Yet, there is a reason so many of these are still strapped to wrists today instead of sitting in a junk drawer. It was built differently.
The Watch That Changed Everything (Literally)
Before the Series 4, the Apple Watch was basically a glorified notification machine with a tiny, boxy screen. Then September 2018 hit. Apple dropped the 40mm and 44mm sizes, killing off the old 38mm and 42mm versions. They didn't just make the case bigger; they murdered the bezels.
The display area jumped by over 30%. Suddenly, you could actually read a text message without scrolling five times.
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It also brought the S4 chip. This was a 64-bit dual-core beast that Apple claimed was twice as fast as the Series 3. In the real world, it meant the difference between "waiting for Siri to wake up" and "actually getting things done." For many, this was the first Apple Watch that didn't feel like a prototype.
The Heart of the Matter
You can't talk about this model without mentioning the ECG (Electrocardiogram). This was the first consumer device that let you take a medical-grade heart reading right from your wrist. You just put your finger on the Digital Crown, waited 30 seconds, and the watch told you if your heart rhythm was normal or showing signs of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).
It was a total game-changer for health tech.
"The Apple Watch Series 4 marked the first direct-to-consumer product that enabled customers to take an ECG... capturing heart rhythm in a moment when they experience symptoms," Apple's newsroom noted at the time.
A lot of cardiologists were skeptical at first. They worried about false positives. However, studies eventually showed that while it wasn't a replacement for a 12-lead hospital EKG, it was surprisingly accurate for a piece of jewelry.
Is it Still "Smart" in 2026?
Here is the cold, hard truth: the Apple Watch Series 4 has officially hit the "legacy" wall.
As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the Series 4 is no longer supported by the latest watchOS updates. If you're looking for the fancy new Apple Intelligence features or the latest fitness algorithms, you aren't going to find them here. Your software is basically frozen in time.
Does that mean it's trash? No way.
It still tells the time. It still tracks your steps. It still pings you when your DoorDash is outside. For a lot of people, that is 90% of what a smartwatch needs to do. If yours is still ticking, it’s a testament to how well Apple over-engineered the hardware back in the day.
The Battery Struggle is Real
The biggest complaint you’ll hear (or feel) in 2026 is battery health. Lithium-ion batteries have a shelf life. Most Series 4 units that haven't had a service are likely sitting at 75% capacity or lower.
You’ve probably seen the forum posts. Users complaining that their watch dies by 3 PM.
Some people found weird fixes. There was a famous thread on Apple Discussions where a user named Nock3399 discovered that turning off the "Up Next" setting in the Podcasts app miraculously saved their battery. But let's be real: after seven or eight years, the chemistry inside that little metal box is just tired.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Series 4
A common myth is that the Series 4 is basically the same as the Series 5. It’s not. The Series 5 introduced the Always-On Display.
The Series 4 still has a "black hole" on your wrist until you lift your arm.
Some people actually prefer this. It’s less distracting. It doesn’t glow in a dark movie theater. But if you’re used to modern watches, the "lift-to-wake" gesture feels a bit clunky now.
Another thing? The Fall Detection. People think this was a gimmick, but it actually saved lives. The Series 4 used a new accelerometer and gyroscope that could measure up to 32 g-forces. It could literally tell the difference between you tripping and you just flopping onto the couch. If you fell and didn't move for a minute, it called 911. That feature alone made it a top choice for elderly users for years.
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The Used Market: A Trap or a Treasure?
If you're looking at a used Apple Watch Series 4 on eBay or Mercari for $50, be careful.
Yeah, it’s cheap. But you’re buying a device that is:
- Out of software support. No security patches.
- Likely needing a battery replacement, which costs almost as much as the watch.
- Slower. Modern apps are built for much faster processors.
Honestly, if you're on a budget in 2026, you're better off hunting for a refurbished Series 6 or an SE 2. They have the blood oxygen sensors and much better processors that will actually run the 2026 versions of watchOS.
Actionable Steps for Series 4 Owners
If you’re still rocking a Series 4 and aren't ready to let go, here is how to keep it alive for another year.
- Check your Battery Health. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If it’s under 80%, Apple’s "Service" recommendation isn't a suggestion—it's a warning.
- Declutter your apps. Since the processor is aging, delete every app you don't use. Each background process is a tiny drain on your resources.
- Optimize your Watch Face. Use a simple face like "Numerals" or "X-Large" with few complications. The more data the watch has to pull (weather, heart rate, stocks), the harder that old S4 chip has to work.
- Disable "Hey Siri." The microphone listening for that phrase takes a toll. Just use the "Raise to Speak" feature instead.
- Consider a "Battery Case" or dock. If you work at a desk, keep a charger there. A 15-minute top-off at lunch can usually get a Series 4 through the evening.
The Apple Watch Series 4 was the peak of the first generation of wearables. It proved that a smartwatch could be a legitimate health tool, not just a toy for tech geeks. While it's finally stepping into the sunset, its influence is still felt in every Apple Watch Ultra and Series 10 we see today. If you've got one that still works, enjoy the nostalgia—but maybe start eyeing that Series 11 upgrade for the fall.