Selling Apple Watch Series 5: How to Maximize Your Payout and Convenience

The Apple Watch Series 5 made its debut in 2019, adding several valuable features compared to previous models. With a new compass, improved display, and higher refresh rates, the Series 5 sold well and continues to have a high value in resale markets to this day.

When this Apple device first hit store shelves, it started at $399 for a base model. While you obviously won’t get this full value when you sell your old device today, you can still get a solid payout for this version of the Apple Watch.

If it’s time to upgrade from your Apple Watch Series 5, an important question arises: Where should you sell it? There are quite a few options available, each with its own pros and cons. Read on to learn more about the Apple Watch Series 5 and the various resale platforms where you can sell one.

An Overview of the Apple Watch Series 5

Every two or three release cycles, Apple releases a big, bold upgrade to its flagship devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. In between those releases, the manufacturer makes more iterative changes with small improvements from the previous model.

The Apple Watch Series 5 is more of the latter than the former. It does have several significant advantages over the Series 4, but it wasn’t a splashy upgrade full of value-packed new features. Here’s a quick rundown of the most important differences between these two smartwatches.

Always-On Display

The most important upgrade from the Apple Watch Series 4 to the Series 5 was the switch to an always-on display. This isn’t as important a feature for phones, but a watch’s entire reason for being is to provide valuable information at a quick glance. If you always need to turn on the display to get any of that info, the device loses some functionality.

An always-on display makes the Apple Watch Series 5 more closely reflect the experience of wearing an actual wristwatch, but with a customizable readout that makes it far more useful. In addition to displaying the time, you can pin fitness-tracking stats to the always-on display, or use it as a thermometer, etc.

Storage Capacity

While the Apple Watch Series 4 had 16 GB of storage, the Series 5 doubles that to 32 GB. 16 GB was a rather threadbare hard disk, so the upgrade to 32 GB was a welcome change.

Magnetic Compass

This one was a big selling point for outdoors enthusiasts. The addition of a magnetic compass to the Apple Watch Series 5 made it the ideal smartwatch for hikers, cyclers, kayakers, and other outdoor adventurers. Navigating to and from the backcountry is much simpler when you have a live compass on your wrist!

How Does the Apple Watch Series 5 Compare to More Recent Apple Devices?

Given that the Apple Watch Series 5 debuted in 2019, there have been some significant upgrades over the last several release cycles. While we won’t take the time to discuss every single feature Apple has added over the years, we’ll provide a brief overview of what you’re missing out on with a Series 5. Do the features in this list convince you to upgrade from your Apple Watch Series 5?

Series 6

The Series 6 further developed the Apple Watch’s health and wellness capabilities with the introduction of a blood oxygen monitor. In addition, Apple added a 20% faster processor compared to the Apple Watch Series 5.

Apple also improved the always-on display for these models, as the Series 6 has a screen that’s 250% brighter than its predecessor. The Series 6 also introduced improvements to the smartwatch’s communications capabilities, with ultra-wideband support and 5 GHz Wi-Fi compatibility, making the Series 6 a faster and more efficient telecommunications device.

Series 7

Apple debuted several important changes with the Series 7, starting with even more improvements to the display. The always-on screen now has thinner borders, making the viewable area about 20% larger. In addition, Apple improved the display’s indoor performance, with a 70% brightness increase for indoor viewing.

The Series 7 introduced fast charging to the Apple Watch universe, providing roughly 35% faster charging speeds. Now, users could go from a fully dead battery to 80% capacity in just 45 minutes.

The Series 7 was also the first Apple Watch with dust resistance capabilities. In fact, the Series 7 (and subsequent models) has an IP6X rating, which is the highest dust resistance rating possible for consumer electronics.

Two other minor improvements came with the Series 7, starting with a more durable design. Apple created a more crack-resistant front crystal, preventing the screen from getting dings, scratches, and dents too easily. The Series 7 also included an on-screen keyboard, the first Apple Watch with keyboard functionality.

Series 8

Most of the improvements with the Series 8 were related to more precise accelerometers, allowing Apple to add Crash Detection features that were previously exclusive to iPhones. Other than that, the only noteworthy addition to the Series 8 was a thermometer.

Apple Watch Ultra

At its debut, the first Apple Watch Ultra cost about twice as much as a new standard Apple Watch Series 8. That said, it had plenty of enticing features that attracted outdoor recreation enthusiasts. It offered a stronger titanium casing, a brighter display for outdoor use, and improved water resistance over all previous Apple Watch models.

Additionally, the Ultra added amazing battery life, offering 36 hours of battery life at full power and 60 hours in Low Power Mode, both of which are roughly 2x what you’ll get with a Series 8. The addition of dual-frequency GPS gave the Ultra improved location-based services, especially in dense and/or remote areas. Finally, the addition of a new Action button allowed users to customize functions and features to their liking.

Series 9

The Series 9 introduced three noteworthy improvements. First, it marked the switch to a System in Package (SiP) processor, providing performance and efficiency upgrades. It also introduced the Double-Tap feature, adding functionality to the display. Finally, it improved the “Find My” functionality between iPhones and Apple Watches. Overall, the Series 9 was mostly iterative improvements rather than a big splashy upgrade.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

With the Ultra 2’s release in 2023, Apple introduced its brightest smartwatch screen yet. It also offered a whopping 64 GB of storage, a huge upgrade when you consider that the Series 5 maxed out at 16 GB just four years earlier.

Series 10

Finally, we arrive at the Series 10, the newest version of Apple Watch as of this writing. The Series 10 has a host of great new features that are worth an upgrade if you still use a Series 5.

It all starts with the display, which is bigger than ever, with a 30% larger viewable area than previous Apple Watches. This larger display made it possible for Apple to add another line of text to the screen, a massive improvement to messaging and emailing on the device. Additionally, Apple added 40% of brightness to the display when viewed at an angle, further improving the screen’s multi-directional and multi-environmental functionality.

Finally, the Apple Watch Series 10 amped up the device’s fast charging capabilities, with 50% improvements to charging speed.

How to Sell a Series 7 Apple Watch With ecoATM

When selling any electronic device, you should have three primary considerations: The price you’ll get for selling it, how much of a hassle the sales process is, and selling it in an environmentally friendly manner.

At ecoATM, we pride ourselves on delivering in all three areas. We gladly pay great cash prices for a wide variety of used electronics, we offer a haggle-free platform, and we’ve proven our dedication to the environment by recycling over 50 million smartphones and tablets to date.

Price and Prepare Your Device

Start by visiting our Device Trade-In Program page, where you’ll give us some important details about your device so we can determine its value. Then, prepare your device for resale by erasing your personal data and logging out of your Apple account.

Ship Us Your Apple Watch

Once you’ve finished these steps, you can proceed to ship us your Apple Watch for free. Once we receive it, we’ll verify that it’s in working condition and submit your payment within three business days or less.

Good for Your Wallet and the Planet

Selling your used devices does more than just put money in your bank account (although that is always an excellent benefit!). It also keeps them out of the landfill, where they can release harsh chemicals into the environment. Furthermore, keeping useful pre-owned and refurbished iPhones and Apple Watches in use reduces the demand for new ones, which cuts back on the environmentally unfriendly processes of mining and manufacturing raw materials.

Overall, ecoATM’s convenient process is a wallet-friendly, eco-conscious, and hassle-free method for selling Apple Watches.

How to Maximize the Resale Value of Your Apple Watch

Take Good Care of It

The golden rule for smartwatch resale value is simple: The better care you take of your Apple Watch, the more money you’ll get when you sell it. Devices in like-new condition will always demand higher prices than those with cosmetic imperfections and/or functional issues.

Sell It Sooner Rather Than Later

Another rule of thumb is to strike while the iron is hot and sell your Apple Watch while it still has the most value. Every year, Apple releases new versions of its flagship devices, and with each new release, each previous model loses a bit of its resale value. You should sell your Apple Watch Series 5 as soon as you decide you no longer want or need it, as its value will probably never be higher than it is right now.

Additional Considerations

If you have some extra time and effort to put into selling your device, you can compare prices between various platforms to get the most money. However, keep in mind that platforms like eBay require time, energy, and patience, whereas platforms like ecoATM provide quick payments with a hassle-free selling process. Finally, if you do decide to use an online consumer-to-consumer marketplace (like eBay or Facebook Marketplace), always take high-quality, original photos of any device you sell, as this will set you apart from the sea of similar listings using stock photos.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling an Apple Watch Series 5

Can I sell an Apple Watch Series 5 if I don’t have the charger or band?

If you don’t have these accessories, or they’re broken, never fear! Here at ecoATM, we accept smartwatches without bands or chargers. If you use another trade-in or resale platform, like Apple Trade-In or eBay, you might get more money if you include these accessories. Check with your buyer or resale platform for further clarification on this issue.

Should I unpair my Apple Watch Series 5 from my iPhone and log out of my Apple Account before I sell it?

This is more of a “must” than a “should.” You have to unpair your Apple Watch from your iPhone and reset it to its original factory settings before selling it. If you fail to do this, the smartwatch will be unusable for its next owner because it will still be attached to your Apple account. Therefore, the device will remain “Activation Locked” until you release the Apple Watch Series 5 from your account.

In short, yes, you absolutely must unpair the Apple Watch Series 5 from your iPhone.

How long does it take for ecoATM to pay me for my Apple Watch Series 5?

The answer to this question can vary somewhat based on shipping speeds. Once we receive the Apple Watch Series 5, it takes us up to three business days to pay you. When you consider the fact that it can take weeks, months, or even years to get paid in full with some competing resale or trade-in platforms, three business days or less is a highly efficient system! (And, yes, some wireless carriers seriously do disperse trade-in credits over periods of two or three years.)

Can I sell a damaged or broken Apple Watch Series 5?

This all depends on where and how you sell it. There is a market for damaged and broken Apple Watches on eBay, where you can buy them “as is” for parts. In addition, ecoATM will sometimes still pay you for your broken devices, depending on whether they still have some useful components in good working order. Certain manufacturers, retailers, and wireless carriers may also provide some credit for damaged Apple Watch Series 5 devices.

What other devices does ecoATM buy?

At our kiosks, we buy used smartphones, tablets, and MP3 players from manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Google, HTC, LG, Nokia, and Motorola. Through our mail-in program, we accept used laptops, tablets, smartwatches, desktop computers, and media players, including devices made by Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft.