After perusing Xcode code, developer Steve Troughton-Smith has confirmed that Apple’s S5 processor in the Apple Watch Series 5 is identical to the S4 processor in the Apple Watch Series 4, with no performance improvements.
That’s not a surprise as Apple mentioned no changes to the chip during its September 10 event and there’s no mention of speed or performance increases in the Apple Watch marketing materials, but it’s useful to have confirmation.
Internally, the Apple Watch Series 5 is using an updated display that allows for always-on functionality, there’s a new compass feature, and 32GB storage, but otherwise, the Apple Watch Series 5 appears to use the same internal components as the Series 4.
https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/1174376928758968320
MacDailyNews Take: As suspected, but now confirmed, and not a big deal as the S4 has been plenty powerful enough to handle everything we’ve thrown at our Apple Watches over the past year!