Apple has forged partnerships with notable brands such as Nike and Hermès to come up with exclusive Apple Watch collections and features. How exactly are they different from the standard Apple smartwatches? If you’re set on getting an Apple Watch Series 5, but are on the fence whether to get the standard Apple Watch 5 or the Nike Edition, our thorough comparison below will help you make the call.
Click here for our in-depth comparison of the Apple Watch Series 5 Standard Edition Cellular and GPS models.
Hit your fitness goals with the Apple Watch Series 5 with Nike Sport Band. Features an always-on Retina display, ECG app, Noise app, and Cycle Tracking.
Navigation
Apple Watch Series 5 vs Nike Edition Comparison Chart
| Model | Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) | Apple Watch Series 5 Nike Edition (GPS + Cellular, 40mm) |
 | | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Verizon |
| Display | Always-On Retina display | Always-On Retina display |
| Cellular Service | Yes | Yes |
| Sizes | 40mm, 44mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| e-SIM | Yes | Yes |
| Casing Material | Aluminum Stainless steel Titanium Ceramics | Aluminum |
| Aluminum Frame Colors | Silver Space Gray Gold | Silver Space Gray |
| Nike Apps | Downloadable | Pre-installed |
| Nike Exclusive Watch Faces | No | Yes |
| Display Area | 759 sq mm | 759 sq mm |
| Screen Resolution | 324 by 394 pixels | 324 by 394 pixels |
| Dimensions | 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm | 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm |
| Weight | 30.8 g | 30.8 g |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Water Resistance | IP68-rated, 5ATM | IP68-rated, 5ATM |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Compatibility | iPhone 6s with iOS 13 or later | iPhone 6s with iOS 13 or later |
Major Differences
The standard Apple Watch 5 offers more casing material options while the Nike Edition offers exclusive Nike watch faces and watch bands
We’ll go through their differences in-depth throughout this comparison, but to put it in a nutshell, their health and fitness features are the same. What you’ll get when you opt for the Apple Watch 5 Nike Edition are:
- Nike-exclusive watch faces
- pre-installed Nike apps
- Nike-exclusive watch bands
- the Nike logo on the back of the smartwatch
All the above-mentioned are not included when you purchase the standard Apple Watch Series 5 version. However, you’ll have more options of casing materials to choose from with the Apple Watch Series 5 than the Nike edition. Apart from these differences, the two versions are the same as they are equipped with identical chipsets and technology.
Click here for our in-depth comparison of the Apple Watch Series 5 Standard Edition Cellular and GPS models.
Case Material Options
The standard Apple Watch 5 offers far more casing materials and colors than the Nike edition
Both the standard Apple Watch 5 and its Nike edition offer variants in aluminum frames. This lightweight material fits the active lifestyle of fitness enthusiasts. However, the Apple Watch Nike only comes in space gray and silver aluminum frames. On the other hand, the aluminum frame of the standard Apple Watch 5 comes in gold, silver, and space gray. The Apple Watch 5 is further available in stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic frames.
High-end materials such as ceramic and titanium look and feel especially premium, but they also command a premium price tag. For instance, the white ceramic case Apple Watch 5 will set you back almost 1,300 USD.
With a new Always-on Retina display, the Apple Watch Series 5 lets you see the time and enjoy numerous watch faces all day. Comes in your choice of Space Gray, Silver, or Gold case.
Click here for our in-depth comparison of the Apple Watch Series 5 Standard Edition Cellular and GPS models.
Nike Apple Watch Faces
The standard Apple Watch 5 doesn’t have the Nike-exclusive watch faces
If you go for the standard Apple Watch 5, you’ll miss out on the exclusive Nike watch faces available in the Nike edition. These exclusive hybrid, analog, and digital watch faces offer an array of customizations to match your taste. One of the watch faces even takes inspiration from designs and color palettes of the popular Nike Windrunner jackets.
This is perhaps the most common reason why some users opt for the Nike edition. Although the watch bands are also different, they can be purchased separately unlike the Apple Watch Nike watch faces. Apart from these, you’ll get the same health, fitness, and smart features from the standard Apple Watch 5.
Apple Watch Bands
You’ll get Nike-exclusive watch bands and reflective loops with the Apple Watch 5 Nike
As they are marketed towards users with an active lifestyle, the Apple Nike Sport Loops and Sport Bands use lightweight and breathable materials. The Apple Watch Nike Sport Bands are designed with holes that help improve air circulation and can better handle sweat and moisture. Another exclusive Nike watch strap is the Nike Sport Loop. This is made of reflective woven material that glows when struck by light, so vehicles can see you when you’re running while it’s dark.
Unlike the exclusive Apple Watch 5 Nike watch faces that are not available for purchase, the Nike Sport Loop and Sport Band can be bought separately. However, the additional strap alone will set you back somewhere around 50 USD. If you already have Apple Watch bands and loops, you can use them with the Nike edition as long as they’re the same size.
Nike Apps
Nike fitness apps come pre-installed in the Apple Watch 5 Nike edition but need to be downloaded manually in the standard Apple Watch 5
Runners will appreciate the pre-installed Nike Run Club app in the Apple Watch 5 Nike edition. You can launch this app directly from the Nike edition exclusive watch faces. The Nike Run Club app boasts a weekly Audio Guided Run that features different guest coaches and curates soundtracks to pump you up. This app also records your running statistics to better track your fitness goals.
Verdict
If you’re getting the aluminum frame anyway, go for the Apple Watch 5 Nike edition
With a new Always-on Retina display, the Apple Watch Series 5 lets you see the time and enjoy numerous watch faces all day. Comes in your choice of Space Gray, Silver, or Gold case.
Hit your fitness goals with the Apple Watch Series 5 with Nike Sport Band. Features an always-on Retina display, ECG app, Noise app, and Cycle Tracking.
For runners who are also fans of Nike products, the Apple Watch 5 Nike edition is a no-brainer. It also offers better bang for your buck as you’ll get exclusive Nike watch bands and watch faces for the same price as the standard aluminum frame Apple Watch 5.
However, if you prefer the gold aluminum frame over the space gray or silver aluminum frames, just go for the standard Apple Watch 5 version. You can easily download the Nike fitness apps and buy a separate Nike watch band if you wish. The same goes for those who prefer the high-end ceramic and titanium frames, as they are only available in the Apple Watch Series 5.
FAQs
The Apple Watch 5 Nike edition includes Nike-exclusive watch faces, apps, watch bands, and a Nike logo at the back of the watch. The Apple Watch 5 comes in more casing material options than the Nike edition.
You’ll get Nike exclusive Apple Watch faces and watch band that you won’t get from the standard Apple Watch 5.
Yes, the Apple Watch 5 is waterproof up to 50 meters.
Yes, just like with the standard Apple Watch 5, you can easily change the watch bands of the Apple Watch Nike edition to your preferred bands.