Request a product

Apple Watch (1st generation) vs Apple Watch Series 1

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleWatch (1st generation)AppleWatch Series 1
Overview
ReleasedApril 2015September 2016
Display
Case sizes38 mm or 42 mm38 mm or 42 mm
PanelOLEDOLED
Peak brightness–450 nits
Always-on displayNoNo
Display detailRetina display with Force Touch; OLED panel, 272 x 340 pixels on 38mm or 312 x 390 pixels on 42mm (iFixit)Retina OLED with Force Touch; 272 x 340 pixels (38mm) or 312 x 390 pixels (42mm)
Screen protectionIon-X glass on Sport; sapphire crystal on stainless steel, Hermès and EditionStrengthened Ion-X glass
Health and fitness
ECGNoNo
Blood oxygenNoNo
Skin temperatureNoNo
Sleep apnoea alertsNoNo
High blood pressure alertsNoNo
Body compositionNoNo
Fall detectionNoNo
Crash detectionNoNo
GPSNoneNone
SensorsOptical heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensor; Digital Crown, Taptic Engine, speaker and microphoneOptical heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensor
Health featuresHeart-rate monitoring and Activity ringsHeart-rate monitoring; Activity rings and Breathe app in watchOS 3
Fitness featuresWorkout tracking; route and distance measurements use the paired iPhone's GPS (TechRadar)Workout tracking; outdoor route tracking uses a paired iPhone's GPS (PhoneArena)
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Mobile data optionNoNo
Works withiPhoneiPhone
ChipS1S1P
Storage8 GB8 GB
Battery life detailRechargeable battery; maker's up-to-18-hour rating varies with use and configurationBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
ChargingMagnetic charging cableMagnetic charging cable
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 4.0; Apple Pay; requires iPhone 5 or laterWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 4.2; Apple support's updated compatibility requirement is iPhone 5s with iOS 11 or later
Storage8 GB onboard storage and S1 system-in-package identified by iFixitS1P dual-core processor name reported by Wareable; Apple specifications confirm a dual-core processor and 8 GB capacity
Design
Weight (lightest version)25 g25 g
SoftwarewatchOSwatchOS
Case materialsAnodised aluminium with composite back (Sport), stainless steel with ceramic back (including Hermès), or 18-carat yellow/rose gold with ceramic back (Edition); IPX7 splash and water resistance under IEC 60529, not for submersionAnodised aluminium case and composite back; IPX7 under IEC 60529, splash and water resistant but submersion is not recommended
Size38mm case is 38.6 x 33.3 x 10.5 mm; 42mm is 42.0 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm. Case weights are 25/30 g (Sport), 40/50 g (stainless steel), 55/69 g (yellow-gold Edition) or 54/67 g (rose-gold Edition), for 38/42mm respectively38mm is 38.6 x 33.3 x 10.5 mm and 25 g; 42mm is 42.5 x 36.4 x 10.5 mm and 30 g; weights exclude the band
BandsSport Band, leather straps, Link Bracelet and Milanese Loop; Hermès Single Tour, Double Tour and Cuff joined the range in 2015Sold with Sport Band; compatible with Sport, Woven Nylon, stainless steel and leather bands
ColoursSport in Silver, Space Grey, Gold or Rose Gold; stainless steel in polished steel or Space Black; Edition in yellow or rose goldSilver, Space Grey, Gold and Rose Gold aluminium
In the boxWatch, band, 2 m magnetic charging cable, 5W USB power adapter and quick start guide; Edition also includes a magnetic charging case and Lightning to USB cable–

More comparisons