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Apple Watch Series 1 vs Apple Watch Series 2

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleWatch Series 1AppleWatch Series 2
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2016September 2016
Display
Case sizes38 mm or 42 mm38 mm or 42 mm
PanelOLEDOLED
Peak brightness450 nits1,000 nits
Always-on displayNoNo
Display detailRetina OLED with Force Touch; 272 x 340 pixels (38mm) or 312 x 390 pixels (42mm)Second-generation Retina OLED with Force Touch; 272 x 340 pixels (38mm) or 312 x 390 pixels (42mm); display sleeps between wrist raises (Wareable)
Screen protectionStrengthened Ion-X glassIon-X glass on aluminium; sapphire crystal on stainless steel and ceramic
Health and fitness
ECGNoNo
Blood oxygenNoNo
Skin temperatureNoNo
Sleep apnoea alertsNoNo
High blood pressure alertsNoNo
Body compositionNoNo
Fall detectionNoNo
Crash detectionNoNo
GPSNoneSingle-band
Water resistance–50 m
SensorsOptical heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensorOptical heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensor
Health featuresHeart-rate monitoring; Activity rings and Breathe app in watchOS 3Heart-rate tracking, Activity rings and Breathe app; activity sharing and wheelchair workouts in watchOS 3
Fitness featuresWorkout tracking; outdoor route tracking uses a paired iPhone's GPS (PhoneArena)GPS and GLONASS for distance, pace and route recording without an iPhone; pool and open-water swimming workouts count laps, average lap pace and stroke type
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Mobile data optionNoNo
Works withiPhoneiPhone
ChipS1PS2
Storage8 GB–
Battery life detailBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteryBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
ChargingMagnetic charging cableMagnetic charging cable and USB power adapter; Edition includes a Magnetic Charging Dock
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 4.2; Apple support's updated compatibility requirement is iPhone 5s with iOS 11 or laterWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n at 2.4GHz; Bluetooth 4.0; requires iPhone 5 or later with iOS 10 at launch
StorageS1P dual-core processor name reported by Wareable; Apple specifications confirm a dual-core processor and 8 GB capacity–
Design
Weight (lightest version)25 g28.2 g
SoftwarewatchOSwatchOS
Case materialsAnodised aluminium case and composite back; IPX7 under IEC 60529, splash and water resistant but submersion is not recommendedAluminium, stainless steel or white ceramic case; 50 m rating under ISO 22810:2010 for shallow-water swimming, not scuba diving or high-velocity water
Size38mm 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 bandAluminium 38mm 38.6 x 33.3 x 11.4 mm, 28.2 g and 42mm 42.5 x 36.4 x 11.4 mm, 34.2 g; steel uses the same dimensions at 41.9 g and 52.4 g; ceramic 38mm 39.2 x 34.0 x 11.8 mm, 39.6 g and 42mm 42.6 x 36.5 x 11.4 mm, 45.6 g; weights exclude bands
BandsSold with Sport Band; compatible with Sport, Woven Nylon, stainless steel and leather bandsSport or Woven Nylon for aluminium; Sport, steel or leather for stainless steel; Nike Sport Band for Nike+; Hermès leather plus an additional Sport Band; Sport Band for Edition. Hermès launched 23 September 2016, Nike+ was scheduled for late October
ColoursSilver, Space Grey, Gold and Rose Gold aluminiumGold, Rose Gold, Silver or Space Grey aluminium; Silver or Space Black stainless steel; White ceramic
In the box–Watch and band, magnetic charging cable and USB power adapter; Edition adds Magnetic Charging Dock; Hermès adds Sport Band

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