Photo 1 of 5

Apple Watch Series 1 · Apple Support — exact model photograph

Apple Watch Series 1
Photo 1 of 5

Apple Watch Series 1 · Apple Support — exact model photograph

Apple · Apple Watch

Watch Series 1

Released September 2016

The Series 1 refreshed the original Apple Watch with a dual-core processor while retaining its aluminium case, splash resistance and reliance on an iPhone for GPS.

Model history · 2 models, 2015–2016
  1. 2015Watch (1st generation)Compare
  2. 2016Watch Series 1
Type
Smart and sports
Sizes
38, 42 mm
Movement
–
Power reserve
–
Display
OLED
Battery
18 h
Water
–
GPS
None
Weight
25 g

What reviewers say

Wareable and PhoneArena find the faster processor makes everyday use much smoother than the original Watch and consider it good value against Series 2. Both criticise the absence of GPS and swimming protection, limited case choices and battery life that still calls for frequent charging.

From wareable.com and phonearena.com

Display

Case sizes
38 mm or 42 mm
Panel
OLED
Peak brightness
450 nits
Always-on display
No
Display detail
Retina OLED with Force Touch; 272 x 340 pixels (38mm) or 312 x 390 pixels (42mm)
Screen protection
Strengthened Ion-X glass

Health and fitness

ECG
No
Blood oxygen
No
Skin temperature
No
Sleep apnoea alerts
No
High blood pressure alerts
No
Body composition
No
Fall detection
No
Crash detection
No
GPS
None
Sensors
Optical heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient light sensor
Health features
Heart-rate monitoring; Activity rings and Breathe app in watchOS 3
Fitness features
Workout tracking; outdoor route tracking uses a paired iPhone's GPS (PhoneArena)

Battery and connections

Battery life (maker's claim)
Up to 18 hours
Mobile data option
No
Works with
iPhone
Chip
S1P
Storage
8 GB
Battery life detail
Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Charging
Magnetic charging cable
Connectivity
Wi-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
Storage
S1P dual-core processor name reported by Wareable; Apple specifications confirm a dual-core processor and 8 GB capacity

Design

Weight (lightest version)
25 g
Software
watchOS
Case materials
Anodised aluminium case and composite back; IPX7 under IEC 60529, splash and water resistant but submersion is not recommended
Size
38mm 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
Bands
Sold with Sport Band; compatible with Sport, Woven Nylon, stainless steel and leather bands
Colours
Silver, Space Grey, Gold and Rose Gold aluminium

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Dual-core processor
  • Light aluminium cases in two sizes
  • Interchangeable straps and optical heart-rate tracking

Cons

  • No onboard GPS or cellular connection
  • IPX7 splash resistance; not intended for swimming
  • Display does not stay on

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSizesMovementPower reserveDisplayBatteryWaterGPSWeightReleased
Smart and sports38, 42 mm––OLED18 h50 mSingle-band28.2 gSept 2016
Smart and sports38, 42 mm––OLED18 h–None25 gApr 2015
Smart and sports38, 42 mm––OLED18 h50 mSingle-band26.7 gSept 2017

Previous model: Watch (1st generation).

Sources

  1. support.apple.com/en-gb/111985
  2. support.apple.com/en-gb/108056
  3. apple.com/uk/newsroom/2016/09/07Apple-Introduces-Apple-Watch-Series-2-The-Ultim…
  4. wareable.com/apple/apple-watch-series-1-review
  5. phonearena.com/reviews/Apple-Watch-Series-1-Review_id4285

Photo: Apple Support — exact model photograph

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