The Apple Watch has revolutionized the smartwatch market, but its journey began with the original 42mm model. Now, with the Series 8 boasting cutting-edge technology, it's time to see just how far we've come. This comparison dives deep into the differences, helping you decide which Apple Watch is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear winner, offering vastly improved performance, a stunning display, advanced health features, and significantly better battery life. While the 1st gen holds nostalgic value, its limitations make it unsuitable for modern users seeking a fully-featured smartwatch.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2015, April | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 42 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm (1.65 x 1.41 x 0.41 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 50 g body (2.82 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | IPX7 water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 390 x 312 pixels (~303 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.65 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | Retina OLED, 450 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | 3D Touch display | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 520 MHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S1 (28 nm) | Apple S8 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543 | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 1.0, upgradable to watchOS 4.3.2 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| | Natural language commands and dictation | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 250 mAh (0.94 Wh), non-removable | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stainless Steel/Red, White, Brown/Black/Blue/Marine Blue Buckle, Blue/Stone/White/Storm Gray Leather Loop, Silver/Space Black Milanese Loop, Link Bracelet, Space Black Stainless Steel/Black, Black Link Bracelet, Pearl Woven Nylon | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A1554 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
Apple Watch 42mm (1st gen)
- Classic Design
- Nostalgic Value
- Wireless Charging
- Slow Performance
- Short Battery Life
- Limited Features
- Outdated Software
Apple Watch Series 8
- Fast Performance
- Excellent Battery Life
- Advanced Health Tracking (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Bright & Always-On Display
- Seamless iOS Integration
- Crash Detection
- Higher Price
- Requires iOS Device
Display Comparison
The Series 8 boasts a significantly brighter and more vibrant Always-On Retina display with thinner borders, offering a much more immersive and readable experience. The 1st gen's display is smaller and lacks the Always-On functionality, making it feel dated.
Camera Comparison
The 1st gen Apple Watch lacked a camera entirely. The Series 8 doesn't have a camera either, focusing instead on other sensors for health and fitness tracking.
Performance
The Series 8's dual-core S8 chip provides a massive performance boost over the 1st gen's single-core S1. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is dramatically improved. The 1st gen can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
The Series 8 offers improved battery life, charging from 0-80% in just 45 minutes. The 1st gen's battery life was considerably shorter, requiring daily charging and often struggling to last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Who should buy Apple Watch 42mm (1st gen)? Primarily collectors or those seeking a very basic, retro smartwatch experience. Who should buy Apple Watch Series 8? Anyone looking for a modern, feature-rich smartwatch with advanced health tracking, seamless integration with iOS, and a premium user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the original Apple Watch still usable?
Yes, but its limited features and slow performance make it less practical for everyday use. Software updates have long ceased.
❓ What are the key health features of the Series 8?
The Series 8 offers ECG, Blood Oxygen monitoring, temperature sensing, cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates, and fall detection.
