The Apple Watch has revolutionized the smartwatch market, but how do the latest models stack up against the originals? We're pitting the Apple Watch Series 5 Edition against the 42mm 1st generation Apple Watch to see which offers the best experience for today's users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Series 5 Edition is the clear winner, boasting significantly improved performance, a brighter display, and advanced health features. However, the 1st gen Apple Watch remains a functional device for basic notifications and timekeeping, offering a budget-friendly entry point into the Apple Watch ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2014, September. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frameGlass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, ceramic frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 42 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm (1.65 x 1.41 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | No |
| Weight | 47.8 g (1.69 oz) | 50 g body (2.82 oz) |
| | 50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | IPX7 water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 390 x 312 pixels (~303 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.78 inches | 1.65 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina OLED, 450 nits (peak) |
| | 3D Touch display
Always-on display | 3D Touch display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | 520 MHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Apple S5 | Apple S1 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR SGX543 |
| OS | watchOS 6.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 | watchOS 1.0, upgradable to watchOS 4.3.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 512MB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.0, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate |
| | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | Natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 296 mAh (1.13 Wh), non-removable | Li-Ion 250 mAh (0.94 Wh), non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium frame: Space Black, TitaniumCeramic frame: White | 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 |
| Models | A2156, A2157, A2094, A2095 | A1554 |
| Price | About 850 EUR | About 700 EUR |
Apple Watch Edition Series 5
- Significantly faster performance
- Brighter Always-On display
- Advanced health features (ECG, fall detection)
- Improved battery life
- More modern design
- Higher price point
- May be overkill for basic users
Apple Watch 42mm (1st gen)
- Lower price
- Still functional for basic notifications
- Wireless charging
- Slow performance
- Dim display
- Limited features
- Shorter battery life
- Outdated design
Display Comparison
The Series 5 Edition features a significantly brighter Always-On Retina display, making it much easier to read in direct sunlight. The 1st gen model's display is functional but lacks the visibility and clarity of its successor. The Series 5 also has a larger screen area relative to its case size.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a built-in camera. This feature was never implemented in any Apple Watch model.
Performance
The S5 chip in the Series 5 Edition provides a massive performance boost over the S1 chip in the 1st gen. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is dramatically improved. The 1st gen struggles with more demanding tasks and can feel sluggish.
Battery Life
While both offer wireless charging, the Series 5 Edition generally provides better battery life, often lasting a full day with moderate use. The 1st gen Apple Watch typically requires daily charging, and battery degradation over time is more noticeable.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 5 Edition is ideal for fitness enthusiasts, health-conscious users, and those seeking the latest technology. The 1st gen Apple Watch is a good option for users on a tight budget who primarily want basic smartwatch functionality and don't need advanced features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the 1st gen Apple Watch still usable?
Yes, it can still receive notifications and tell time, but its performance is limited, and it lacks many modern features.
❓ Does the Series 5 Edition support older watchOS versions?
While it can be updated, it's best to keep it on a relatively recent watchOS version to take advantage of its features and security updates.
