The Apple Watch has evolved dramatically since its debut. Let's take a look back at the original Apple Watch Sport, a pioneering device, and pit it against the current flagship, the Apple Watch Series 8. This comparison will highlight just how far smartwatch technology has come.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear winner, offering vastly superior performance, features (like ECG and blood oxygen), and a modern design. While the Sport 38mm holds historical significance, its limited capabilities make it a niche choice for collectors or those seeking a very basic smartwatch experience.
| 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, composite plastic back, aluminum frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 38.6 x 33.3 x 10.5 mm (1.52 x 1.31 x 0.41 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 25 g body (2.19 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 | Ion-X strengthened glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 340 x 272 pixels (~290 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.5 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 205 mAh (0.78 Wh), non-removable | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver/White, Orange, Blue; Gray/Black; Rose Gold/Lavender, Stone; Gold/White, Blue, Yellow, Apricot, Royal Blue, Pink/Royal Blue/Gold&Red/Black Woven Nylon | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A1553 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 250 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 Sport 38mm (1st gen)
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Classic Design
- Wireless Charging
- Outdated Performance
- Limited Features
- Small Display
- Short Software Support
Apple Watch Series 8
- Powerful Performance
- Advanced Health Tracking (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Bright & Always-On Display
- Fast Charging
- Modern Design
- Extensive App Ecosystem
- Higher Price
- Can be bulky for some
Display Comparison
The Series 8 boasts a significantly brighter and more vibrant display with Always-On functionality, a feature absent on the Sport. The Sport's display is smaller and less detailed, making it harder to read in bright sunlight. The Series 8's larger screen also provides more space for complications and information.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a dedicated camera. This feature was never included in Apple Watch models.
Performance
The Series 8's dual-core S8 chip provides a massive performance boost over the Sport's single-core S1. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and the overall user experience is far more responsive. The Sport can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
While both offer all-day battery life, the Series 8 charges significantly faster (0-80% in 45 minutes) and generally provides slightly better battery optimization due to its more efficient chip.
Buying Guide
Who should buy Apple Watch Sport 38mm (1st gen)? Primarily collectors or those seeking a very basic, affordable smartwatch for simple notifications. Who should buy Apple Watch Series 8? Anyone looking for a feature-rich, high-performance smartwatch with advanced health tracking and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Apple Watch Sport 38mm still usable?
Yes, it's still functional for basic notifications and timekeeping, but its limited features and outdated performance make it less appealing compared to modern smartwatches.
❓ What are the key health features missing on the Apple Watch Sport?
The Sport lacks crucial health features like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, fall detection, and advanced workout metrics found on the Series 8.
