The Apple Watch revolutionized the smartwatch market, and these two models represent key points in its evolution. The original Sport offered a sleek design and fitness focus, while the Series 1 brought significant software updates. But which one holds up best today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 1 is the clear winner. While the Sport is a classic, the Series 1's dual-core processor and access to the latest watchOS features provide a noticeably smoother and more modern experience, making it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2015, April | 2016, September. Released 2016, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, composite plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, composite plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 42 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm (1.65 x 1.41 x 0.41 in) | 42.5 x 36.4 x 10.5 mm (1.67 x 1.43 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 30 g body (2.47 oz) | 30 g body (1.06 oz) |
| | IPX7 water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes | IPX7 water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 390 x 312 pixels (~302 ppi density) | 390 x 312 pixels (~303 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.65 inches | 1.65 inches |
| Type | Retina OLED, 450 nits (peak) | Retina OLED, 450 nits (peak) |
| | 3D Touch display | 3D Touch display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 520 MHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 520 MHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Apple S1 (28 nm) | Apple S1P (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543 | PowerVR G6200 |
| OS | watchOS 1.0, upgradable to watchOS 4.3.2 | watchOS 3.0, upgradable to watchOS 6.2.8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 8GB 512MB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, LE | 4.0, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | No | 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate |
| | Natural language commands and dictation | Natural language commands and dictation |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 250 mAh (0.94 Wh), non-removable | Li-Ion 250 mAh (0.94 Wh), non-removable |
| 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 | Case colors: silver, gold, rose gold, gray Band colors: brown, white, black, blue Band types: sport |
| Models | A1554 | A1803 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 300 EUR |
Apple Watch Sport 42mm (1st gen)
- Classic design
- Lightweight
- Good fitness tracking (for its time)
- Slower performance
- Limited watchOS support
- Outdated features
Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 42mm
- Improved performance (dual-core processor)
- Access to latest watchOS features
- More responsive user interface
- Slightly more modern design
- Battery life remains similar
- Can still feel dated compared to newer models
Display Comparison
Both watches feature a 42mm display with a resolution of 312 x 390. While the display quality is similar, the Series 1 benefits from the improved watchOS software, offering a more refined and responsive user interface. The Sport's display is perfectly adequate, but the Series 1 feels slightly more modern.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a camera. This was a feature never implemented in the original Apple Watch models.
Performance
This is where the Series 1 shines. The dual-core S1P chip provides a significant performance boost over the single-core S1 in the Sport. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is noticeably improved. The Sport can feel sluggish at times, especially when multitasking.
Battery Life
Both watches offer roughly the same battery life – around 18 hours of typical use. Charging times are also comparable, utilizing wireless charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Apple Watch Sport 42mm (1st gen)? Collectors or those seeking a vintage Apple Watch experience. Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 42mm? Anyone looking for a functional and affordable Apple Watch with a modern software experience and improved performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Apple Watch Sport still worth buying?
Only for collectors or those specifically seeking a vintage Apple Watch experience. The Series 1 offers a much better overall experience for most users.
❓ What watchOS versions are compatible with each device?
The Apple Watch Sport (1st gen) is compatible with watchOS 1.0 - 3.1. The Apple Watch Series 1 is compatible with watchOS 1.0 - 4.3.
