The Apple Watch has evolved dramatically since its debut. We're pitting the original Apple Watch Sport 42mm against the more modern Apple Watch Series 6 Aluminum to see how far the technology has come. This comparison will help you decide which watch best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 6 Aluminum is the clear winner. While the Sport offers a nostalgic glimpse into Apple's wearable history, the Series 6 boasts significantly improved performance, a brighter display, advanced health features, and a modern design. It's a worthwhile upgrade for almost anyone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2015, April | 2020, September 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, September 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, composite plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 42 x 35.9 x 10.5 mm (1.65 x 1.41 x 0.41 in) | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 30 g body (2.47 oz) | 36.5 g (1.31 oz) |
| | IPX7 water resistant up to 1 meter and 30 minutes | 50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Ion-X strengthened glass | Ion-X strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 390 x 312 pixels (~302 ppi density) | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.65 inches | 1.78 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 S6 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543 | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 1.0, upgradable to watchOS 4.3.2 | watchOS 7.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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 |
| | Natural language commands and dictation | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wireless | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 250 mAh (0.94 Wh), non-removable | Li-Ion 303.8 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 | Silver, Gold, Space Gray, Blue, Red |
| Models | A1554 | A2293, A2294, A2375, A2376, A2291, A2292 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 420 EUR |
Apple Watch Sport 42mm (1st gen)
- Affordable
- Classic Design
- Wireless Charging
- Outdated Processor
- Dim Display
- Limited App Support
- Battery Degradation Likely
Apple Watch Series 6 Aluminum
- Fast Performance
- Bright Always-On Display
- Advanced Health Features (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Modern Design
- Improved App Support
- More Expensive
- Battery Life Still Limited to ~18 hours
Display Comparison
The Series 6 features a significantly brighter and more vibrant Always-On Retina display compared to the Sport's display. The Series 6's display is also larger, offering more screen real estate. The Sport's display is functional but noticeably less impressive by today's standards.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a dedicated camera. This feature was never included in the Apple Watch line.
Performance
The dual-core S6 chip in the Series 6 provides a massive performance boost over the single-core S1 in the Sport. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is dramatically improved. The Sport can feel sluggish at times, especially when multitasking.
Battery Life
While both offer roughly a day of battery life, the Series 6 generally provides slightly better efficiency due to its more advanced chip. The Sport's battery life can degrade more noticeably over time due to its age.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Sport 42mm is best for collectors or those seeking a very affordable entry into the Apple Watch ecosystem. The Series 6 Aluminum is ideal for anyone wanting a modern, feature-rich smartwatch with excellent health tracking capabilities and a vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Apple Watch Sport still usable?
Yes, the Apple Watch Sport is still functional, but its performance and features are significantly outdated. App compatibility may also be limited.
❓ What are the key health features of the Apple Watch Series 6?
The Series 6 includes ECG (electrocardiogram) and blood oxygen monitoring, along with standard features like heart rate tracking, activity tracking, and fall detection.
