The Apple Watch has evolved dramatically since its debut. Let's pit the pioneering Apple Watch Sport 42mm against the feature-rich Apple Watch Series 8 to see just how far smartwatch technology has come. This comparison will cover everything from design and performance to battery life and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear winner, offering a vastly superior experience with its advanced features, faster performance, and improved health tracking. While the Sport 42mm holds nostalgic value, the Series 8's modern capabilities make it the better choice for most users.
| 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 | 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 | 30 g body (2.47 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 | 390 x 312 pixels (~302 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 | 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 | A1554 | 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 42mm (1st gen)
- Classic Design
- Affordable (used)
- Lightweight
- Outdated Performance
- Limited Features
- Short Battery Life Compared to Newer Models
- No Always-On Display
Apple Watch Series 8
- Advanced Health Tracking (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Faster Performance
- Brighter Display
- Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration
- Fast Charging
- Always-On Display
- Higher Price
- Can be bulky for some
Display Comparison
The Series 8 boasts a significantly brighter and more vibrant display with thinner bezels, offering a much more immersive viewing experience. The Sport 42mm's display, while functional, appears dated in comparison. The Series 8 also supports Always-On display, a feature absent in the original Sport.
Camera Comparison
Neither device has a dedicated camera. This feature was never implemented in Apple Watch models.
Performance
The Series 8's dual-core S8 chip provides a substantial performance boost over the Sport's single-core S1. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is noticeably improved. 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. The Sport's battery life is adequate but not exceptional.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Sport 42mm (1st gen) is best suited for collectors or those seeking a basic, affordable smartwatch experience with limited expectations. The Apple Watch Series 8 is ideal for anyone prioritizing advanced health tracking, seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, and a modern, feature-rich smartwatch experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Apple Watch Sport 42mm still usable?
Yes, it's still functional for basic notifications and timekeeping, but its limited features and slower performance make it less appealing compared to modern smartwatches.
❓ What are the key health features of the Apple Watch Series 8?
The Series 8 offers ECG (electrocardiogram) monitoring, blood oxygen measurement, temperature sensing for cycle tracking, fall detection, and emergency SOS.
