The Apple Watch has revolutionized the smartwatch market, but its journey began with the original Sport model. Now, let's pit that pioneering device against the latest Series 8, exploring the significant advancements in technology, design, and functionality over the years. This comparison will help you decide which Apple Watch best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 is the clear winner, offering vastly improved performance, a stunning display, advanced health features, and significantly better battery life. While the Sport 42mm holds nostalgic value, the Series 8 provides a modern, feature-rich 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 | 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) | 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) | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 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 | Ion-X strengthened 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 | Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Red |
| Models | A1554 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, A2770, A2771, watch6,14, watch6,15, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 340 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
- No Advanced Health Tracking
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum
- Advanced Health Tracking (ECG, Blood Oxygen)
- Bright & Vibrant Display
- Fast Charging
- Seamless Integration
- Improved Performance
- 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, lacking the clarity and responsiveness of the Series 8's Retina display.
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 dramatic performance boost over the Sport's single-core S1. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is noticeably improved. The Sport 42mm can feel sluggish by today's standards.
Battery Life
The Series 8 offers significantly improved battery life, with a fast charging capability (0-80% in 45 minutes). The Sport 42mm requires daily charging and offers considerably less runtime.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Sport 42mm (1st gen) is best for collectors or those seeking a basic, affordable smartwatch experience with limited expectations. The Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum is ideal for anyone wanting a modern, feature-packed smartwatch with advanced health tracking, a vibrant display, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
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 slow performance make it less appealing compared to modern smartwatches.
❓ What are the key health features missing on the Apple Watch Sport?
The Sport lacks advanced health features like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, fall detection, and temperature sensing, all available on the Series 8.
