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38mm bands compatible with 42mm Watch Series 10?
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This is a great question. Apple's own guidance on this is confusing. I had a 42mm S3, then got a 44mm S4 - the bands from my S3 fit my S4. I've made it about six years with the S4 and I'm planning to upgrade to the 42mm S10, because the 42mm is technically a bigger screen in a smaller, lighter body, which seems awesome (I hate big watches).
It says on Apple's website:
"40mm, 41mm, and 42mm bands are all compatible with 40mm, 41mm, 42mm case sizes. 44mm, 45mm, 46mm, and 49mm bands are all compatible with 44mm, 45mm, 46mm, and 49mm case sizes."
But what about the original 42mm bands from my S3 - will those fit the new 42mm? My gut says no, but they need to make this more clear. It would be awesome if I don't need to get any new bands, but my guess is that if you're coming from the smaller version of your watch's generation, your bands will work with the smaller watch of the new generation.
It says on Apple's website:
"40mm, 41mm, and 42mm bands are all compatible with 40mm, 41mm, 42mm case sizes. 44mm, 45mm, 46mm, and 49mm bands are all compatible with 44mm, 45mm, 46mm, and 49mm case sizes."
But what about the original 42mm bands from my S3 - will those fit the new 42mm? My gut says no, but they need to make this more clear. It would be awesome if I don't need to get any new bands, but my guess is that if you're coming from the smaller version of your watch's generation, your bands will work with the smaller watch of the new generation.
I agree Apple is making this needlessly confusing, but all watch bands form the original to the newest ones just released have the same size connectors. So they will all work.
That's not true. There have always been two sizes of Apple Watch connector: small and large. One is wider than the other. They all technically can be attached at the connection points, but they do not physically fit together properly.
Sorry if I wasn't clear. All these different mm sizes are so confusing!
What I meant to say is that all small size watch bands fit all small size watches, and all large size bands fit large size watches, going back to the very first watch and bands. The mm sizes don't matter and should be ignored.
...very curious apple has 40mm listed separate from 42mm for these new bands.
so you have to opt for 40mm if you want one for 40 or 41mm watches: S7/S8/S9 (assuming 40mm is what's listed for the still currently sold SE watch?)
and maybe old bands will fit the new 42mm smaller sized S10 watches but be a little less wide and look a little awkward up close? Otherwise have to opt specifically for 42?
Am I getting that right
The way I think of it… every year there’s a smaller and larger watch. The bands for the smaller watch are compatible year over year, same with a larger watch.
I see a difference in my sport loop bands: the ones marked 38mm appear to be slightly longer than the 40mm, and the 40mm ones slightly longer than the ones marked 41mm (not exact measurements, just eyeballing it). The width of the connectors and the band material appear to be the same.
If you have a small wrist and the sport loop wraps nearly all the way around, the difference in length may matter.
Hi, have you solved your question?
I have the same problem. Have several 42mm bands from my old S3 and want to upgrade to a S10 42mm but I’m not sure if they’ll fit.
Every year Apple Watch has two sizes. The bands from the smaller sizes from previous years will only fit on the smaller size from each year. However…
Technically they will all work and lock in place. However the band may stick out slightly on the edges if the band is for the larger watch… it might not reach to the edge of the watch if it’s too small. But will lock in place. It’s more for aesthetics.
Since the series 3 42mm was the larger of that year the band will fit only properly fit the larger versions from following years. If you put it on the smaller version it will stick out slightly, but will lock in place
It’s only due to the width of the band that slides in to the watch.
Technically they will all work and lock in place. However the band may stick out slightly on the edges if the band is for the larger watch… it might not reach to the edge of the watch if it’s too small. But will lock in place. It’s more for aesthetics.
Since the series 3 42mm was the larger of that year the band will fit only properly fit the larger versions from following years. If you put it on the smaller version it will stick out slightly, but will lock in place
It’s only due to the width of the band that slides in to the watch.
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Yep the new 42mm bands go right to the edge of the connector slot on the new 42 S10. The older bands (38, 40, and 41) will have a little gap but I think it’s not objectionable. Here is my S10 42mm with a 42mm Volt Splash and a 41mm Pride. On the flip side, the new 42mm band will stick out a little on the smaller 38, 40, or 41. If I had a small S7, 8, or 9 and didn’t want outstickage I’d opt for the 40mm in new bands.
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