There doesn't seem to be any concrete evidence for your statement that the larger battery in the 42mm is "a huge plus".
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Another 38 vs 42 post
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I’ve been wearing the 38mm for over 2 years and I will stick with the smaller case size when I upgrade. I’m a guy with 170mm wrists and the 42mm just didn’t feel right on me in the store. That’s really the best way to tell is to try them on in the store. The size difference is very subtle.
Battery life has never been an issue for me... even on days when I record a workout. Regardless of which size you get, you will be in the habit of charging it nightly.
Battery life has never been an issue for me... even on days when I record a workout. Regardless of which size you get, you will be in the habit of charging it nightly.
I'm not exactly tiny (6'3") but even the 38 feels like a big watch on my wrists. The 42 just looks hilariously large. There is no issue with battery on the 38: mine will last over 24 hours and I use it for all sorts of things from reminders to Apple Pay, and lots of Siri. First day S0 still here, never a hiccup.
That would depend on the size of your wrist, for it to look 'hilariously large'. I don't think 42 mm in comparison to other smart watches on the market is large at all. Especially given how large mechanical watches are today as an alternative, the Apple Watch is perfectly sized I think for both offerings in 38 and 42 mm.
Its my opinion, based on my research. Given that I've made my decision years ago, I've not really kept up on the 38 vs 42.
If you feel otherwise, that's fine, I'm not looking to get into an argument. If you think the 38mm is not much different then the 42, ok, no skin off my nose. I'm enjoying my apple watch that I picked out
There's no way around needing to just try both sizes on in the store. I'm a guy with medium-sized wrists. When I bought my Series 0 way back when, I went with 42mm since I just assumed 38mm would be tiny and was more intended for women (weird assumption, honestly). Within that year I stopped wearing the Apple Watch entirely, as it was too sluggish and I didn't like having a huge black rectangle covering my wrist (what everyone else sees, really). I moved on to some great traditional watches (hello Nomos!) and along the way got used to a smaller size.
About four months ago I picked up a Series 2 Nike watch as a running watch, and when trying both sizes at the store, the 42mm just felt too huge. I liked the sense of the 38mm being light and easygoing. Went with that, worked great for running. A few weeks ago I decided to wear it as my all-day watch again to see if I'd want to jump back in with a Series 3. Turns out, between watchOS 4 and the smaller 38mm size, I was FAR less annoyed with the watch on my wrist all day. Who would have known the 38mm size was what I really wanted all along; no more feeling of "huge screen" dominating my wrist. Now I'm sporting a 38mm Hermes Series 3 and enjoying it a bunch.
Anyway, point is, both sizes work great; it completely depends on what YOU like on YOUR wrist. Try both and trust your gut.
About four months ago I picked up a Series 2 Nike watch as a running watch, and when trying both sizes at the store, the 42mm just felt too huge. I liked the sense of the 38mm being light and easygoing. Went with that, worked great for running. A few weeks ago I decided to wear it as my all-day watch again to see if I'd want to jump back in with a Series 3. Turns out, between watchOS 4 and the smaller 38mm size, I was FAR less annoyed with the watch on my wrist all day. Who would have known the 38mm size was what I really wanted all along; no more feeling of "huge screen" dominating my wrist. Now I'm sporting a 38mm Hermes Series 3 and enjoying it a bunch.
Anyway, point is, both sizes work great; it completely depends on what YOU like on YOUR wrist. Try both and trust your gut.
Well said and how I feel about it too. I should have gotten the .8 a long time ago, love it now.
I'm 6'2", and the 38mm reads about like a 40mm Rolex on the wrist. The smaller option is partly what makes the Apple Watch appealing to me, compared to other big smartwatches out there.
So just came back from the Apple Store.
Looks like I'm going with the 42. After putting both on, it didn't seem like the 42 was super huge. It was manageable.
Wife agreed.
So, like all married men, will go with wife's opinion. Lol.
In all seriousness though, I realized main reason for me getting the Apple Watch was to somewhat replace the phone for notifications and text. 42 would be a better fit.
Looks like I'm going with the 42. After putting both on, it didn't seem like the 42 was super huge. It was manageable.
Wife agreed.
So, like all married men, will go with wife's opinion. Lol.
In all seriousness though, I realized main reason for me getting the Apple Watch was to somewhat replace the phone for notifications and text. 42 would be a better fit.
Well, maybe back then you'd be frustrated by the battery life!
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That might be the "boy" size that's been rather popular in Asia. Well, at least when I was younger in Hong Kong!
It's really quite under-appreciated how well Apple managed to cram all this amazing tech into the 38mm. It's the sleeper of smart watches.
I do like how the display blends in really well the space gray sport watch, everything looks more uniform.
That coincides with what I found during my research and also my experience. I found that that the 42 is nicely sized tbh.
Congrats on your new purchase
How does if feel for you?
I think, as mentioned above, that we can get away with larger watches In the health devices realm.
Your picture is basically what it looked like for me. I say it looks good.
It does look rather large on your wrist. I'd compare how both look and feel and get the one that you like the best.