Thinking of buying an Apple Watch? The Apple Watch is a great health, fitness, and communication tool, but there's a lot to consider when making a purchase.
You need to choose the case material and band, pick a GPS or cellular model, and decide whether to buy the latest Apple Watch or spring for a more affordable older model.
This guide walks you through the different options you can choose from with the aim of helping you figure out which Apple Watch will best meet your needs, but it assumes you're already aware of the feature set.
If you want to know what the Apple Watch can do, our Apple Watch roundup is a good resource with an overview of features like the always-on display, heart rate tracking, ECG functionality, and more.
Sizing
The Apple Watch comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. Apple says that the 40mm Apple Watch is designed to fit 130 to 200mm wrists, while the 44mm Apple Watch is designed to fit 140 to 220mm wrists.
When choosing a case size, you need to consider your wrist size and how you want the Apple Watch to fit. People with small wrists will likely want to opt for the 40mm model, while people with larger wrists will want to opt for the 44mm model.
For some people, size choice will be obvious, but for those who have medium-sized wrists where the choice is less clear cut, the best solution is visiting an Apple Store or a retail location that sells the Apple Watch to try it on because there's really no substitute for seeing the way that it fits on the wrist in person.
Apple Watch Model Options
There are four different casing materials available: aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, and titanium, along with special Apple Watches designed in partnership with Hermès and Nike.
All Apple Watch models, regardless of casing material, have the same internal components and capabilities.
Apple Watch Aluminum
Aluminum Apple Watches are the lightest weight and the most affordable Apple Watches that Apple sells. The aluminum material comes in silver, space gray, and gold.
Apple in the past marketed its aluminum Apple Watch models as "sport" models for their light weight, but has since dropped the sport branding. Aluminum is not as durable as some of the other casing options, but it has the benefit of being less heavy.
The aluminum is a soft, brushed aluminum and these watches are not as shiny as the stainless steel or the ceramic. Aluminum Apple Watch models have an Ion-X glass display, which is less scratch-resistant than the sapphire glass used in more expensive models.
For most people, the aluminum Apple Watch is the best choice because it's ideal for all kinds of activities and it's the most affordable, starting at $399 for the 40mm model and $429 for the 44mm model. LTE models are $100 more.
Apple Watch Stainless Steel
Stainless steel Apple Watches are the middle tier Apple Watches that Apple sells. They're more expensive than the aluminum models and less expensive than the Edition models.
Compared to the aluminum models that are designed for everyday wear including activity, the stainless steel models have more of a high-end professional look. Stainless steel Apple Watches are heavier than other options and may be preferred by those who like a heftier weight on the wrist.
Stainless steel Apple Watch models come in silver, gold, and space black, and the finish is shiny. Unfortunately, that shiny finish can be more prone to scratching than aluminum, but it looks nicer.
Apple's stainless steel models also feature sapphire crystal for the displays instead of Ion-X glass, so the displays are more resistant to scratching and damage.
Paired with Apple's cheapest band options, the stainless steel Apple Watches start at $699 for the 40mm model and $749 for the 44mm model. All models include support for LTE connectivity.
Apple Watch Edition
Apple Watch Edition models are Apple's higher-end Apple Watch options made from ceramic and titanium and designed for those who are looking for a higher-end, premium watch.
The titanium Apple Watch is lighter than stainless steel but stronger, and it has a unique brushed titanium finish that's stain and fingerprint resistant. It comes in a standard titanium finish and space black.
The ceramic Apple Watch is also lightweight and durable, plus it has the most unique look out of all the Apple Watches with its shiny white finish.
The titanium Apple Watch models start at $799, while the ceramic Apple Watch models start at $1299, with prices that go up based on band choice. The titanium and ceramic models are best suited for those who prefer the look and feel of a more premium watch and who have the extra money to spend on the aesthetic.
Apple Watch Nike
Designed in collaboration with Nike and aimed at runners, the Apple Watch Nike models are identical in every way to Apple's aluminum Apple Watch models. They can be purchased with special Nike-branded bands, though, including reflective Sport Loops in unique colors and Sport Bands with perforations for better aeration.
Nike Apple Watches also have unique Nike watch faces and come pre-installed with the Nike Run Club app. Like aluminum Apple Watch models, Nike Apple Watch options start at $399.
Nike Apple Watch models are ideal for runners, fans of the Nike brand, or those who simply prefer the look of Nike bands.
Apple Watch Hermès
Created in collaboration with Hermès and aimed at those looking for a higher-end luxury watch, the Apple Watch Hermès models are identical to Apple's stainless steel Apple Watches, but with high-end, expensive Hermès bands made from leather.
Like Nike Apple Watch models, Hermès Apple Watches feature unique Hermès watch faces that are not available on other Apple Watch options. All Hermès Apple Watches also come with a special Hermès Orange Sport Band.
Apple Watch Hermès models are priced starting at $1249.
Band Choices
Apple's standard aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, and titanium Apple Watch models can be paired with almost any of the bands that Apple sells through the Apple Watch Studio feature on Apple's website.
On the Apple Watch purchase page, click on the "Apple Watch Studio" option to choose from available sport, leather, and stainless steel bands with any case pairing. Below is an overview of each band option that can be added to a standard watch:
- Sport Band ($49) - Sport Bands are made from a flexible and lightweight fluoroelastomer that's designed for use when exercising or vigorous activity. These bands are waterproof and come in a range of colors.
- Sport Loop ($49) - Sport Loops are made from a fabric material and they're designed to be soft, breathable, and lightweight. They're fabric so if you get them wet they're going to feel damp, but they dry quickly. Sport Loops are also available in a range of colors.
- Nike Band ($49) - Sold with Nike Watches or standalone, Nike Bands are similar to Sport Bands but have a perforated design with holes for better breathability.
- Modern Buckle ($149) - The Modern Buckle is made from leather and is limited to the smaller 40mm Apple Watch models. It features a two-piece magnetic buckle and it has the bulkiest fastening mechanism of Apple's watch options.
- Leather Loop - ($99) - Made from a quilted leather material, the wrap-style Leather Loop is only available for 44mm Apple Watch models.
- Link Bracelet - ($349 to $449) - The Link Bracelet, made from a stainless steel alloy, is Apple's most expensive band. It's designed to look like traditional metal watch bands and it comes in silver and space black.
- Milanese Loop - ($99) - The Milanese Loop is made from a flexible mesh material that wraps around the wrist. It's such a fine mesh that it's comfortable to wear, lightweight, and looks more professional than the casual Sport Loop and Sport Band options.
- Hermès (Pricing varies) - Along with Hermès Apple Watches, Apple sells a selection of all-leather Hermès bands on a standalone basis, all of which are designed by the fashion house.
All Hermès Apple Watch models ship with a Hermès band, while all Nike Apple Watch models ship with a Nike band. Current color options for each type of Apple Watch can be found on Apple's website.
Cellular vs. GPS-Only
Since the Apple Watch Series 3, Apple has offered both cellular models with LTE connectivity and less expensive GPS-only models that do not have cellular connectivity.
With an LTE connection, the Apple Watch is untethered from the iPhone and does not require an iPhone or a known Wi-Fi network for an internet connection. This means that Maps, Phone, Messages, Apple Pay, and more can all be used on the Apple Watch without an iPhone.
With the dedicated App Store available as of watchOS 5, the Apple Watch can be used almost entirely independently of an iPhone, though an iPhone is still needed for some functions like updates.
LTE connectivity through a carrier also requires that an iPhone be on the cellular plan, so a cellular Apple Watch cannot be purchased and used without an iPhone. Most cellular plans for the Apple Watch add a $10 monthly fee to your cellular phone bill. LTE connectivity is the default in the higher-end Apple Watches, but aluminum LTE models are $100 more expensive.
If you're always going to use an Apple Watch with an iPhone, there's probably no need for cellular connectivity, but if you'd like to leave the iPhone behind for activities like runs and hikes, the cellular feature is worth considering.
Apple Watches with LTE are available in many countries around the world, with a list available on Apple's website. Note that LTE Apple Watches have a red ring around the Digital Crown on the Series 5 models.
Pricing
A full comparison of the Apple Watch pricing in each finish with both LTE and GPS-only options is below, so you can see the cost differences at a glance. Note that these are the starting prices for each model, and the final price could vary based on band choice.
- 40mm Aluminum Non-LTE - $399
- 40mm Aluminum LTE - $499
- 44mm Aluminum Non-LTE - $429
- 44mm Aluminum LTE - $529
- 40mm Stainless Steel (LTE only) - $699
- 44mm Stainless Steel (LTE only) - $749
- 40mm Titanium (LTE only) - $799
- 44mm Titanium (LTE only) - $849
- 40mm Ceramic (LTE only) - $1299
- 44mm Ceramic (LTE only) - $1349
- 40mm Nike Non-LTE - $399
- 40mm Nike LTE - $499
- 44mm Nike Non-LTE - $429
- 44mm Nike LTE - $529
- 40mm Hermès (LTE only) - $1249
- 44mm Hermès (LTE only) - $1299
Opting for an Older Apple Watch
Alongside the Apple Watch Series 5, which is the current version of the Apple Watch, Apple sells the Apple Watch Series 3. Pricing on the Apple Watch Series 3 starts at $199, so it's ideal for those who are looking for just basic functionality at a more affordable price point.
Apple has a comparison website that shows the differences between the Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 5 at a glance, but in general, the Apple Watch Series 3 has thicker bezels (it hasn't been updated with the new design introduced with the Series 4), no always-on display, no finishes other than aluminum, no ECG app, no fall detection, and a slower processor.
If you can afford it and want the best health-related functionality, the Series 5 is the better pick for fall detection and the ECG app, but both are similar in terms of activity tracking functionality.
Which Apple Watch is Best For You?
If you want all of the latest bells and whistles for the best price, the aluminum Apple Watch models are going to be your best bet. The aluminum Apple Watch is the Apple Watch that we recommend for most people given its rich feature set, its light weight, and its affordable price point. The Nike models, if you prefer that aesthetic, are identical to the aluminum Apple Watch models.
Those looking for a higher-end watch that's still affordable should check out the stainless steel models, while those who want the best Apple has to offer should take a look at the Edition Apple Watch models and the Hermès Apple Watch models. Note that if you're choosing one of these models you're not getting additional functionality for the price - all of the Apple Watches have the same internals.
What you do get with the higher-end models is a different casing material that's higher quality and a higher-quality display that's less resistant to scratching.
Band choice and size is pretty much personal preference. Sport Bands and Sport Loops are some of the most comfortable options and come in a range of colors that change seasonally, while Apple's higher-end leather and metal bands offer a classier look.
For those who just want a basic Apple Watch primarily for activity tracking and don't want to spend a whole lot of money, an older Apple Watch Series 3 is perfectly suitable and will save you some cash.
For an in-depth overview of the features available in the Apple Watch and a closer look at the different models, make sure to check out our Apple Watch roundup.
Guide Feedback
Have a question about the Apple Watch, need to know more about a feature, or want to offer feedback on this Buyer's Guide? Send us an email here.
Article Link: Apple Watch Buyer's Guide: Which Model is Best For You?
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Watch using my Belgian Apple ID.
