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Apple Watch Screen Resolutions: 312 x 390 for 42mm Version, 272 x 340 for 38mm Version

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With the WatchKit SDK now in the hands of developers, some new information about Apple's wearable device is coming out, including its display resolution, which was not previously disclosed by Apple.

According to Apple's human interface guidelines, the two separate Apple Watch models have different screen resolutions. The smaller 38mm Apple Watch has a resolution of 272 x 340, while the larger 42mm Apple Watch has a resolution of 312 x 390. In the WatchKit documentation, Apple refers to the Apple Watch display as "Retina," and instructs developers to use 2x image assets.

applewatch.jpg
Apple directs developers to provide image assets for different screen sizes "as needed." Developers can use the same image resources as long as they "look good on both screen sizes," but if not, developers will need to provide separate image resources for both devices. Content displayed on Apple Watch "should be the same regardless of the device's screen size," and Apple says developers should "let items expand or contract naturally" to fill available space.

Icons on the Apple Watch will have variable sizes based on screen size and type. For example, the Notification Center icon should be 29 pixels for the 38mm Apple Watch, and 36 pixels for the 42mm Apple Watch. A home screen icon on the smaller device should be 172 pixels, while a home screen icon for the larger Apple Watch should be 196 pixels.

iconsizestable.jpg
In addition to unveiling information on the device's resolution, Apple's WatchKit guidelines give some insight into how Apple views the device. Apple asks developers to be mindful of certain concepts when creating content for the Apple Watch, including its deep personalization and connection to people via heart rate and activity monitoring.

According to Apple, the Apple Watch aims to "blur the boundaries between physical object and software" through the Digital Crown navigation tool, the Taptic Engine for subtle alerts, and Force Touch, a new touch control system. Thoughtful design, says Apple, "should contribute to this experience of hardware and software feeling indistinguishable."

Apple suggests that all content created for the Apple Watch should be "lightweight," as the device is designed for simple interactions that are "accessible and dismissible quickly and easily, for both privacy and usability." Apps must "respect the context" in which the user accesses them, "briefly, frequently, and on a small display."

Apple's WatchKit development software became available earlier today, as part of the iOS 8.2 beta. The beta can be downloaded from Apple's developer site, and developers are able to immediately begin creating actionable notifications, Glances, and iPhone-driven apps for the Apple Watch. Apple says that developers will be able to create "fully native" apps "later next year."

Article Link: Apple Watch Screen Resolutions: 312 x 390 for 42mm Version, 272 x 340 for 38mm Version
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/11/18/apple-watch-resolutions/
MacRumors said:
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/11/18/apple-watch-resolutions/[/url



According to Apple, the Apple Watch aims to "blur the boundaries between physical object and software" through the Digital Crown navigation tool, the Taptic Engine for subtle alerts, and Force Touch, a new touch control system. Thoughtful design, says Apple, "should contribute to this experience of hardware and software feeling indistinguishable."


Article Link: Apple Watch Screen Resolutions: 312 x 390 for 42mm Version, 272 x 340 for 38mm Version
Click to expand...

$100 bucks says Ive wrote this poetic malarkey...
 
I'll write an app that tells where you'll be in a minute, just so you're not surprised.

I also want an app that delivers theme music, like in the moves/TV.

If the creepy music starts to play, I'll get out of the chainsaw factory.
 
I fully expect iOS9 to have lots of app crippling goodness for those that choose not to buy a Watch to use with their phone.
 
The documentation is in points but this article mentions it in pixels.
The 2 are not interchangeable.

The actual resolutions of the devices will be 544x680 and 624x780. These are retina screens with retina assets, so even though the functional resolution is lower, the actual resolutions is double what the article says.
 
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I'll take the 42mm steel version please. Apple come and get my $499 for the Watch version.
 
Are you sure the pixel dimensions of the screen are correct?

It seems you posted the point dimensions, pixel dimensions would be twice that.

38mm: 272x340 pt = 544x680 px
42mm: 312x390 pt = 624x780 px

No?

If so the image is misleading and should either use "pt" for units or show the actual pixel dimensions.

Or maybe Apple decided to give it a 1x scaling factor so that 1pt = 1px, even though they're instructing developers to include @2x images?

I'm confused.
 
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I guess I'm going to be buying the 42mm then. Hope it's not too expensive than the 38mm, but knowing Apple, I'll not be surprised if it's $100 more.
 
As the screen gets bigger, there are more pixels. Same as iPhone 4S > 5 > 6. Nothing complicated, unlike the 6 Plus :)
 
mikeo007 said:
The documentation is in points but this article mentions it in pixels.
The 2 are not interchangeable.

The actual resolutions of the devices will be 680x544 and 780x624. These are retina screens with retina assets, so even though the functional resolution is lower, the actual resolutions is double what the article says.
Click to expand...

Uhh.. have you done the calculations for the resolutions provided? They are plenty retina-enough at 330PPI.
 
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