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AW Series 1 still worth it?

M

mlody

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Nov 11, 2012
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Windy City
I have an opportunity to get AW Series 1 38 or 42mm for $100 off retail (thru my insurance plan) so this means, I can buy AW S1 42mm for $179. No discount for S3 unfortunately.

Because of that, I am comparing $179 vs $359 (S3 aluminum 42mm). I care less about GPS, water resistance or LTE or Siri. The only concern I have is the performance of stock apps on S1 vs S3. It seams to me that paying double for %20 performance increase would be insanity in my case? Am I missing something? Is S1 still a good buy given my situation? Any issues running watchOS4 on S1?
 
If you don't care about GPS or the better water resistance the Series 1 is still a great choice, especially at that price. I have a Series 1 and have no complaints about the performance, and using the stock apps the performance is fine. The only time it feels slow is when it is being updated, but I don't know if that will be much better with the Series 3 and that is something best done while it is charging overnight anyway.
 
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mlody said:
I have an opportunity to get AW Series 1 38 or 42mm for $100 off retail (thru my insurance plan) so this means, I can buy AW S1 42mm for $179. No discount for S3 unfortunately.

Because of that, I am comparing $179 vs $359 (S3 aluminum 42mm). I care less about GPS, water resistance or LTE or Siri. The only concern I have is the performance of stock apps on S1 vs S3. It seams to me that paying double for %20 performance increase would be insanity in my case? Am I missing something? Is S1 still a good buy given my situation? Any issues running watchOS4 on S1?
Click to expand...

The Series One has the same processor as the Series 2, and many are still purchasing the Series 2 used from other retailers. So I would say to Series one will see support for a while, considering the first generation Apple Watch is also still seeing support.
 
I live in Canada so Apple dropped price price on Apple Series 1 to $329.00 38mm and $369.00 42mm but was only offering Space Grey case/ black sport band or Silver Aluminium/ white sport band.

I ended up ordering online from Staples.ca Apple watch Series 1 42mm Gold Aluminum Case, Cocoa Sport Band for $369.00 with free shipping.

Was looking at Series 3 but 42mm GPS $469.00 or 42mm GPS + Cellular being $559.00 is too expensive for me.

Hoping performance still be decent on Series 1. If my iPhone is with me, can I still get messages + phone calls on Series 1 watch?

Dan
 
Series 1 is still good, LTE is not yet available in my country and I don't see a compelling reason to buy the GPS only model.

series 3 has this advantages

- faster processor: I don't use many apps on the AW and I don't feel like I need more power, I usually respond to notifications and they're snappy
- GPS
- water resistance: if you don't swim with your AW it is basically useless, you can take a shower and wash your hands with series 1
- talking siri: I don't think it is that important. I use siri on the watch to get things done like sending a message or setting a reminder and I sometimes miss the voice feedback, but is not worth the update (or price increase)
- brighter display: people tend to forget that. Series 2 and series 3 have a brighter display than series 1. If you use the Watch outdoors most of the time it may be a nice feature. I live in a sunny area and don't have real problems in reading the Watch outdoors, but sometimes I'd like to have the brighter display when I wear my sunglasses

Having said that, I'd buy series 1 if I were you, the price difference is huge and apps are fast enough
 
miatadan said:
I live in Canada so Apple dropped price price on Apple Series 1 to $329.00 38mm and $369.00 42mm but was only offering Space Grey case/ black sport band or Silver Aluminium/ white sport band.

I ended up ordering online from Staples.ca Apple watch Series 1 42mm Gold Aluminum Case, Cocoa Sport Band for $369.00 with free shipping.

Was looking at Series 3 but 42mm GPS $469.00 or 42mm GPS + Cellular being $559.00 is too expensive for me.

Hoping performance still be decent on Series 1. If my iPhone is with me, can I still get messages + phone calls on Series 1 watch?

Dan
Click to expand...
You can definitely still get messages, phone calls etc. with the series 1 (or series 2 for that matter) as long as your phone is either within bluetooth range or connected to the same wifi network.
 
Activity tracking still works really well on the Series 1 even without GPS.

I wouldn't pay $279 for a new one... then I would just go for the series 3. At $179..the watch is well worth it.

Unless you want to swim with it... or anything like that.
 
For $179 its worth it. I have an S0 that is still working great and I will continue using it. I did also pre-order an S3 because I had my reasons for wanting LTE capability on a watch.
 
AbsynthMinded said:
For $179 its worth it. I have an S0 that is still working great and I will continue using it. I did also pre-order an S3 because I had my reasons for wanting LTE capability on a watch.
Click to expand...

I was actually pleasantly surprised The first generation Apple Watch is to receive watchOS 4. But I don't think watchOS 5 will be a possibility for the first generation Apple Watch.
 
bodonnell202 said:
Series 1 is basically the original Apple Watch with the updated processor from the Series 2 (just without the GPS). I suspect Series 1 and Series 2 will be supported for the same amount of time because of this.
Click to expand...

I would expect the first generation Apple Watch may not make it past or to watchOS five, depending how substantial of an upgrade it is. But Series one will be supported past the first generation Apple Watch likely because of the upgraded processor.
 
Relentless Power said:
I was actually pleasantly surprised The first generation Apple Watch is to receive watchOS 4. But I don't think watchOS 5 will be a possibility for the first generation Apple Watch.
Click to expand...

That is a fair assumption to make and even may affect if people wanting to purchase the S1. I hadn't actually considered the WatchOS4, haven't updated my S0 yet but I have already seen some complaints about sluggishness with WatchOS 4 on it
 
Relentless Power said:
I would expect the first generation Apple Watch may not make it past or to watchOS five, depending how substantial of an upgrade it is. But Series one will be supported past the first generation Apple Watch likely because of the upgraded processor.
Click to expand...
Yes I agree. It wouldn't be too surprising if watchOS 4 is end of the line for the original AW, but Series 1 will likely get 1 or 2 more years of software updates after the original AW is dropped.
 
I think it really depends on how WatchOS 5 runs on AW0 - I don't think they'll deprecate it unless they need to.
Remember, our AW0's are just past being two years old.
iPhone 5s is still supported by iOS 11. :)

If it runs like the dogs breakfast, Apple will drop it from the supported list for the upgrade...they should be able to make that assessment fairly easily with internal builds before it goes out to beta.

Oh, and to the OP - thought the performance boost on S3 was 70%, not 20%. :) And if you get an S3, you're likely looking at longer useful life than the S1/S2's.
 
So I still haven't purchased the watch cause i want to see the new one at the store. now the twist is, my insurance offer the $100 deal on the Series 3, so I can get the S3 for $259. I will have a harder time to figure out which one to get now. I am leaning more towards S3, but I will need to see one in person (want the Nike edition)
 
mlody said:
So I still haven't purchased the watch cause i want to see the new one at the store. now the twist is, my insurance offer the $100 deal on the Series 3, so I can get the S3 for $259. I will have a harder time to figure out which one to get now. I am leaning more towards S3, but I will need to see one in person (want the Nike edition)
Click to expand...
Given that I would go for the Series 3. It will be worth it for the extra processing power and (hopefully) longevity.
 
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fischersd said:
I think it really depends on how WatchOS 5 runs on AW0 - I don't think they'll deprecate it unless they need to.
Remember, our AW0's are just past being two years old.
iPhone 5s is still supported by iOS 11.
Click to expand...

I don't think iOS is comparable to watchOS in terms of what the Watch will receive in support. Even though the first generation Apple Watch is only two years old, it's already seeing four versions of watchOS. I don't see it lasting past or being available to watchOS 5 next year. Some reports are already showing that the first generation Apple Watch owners on here are are at least saying it's not been a good experience so far with the battery life and performance.

I know you provided the example of the iPhone 5s is still supported by iOS 11, but it's too early to see where the Apple Watch will be continued from this point forward, which I doubt see's any future WatchOS updates.
 
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Relentless Power said:
I don't think iOS is comparable to watchOS in terms of what the Watch will receive in support. Even though the first generation Apple Watch is only two years old, it's already seeing four versions of watchOS. I don't see it lasting past or being available to watchOS 5 next year. Some reports are already showing that the first generation Apple Watch owners on here are are at least saying it's not been a good experience so far with the battery life and performance.

I know you provided the example of the iPhone 5s is still supported by iOS 11, but it's too early to see where the Apple Watch will be continued from this point forward, which I doubt see's any future WatchOS updates.
Click to expand...
Yep, time will tell. Being at the start of this form factor, we shouldn't be surprised with these devices having shorter lives as there are greater changes made to the software and core functionality. In time though, we should see things stabilize more (like the phone market) - with more incremental changes. Heh. Provided we get enough gains in battery life to get most people through their days without getting into power saving mode that is. :)
 
Received Series 1 from Staples, had it only 1 day and returned it for the following reasons:

1. hard to see display outside on sunny day
2. did not know until after I ordered Series 1 that only Series 3 can use AirPower mat
3. Siri talk, I found out did not function on Series 3
4. sound volume very low , so it was heard to hear conversation when receiving phone call outside

How much better is oled display easier to see on Series 3?
Is speaker volume higher on Series 3? How well is Siri talk working?

Because of budget issue would have to order 38mm size, Series 3 GPS , so will it be harder to read messages?

Dan
 
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