Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Kantosam

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 28, 2010
56
5
If the vertical dimension changes on the cases of these S4 watches really are 2mm greater -- then, claims that your exisiting watch bands will still fit may be true in the sense that they will slide into the watch body's attachment point, but -- the ultimate fit on your wrist will be looser if you're using your usual latch or buckle points. For me, some of my bands are juuuuust right. Adding 2mm, hmmmm. Could loosen them. What do you thnk?

But, does anyone know the actual dimensions of the new S4? Afterall, the S3 vertical dimension is actually 42.5mm in reality, isn't it? Not 42. So, does anyone know if the new 44mm is actually 44mm or, say, 44.5, or some other measure?
 
I'm guessing the dimensions are the same just the screen size is bigger on the 4th series.
Example: old 38mm has same dimensions as new 40mm but since apple revised screen:bezel ratio, that is why series 4 screen is bigger.
Just my hunch
 
44mm should be referring to the screen dimension diagonally. Since the screen got bigger/bezel reduce it is possible to get 44m without increase the length or width of the watch compared to Series 3 so the bands should still fit
 
If you look at the tech specs of a Watch you’ll see that the size name relates to the vertical height of the watch body.

The new devices are bigger.

They are also slightly wider which makes me wonder if, even though earlier bands will fit, will they look right?
D57D957E-FEA7-4A98-900B-4CA6F3F15FAC.jpeg
 
44mm should be referring to the screen dimension diagonally. Since the screen got bigger/bezel reduce it is possible to get 44m without increase the length or width of the watch compared to Series 3 so the bands should still fit

According to Apple’s specs: The 40mm Watch is 40mm tall x 34mm wide. The 44 is 44mm tall x 38mm wide. That means the height difference is less than 2mm compared to previous models. The S4 is also thinner: 10.7mm vs 11.4 for the S3.

Will the height difference be enough to change the fit of a band? I guess it depends on the band. Loops are infinitely adjustable, but if you have a non-loop band with evenly based holes it could make the fit slightly better or worse? I don’t know... wrist circumference probably varies at least that much throughout the day... depending on weather and activities.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oeagleo
One thing I would add: So your current watch bands fit your current model AW such that the lugs are perfectly flush with the case (although some third party bands aren't quite perfect). Will bands made for a 38mm fit flush into a 40mm case? Will 42mm bands fit flush into a 44mm case? Apple can say the bands fit as long as they can slide in/out and lock into place, but the lugs may not be flush. There might be a small, less than half a mm, gap at either end of the lug on the 40mm, and a bit more (0.8mm) at either end of the 44mm. It's possible that Apple sculpted the newer cases in such a way that the old 38mm and 42mm lugs are still flush. The corners on the S4 or slightly more rounded, which probably means the lug specifications are the same as before.

If things aren't perfectly flush with the old bands, it won't bother everyone... but it will seriously bother some.
 
If things aren't perfectly flush with the old bands, it won't bother everyone... but it will seriously bother some.

I'm OCD about stuff like that. one reason I don't have any leather bands is because they all came with shiny silver/stainless attachments.... and I have black and rose gold watches..... I just could not use a band attached with silver to my black or pink watch.... ewwwwww!
 
I'm assuming the slot for the bands is the same size on series 4, even if the watch face itself is slightly bigger.

disclaimer: based on nothing but my assumption
 
I'm OCD about stuff like that. one reason I don't have any leather bands is because they all came with shiny silver/stainless attachments.... and I have black and rose gold watches..... I just could not use a band attached with silver to my black or pink watch.... ewwwwww!

Yeah... it took me a couple of tries ordering a leather band from a third party that shipped lugs that matched the silver aluminum perfectly. The previous try shipped stainless steel even though I specified the brushed finish.

I have a strong hunch that things will be flush with the old band lugs, because of the way the corners are more rounded on the S4. I guess we will find out soon!
 
One thing I would add: So your current watch bands fit your current model AW such that the lugs are perfectly flush with the case (although some third party bands aren't quite perfect). Will bands made for a 38mm fit flush into a 40mm case? Will 42mm bands fit flush into a 44mm case? Apple can say the bands fit as long as they can slide in/out and lock into place, but the lugs may not be flush. There might be a small, less than half a mm, gap at either end of the lug on the 40mm, and a bit more (0.8mm) at either end of the 44mm. It's possible that Apple sculpted the newer cases in such a way that the old 38mm and 42mm lugs are still flush. The corners on the S4 or slightly more rounded, which probably means the lug specifications are the same as before.

If things aren't perfectly flush with the old bands, it won't bother everyone... but it will seriously bother some.
If they’re not flush I would imagine it would bother everyone. I thought the watches were just a bit taller but not wider.
 
If they’re not flush I would imagine it would bother everyone. I thought the watches were just a bit taller but not wider.

The specs say the S4 is slightly wider, but because of the more rounded corners the width might be the same where the lugs attach. Overall the S4 is slightly taller, slightly wider, and slightly thinner than the S3... but depending on the case size most of the differences are less than a millimeter or two.
 
I really want to know how this will work. According to someone on the Verge hands on... they e'rent allowed to take the bands off to try.

I would not be surprised if they were a little different and there was a little gap. HOW CAN WE KNOW?!?!
 
Gotta remember the watch isn’t only longer vertically, it’s also slightly thinner. Add those facts together and you’re probably looking at, in the least, one buckle holes difference.

Annnnnd. Nailed it.
 
Creating a need for a whole set of different bands when the S3 is still available would have been pretty stupid on so many fronts. The changed the new case profile so the old bands would fit the same.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.