Series 1 questions

[Illusionsoftime]

So I'm finally deciding to order my apple watch now, I was debating holding off to see what Apple have in store for the next version later this year, but I've decided I'll get a series 1 for now and upgrade later on in the year.

Two questions I have:

1. Could someone explain what the lack of GPS actually means? Does this only mean I won't be able to use it without a phone or is there other uses with the GPS too? Also with the series 2 GPS, how does it work without the phone with no Cellular?

2. Is the battery much worse than series 2? And also does the 42mm have a greater battery than the 38mm still?

Thanks!

 

[44267547]

1.) GPS is exclusive to the Series 2 Apple Watch. It's primarily used for tracking/ru your path away from the iPhone.

2.) The Series 2 Apple Watch has a 30% larger battery over the Series 1 Apple Watch. The Series 1 Apple Watch has the same exact battery/life as the first generation Apple Watch, which is regulated at 18 hours.

Series 1 38 MM is the same battery life as the first generation Apple Watch 38 mm.

 

[Illusionsoftime]

1.) GPS is exclusive to the Series 2 Apple Watch. It's primarily used for tracking/ru your path away from the iPhone.

2.) The Series 2 Apple Watch has a 30% larger battery over the Series 1 Apple Watch. The Series 1 Apple Watch has the same exact battery/life as the first generation Apple Watch, which is regulated at 18 hours.

Series 1 38 MM is the same battery life as the first generation Apple Watch 38 mm.

The thing that confuses me is how can GPS function without the phone with no Cellular?

30% battery life is kind of a bummer, although 18 hours should be more than enough anyways

Also; Do the apps run just as smoothly on series 1 as they do on 2? And also can the nylon bands and link bracelets and such also be used on the series 1 or is that exclusively for series 2? Thanks

 

[klymr]

The thing that confuses me is how can GPS function without the phone with no Cellular?

30% battery life is kind of a bummer, although 18 hours should be more than enough anyways

Also; Do the apps run just as smoothly on series 1 as they do on 2? And also can the nylon bands and link bracelets and such also be used on the series 1 or is that exclusively for series 2? Thanks

GPS isn't a cell related technology. There is a chip in the watch that receives a signal from satellites that enables the watch to triangulate it's location anywhere on earth, so long as it has an unobstructed line of sight to at least 4 satellites. Weather conditions generally don't affect the signal, but trees, buildings, etc. do.

As far as the bands; yes, they will work on any Apple Watch currently available.

 

[ajm222]

The GPS communicates with satellites to determine location. No cellular radio (or data plan) required. Different technology.

Does everyone actually think we're going to see anything new with the Apple Watch this year? It was like a year and a half between the original and second gen releases I think, which would make next Spring more likely before we see something new.

http://www.wareable.com/gps-running-watch/explained-how-does-gps-actually-work

 

[Illusionsoftime]

The GPS communicates with satellites to determine location. No cellular radio (or data plan) required. Different technology.

Does everyone actually think we're going to see anything new with the Apple Watch this year? It was like a year and a half between the original and second gen releases I think, which would make next Spring more likely before we see something new.

http://www.wareable.com/gps-running-watch/explained-how-does-gps-actually-work

Thank you. And I believe we will get some new features with the next Apple watch, maybe cellular, that's the main reason I'm considering series 1 over 2, because if it does have major changes like cellular, I'll be upgrading to that most likely.

 

[Fynd]

I'm currently using a S1 after having a S2 that I returned for financial reasons (that I will have again in a week, lol). The performance of both is identical, and substantially better than the first generation. The battery life is disappointing on my 38mm S1, but I say that only in comparison to the 42mm S2. The S1 lasts a full 8am -> 12am day for me but gets under 20% or lower when including a 30+ min workout that day. The 42mm S2 lasted well into the second day without issue. Screen brightness outdoors is pretty noticeable between the two as well.

I don't usually go anywhere without my phone, so the GPS is a minor thing for me. The main reason I'm going back to S2 is for the stainless finish, followed by battery, and then display.

 

[Illusionsoftime]

I'm currently using a S1 after having a S2 that I returned for financial reasons (that I will have again in a week, lol). The performance of both is identical, and substantially better than the first generation. The battery life is disappointing on my 38mm S1, but I say that only in comparison to the 42mm S2. The S1 lasts a full 8am -> 12am day for me but gets under 20% or lower when including a 30+ min workout that day. The 42mm S2 lasted well into the second day without issue. Screen brightness outdoors is pretty noticeable between the two as well.

I don't usually go anywhere without my phone, so the GPS is a minor thing for me. The main reason I'm going back to S2 is for the stainless finish, followed by battery, and then display.

How do you feel with the size comparison between the 42 and 38? I have very small wrists, do you think 42 would look strange and 38 would fit better for me?

 

[Fynd]

How do you feel with the size comparison between the 42 and 38? I have very small wrists, do you think 42 would look strange and 38 would fit better for me?

I have ~185-190mm or so wrists and I'd rather the 38mm. I think the Apple Watch is pretty thick and bulky for a watch and much prefer the watch look over the smart watch look. The 42mm tends to cover people's entire wrist and look like a big square piece of glass there which isn't a great look IMO. The only reason I'm going 42mm is because having a larger wrist I'm basically cut out from a lot of the band options on the 38mm (milanese doesn't fit, classic fits on the last hole, nylon doesn't fit, etc).

Very subjective, though. You might prefer the bulkier look.

 

[Illusionsoftime]

I have ~185-190mm or so wrists and I'd rather the 38mm. I think the Apple Watch is pretty thick and bulky for a watch and much prefer the watch look over the smart watch look. The 42mm tends to cover people's entire wrist and look like a big square piece of glass there which isn't a great look IMO. The only reason I'm going 42mm is because having a larger wrist I'm basically cut out from a lot of the band options on the 38mm (milanese doesn't fit, classic fits on the last hole, nylon doesn't fit, etc).

Very subjective, though. You might prefer the bulkier look.

I think I may be better off with the 38mm over the 42mm then as I have much smaller wrists than you at around 160mm. What about the bands, do you feel the 38mm bands would be better fitted for me as well? Also do you know what the battery difference is between 38mm and 42mm? I'm considering getting the series 2 in 38mm now as it will only be around £70 more than the series 1 42mm which I was going to get.

 

[Fynd]

I think I may be better off with the 38mm over the 42mm then as I have much smaller wrists than you at around 160mm. What about the bands, do you feel the 38mm bands would be better fitted for me as well? Also do you know what the battery difference is between 38mm and 42mm? I'm considering getting the series 2 in 38mm now as it will only be around £70 more than the series 1 42mm which I was going to get.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/men-38mm-or-42mm-after-try-on.1868651/#post-21024041

There's a link to someone on here with a similar wrist size and both watch sizes. A lot of the replies there argue the other direction, but I without a doubt think the 38mm looks much classier on him. Clothing comes into play, too. If you wear cuffed/long sleeve shirts alot the watch is fairly thick and the small increase in length makes a big difference there.

 

[Illusionsoftime]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/men-38mm-or-42mm-after-try-on.1868651/#post-21024041

There's a link to someone on here with a similar wrist size and both watch sizes. A lot of the replies there argue the other direction, but I without a doubt think the 38mm looks much classier on him. Clothing comes into play, too. If you wear cuffed/long sleeve shirts alot the watch is fairly thick and the small increase in length makes a big difference there.

It's crazy how much difference just 4mm makes.

 

[chuyn]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/men-38mm-or-42mm-after-try-on.1868651/#post-21024041

There's a link to someone on here with a similar wrist size and both watch sizes. A lot of the replies there argue the other direction, but I without a doubt think the 38mm looks much classier on him. Clothing comes into play, too. If you wear cuffed/long sleeve shirts alot the watch is fairly thick and the small increase in length makes a big difference there.

Agreed. I actually remember that user. He was pretty set on 42mm and no matter how many votes went to 38, he would still say something along the lines of "but 42 xxxxx xxxxxx".

Illusionsoftime, I was certain you listed 150mm before, but even at 160, my vote also still goes to 38mm. But the thing is, like the user in the linked thread.. if you've got your heart set on 42mm, you're probably going to always wonder about the 42 if people convince you to get a 38. So just get the 42 (or both) and try it out for a week or two to see if you can live with how big it'll look. Most straps will wrap all the way around, making it feel or look a bit bulkier though.

 

[Illusionsoftime]

Agreed. I actually remember that user. He was pretty set on 42mm and no matter how many votes went to 38, he would still say something along the lines of "but 42 xxxxx xxxxxx".

Illusionsoftime, I was certain you listed 150mm before, but even at 160, my vote also still goes to 38mm. But the thing is, like the user in the linked thread.. if you've got your heart set on 42mm, you're probably going to always wonder about the 42 if people convince you to get a 38. So just get the 42 (or both) and try it out for a week or two to see if you can live with how big it'll look. Most straps will wrap all the way around, making it feel or look a bit bulkier though.

I'm between 150-160mm.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I have ~185-190mm or so wrists and I'd rather the 38mm. I think the Apple Watch is pretty thick and bulky for a watch and much prefer the watch look over the smart watch look. The 42mm tends to cover people's entire wrist and look like a big square piece of glass there which isn't a great look IMO. The only reason I'm going 42mm is because having a larger wrist I'm basically cut out from a lot of the band options on the 38mm (milanese doesn't fit, classic fits on the last hole, nylon doesn't fit, etc).

Very subjective, though. You might prefer the bulkier look.

I felt the same way. Got the 38mm anyways. Had to buy 3rd party bands from Amazon in 38mm that sold longer sized versions.

I just picked up this 38mm band in long size. Fits perfectly.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N0I20ON/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[44267547]

How do you feel with the size comparison between the 42 and 38? I have very small wrists, do you think 42 would look strange and 38 would fit better for me?

Have you traveled to an Apple store or retail store to try on the Apple Watch? I think that would answer your questions on your size consistencies versus asking what it would look like on your wrist.

If you have relatively small wrists, The 38 mm might be the most appropriate size for you.

 

[Illusionsoftime]

Have you traveled to an Apple store or retail store to try on the Apple Watch? I think that would answer your questions on your size consistencies versus asking what it would look like on your wrist.

If you have relatively small wrists, The 38 mm might be the most appropriate size for you.

I have not as the nearest Apple store is very far from where I live, I'm going to go with the 38mm though since I'd prefer a smaller fitted watch, now I just need to decide whether I want to go ahead with series 1 or get the series 2 for the improved battery.

 

[Illusionsoftime]

This is a question about series 2, but does anyone know the difference with the 38mm and 42mm battery life?

 

[andrewface]

I had the same debate with myself before I finally settled on the Series 1. Both watches are great. It all depends on how you plan on using the watch. I don't swim and I primarily work out indoors so the waterproof and GPS were not a big deal for me (plus if I want to track distance I can always take my iPhone along for a run/bike ride). The screen and better battery life are also nice features but ultimately didn't matter that much to me (have been impressed with the battery life of the Series 1 it never comes close to dying in one day). I have been very happy with the Series 1, it was the right choice for me.