Torn between 38 and 42mm. Help appreciated!

[mattopotamus]

I have had the 42mm since it was first launched. I use it for maps, messages, calendar, Carrot Weather, Workout and then for the notifications. I went with the 42mm so I had larger screen to use with my fingers. I also have Watch OS Beta, so I use messages a ton, and with the larger screen that I can select exactly what I want on the watch. I feel that if it were smaller, I would have a more difficult time using the watch apps resulting in me using the watch less. I tap on the watch probably like 100 times a day, so the larger screen for me was the correct decision.

I actually will say the 42mm is probably noticeable better with scribble since that has been introduced. I use it quite often on a 38mm, but I am sure it would be better on the 42.

 

[sean000]

I am in the 38mm camp. I really feel like the bigger size looks like a gadget as others have said. I had CNN on this morning and the one lady had, what looked like a 42mm, and it looked ridiculous...like a gadget. I have always liked smaller watches though.

I am shocked at the battery life comments. I end the day with around 50% left on the 38mm. I currently have 97% and I took it off the charger at 5:45am EST.

I have never had battery issues with the 38mm either. Even after 18 hours I usually have 1/4 to 1/3 of the battery still available. Sometimes more. Even if I run an hour long workout I usually have 25% or more at the end of the day. I think the people who might benefit from the 42's larger battery are those who typically engage in multi-hour workouts during the day. If you are a distance runner or cyclist, you might be logging 3 to 5 hour workouts.

As for the size: I didn't think the 42mm looked bad on me at all. It just felt a little too big. I'm 5'9", 190 pounds... but my wrists are relatively skinny 175mm or so where the watch sits. I went into the store expecting to prefer the 38mm since I have always preferred smaller watches. When I tried them on I was surprised at how subtle the size difference is. I clearly preferred the look and feel of the 38mm since that is what I went home with, but it was a much tougher choice for me than I expected. Personally I did not find any significant difference in readability, even with my poor eyesight (I wear progressives and have the text size on my iPhone set larger than normal). On the watch I'm not using the largest text size, or bold text, and the 38mm is perfectly readable to me. I use the larger text on the iPhone because it's more comfortable for extended reading. For glances at the watch the smaller text is fine. The 42mm display was certainly a little roomier, so I could see it being easier to work with if you have large fingers. I don't, so the 38mm is easy for me to use.

Both sizes look like gadgets to some degree, but I understand what is meant by the 42 being even more gadget like. It's larger, and if it takes up more of your wrist it looks more gadgety. The watch band and color also make a differnce. I tried on a black 42mm with a black band and it looked larger and heavier...and more gadget like to me. It was still a beautiful smartwatch though. On someone with larger wrists it doesn't look any more gadget-like than the 38mm does on me. I just tend to prefer the smaller 38mm and I like the contrast of a gadget-like display set into silver aluminum or SS with a leather strap.

Sean

 

[sarlynclements]

I'm a women with larger wrists and fingers (thanks German heritage). I ended up with the 42mm AW3 in Pink Sand. I've had it for about 48 hours. At first I thought I made a huge mistake and was considering exchanging it for the 38mm. It IS very large. It seems especially large coming from using a Fitbit Charge 2. I will say though that it is growing on me.