For Bargain Hunters, First-Generation Apple Watch Is a Solid Choice
If you're shopping for a smartwatch, there's little reason to pick the recently launched Apple Watch Series 1 over the original model introduced in 2014. That's my conclusion after using the new and old versions of the watch side by side for several weeks.
Apple announced a new lineup of smartwatches in September, alongside the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus and wireless headphones. The flagship watch is the Series 2 Apple Watch, which starts at $350 and has built-in GPS capabilities and swimproof construction. But the company also introduced a watch called the Series 1. It looks nearly identical to the original Watch, but has the faster processor that also appears in the Series 2.
The Series 1 devices, which start at $270, were pitched as a good choice for someone who wants a less expensive alternative to the Series 2.
But the first-generation Apple Watch is still an option, at least if you go shopping soon. While Apple no longer sells that model, retailers including Best Buy are offering the older watches at a discount. We've seen prices as low as $190.
Adding to its value, the original Apple Watch comes with a standard wall charger worth $20, while the Series 1 package includes a charging cable without a way to plug it into an outlet. (No, really. We triple-checked.)
Of course, you might be willing to pay more if the old Watch was significantly outperformed by the new Series 1.
Apple says that the new watch's dual-core processor will help speed up performance and cut down app load times. We haven't tested that claim in the lab, and it might well be true. However, in my own daily use of the two models, the difference just didn't seem significant.
I’ve been using the first-generation 38mm Apple Watch Sport for nearly a year and it’s rarely left my wrist. When the opportunity arose, I picked up up the Series 1 model from our labs and have been switching between the two.
I wore it all day, used it to track my workouts, answered some phone calls, and used it to unlock my MacBook Air.
Yes, the experience with Series 1 devices was generally snappier: Swiping through docked apps and opening apps was faster, while browsing the full screen of app icons was a smoother experience. But not much snappier and not much smoother. Users of the first-generation Watch will find the improvements to be minor.
In fact, upgrading my own original device to Watch OS3 brought a much bigger improvement than moving to the new hardware.
That recently released operating system remedied most of the first-gen Watch's woes by improving on its fitness capabilities, making it easier for users to share workout data with family and friends and, most importantly, improving on the Watch's sluggishness. Apple made the update available for users as an over-the-air download for first-generation users and shipped it onboard Series 1 and 2 devices.
Before OS3, I mostly avoided opening apps on the Watch: I never viewed photos on it, or read further than an email’s subject line, and I didn’t even bother using Apple Pay, despite being a fan of the concept. Those operations were just too slow. My use boiled down to glancing at notifications, quick replies, activity tracking, and some music control.
The new OS made me a much more active Apple Watch user. I’ve regularly replied to messages with the new Scribble feature, which lets you use a fingertip to write out a response. And I've found myself using the Watch to change playlists or look for specific albums as an alternative to pulling out my phone.
That performance upgrade makes the original Watch seem like a bargain in comparison to the new Apple Watch Series 1. Basically, the model I already have does everything I want a smartwatch to do.
Now, I don't know whether future versions of the Watch OS will work as well on the original model as Watch OS3 does. But if you're willing to take the relatively minor risk of missing out on a future operating system update, it's worth considering a first-generation Apple Watch. And, at least for now, they're still available.
For full tests results for the Apple Watch and other smartwatches, check out our buying guide and ratings.
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