The appearance of "smart" watches with the logo of a bitten apple has remained virtually unchanged since the very first generation. They are easily recognizable by the rectangular shape of the body with the Digital Crown wheel on the right side face. But in terms of characteristics, each subsequent series of Apple Watch confidently goes ahead of the previous one. On what points of the program? Let's sort it out in order.

Apple Watch Original

The Apple Watch went on sale on April 24, 2015. The first sign of the line of wrist smartwatches was called the name Original. The watch was able to receive calls and send SMS (only paired with a paired "Athos"), measured the pulse and collected a standard package of information about the user's activity during the day (number of steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, etc.), in addition to their board was inhabited by the voice assistant Siri.

On the shelves of the stores, the model was presented in two dimensions: 38 mm (article A1553) and 42 mm (article A1554). The division according to the dimensional grid is still valid, only from the 4th generation of Apple Watch have added plus 2 mm in size.

The Apple Watch Original debuted in 2014.

The Original version includes three modifications of the "apple" smartwatch:

  • with sapphire crystal over the dial - in a steel case;
  • Sport - in an anodized aluminium body with a silicone strap and Ion-X glass surface on the dial;
  • Edition - representative segment. The Edition watch is housed in an 18K rose or yellow gold case and has a Retina display covered by a sapphire crystal.

Apple Watch Series 1

In 2016, the watch of the 1st series was rolled out to replace the Original generation. The delegates from her were still divided into two camps: with case sizes of 38 mm (article A1802) and 42 mm (article A1803).

Under the steel “hood” of the watch, a single-core Apple S1 processor, an internal drive of 8 GB and 512 MB of RAM were installed. The battery capacity of the wrist gadget ranged from 205 mAh for a smaller version to 250 mAh for a full-sized one.

The rectangular form factor of the "apple" watch remains recognizable to this day.

The Series 1 smartwatch screen has learned to recognize the force of pressing (Force Touch). The body of the wearable device is protected from dust and splashes in accordance with the requirements of the IP67 standard.

In addition to the standard steel case, the watch was produced in an aluminium "body" ( Aluminium version) and with a gold-plated case (premium Edition).

Apple Watch Series 2

In the Apple Watch of the 2nd dynasty, the screen became twice as bright (1000 nits versus 450 nits for the previous “one”), the Apple S2 processor acquired an additional core, a GPS geopositioning module appeared and full water protection was implemented. From now on, the watch can withstand diving under water to a depth of 50 meters.

In the manufacturer's marking, the 38 mm edition of the gadget received the article A1757, and with the case dimensions of 42 mm - A1758.

Starting with the 2nd series, Apple Watch became waterfowl.

The second series was represented by the following models:

  • standard with a steel case and sapphire crystal over a Retina screen;
  • Aluminium - a modification in aluminium "armor" of the color "space gray", "rose gold", gold or silver. The watch uses a ceramic back and uses Ion-X glass;
  • Nike+ is an aluminium edition with a ceramic back plate engraved with the Nike logo. The watch came with rubber or silicone straps, and the Nike+ Run Club sports app for runners was installed out of the box;
  • Hermes is a steel version of the watch in collaboration with the famous brand Hermes. The modification is equipped with a ceramic back and a sapphire crystal over the display;
  • Edition - in a pearl white ceramic case, "under the guise" of a sapphire glass.

Apple Watch Series 3

Troika has made a significant contribution to strengthening the position of Apple Watch in the global wearable smart gadget market. The key innovation of the series is the appearance of a number of modifications with a built-in LTE modem. Cellular support in the watch is implemented through the built-in SIM card eSIM. Versions of the Apple Watch Series 3 with a phone module stand out against the background of the basic red dot on the Digital Crown wheel and the additional Cellular inscription in the expanded name.

The SIM-free smartwatch of the 3rd series in the 38 mm size carries the article A1858, in the 42 mm case - A1859. Devices with eSIM are marked with several articles depending on the sales market: 38 mm - A1860 / A1889 / A1890, 42 mm - A1861 / A1891 / A1892.

Apple Watch Series 3 received a new S3 dual-core processor, a special microchip for W2 wireless communication, increased the amount of “RAM” to 768 MB, and permanent memory to 16 GB (only in LTE versions), acquired a barometric altimeter and a “blue tooth” module Bluetooth 4.2. The series has not undergone other changes in comparison with the "two".

The red circle on the Digital Crown is a distinctive feature of Series 3 models with a built-in LTE modem.

As before, the third edition is available in several varieties:

  • standard with steel body ;
  • Aluminium ;
  • Nike+ ;
  • Hermes ;
  • edition.

In order not to repeat once again, the description of each subspecies can be read a little higher - in the legend of the Apple Watch Series 2.

Apple Watch Series 3

Apple Watch Series 4

In revision number 4, Apple's smartwatches have increased screen sizes. A smaller version of the gadget now lives in a 40 mm case and has a 1.57-inch diagonal display, and a larger version in a 44 mm body with a 1.78-inch screen.

Improvements in the model have undergone a speaker and microphone (the first became louder, and the second more powerful), as well as the Digital Crown, which provides feedback. The new Apple S4 chip contributes to a twofold increase in performance. The back panel of the watch is made of ceramic, the heart rate sensor is covered with sapphire crystal.

As part of other innovations , the wrist gadget was armed with electrodes in the "Crown" for taking an ECG and taught to track the fall of the "carrier". If the watch detects a fall of a person, it will be suggested to call an ambulance. If there is no action on the part of the user for more than 1 min. they themselves call the rescue service (the function does not work in all regions). Another interesting feature is the definition of arrhythmia. Sports fans will love the new workout modes and challenges against other Apple Watch owners.

For the first time, electrodes for ECG recording appeared on board the Quartet.

The fourth series of "apple" watches is presented in versions with Wi-Fi (articles A2092, A2093) and LTE modules (articles A2094 / A2156, A2095 / A2157). The latter is called Cellular. In addition, the series devices are classified as follows:

  • Steel - in a stainless steel case;
  • Aluminium - in an aluminium "wrapper";
  • Nike - in an aluminium "body" in the color of "space series" and with perforated straps;
  • Hermes - in a steel case with a Hermès dial and fashion brand engraving on the back;
  • Edition - in a titanium or white ceramic case.
Apple Watch Series 4

Apple Watch Series 5

Apple's fifth-numbered smartwatch is a copy of the Quartet in appearance. From the new model, an LTPO screen with the Always on Display option is installed (the refresh rate of the display in the “always on” mode drops to 1 Hz), there is a built-in compass (helps determine the direction in space), there is a function for determining the angle of movement (skiers and snowboarders). The onboard memory of the Apple Watch Series 5 has grown to 32 GB, which allows you to carve out more space for storing music.

The watch is made from recycled aluminium and is available in silver, gold and gray colors. The steel version of the gadget is available in gold, silver and "space black" colors. Within the fifth series, the models are divided into regular (articles A2092, A2093) and with Cellular telephone support (articles A2094 / A2156, A2095 / A2157).

The screen of the fifth Apple Watch never goes blank.

The breakdown by modifications for the Apple Watch Series 5 is completely peeped at the fourth generation watches:

  • Steel - in a stainless steel case;
  • Aluminium - in an aluminium "wrapper";
  • Nike - in space gray aluminium "body" with perforated straps;
  • Hermes - in a steel case with a Hermès dial and fashion brand engraving on the back;
  • Edition - in a titanium or white ceramic case.
Apple Watch Series 5

Apple Watch Series 6

The Series 6 watch has expanded Apple's range of smart wrist devices in 2020. They have retained the continuity of generations with the fifth edition of smartwatches in appearance and have acquired a number of improvements in terms of equipment.

So, the always-on Retina-screen of the watch glows 2.5 times brighter in sunlight, and the 7-nanometer Apple S6 chipset promises a performance increase of up to 20%. However, these are just bare numbers. Much more important innovations are the appearance of sensors on board for improved sleep monitoring and a built-in pulse oximeter to determine the level of oxygen saturation (it helps, among other things, to determine the stages of the disease COVID-19). The watch also has a permanent altimeter, which determines the height above sea level with an accuracy of 1 foot according to the barometer, GPS and nearby Wi-Fi networks.

Since the sixth generation, Apple smartwatches have been available in a new RED version with bright red trim. By tradition, the model is produced without a telephone module (articles A2291, A2292) and in the Cellular configuration with an LTE modem (articles A2293 / A2375, A2294 / A2376).

A new "trick" of the 6th series of Apple watches is an on-board pulse oximeter to determine the level of blood oxygen saturation.

The division by modifications of the "six" remained unchanged:

  • Steel - in a stainless steel case;
  • Aluminium - in an aluminium "wrapper";
  • Nike - in space gray aluminium "body" with perforated straps;
  • Hermes - in a steel case with a Hermès dial and fashion brand engraving on the back;
  • Edition - in a titanium case.
Apple Watch Series 6

Apple Watch SE

In parallel with the Series 6 , a “lightweight” model of the Apple Watch SE was released to the weight. The emphasis in it is on accessibility to a wide audience. The device is positioned as a replacement for the third series of "apple" smartwatches.

Many aspects have been simplified in the model. In particular, the "iron" component of the gadget is last year's Apple S5 chip. The watch does not have an Always on Display mode, a pulse oximeter and an ECG sensor. But there is a function for detecting falls of the “carrier”, there is a constantly on altimeter and compass.

The dimensions of the smart wrist device have grown by 2 mm in comparison with the third revision in each of the versions: the smaller one is now assembled in a 40 mm case, and the larger one is in a 44 mm “body”. Watch modifications with only GPS and Bluetooth 5.0 carry the article numbers A2351 and A2352, and those with Cellular support are indicated by the article numbers A2353 / A2355 and A2354 / A2356.

A simplified SE model was released along with the Six in September 2020.

Differentiation within the SE line was the most modest of the existing ones. The release of “lightweight” Apple smartwatches has been launched in two editions:

  • Aluminium - in space gray aluminium, gold or silver;
  • Nike - in space gray aluminium "body" with perforated straps.
Apple Watch SE

As of the end of 2020, the Apple Watch Series 3 is still on official sale. The company on the shelves is the latest generation of smartwatches in the face of the sixth series models and the SE line. Which one to buy is up to you. But choose wisely, relying on the difference between the generations of smartwatches and the thickness of your wallet!