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Verdict: Apple Watch Series 1 was a worthwhile, faster and cheaper refinement of Apple’s first smartwatch when it launched in 2016. In 2026, however, it is generally a poor everyday purchase. Its outdated software, aging battery, lack of built-in GPS, splash-only water resistance and uncertain compatibility with current iPhones make it suitable mainly for collectors, experimentation or an exceptionally cheap basic notification watch.
There is also an important naming correction: the Apple Watch launched in 2015 is the original Apple Watch, or first-generation Apple Watch. Apple Watch Series 1 launched in September 2016, alongside Series 2. This review focuses on Series 1 while explaining how to identify it and how it compares with the 2015 model.
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Apple Watch Series 1 vs. the original Apple Watch
The name “Apple Watch Series 1 (2015)” combines two different products. Apple’s documentation identifies Series 1 as a 2016 model, while 2015 refers to the original Apple Watch.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches| Model | Launch period | What it was |
|---|---|---|
| Original Apple Watch | 2015 | Apple’s first-generation smartwatch, available in aluminum, stainless steel and Edition versions |
| Apple Watch Series 1 | September 2016 | The original design with a faster dual-core processor and lower price |
| Apple Watch Series 2 | September 2016 | A newer model with built-in GPS and substantially stronger water resistance |
Series 1 came in 38mm and 42mm aluminum cases, generally in silver and Space Gray, with Sport Band configurations. It should not be confused with every first-generation Apple Watch: a 2015 stainless-steel or Edition watch is not automatically a Series 1.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Apple’s model documentation and technical specifications are the safest references when identifying a used unit.
Design and build quality
Series 1 established the rounded-square shape, Digital Crown and side button that still define Apple Watch. The controls feel more natural than a touchscreen-only interface, particularly for scrolling through notifications or returning to the watch face. Its compact aluminum case is light and comfortable, and interchangeable bands make it easy to wear casually, at work or during light exercise.
The design was attractive in its era, but it looks dated beside current Apple Watches. The bezels are large, the usable screen area is small and the case is relatively thick. The Ion-X strengthened glass is also less resistant to scratching than the sapphire crystal used on some higher-end Apple Watch models.
Condition matters more than the original construction when buying one today. Scratched glass, worn bands, damaged rear sensors and failing buttons are common risks. Pay particular attention to the display: an aging or swollen battery can push the screen away from the case. That is a safety problem, not merely a cosmetic defect.
Display: attractive, but limited by modern standards
Series 1 has an OLED Retina display with Force Touch, 450-nit brightness and Ion-X glass. Resolution is 272 × 340 pixels on the 38mm model and 312 × 390 pixels on the 42mm version. The full specifications are listed by Apple.
For the tasks it was designed for—checking a notification, setting a timer, viewing an activity ring or starting a workout—the display is sharp enough and colorful. It is not comfortable for prolonged reading, detailed maps or complex app interfaces.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
There is no always-on display. Compared with newer Apple Watches, Series 1 also has lower brightness, a smaller effective screen area and weaker outdoor visibility. You must raise your wrist or tap the display to wake it.
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Performance: the original Apple Watch, finally made usable
Series 1’s main improvement over the 2015 watch was its dual-core processor. Contemporary reviews described it as substantially smoother and more responsive, especially with watchOS 3. Apps opened more quickly, animations were less frustrating and ordinary navigation felt closer to what users expected from an Apple product.
That historical improvement was real, but it should not be mistaken for modern performance. On aging hardware, app launches, synchronization, animations and voice functions can still feel slow. The exact experience depends on battery health, installed software, storage state and the paired iPhone. Without testing a specific unit, it is not responsible to promise a particular response time or current app performance.
In period terms, Series 1 was arguably the Apple Watch the original model should have been: faster, more pleasant and less expensive than the first-generation watch. In 2026 terms, it is a decade-old wearable with no current watchOS support.
watchOS support and software limitations
Series 1 launched in the watchOS 3 era and received updates through the watchOS 6 generation. Third-party compatibility records generally list watchOS 6.3 as its final supported release; Series 1 did not receive watchOS 7. Apple now considers the model obsolete, according to reported Apple obsolete-status listings.
This creates two separate problems. First, the watch cannot run modern watchOS applications, security updates or features. Second, pairing may be difficult or impossible with a current iPhone, depending on the watch’s installed software and the iPhone’s iOS version. Do not interpret the historical statement that Apple Watch worked with iPhone 5 and later as proof that every Series 1 can pair with a current iPhone. That original requirement is documented in contemporary coverage; current compatibility must be checked for the exact devices involved.
Rank #3
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR POCKET: Apple Watch SE GPS Model lets you call, text, and get directions from your wrist, while leaving your phone in your pocket. It offers multiple connectivity options, including: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC to suit your needs, whatever they might be.
- LARGE RETINA OLED DISPLAY: The SE sports a bright LTPO OLED Retina display, giving you a bright screen you can view at a glance, even in bright sunlight. A variety of watch faces are available for the SE watch, including faces that provide essential information for specific activities.
- LOADED WITH FEATURES: When paired with your iPhone, you can make calls and send texts from your wrist, navigate with Maps, buy items with Apple Pay, and use your voice to activate Siri. Made to last in almost any kind of weather, the Apple Watch SE is water-resistant up to 164'.
- WORKOUTS THAT DON'T QUIT: Cycling, yoga, swimming, high-intensity interval training...the list goes on. You name it, Apple Watch measures it. Set workout-specific goals, see full summaries when you're done, and track how you're trending over time in the Activity app on your iPhone.
- GET LOST IN YOUR MUSIC: With Apple Music on your wrist, you've got 60 million tracks of musical motivation to take you places. You can also catch up on the latest podcasts or listen to an audiobook if that's your thing. Stream everything you need right from your watch, even without your phone.
Series 1 also lacks features introduced through later hardware and software generations, including:
- Built-in GPS
- Cellular connectivity
- ECG and blood oxygen features
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection
- Sleep apnea notifications
- Modern temperature, cycle and advanced health features
- Always-on display and fast charging
- Current gesture features and modern application support
Some omissions are hardware limitations; others result from the watch’s inability to run newer software. Either way, it is not a current health or safety device.
What Series 1 can actually do
Series 1 works best as an iPhone companion. It can show incoming notifications, handle simple interactions, control music, set timers and alarms, display activity rings, ping a paired iPhone and support short replies. Siri and syncing are possible, but older hardware and software can make them slow or unreliable.
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Text entry is constrained by the small display, and old apps are less useful than modern watch applications. The watch was never intended to replace an iPhone: it depends on the phone for setup, many communications functions, software management and location assistance.
Apple Pay was historically available in supported environments, but a historical feature listing does not guarantee that the service remains usable with every region, bank or software configuration. Treat it as a bonus to verify, not a reason to buy.
Fitness, GPS and health tracking
Series 1 includes a heart-rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope and ambient-light sensor. It supports Activity and Workout tracking, while GPS assistance comes from the paired iPhone. Apple lists these sensors and capabilities in its technical specifications.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41s72HIk5TL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
The lack of built-in GPS is important. Series 1 cannot independently record a reliable route when you leave the iPhone behind. It is adequate for walking, basic gym use and casual activity tracking, but not a sensible choice for runners or cyclists who want phone-free workouts.
Its old heart-rate hardware should not be treated as equivalent to a current Apple Watch, and the watch should never be presented as a medical device. Age also makes battery reliability and sensor performance more uncertain.
Water resistance: splash resistant, not swimproof
Do not buy Series 1 for swimming. Apple describes it as splash resistant, not as a watch designed for swimming. Avoid showering, snorkeling, prolonged water exposure and water sports. Seals can deteriorate with age, impact and previous repairs, so even its original splash resistance should be treated cautiously.
Walking and dry, light gym use are reasonable applications. Swimming and open-water activity are not.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Battery life and aging hardware
Apple originally rated Series 1 for up to 18 hours under its test conditions with a paired iPhone and preproduction hardware and software. That figure describes the launch product—not what a nearly decade-old used battery will necessarily deliver. See Apple’s original specification for the qualification.
A used Series 1 may have sharply reduced capacity, rapid drain during workouts, unexpected shutdowns, charging problems or a swollen battery. It may not last a full day, making overnight use and long workouts impractical.
Best Value
- LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR POCKET: Apple Watch Series 6 GPS Model lets you call, text, and get directions from your wrist, while leaving your phone in your pocket. It offers multiple connectivity options, including: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC to suit all of your possible needs.
- ALWAYS-ON RETINA DISPLAY: You no longer need to raise your wrist or touch the screen to see the time or other information on your watch face, because the display never sleeps. All you need to do is glance to find the time or your workout metrics right there where you want them.
- ECG ON YOUR WRIST: With the ECG app, Apple Watch Series 6 is capable of generating an ECG similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram. It’s a momentous achievement for a wearable device that can provide data for doctors and peace of mind for you wherever may be during the day.
- WORKOUTS THAT DON'T QUIT: Cycling, yoga, swimming, high-intensity interval training.the list goes on. You me it, Apple Watch measures it. Set workout-specific goals, see full summaries when you’re done, and track how you’re trending over time in the Activity app on your iPhone.
- GET LOST IN YOUR MUSIC: With Apple Music on your wrist, you’ve got 60 million tracks of musical motivation to take you places. You can also catch up on the latest podcasts or listen to an audiobook if that's your thing. Stream everything you need right from your watch, even without your phone.
Do not assume battery replacement will be cheap or straightforward. Apple’s repair page says service estimates depend on inspection, location and parts availability. A repair can cost enough to make a newer refurbished watch the more sensible purchase, especially when the watch remains limited to old software.
Buying a used Apple Watch Series 1 in 2026
It may make sense if:
- You already own an iPhone that can demonstrably pair with the watch.
- The price is exceptionally low and the purchase is returnable.
- You need only basic notifications and casual activity tracking.
- You do not need independent GPS, swimming, advanced health or safety functions.
- You accept that the watch has no current software support.
- The battery is healthy and the display is firmly attached.
Skip it if:
- You use an Android phone.
- You want a current Apple Watch experience or long-term support.
- You need GPS without carrying an iPhone.
- You want swim tracking or water-sports use.
- You need ECG, fall detection, emergency functions or modern sleep and health features.
- The price approaches that of a newer used or certified-refurbished Apple Watch.
- The seller cannot demonstrate that it powers on, charges, erases and pairs.
- It is Activation Locked, has a lifting display or becomes hot while charging.
Used-buying checklist
- Confirm whether it is the original 2015 Apple Watch or Series 1.
- Confirm the 38mm or 42mm size, aluminum case and included accessories.
- Ask for proof that it powers on, charges and has usable battery life.
- Check for display separation, cracks, dead pixels and touch problems.
- Test the Digital Crown, side button and charger.
- Confirm that the previous owner has removed Activation Lock and erased the watch.
- Attempt pairing with your iPhone before the return window expires.
- Test notifications, Activity, Workout and heart-rate readings.
- Stop using it if the battery expands, becomes hot or pushes out the display.
A replacement band or charger adds to the total cost. Factor in those items, possible service, troubleshooting time and the risk of an unusable watch rather than judging value from the listing price alone.
Better alternatives
Apple Watch SE 3
For the lowest-cost current Apple Watch, the SE 3 is the logical upgrade. Apple’s US product page lists it from $229, with 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases, an S10 chip, an always-on display, GPS and up to 18 hours of normal use. It still requires an iPhone; Apple’s buying page states that current SE 3 models require an iPhone 11 or later with iOS 26 or later. See Apple’s SE 3 page and compatibility and buying information.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchApple Watch Series 11
Series 11 is the better choice for readers who want the current mainstream model, a brighter always-on display, GPS, ECG, more advanced health monitoring, fast charging and up to 24 hours of battery life. Apple lists it from $399 in the US. It costs much more than Series 1, but it is a substantially more capable and durable long-term purchase. See Apple’s Series 11 page.
Certified-refurbished Apple Watch
Apple’s Certified Refurbished listings can make more sense than a decade-old Series 1. During the period covered by this article, Apple’s US listings showed SE 3 models from about $209 for 40mm GPS and $239 for 44mm GPS, while a refurbished Series 11 example was listed at $339. Listed products included a one-year limited warranty and 14-day returns. Prices, stock, configurations and regional terms change, so check the current refurbished store.
If a Series 1 costs anywhere near a certified-refurbished SE 3, the older watch is difficult to justify unless you specifically want it as a collectible.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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