Should you buy the small 38mm or large 42mm Apple Watch? Here’s how to choose!
Updated April 2017: Includes the latest information on sizes, features, and compatibilities.
Apple has provided two sizing options for the Apple Watch: 38mm and 42mm. Whether you’re getting aluminum, steel, or ceramic, Series 1 or Series 2, Nike+ or Hermès, they all come in those two sizes. Some might consider their personal choice obvious, whether that’s based on wrist size, gender, or some other factor. If you’re not finding it quite so obvious, however, here are some things to consider when picking the perfect Apple Watch size for you!
Height vs. width
Unlike traditional watches, which measure case size horizontally, Apple is measuring the Apple Watch vertically. The smaller of the two has a height of 38mm (specifically, 38.6mm); the larger, 42mm. When it comes to width, the smaller Apple Watch is 33.3mm wide; the larger, 35.9mm.
These differences might not sound like very much — 3-4mm here or there — but 4mm out of 40mm is one tenth of the watch dimensions.
The rounded rectangular shape of the Apple Watch makes it hard to compare directly with round watches, but in the traditional watch world, neither of the Apple Watches would be considered overly wide or high. Big watches are typically closer to 48mm.
So, even if you think you want to go small, you can still consider both sizes — neither is enormous.
Display size
The different case sizes also come with different display sizes. Both are Retina-quality, which means the pixels are invisible to the naked eye at normal viewing distance. The bigger Apple Watch simply has more of those pixels.
- The 38mm Apple Watch has a display size of 340×272 pixels.
- The 42mm Apple Watch has a display size of 390×312 pixels.
The interface will fill whatever size display you have, and for many people, it won’t make any difference. If you really want more pixels, which translates into bigger text and images, it’s something to consider.
Depth perception
Unlike the Watch’s two height options and two display densities, there’s no difference when it comes to the thickness (or thinness) of the two sizes.
That’s because, unlike traditional mechanical or digital watches, the Apple Watch case has to hold a Retina display, the system-in-a-package (chipset), battery, and sensors. If you’re trying to figure out which Apple Watch will best fit under the tight cuffs of your shirt, they’re both about the same.
Hers and his
Because there are two sizes, and because some of Apple’s bands are unique to one size or another, some have tried to simplify the size discussion down to “hers” and “his.”
People come in all shapes and sizes, though, and so do tastes. Some women will want the bigger Apple Watch, and some men, the smaller. Some people with small wrists will want the bigger watch, and vice versa.
All this to say — get the size you want.
Band bias
Since Apple only offers some bands in some sizes, if you have your heart set on a certain band, you may have to be willing to go with the size that matches it. You can get 3rd-party knock-offs for everything in every size and then some, so this only really matters if you want the real thing.
38mm-specific bands:
- Modern Buckle
- Hermès Double Buckle Cuff
- Hermés Double Tour
42mm-specific bands
- Leather Loop
- Hermès Single Tour Deployment Buckle
Price points
The 38mm Apple Watch is slightly less expensive than the 42mm Apple Watch. So, if you want to save some money, you can do it if you go for the smaller size.
38mm:
- Apple Watch Series 1: Starts at $269
- Apple Watch Series 2: Starts at $369
42mm:
- Apple Watch Series 1: Starts at $299
- Apple Watch Series 2: Starts at $399
Battery life
The 42mm Apple Watch has a slightly bigger battery than the 38mm watch, and the Series 2 has a slightly bigger battery than the Series 1.
So, if battery life is important to you — for example, you want to get in multiple workouts a day or you want to go a couple days without charging — you’ll not only want to go with Series 2, but with the 42mm.
Who should get the 38mm Apple Watch?
If you have a small wrist and want the Apple Watch to look comfortable on it, if you have a large wrist and want the Apple Watch to look small, or if you just like smaller watches in general, you should get the 38mm Apple Watch.
Who should get the 42mm Apple Watch?
If you have a small wrist and want the Apple Watch to look big, if you have a large wrist and you want the Apple Watch to look as big as possible, if you have vision requirements that benefit from bigger graphics, you want a longer-lasting battery, or if you like bigger watches in general, you should get the 42mm Apple Watch.