Back then, they were smartwatches with basic health tracking and connectivity functions.
But each year, Apple kept adding more and more capabilities.
By 2016, the Series 1 and 2 had become faster and had acquired GPS and water resistance.
In 2019, the Series 5 introduced the always-on display.
The Apple Watch Ultra 1, released in 2022, took a significant leap forward.
They were specially designed for extreme environments and active rest.
It quickly became the best-selling wearable gadget, with 4.2 million units sold in the second quarter of 2015.
Apples design chief at the time, Jony Ive, was interested in building a watch.
The project was Apples first major new product without Steve Jobs input.
The first Apple Watch came in three variants: Sport, Watch, and Edition.
It was available in two case sizes, 38mm and 42mm, to cater to different wrist sizes.
The cases were made from sturdy stainless steel, available in a classic look or a sleek black variant.
The display deserved special attention, equipped with a crisp Retina display featuring Force Touch technology.
Apple S1 processor, with an additional 512MB of RAM for smooth operation.
With 8 GB of storage, there was ample space for apps and data.
A key feature was the inclusion of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.
The watch also came equipped with a heart rate sensor and was designed to integrate seamlessly with iOS.
Apple Watch Series 1was essentially an upgraded version of the original Apple Watch.
It retained many original features but came with a significant performance boost.
Series 1 was available only in an aluminum case.
It was available in lightweight aluminum or stainless steel cases with various band colors.
The Series 2 was notable for being swim-proof up to 50 meters.
It also introduced a built-in GPS, enabling users to track their workouts more accurately without carrying their iPhones.
The display was also brighter, making it read in direct sunlight easier.
These models featured a stainless steel case and exclusive Hermes bands.
Apple also revamped the luxury Edition line with a new ceramic Apple Watch Edition.
It looked similar to the older models but came in new colors and bands.
You could choose from different sizes (38mm or 42mm) and materials like aluminum or stainless steel.
There was also a ceramic version.
Technically, the Series 3 was quite powerful.
It had a fast processor and a wireless chip for better performance and connection.
The screen was bright and clear, which was great for outdoor use.
This watch was also great for fitness and health.
It had a heart rate monitor and new features for tracking different workouts, like swimming or high-intensity training.
Apple also ensured the watch was environmentally friendly, with energy-saving features and safe materials.
It came with a larger display, about 30% bigger than the Series 3.
This allowed for more detailed and colorful complications on the screen.
The watchs design was also refreshed, featuring a more tactile and innovative digital crown.
One of the standout features of the Series 4 was the introduction of an electrocardiogram (ECG) function.
Users could check their hearts status in more detail than just pulse monitoring.
Besides heart monitoring, the Series 4 also had a new fall detection feature.
It used advanced sensors and algorithms to detect hard falls.
Despite the added features, the battery life was about 18 hours, similar to the Series 3.
The Apple Watch Series 4 was available in three colors and two sizes (40mm and 44mm).
A significant highlight of this model was the introduction of an Always-On Retina display.
Another significant upgrade was the increase in storage capacity to 32GB.
Apple also introduced new materials for the Series 5 case.
The watch was now available in a titanium option.
The titanium model was offered in two finishes: natural brushed and space black titanium with a diamond-like coating.
It was noticeably faster than the Series 3, especially when using more complex apps.
The Apple Watch SE offers 32GB of storage, which is ample space for music and media.
Health and fitness features were a strong point for the Watch SE.
The heart rate monitor was also present, providing vital health data.
It focused more on sleep consistency and duration rather than providing in-depth sleep stage analysis.
Apple Watch Series 6 2020
The Apple Watch Series 6 was released in 2020.
It also came with an always-on altimeter and a more colorful lineup.
The watch also included the U1 chip for Ultra Wideband support.
It also continued to support Apple Pay and GymKit.
The watchs battery life was up to 18 hours, consistent with previous models, despite adding new features.
Apple Watch Series 7 2021
One of the most significant changes was the display.
Regarding durability, the Series 7 boasted a new crack-resistant front crystal, making it more resilient against damage.
The battery life of the Series 7 remained at an estimated 18 hours, similar to previous models.
It also continued to be compatible with a wide range of bands.
The watch also supported international emergency calling, SOS, and fall and crash detection capabilities.
It offered LTE and UMTS for GPS + Cellular models, Wi-Fi 4, and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity.
The Apple Watch SE 2 maintained an 18-hour battery life, similar to its predecessors.
Environmentally, the watch featured 100% recycled aluminum in its case and other eco-friendly materials.
It was available in three colors: Midnight, Starlight, and Silver.
The watch came in two sizes, 40mm and 44mm.
Apple Watch Ultra 1 2022
This model was distinctively different from its predecessors in design and build.
Apple Watch Ultra was designed for different sports: Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, and Ocean Band.
In terms of durability, the Apple Watch Ultra set new standards.
It was water-resistant up to 100 meters and was suitable for recreational diving up to 40 meters.
The Ocean Band, specifically designed for water sports, complemented this feature.
It came equipped with blood oxygen sensors, an ECG app, and new temperature sensors.
The watch also offered various new workout features, including metrics to enhance running performance.
It supported cellular connectivity, allowing users to call and receive messages without Wi-Fi.
Moreover, it boasted an impressive battery life of 36 hours, extendable to 60 hours in low-power mode.
With a capacity of 32GB, the watch provided ample storage for apps and data.
For power, it used a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery, offering up to 18 hours of usage.
The watch also came with a USB-C magnetic fast charging cable.
It also used arsenic-free display glass and was free from mercury, BFR, PVC, and beryllium.
Customers could choose between aluminum and stainless steel for the case material.
The dual-core CPU had 60% more transistors, and the GPU was 30% faster than previous models.
The inclusion of a four-core neural engine allowed for faster data processing.
The Series 9 also saw an increase in internal storage to 64GB.
The watch also introduced new environmentally friendly watch bands.
However, a new Low Power Mode was introduced, potentially extending the battery life to 36 hours.
This watch is designed to endure various environments, from high altitudes to extreme temperatures.
It also includes temperature sensing, a high-g accelerometer, and a high dynamic range gyroscope.
The display is an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED screen protected by flat sapphire crystal.
It boasts a maximum brightness of 3000 nits, making it easily readable even under harsh sunlight.
It also features LTE, UMTS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity alongside the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.
It also enhances cyclists capabilities, including Bluetooth connectivity for power meters and speed sensors.
The updated Compass app and new topographic maps in the Maps app make navigation more accessible and detailed.
