From Series 0 to Series 10: A Decade of Apple Watch History

Apple introduced the original Apple Watch in 2025. Even though it was not the first smart watch on the market, it was the best thanks to its simple integration with the iPhone. Now a decade after its debut, Apple Watch is the ultimate iPhone sidekick and acts as a mini computer on your wrist. Each generation has improved on the previous model, with better screens, faster chips and useful sensors. In this article we will take a journey through the evolution of Apple Watch and how it became the ultimate ultimate smart watch of the decade.

Apple Watch (1st Gen, “Series 0”) (2015)

• Chip: S1 (no previous Apple Watch to compare)
• Display: 38 mm or 42 mm Retina, Force Touch
• Key Features: Digital Crown, optical heart-rate sensor, interchangeable bands, reliant on iPhone for GPS/connectivity
• Price: Started at $349 (aluminum Sport), up to $10k for gold Edition

This first Apple Watch set the foundation, introducing the square design, Digital Crown, and heart monitoring. Though slow in performance, it established Apple’s vision of a wearable that combines style, health tracking, and iPhone integration, starting the apple watch evolution.

Apple Watch Series 1 (2016)

• Chip: S1P (dual-core), ~50% faster than S1
• Display: Same 38 mm/42 mm Retina as Series 0
• Key Features: Improved speed, budget-friendly aluminum build, no built-in GPS
• Price: Launched at $269

Main Improvements vs. Series 0
Apple addressed complaints about slow performance, offering a significantly faster chip at a lower entry price. This widened access to the apple watch ecosystem, though Series 1 still lacked GPS (included in Series 2).

Apple Watch Series 2 (2016)

• Chip: S2 (dual-core), faster than S1P (exact % not officially stated, but notably quicker)
• Display: 38 mm/42 mm Retina at 1000 nits—2× brighter than Series 1
• Key Features: Built-in GPS, 50 m water resistance (swim-proof), ceramic Edition option
• Price: Started at $369

Main Improvements vs. Series 1
Series 2 tackled big limitations by adding GPS and true water-resistance, letting users track workouts without an iPhone and swim with confidence. The much brighter display also boosted outdoor visibility, elevating the apple watch evolution into a more independent fitness companion.

Apple Watch Series 3 (2017)

• Chip: S3 dual-core (significantly faster than S2; up to ~70% faster than original S1)
• Display: 38 mm/42 mm Retina, same brightness (1000 nits)
• Key Features: Optional cellular (LTE), barometric altimeter, Siri can speak via watch speaker
• Price: $329 (GPS), $399 (LTE)

Main Improvements vs. Series 2
The jump to built-in cellular was a game-changer, wearers could leave their iPhone behind and still call, text, and stream music. Combined with a speedier chip, Series 3 made the apple watch more independent, setting a new standard for on-the-go connectivity.

Apple Watch Series 4 (2018)

• Chip: S4 (64-bit), up to 2× faster than S3
• Display: 40 mm/44 mm with 30% more screen area, thinner bezels
• Key Features: ECG app, Fall Detection, haptic Digital Crown
• Price: $399 for GPS models

Main Improvements vs. Series 3
A redesign brought bigger, nearly edge-to-edge screens, while advanced health features like ECG and Fall Detection turned the watch into a genuine health guardian. Twice the performance and a sleeker form reinforced the apple watch evolution toward top-tier medical and safety functions.

Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)

• Chip: S5 (similar speed to S4, no major % gain)
• Display: 40 mm/44 mm Always-On Retina (LTPO can drop to 1 Hz)
• Key Features: Always-On Display, built-in compass, 32 GB storage, titanium & ceramic cases
• Price: $399 (base GPS)

Main Improvements vs. Series 4
Always-On Display was the star upgrade, finally showing time/stats without lifting your wrist. New materials like titanium and a returning ceramic Edition broadened style choices. Performance was only incremental, but the always-on screen greatly improved day-to-day convenience.

Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)

• Chip: S6, ~20% faster than S5
• Display: 40 mm/44 mm, 2.5× brighter Always-On outdoors
• Key Features: Blood oxygen sensor (SpO₂), always-on altimeter, U1 chip, 5 GHz Wi‑Fi
• Price: $399 starting

Main Improvements vs. Series 5
Series 6 added an SpO₂ sensor for additional health metrics and boosted speed and brightness. The always-on altimeter improved real-time tracking, while the U1 chip opened up advanced location-based features. It was a solid step in the apple watch evolution, expanding health monitoring and performance.

Apple Watch SE (1st Gen) (2020)

• Chip: S5 (same as Series 5, no % boost over S5)
• Display: 40 mm/44 mm, no always-on
• Key Features: Core Apple Watch features at lower cost, but no ECG/SpO₂
• Price: $279 at launch

Main Improvements vs. “Previous Budget Option”
This first SE model introduced a mid-tier approach, modern design and decent speed at a friendlier price. Though it skipped premium sensors like ECG, it attracted new users wanting a taste of the apple watch experience without paying flagship prices.

Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)

• Chip: S7 (similar performance to S6, negligible % difference)
• Display: 41 mm/45 mm with ~20% more area than Series 6, IP6X dust resistance
• Key Features: Stronger front crystal, faster charging (~33% quicker), full QWERTY keyboard
• Price: $399

Main Improvements vs. Series 6
A larger, more durable display and speedier charging were the big wins, no dramatic new health sensors, but the day-to-day usability jump was notable. Thinner bezels and a crack-resistant crystal made Series 7 more refined, continuing the apple watch evolution with practical improvements.

Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)

• Chip: S8 (same core speed as S7, 0% faster)
• Display: 41 mm/45 mm Always-On Retina
• Key Features: Wrist temperature sensor (for cycle tracking), Crash Detection
• Price: $399

Main Improvements vs. Series 7
Series 8 focused on expanding health and safety again, adding a temperature sensor for advanced cycle/sleep analysis and Crash Detection. Although not a radical redesign, it demonstrated Apple’s ongoing push into health tech by refining the apple watch ecosystem’s capabilities.

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) (2022)

• Chip: S8, up to 20–30% faster than the S5 in original SE
• Display: 40 mm/44 mm, no always-on
• Key Features: Core Apple Watch functions + Crash Detection at a lowered price
• Price: $249 (base GPS)

Main Improvements vs. 1st Gen SE
Faster performance, updated motion sensors for Crash Detection, and an even cheaper entry point made the second-gen SE a compelling budget option. It kept the apple watch evolution accessible to more users, bridging the gap between older hardware and flagship features.

Apple Watch Ultra (1st Gen) (2022)

• Chip: S8 (same as Series 8)
• Display: 49 mm flat sapphire, 2000 nits brightness
• Key Features: Rugged titanium build, Action Button, 36 hr battery, dual-frequency GPS, diving certification
• Price: $799

Main Improvements vs. Series 8
The Ultra lineup introduced a completely rugged form factor for extreme sports, boasting bigger battery life, a super-bright screen, and serious durability. It expanded the apple watch evolution into new territory, rivaling dedicated adventure watch brands and offering multi-day performance.

Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)

• Chip: S9 with Neural Engine, ~30% faster than S8 (est.)
• Display: 41 mm/45 mm, 2000 nits peak
• Key Features: On-device Siri, Double Tap gesture, UWB 2 chip, can dim to 1 nit
• Price: $399

Main Improvements vs. Series 8
Series 9 got a real performance boost, enabling offline Siri requests and a clever Double Tap gesture for one-handed control. The screen doubled in brightness compared to Series 8, underscoring Apple’s focus on practicality and user-friendly innovations.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 (2023)

• Chip: S9 with Neural Engine, ~30% faster than S8
• Display: 49 mm flat sapphire, up to 3000 nits (50% brighter than Ultra 1)
• Key Features: Same rugged form, new Modular Ultra watch face, Double Tap, improved battery
• Price: $799

Main Improvements vs. Ultra (1st Gen)
Ultra 2’s biggest upgrades are its faster S9 processor and a blisteringly bright 3000-nit display. While the core rugged design remains the same, the apple watch evolution for extreme conditions marches on, proving Apple’s commitment to pushing the top-end boundaries.

Apple Watch Series 10 (2024)

• Chip: S9 (no further speed boost from Series 9)
• Display: 42 mm/46 mm, slightly larger and nearly edge-to-edge; ~10% thinner case
• Key Features: Sleep apnea notifications, built-in water depth sensor, faster charging, titanium case option
• Price: $399 (base GPS, aluminum)

Main Improvements vs. Series 9
Marking a decade of the apple watch evolution, Series 10 slimmed the casing and bumped display sizes. New health features like sleep apnea alerts and a water depth sensor brought some Ultra-like capabilities to the main lineup, showing Apple’s commitment to bridging functionality across models.

Apple Watch in 2025: A Decade of Evolution and Trends

From the first apple watch in 2015 to today’s Series 10, Ultra 2, and SE options, Apple’s wearable has transformed from a slow iPhone companion to a versatile, independent health and fitness device. Over ten years, the apple watch evolution boosted display sizes, shrank bezels, added must-have health sensors like ECG, SpO₂, and wrist temperature, and introduced features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and even advanced gesture control. With the lineup now spanning rugged adventure models, affordable SE editions, and flagship Series versions, Apple Watch has become a staple across lifestyles—athletes, health-conscious users, and casual wearers alike. Judging by the progress so far, the next decade will only bring more innovations, cementing the Apple Watch as the defining smartwatch of our era.