A guide to the Apple Watch generations (2024)

As the years have passed since the original Apple Watch launched, more generations have been added to the line-up. And while the golden Apple Watch Edition is no longer with us, you now have the regular Apple Watch, the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Ultra to choose from. But which should you pick?

That’s what our guide is for. We’ve sifted through all the latest Apple Watch model list – and looked at a few older versions as well – to show you just what you get for your money. As we've reviewed a fair few of the Watches, we are best placed to share our wisdom and help you decide which of the Apple Watch generations you should choose.

And if you can’t decide which iPhone to buy, we’ve got an iPhone model list to help you out. Similarly, our iPad generations list should put you right if you’re not sure which of Apple’s tablets is right for you.

The Apple Watch generations available now

The Apple Watch Series 9 has some rather nice upgraded features over the Series 8. There's nothing terribly groundbreaking but it does have a 30% faster chip, and a 4-core neural engine that's twice as quick. The display is brighter – twice as bright, in fact, with 2,000 nits rather than the previous 1,000.

There's also Double Tap gesture (so you can tap your index finger and thumb to complete certain tasks), Precision Finding for your iPhone, extra dimming functionality and HomePod integration. But most every other feature is the same as the Series 8, including Crash Detection, heart rate monitoring etc.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the most advanced Apple Watch on the market, perfect for those who want the ruggedt build and adventure-supporting features. The standout new features are that the new chip and processor makes it up to 50% faster, and Siri is available on the Watch itself. There's also the new double tap gesture (as found on the Series 9), which allows you to tap your finger and thumb together as a sort of button.

What was on the Ultra already was a host of brilliant features for adventurers, like a water temperature sensor, a depth gauge and depth app, a compass, an ambient light sensor – and all the health features found on the basic app.

The Ultra 2 is certainly worth it for adventurers who don't yet have an Apple Watch, but is probably not a flashy enough update on the original Ultra to upgrade if you already have the first one (especially since there will likely be some standout offers on the original Ultra).

The Series 8 is last year's Apple Watch, and it encapsulates the excellent experience the Watch has come to epitomise. It has an always-on display that stretches close to the edges of the screen, the latest Apple S8 chip, and a range of attractive colours and straps. To be honest, it doesn't do much less than the Series 9 – and with some excellent prices available right now we do reccommend this model if price is a key consideration.

The Series 8 was a small upgrade over the Series 7, with crash detection, temperature sensing and ovulation cycle tracking being the main new features. If you’re new to the Apple Watch then it’s a great purchase – Apple makes the best smartwatches on the market, after all.

The Apple Watch Ultra was the most high-end device in the Watch line-up until this year's Ultra 2 release, and it was Apple’s attempt to go all-out for explorers and extreme sports enthusiasts. But it also offers plenty for people who just want an Apple Watch that does it all.

It has a large and bright display, a super-tough chassis, 36 hours of battery life, and an Action button with a range of uses. For rugged adventurers, there’s more accurate GPS, a location alert siren, and double the water resistance (down to 100m). It’s expensive, but much less so now the Ultra 2 is out – it’s the Apple Watch to buy if you don’t want any compromises on performance but don't want to spend top dollar.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) is a great way to get an Apple Watch without breaking the bank. It contains many of the features found in the Apple Watch Series 8, including an S8 chip, the same 50m water resistance, and the new crash detection and cycle tracking features.

It misses out on a few things, such as the always-on display and fast charging, but in return it can be picked up for $249. If you’re not bothered by what it lacks, it’s the perfect way into the Apple Watch ecosystem without having to cut back on much.

The Apple Watch Series 7 has been superseded by a couple of Series now, and the deals on it aren't much better than those on the 8 now that the 9 has been released. Before this we would have said that the Series 7 was still worth your time but the most recent developments don't leave much room for it.

However, it was the first Apple Watch to adopt the larger, more expansive display, and it also introduced fast charging and a much more crack-resistant metal chassis, helping it last longer than ever. So if you find a good deal on a renewed model, or a surprising price on a new one, it could be worth it.

Older Apple Watch models

• Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
• Apple Watch SE (1st generation) (2020)
• Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)

Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch?

Buying a refurbished Apple Watch can be a great way to save money, but there are some things you need to be aware of.

You’ll need to check the reputation of the company doing the refurbishment. The renewal process should mean you get an Apple Watch that looks and feels brand new, otherwise you’re just getting a used device and not a refurbished one. Check reviews and find out what the company says it does to renew the Apple Watch, then make sure it’s what you want.

Apple offers refurbished Watches on its website, and here the quality is second to none. The company uses genuine new parts and includes fresh cables and packaging. Its prices can be a little higher than third-party repair companies, although that’s not always the case. And you end up with a Watch that feels just like a new product, but without the hefty price tag.

Want to delve deeper into Apple's tech? See our iPad generations list.

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