Apple Watch Series 1From real comments

Verdict distilled from 47 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment70%
PROS 70%
CONS 30%

Rank based on 47 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want basic Apple Watch functions (notifications, calls, texts) without paying full price
  • You don't need GPS or swim tracking and are fine with water resistance only
  • You can find one secondhand or discounted and don't mind sticking on older WatchOS

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need GPS for standalone running or swimming without your phone
  • You want WatchOS 7 or later software support
  • You're bothered by potential pairing/update issues on newer iOS versions

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Apple Watch Series 5
Always-on displayMeaningful upgrade from older Apple WatchesSolid battery life for an always-on watchNot worth upgrading from Series 4Feels fragile without a caseNeeds nightly charging with always-on enabled
Apple Watch Series 5
Always-on display
Meaningful upgrade from older Apple Watches
Solid battery life for an always-on watch
Not worth upgrading from Series 4
Feels fragile without a case
Needs nightly charging with always-on enabled
2Mid
Amazfit Balance
Impressive Battery LifeVersatile Fitness Tracking FeaturesGorgeous AMOLED DisplayPrice ConcernsScreen Smudging and ScratchesIssues with Body Composition Measurement
Amazfit Balance
Impressive Battery Life
Versatile Fitness Tracking Features
Gorgeous AMOLED Display
Price Concerns
Screen Smudging and Scratches
Issues with Body Composition Measurement
Best value
3Mid
Amazfit Active 2
Excellent Value for PriceGood Heart Rate TrackingLong Battery LifeInconsistent Heart Rate TrackingLimited Storage CapacitySoftware Bugs and Glitches
Amazfit Active 2
Excellent Value for Price
Good Heart Rate Tracking
Long Battery Life
Inconsistent Heart Rate Tracking
Limited Storage Capacity
Software Bugs and Glitches
4Budget
Amazfit Bip 6
Impressive Battery LifeGreat Price-to-Quality RatioLightweight and Comfortable DesignLimited Storage CapacityInaccurate Sleep TrackingFragile Screen
Amazfit Bip 6
Impressive Battery Life
Great Price-to-Quality Ratio
Lightweight and Comfortable Design
Limited Storage Capacity
Inaccurate Sleep Tracking
Fragile Screen
5Budget
Amazfit Band 7
Long Battery LifeAccurate Heart Rate MonitoringBuilt-in Alexa FunctionalityBattery Life DiscrepanciesInaccurate Tracking for Some ActivitiesStrap Durability Issues
Amazfit Band 7
Long Battery Life
Accurate Heart Rate Monitoring
Built-in Alexa Functionality
Battery Life Discrepancies
Inaccurate Tracking for Some Activities
Strap Durability Issues
6Mid
Amazfit Balance 2
Long Battery LifeGood GPS AccuracyHigh-Quality Heart Rate MonitoringScreen Gets Dirty EasilyPrice ConsiderationsLimited Smart Features
Amazfit Balance 2
Long Battery Life
Good GPS Accuracy
High-Quality Heart Rate Monitoring
Screen Gets Dirty Easily
Price Considerations
Limited Smart Features
7Mid
Apple Watch Series 7
Larger, brighter displayDurability over timeFull-screen keyboardMinor/iterative upgrade for recent ownersLearning curve for first-time usersLimited neutral aluminum colors
Apple Watch Series 7
Larger, brighter display
Durability over time
Full-screen keyboard
Minor/iterative upgrade for recent owners
Learning curve for first-time users
Limited neutral aluminum colors
8Budget
Apple Watch SE
Great value for moneySkipping premium features isn't missedEasy to use, beginner friendlyBattery life disappoints some usersDurability and water resistance concernsMissing always-on display bothers some
Apple Watch SE
Great value for money
Skipping premium features isn't missed
Easy to use, beginner friendly
Battery life disappoints some users
Durability and water resistance concerns
Missing always-on display bothers some
9Budget
Apple Watch SE 2
Great value for priceNot missing high-end featuresStrong battery lifeNo always-on displayScreen fragility and crackingNo fast charging
Apple Watch SE 2
Great value for price
Not missing high-end features
Strong battery life
No always-on display
Screen fragility and cracking
No fast charging
10Premium
Apple Watch Series 10
Thinner, lighter designFast charging fits daily routinesMeaningful upgrade for long-term ownersBattery life limitationsIncremental yearly changesHeart rate accuracy issues during workouts
Apple Watch Series 10
Thinner, lighter design
Fast charging fits daily routines
Meaningful upgrade for long-term owners
Battery life limitations
Incremental yearly changes
Heart rate accuracy issues during workouts
You are here
31Budget
Apple Watch Series 1
Great value for moneyLong-term durabilitySufficient for basic needsPairing stuck on old WatchOSBattery degradation over timeSlower processor than newer models
Apple Watch Series 1
Great value for money
Long-term durability
Sufficient for basic needs
Pairing stuck on old WatchOS
Battery degradation over time
Slower processor than newer models

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Owners keep using their Series 1 for years without complaint. Multiple commenters report daily use spanning 2 to 7+ years, with batteries and screens holding up well under regular wear, including in kitchens, around water, and with heavy daily notifications. Several say the watch 'still works perfectly fine' or 'still kicks ass,' with one 2015 original watch still going strong. This durability is repeatedly cited as a reason not to upgrade, since it still performs the core functions users need.

Buyers see strong value versus paying for GPS or cellular they don't use. Many commenters bought the Series 1 specifically because they didn't need GPS (using their phone instead) or cellular connectivity, saving significant money versus Series 2, 3, or newer models. Prices mentioned range from $20-$200 across Walmart, Target, thrift stores, and private sales, with several calling it 'an obvious choice' or 'worth it' given the price gap to pricier options with marginal feature differences for their use case.

Software updates and pairing can be a persistent headache. Several users report getting stuck during pairing, with their iPhone insisting the watch is 'up to date' on WatchOS 3.1-3.2 despite trying to update further, blocking the pairing process entirely on newer iPhones and iOS versions. The Series 1 also won't receive WatchOS 7, which some see as a hard cutoff. This creates confusion and frustration for newer owners setting up secondhand units.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?