Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm
The Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm is a balanced everyday device, powered by the Apple S1P (28 nm), suited to light-to-moderate use (2016).
2016 · Lower-mid-range · watchOS 3.0ⓘ Grades compare this device against others in its own market segment (Budget), not against every device on the site.
⚡ Quick Specs
Size1.5" · 38.6 x 33.3 x 10.5 mm (1.52 x 1.31 x 0.41 in)
ChipsetApple S1P (28 nm)
RAM512MB
Storage8GB
⚖️ Compare With
✓︎ Pros
✓512GB of RAM — plenty for heavy multitasking and keeping many apps open
✓1.5" OLED/AMOLED display with deep blacks and vibrant colours
✓Lightweight at 25g — easy to carry
⊗ Cons
✗Smaller 205 mAh battery — may need midday charging
✗Basic Apple S1P (28 nm) for simple tasks only
✗No headphone jack — requires wireless or USB-C audio
⚠️ Not ideal for
Heavy usage daysGamingMultitasking
ℹ️ Overview
Announced
2016, September. Released 2016, December
⚙️ Performance
Chipset
Apple S1P (28 nm)
Entry-level — basic tasks only
CPU
Dual-core 520 MHz Cortex-A7
OS
watchOS 3.0, upgradable to watchOS 6.2.8
RAM
512MB
Heavy multitasking without slowdowns
💻 Display
Sharpness
290 ppi
Adequate sharpness for daily use
Panel
Retina OLED, 450 nits (peak)
OLED: perfect blacks, vivid colours, power-efficient
🔋 Battery
Capacity
205 mAh
May need midday charging with heavy use
Type
Li-Ion 205 mAh (0.78 Wh), non-removable
📱 Design & Build
Weight
25g
Very light — comfortable for long use
Dimensions
38.6 x 33.3 x 10.5 mm (1.52 x 1.31 x 0.41 in)
Build
Glass front, composite plastic back, aluminum frame
Colors
Case colors: silver, gold, rose gold, gray Band colors: gray, white, black, pink Band types: sport
Sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
No, the Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm does not support 5G — it supports No cellular connectivity.
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm has NFC for contactless payments and pairing.
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm supports wireless charging (Wireless).
No reverse wireless charging mentioned for the Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm.
Charging details: Wireless.
No, the Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm does not support a memory card.
The Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm SIM configuration: No.
No, the Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Speaker setup: Yes.
The Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm uses No.
The Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n.
The Apple Watch Series 1 Aluminum 38mm has 4.0, LE.
