With the launch of the Apple Watch Series 5 over the summer, it’s time to revisit the Apple Watch screen sizes for designers. We’ve created an Apple Watch Size Comparison table to help designers see the differences between the Apple Watch Series 3 vs 4 vs 5 sizes. Understanding the difference between CSS size and actual pixel size of screen can help us determine where your CSS breakpoints will be for designing apps for these new smart watches. But first let’s dig in to the differences between these new watch models.
Apple Watch Series 3 vs 4 vs 5
- Series 3: 11.4 mm thick, 5ATM OLED Waterproof Retina screen with Force Touch technology.
- Series 4: 10.7mm thick, 5ATM waterproof, LTPO OLED Retina display with Force Touch technology.
- Series 5: 10.7mm thick, 5ATM waterproof, LTPO OLED – always on retina display with forced touch
The Apple 3 Series has a robust rectangular case with a digital crown and a separate push button on the right, as well as a speaker and microphone on the left. It is resistant to swimming at distances of up to 50 metres and is equipped with an Ion-X glass at the top of the screen. The GPS and Cellular models are differentiated with a red accent on the digital crown.
The heart rate monitor is located at the bottom of the watch case, the release buttons to disengage the straps and the second generation Retina OLED display is located at the top, twice as bright as the Series 1 display per 1,000 nodes. The GPS model has a composite backrest, while the GPS and Cell Phone models have a ceramic and sapphire backrest.
The Apple 5 and 4 series watches have the same familiar design and strap as previous models, but Apple has made some changes to these models. First, the 4 and 5 series digital crown has an integrated electric heart rate sensor that complements the optical heart rate sensor at the bottom of the watch.
Apple Watch Series 5 Overview
Series 4 and 5 also have a much larger screen with rounded edges, making full use of available space and making the design bolder. Series 4 and 5 40 mm models have an exposure area of 759 m2 compared to 563 m2 on Series 3 38 mm models, and Series 4 and 5 44 mm models have an exposure area of 977 m2 compared to 740 m2 on Series 3 42 mm models.
The greater proportion of monitors makes Series 4 and Series 5 very different from Series 3, despite the similar design as a whole. In addition to increasing the screen size, the Apple Watch Series 5 also offers the Always-On Retina display, which is an important differentiating factor between it and the Series 4 display. The always on display means you don’t have to lift your wrist to wake up the display and the display is always visible. Raising your wrist or touching the screen will make the Series 5 screen brighter.
Make no mistake, both versions of the Apple 5-Series, 40 mm and 44 mm watches are identical except for the size of the screen. The functions remain the same.
Time to Compare Apple Watches
Unlike traditional watches that measure the horizontal dimension of the case, Apple measures the vertical dimension of the case. The smaller of the two sizes in the 5-series is 40mm high; the larger is 44mm. In terms of width, the small Apple Watch watch has a width of 34 mm, while the large watch has a width of 38 mm.
The difference in size between the two Apple Watch Series 5 models may not be very different – 3-4 mm here or there, but 4 mm of 40 mm is a tenth of the size of the Apple Watch. The rounded rectangular shape of the Apple Watch makes it difficult to compare directly with the average round watch, but in the world of traditional watchmaking, none of the Apple watches are considered too wide or too high. Larger watches are generally closer to 45 mm in width. Even if you think you want to be small, you can still see the two sizes – neither of which is huge – although those with smaller wrists may find it more comfortable to sit on the wrists. Despite the size they still fit comfortably in to some of the more wacky gift ideas for Apple fans and watch accessories.
The size of the watch case may also vary depending on the size of the dial. Both models have Retina quality, which means that the pixels are invisible to the naked eye at a normal viewing distance. The larger the Apple Watch, the more pixels: 40mm Apple Watch has a display size of 394×324 pixels 44mm Apple Watch has a display size of 448×368 pixels. Let it sink.
WatchOS will fill the screen of any size you choose, and for many people this will not matter; this suggests that if you want more pixels, which increases the size of the text and images, it is worth considering.
Comparing CSS Screen Resolution of Apple Watches
| name | phys. width |
phys. height |
css width |
css height |
phys. ppi |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 1, 3 (38mm) | 272 | 340 | 302 | |||
| Apple Watch Series 1, 3 (42mm) | 312 | 390 | 312 | 390 | 302 | |
| Apple Watch Series 5 (40mm) | 324 | 394 | 324 | 394 | 326 | |
| Apple Watch Series 5 (44mm) | 368 | 448 | 368 | 448 | 326 |
Perception of Depth
Unlike watches with two different heights and densities, the thickness (or thickness) of the two sizes does not differ.
This is due to the fact that, unlike traditional mechanical or digital watches, the Apple Watch case must contain a Retina screen, a complete system (chipset), a battery and sensors. If you’re trying to figure out which Apple Watch fits best under the tight handles of your shirt, they’re more or less the same.
His & Her Options
Because there are two sizes, and because some Apple groups are unique to a single size, some have tried to simplify the discussion about the size up to “yours” and “yours”.
