Every Apple Watch release in chronological order: 2014–2025

By Christine Romero-Chan and Tom Bedford Updated November 17, 2025

There’s an argument to be made that the Apple Watch has the single biggest impact on the health and fitness tracker market of any kind of smartwatch; since Fitbit vanished, it’s getting harder to disagree. It’s the center point of Apple’s commitment to health tech, and a regular of wrists around the world. 

Ever since the first Apple Watch was announced in September 2014, the company has released at least one new smartwatch per year. Some of these have been in its main series, others the SE family of affordable alternatives, and a few in the Ultra range of premium and rugged titans. And within each line, we’ve seen tweaks and changes to the design, feature set and even price of various models.

To see how far we’ve come in over a decade, let’s look at every Apple Watch release so far, and chart which features and design traits each one brought to the table. The latest update to the family (and this guide) brought three new releases, so it’s a busy time to be an Apple Watch fan.

Like the original iPhone, which was announced on January 9, 2007, but released on June 29, 2007, the first Apple Watch was announced quite a few months before it hit store shelves. The original Apple Watch was announced on September 9, 2014, but didn’t go on sale until April 24, 2015.

The Apple Watch was billed as Apple’s “most personal device ever.” Like Fitbit devices, which were number one at the time, the Apple Watch had a built-in heart rate sensor and an accelerometer, and it used your paired iPhone for location data to help track key metrics during your workout sessions.

But the first Apple Watch was so much more than just another health tracker. It was the first wearable to get iPhone notifications, utilize Apple Pay, and crucially, it was the first to really allow users to communicate through their wrist by sending and receiving calls and messages. The small display was perfectly optimized to be a special user interface to give you information at a glance. It also offered unique watch faces and the Digital Crown, which has since become as iconic as the iPod Click Wheel.

Apple introduced the Apple Watch in three varieties: the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport, and the infamous Apple Watch Edition, which was made with pure 18-karat gold and started at $10,000 and went up to $17,000. The regular non-Edition models started at $349.

Though the original Apple Watch was revolutionary at the time, it also had one problem: speed. The Series 0 was often slow to act, to the point where it would have been faster to simply launch the app on your iPhone.

In 2017, Apple released the Apple Watch Series 1, which was a slightly improved version of the original that fixed a few issues with the original. The Series 1 had a new dual-core processor, which improved the overall performance speed by 50%, and the price was reduced to $269.

Apple also released the Apple Watch Series 2 alongside the Series 1. The Series 2 was a big deal because it added vital features to the wearable, including GPS and waterproofing. GPS meant the Apple Watch didn’t need an iPhone for location data, and waterproofing meant being able to wear it during water activities like swimming. These remain key features of the Apple Watch to this day.

Apple also added the Breathe app to the Apple Watch Series 2, which encouraged users to take a moment to do breathing exercises. This was the first step toward improving mental and physical health with the wearable. The Series 2 was also the first Apple Watch to offer a white ceramic case option, though it was more expensive than stainless steel.

The Apple Watch Series 3 was a big leap forward for Apple’s wearable, which was now on an annual update cycle.

This was the first Apple Watch to add a standalone cellular connection, though you would have to purchase a separate monthly plan to use it. However, with an independent cellular connection, you could finally take and make calls on the Apple Watch without relying on a paired iPhone.

Apple also upgraded the Apple Watch Series 3 with the new and much faster S3 chip, more RAM, and a barometric altimeter for tracking elevation during workouts. The Series 3 also included Siri on the Apple Watch for the first time.

The Apple Watch Series 4 was one of the biggest and most important versions of the Apple Watch. For the first three iterations, Apple had been using the 38mm and 42mm sizes, but the Apple Watch Series 4 brought bigger screen sizes, going up to 40mm and 44mm, respectively. Apple also optimized speed and performance, and introduced the W3 chip for Bluetooth connectivity.

The Series 4 was the first Apple Watch to include ECG sensors, which allowed the wearer to take an electrocardiogram from their wrist. This functionality provided vital information on their heart rate, as well as warnings about potential health issues.

And don’t forget about Fall Detection, which also debuted on the Series 4. This utilizes the Apple Watch’s accelerometers to detect sudden falls or drops that are followed by short periods of motionlessness. If detected, the Apple Watch displays a message on the screen to check if the wearer is OK or if they require medical assistance. If the message is not dismissed or there is still no movement after a minute, emergency services and emergency contacts will be contacted and the wearer’s GPS location will be provided.

While Fall Detection may have been initially targeted to an elderly and infirm demographic, it has actually helped many users of all ages, and even saved their lives.

Like it’s predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 5 was also a very big deal, as it paved the road for future mainline Apple Watches.

The big feature debuting with the Series 5 was the always-on display (AOD) that was requested by many users. For this, Apple needed to use LTPO displays, which are low-temperature polysilicone and oxide panels that make it possible for the screen to refresh slowly when not in use (1Hz) and then return to a normal 60Hz rate when active.

The Series 5 was also the last Apple Watch to offer the white ceramic case option, but the first to introduce titanium cases. These came in natural and Space Black finishes. The Series 5 was also the first to add a compass app for better navigation, emergency calling, more storage (32GB), and a better ambient light sensor.

Apple continued its trend toward making a viable health wearable with the Apple Watch Series 6.

Though it didn’t look much different from its predecessor, it did finally add SpO2 monitoring, allowing users to measure their blood oxygen levels. This was beneficial because it could help spot any potential health issues or illnesses before it was too late.

The Apple Watch Series 6 also added basic sleep tracking and a brighter display, and had slightly faster performance than its predecessor. Apple even added two new colors to the lineup: red and blue.

The Apple Watch SE launched alongside the Series 6. However, it didn’t offer the same features as the mainline Apple Watch — in fact, it offered less.

So what made the Apple Watch SE special? It was the Apple Watch to get if you were on a tight budget, as it was much more affordable. The SE started at just $280, instead of $400 like the regular Apple Watch.

But of course, it sacrificed features for affordability. It didn’t have an always-on display, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring. But it was still a very good basic smartwatch.

While there were plenty of rumors that the Apple Watch Series 7 would have a brand new design, they did not come to fruition. Instead, the Apple Watch Series 7 retained the same overall design as previous models.

However, Apple did increase the display size yet again, so it now measured 41mm and 45mm. The new curved display appeared to “wrap around” the sides, which meant it could retain the same dimensions as the previous model, while also having a larger display.

The new Series 7 also included 33% faster charging so that one could have enough power to wear the Apple Watch to bed for sleep tracking, though this did require a brand new puck charger. The Series 7 was also the first time Apple added an onscreen keyboard for typing, right on the Apple Watch.

While the Apple Watch Series 8 could be considered a smaller update in the Apple Watch lineup, it did have some nice additions.

It was the first Apple Watch to introduce body temperature monitoring, which helps with ovulation tracking and was especially useful for women who are planning a family. Apple also improved the sleep-tracking functionality to provide more in-depth details, such as sleep stages and other vital information.

Apple also added car crash detection to the Apple Watch Series 8, which was first introduced with the iPhone 14 line. This feature will detect if you are in a car crash using the sensors in the watch. It will ask if you are OK and then inquire if you need to call emergency services. It’s a feature that is great to have, but one you don’t want to use.

Apple’s budget-friendly smartwatch made a return with a new-and-improved version.

Again, the Apple Watch SE is an affordable option for those who want an Apple Watch, but don’t need all the fancy features. The Apple Watch SE 2 brought an upgraded S8 processor for faster performance and functionality, Fall Detection, and Car Crash Detection, both of which offer extra peace of mind in case the worst happens.

The Apple Watch Ultra was Apple’s first rugged smartwatch, designed for those who love outdoor and “extreme” activities.

This was also the biggest design change in the history of the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Ultra introduced a thicker, bulkier 49mm body, a titanium frame, and a flat display with sapphire glass. The Digital Crown and side button are also more prominently raised on the side. Apple also introduced the Action button with this model.

Significant features of the Apple Watch Ultra included being waterproof up to 100 meters and the addition of an integrated dive computer that can monitor water pressure and temperature. The battery life hit around 36 hours on a single charge, and the brightness could get up to 2,000 nits. There’s also an 86-decibel siren for emergencies, which is useful in remote locations.

Though the Apple Watch Series 9 looks a lot like its predecessor, it did bring some big improvements on the inside.

The Apple Watch Series 9’s new S9 chip has enough power for the then-new Double Tap gesture. This is a one-handed gesture that lets users answer calls, turn off alarms, or even make selections in menus just by tapping their index finger and thumb together twice. Thanks to the sensors in the Series 9, it can detect when there is a change in blood flow and muscle tension, thus allowing for the Double Tap gesture.

The S9 chip also brought some big improvements to Siri. Thanks to the new processor, all Siri requests are localized and don’t require a data connection, so it’s much faster. Siri can even access your Health information.

The Apple Watch Series 9 could also reach 2,000 nits of peak brightness, which is the same as the original Apple Watch Ultra.

Like the Series 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 wasn’t a big upgrade. But that wasn’t really needed, not when the original Ultra was so good.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 also got the S9 chip, allowing for Double Tap, on-device localized Siri requests, and Siri access to Health information. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 got an improved display with brightness peaking at 3,000 nits.

In September 2024, Apple released the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in a brand new Black Titanium color. Other than the color, there were no other new features.

The smartwatch hit double figures: meet the Apple Watch Series 10. That’s a decade of Apple Watches. Though the Series 10 did not have a huge redesign like many were thinking it might, it is a big leap forward.

While the Series 10 looks very similar to its predecessors, Apple did make some very nice improvements to the body and display. The Series 10 is about 10% thinner and lighter. Though it may not sound like a big deal, you can actually feel the difference when wearing it. There’s also a new Jet Black aluminum, which has a polished finish, and it’s made with all metal.

The display of the Series 10 also got major upgrades. It now uses a wide-angle OLED display, so the edges of the display kind of wrap around the sides of the body. It’s also 40% brighter when looking at the watch from an angle. It’s bigger as well, with the small size now being 42mm, while the large one is 46mm. It’s actually equivalent to the Apple Watch Ultra display size.

Though the battery life still is just about a full day, the charging speeds have been improved. You can now get about 80% battery in 30 minutes.

The latest ‘base’ model, the Apple Watch Series 11, was perhaps a little overshadowed by its siblings; three Apple Watches were all released at once, what a treat!

On paper, the Series 11 hews closely to past models, in that it’s the same shape and size as the Series 10, carrying over the small redesign that ensures it comes in a small, light case. But even here, the changes are manifest: one of the improvements in the Series 11 is that it uses an improved kind of scratch resistance in the display.

The majority of changes come under the hood. One of them will be welcome to Apple Watch users: the battery life has seen an increase to 24 hours, which marks the first time than an Apple wearable has had a quoted lasting time of a day. Charging has also seen a speed boost, so you can charge for a full night of sleep tracking with just 5 minutes plugged in.

Let’s not forget the new health features: sleep scores and hypertension notifications, which bring two features of rival wearables into the Apple Watch.

Bigger isn’t always better, according to Apple, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 gives us a great illustration of this mission statement.

This powerhouse wearable has a thinner body than its predecessor, despite packing in loads of new tech like 5G connectivity, satellite tracking, a better-looking display and the new health modes of the Series 11: hypertension notifications and sleep scores. Despite this design change, it’s still a rugged machine, protected from danger by a recycled aluminum case.

The battery life has also seen an improvement, and the addition of a new low-power mode ensures that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can stick it out for several days (if you don’t mind culling a few features).

Despite being, undoubtedly, a premium wearable, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 was a little cheaper in certain regions than the Watch 2.

At the same time as its new main-series and top-end smartwatches came out, Apple also released the Apple Watch SE 3, to give buyers a more affordable new option.

The Apple Watch SE 3 enjoys some of the features that make older main-series Apple wearables so great. I’m talking about an always-on display so you can always see the time, a more durable body, more on-board storage and faster charging. 

Some of the Series 11 and Ultra 3’s features also came down to SE 3 buyers like a sleep score, thanks to an on-board temperature sensor.

Every year, exuberant rumors proclaim that the next Apple Watch will bring new features, new health metrics, a ground-breaking redesign to the smartwatch family. The Apple Watch Series 12 has seen a few rumors of this sort, but it’s hard to put too much stock in them given how far out the release of the next-gen wearable is.

Some of the more reliable rumors point to the Apple Watch Series 12 getting a new kind of sensor, which will enable them to track a new kind of health metric. The lack of specificity on what this metric will be is at once the reason that this rumor is hard to ignore, and also the reason it doesn’t tell us much.

Beyond that potential addition, expect the usual tweaks and changes: a better battery life, a thinner design, new watch bands, and so on.