Watch · Retina & Beyond · 2016
Apple Watch Series 1
Essentially the original watch with the faster dual-core S1P, sold cheaply alongside the Series 2. It was the moment the Watch stopped feeling sluggish.
A dual-core chip that finally made the watch feel responsive.
Apple Watch Series 3 (2017)
Apple Watch Series 1: key facts
When was the Apple Watch Series 1 released?
The Apple Watch Series 1 arrived on September 16, 2016. Apple discontinued it in September 2018.
How much did the Apple Watch Series 1 cost?
The Apple Watch Series 1 launched at $269 in 2016, about $352 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple S1P (dual-core) at 520 MHz, 512 MB RAM, 8 GB storage, 1.5" OLED Retina, 312×390 display.
Why does the Apple Watch Series 1 matter?
A dual-core chip that finally made the watch feel responsive.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple S1P (dual-core) · 520 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 512 MB |
| Storage | 8 GB |
| Display | 1.5" OLED Retina, 312×390 |
| GPU | Integrated |
| Ports | Magnetic inductive charging |
| Weight | ~30 g |
| Dimensions | 38 mm or 42 mm case |
| Operating system | watchOS 3 |
| Released | September 16, 2016 |
| Discontinued | September 2018 |
| Launch price | $269 |
How the Apple Watch Series 1 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 32× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 520 MHz, the clock is roughly 6.2× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 2,050 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $269 in 2016, about $352 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
It launched the same day as watchOS 3, which dramatically sped up the whole platform.
Related Watch models
Open the Apple Watch Series 1 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11