Update 21 March: Apple announced a price drop for the Apple Watch Sport: now £259 for the 38mm version and £299 for the 42mm. There are also new colours for Sport and Leather Bands, plus a Space Black Milanese Loop. It also launched a brand new material: the Nylon Weave. You can buy these for £39 in 7 colours: Gold/Red, Gold/Royal Blue, Royal Blue, Pink, Pearl, Scuba Blue and Black.
Apple Watch buying guide: When will the Apple Watch 2 go on sale?
If you’re thinking of waiting, the second-gen Apple Watch is likely to launch late in 2016, possibly September. For more, see our Apple Watch 2 rumour roundup. Also, you can read more about the Apple Watch specs, features and apps.
Apple Watch buying guide: Do you have an iPhone?
Before you get too excited about getting an Apple Watch firmly strapped to your wrist you need to answer an important question: do you have an iPhone? If so, carry on reading but it not you’ll need to get one to make sure the wearable gadget is nothing more than a wrist ornament. A lot of smartwatches are compatible with multiple platforms – Android and/or Windows Phone as well as iOS – but Apple is keeping it in the family with the Apple Watch.
Apple Watch buying guide: Price
Apple Watch Sport prices PRICE DROP 38 mm stainless steel with various straps: £259 (was £299)PRICE DROP 42 mm stainless steel with various straps: £299 (was £339) Apple Watch prices 38 mm stainless steel with white sport band: £47942 mm stainless steel with white sport band: £51938 mm stainless steel with black sport band: £47942 mm stainless steel with black sport band: £519 NEW 38 mm stainless steel with pearl woven nylon: £479NEW 42 mm stainless steel with pearl woven nylon: £519 NEW 42 mm stainless steel with pearl woven nylon: £519 NEW 38 mm stainless steel with RED classic buckle: £55938 mm stainless steel with black classic buckle: £559 NEW 42 mm stainless steel with MARINE BLUE classic buckle: £59942 mm stainless steel with black classic buckle: £599 38 mm stainless steel with milanese loop: £55942 mm stainless steel with milanese loop: £599 NEW 38 mm space black stainless steel with space black milanese loop: £599NEW 42 mm space black stainless steel with space black milanese loop: £649 NEW 38 mm stainless steel with BLUE JAY modern buckle: £649NEW 38 mm stainless steel with MARIGOLD modern buckle: £64938 mm stainless steel with black modern buckle: £64938 mm stainless steel with midnight blue modern buckle: £64938 mm stainless steel with soft pink modern buckle: £64938 mm stainless steel with brown modern buckle: £649 NEW 42 mm stainless steel with STORM GREY leather loop: £599NEW 42 mm stainless steel with WHITE leather loop: £59942 mm stainless steel with black leather loop: £59942 mm stainless steel with bright blue leather loop: £59942 mm stainless steel with stone leather loop: £59942 mm stainless steel with brown leather loop: £599 38 mm stainless steel with link bracelet: £81942 mm stainless steel with link bracelet: £85938 mm space black with link bracelet: £89942 mm space black with link bracelet: £949 Apple Watch Edition prices 18-carat rose gold with white sports band 38 mm: £8,00018-carat rose gold with white sports band 42 mm: £9,50018-carat yellow gold with black sports band 38 mm: £8,00018-carat yellow gold with black sports band 42 mm: £9,50018-carat rose gold with rose grey modern buckle 38 mm: £13,50018-carat yellow gold with black classic buckle 42 mm: £12,00018-carat yellow gold with bright red modern buckle 38 mm: £13,50018-carat yellow gold with midnight blue classic buckle 42 mm: £12,000 Apple Watch Strap prices Sport band: £39Woven Nylon: £39Milanese loop: Silver £129; Black £179Classic Buckle: £129Leather Loop: £129Modern Buckle: £209Link Bracelet: From £379
Apple Watch buying guide: Models and Combinations
Although price is probably going to have a large part to play in your decision, you need to decide which model you want based on its look and features. Most smartwatches we’ve seen simple come in one edition so you either buy it or you don’t. However, there are three different Apple Watch models to choose from and the device comes in two different sizes: 38- and 42 mm. We’ll explain each one below but there’s also which strap you opt for. In total there are 38 different official combinations of the Apple Watch so deciding is not going to be easy. In theory there are many more possible combinations as straps will fit models they’re not sold with and third party accessory brands may make their own – there are plenty on Kickstarter. For now we’re going to talk you though the 38 options which are listed on the Apple Store explaining how they compare.
Apple Watch vs Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch Edition
Apple Watch Your first option is simply called the Apple Watch. This comes in stainless steel (silver) or black stainless steel and uses a sapphire glass front. The Apple Watch ‘collection’ has the most available combinations with 20 on offer. The regular Apple Watch model will be available in both sizes with various different straps types and colours – some of which are only available for the smaller 38 mm model. In silver you’ll be able to choose both sizes with a white sport band, black sport band, black classic buckle, Milanese loop and link bracelet. The black, soft pink, brown and midnight blue modern buckle will only be available for the small model and the black, stone, bright blue and light brown leather loop will be just for the larger model. If you’re interested in the black stainless steel model, it will be available in both sizes but only with the link bracelet. Apple Watch Sport Instead of stainless steel, the Apple Watch Sport model uses anodized aluminium for the casing and comes in two colours: silver and space gray. In the place of sapphire glass is strengthened Ion-X. There are 10 combinations in the Apple Watch Sport collection and it’s pretty simple with five different colours of the sport band (white, black, blue, green and pink) each available in both 38 mm and 42 mm sizes. The only thing to note is that the space gray watch is only available with the black sport. Apple Watch Edition The oddly named Apple Watch Edition is the most premium of the three and will be made from 18-carat gold – either yellow or rose in colour. Apple says its twice as hard compared to regular gold and the Edition used sapphire glass like the ‘regular’ Apple Watch. There are six different combinations in the Apple Watch Edition collection, all of which are very specific so here are your options. First up is a yellow gold casing in the 38 mm size with a bright red modern buckle. A rose gold model with a white sport band will come in both sizes so that’s the first three combinations. Next is a rose gold model paired with a rose gray modern buckle which will only come in 38 mm. The last two mixtures consist of a 42 mm yellow gold Apple Watch Edition with either a black sport band or midnight blue classic buckle.
Customise your Apple Watch: Get a unique iWatch
Apple might have 38 different combinations on offer, but with a lot of people no doubt rushing out to buy the cheaper models you probably don’t want to wear the same watch as everyone else. Keep in mind, then, that you can also use a service such as Casetify to customise your own Apple Watch strap, creating a design that is uniquely yours using photos from Instagram. See also: How to use an Apple Watch Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.
