With the Apple Watch poised to launch in April, excitement for the wrist-worn device has been building within the forums. In particular, a few users have posted discussion threads that compare the 38mm and 42mm Apple Watch based on photographer Ryan Mack's print-to-size diagrams. Both mockups are attached to a regular watchband to provide a realistic preview of how the Apple Watch could look on the wrist.
The early consensus among users debating over which Apple Watch to get is largely split between the 38m and 42mm model, although many agree that they would be happy with either size. Given that the Apple Watch will be highly customizable with different sizes, editions and bands to choose from, visiting an Apple Store to test out the smartwatch on your wrist will likely be the best way to choose which one is right for you.
"If I had to pick right now, I think I'd get the 38mm," writes MacRumors forum member Technodynamic. "I just wonder if I'd rather the slightly larger screen for using the watch. Added pixels for the same image means you will see more detail on the 42mm versus the 38mm and I feel like I am missing on some clarity, but... I like the way the smaller one looks, from a jewelry perspective. First world problems."
If you are looking for an interesting weekend do-it-yourself project to take on, you can print and cut out your own Apple Watch diagrams [PDF] for size comparison. Make sure you print the diagrams at their 100% full size so that they are accurate. The width and depth of the Apple Watch diagrams are approximations based on press releases and images, while the height values have been confirmed by Apple for the two models.
Apple introduced the Apple Watch during its September 2014 media event alongside the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Pay. The smartwatch will be available in three collections for $349 and up: Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition. The wearable will be available in the United States first upon launch, with a wider international rollout likely to follow in the near future.
Saturday April 11, 2026 9:14 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
CarPlay Ultra...
As we wait for WWDC to kick off next Monday, Apple today announced the winners of its annual Apple Design Awards, recognizing apps and games for their innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement.
The 2025 Apple Design Award winners are listed below, with one app and one game selected per category:
Delight and Fun - CapWords (App) and Balatro (Game)
Innovation - Play (App) and PBJ -...
Saturday April 11, 2026 9:07 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
While the AirPods Max 2 received more attention, Apple also released a second pair of headphones last month: Nike Powerbeats Pro 2.
Nike Powerbeats Pro 2 are the same as the regular Powerbeats Pro 2, except they have a two-tone design consisting of black and Nike's signature Volt neon green-yellow color. The headphones were released on March 20 in the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K., and a ...
Tuesday March 17, 2026 3:32 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple today launched its atrial fibrillation history feature for Apple Watch in mainland China.
Since 2022, Apple Watch in the U.S. has supported AFib History, which allows users diagnosed with atrial fibrillation to view an estimate of how frequently their heart is in this type of irregular rhythm.
The feature analyzes pulse rate data collected by a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor to...
Thursday March 19, 2026 3:10 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple's current blood oxygen sensing implementation in the U.S. does not infringe on patents owned by Masimo and Apple will not face a revived import ban, a U.S. International Trade Commission judge said this week (via Reuters).
After Apple was found to have violated Masimo's patents related to blood oxygen sensing, the Apple Watch faced a U.S. import ban that caused Apple to briefly pause...
Tuesday March 24, 2026 10:02 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released watchOS 26.4, the fourth major update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.4 comes a month and a half after Apple released watchOS 26.3.
watchOS 26.4 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.4 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the...
History suggests that people shouldn't rush out to buy the first iteration regardless.
If everyone followed that logic there would never be a second version of any product from any company. Buying a first generation product is not a marriage. If someone has the money and is interested, they should buy one. If they don't like it, they can return it. Big deal.
I bought the first gen iPod. I listened to that thing 8 hours a day at work for years. I shouldn't have bought it because it was a first gen product? That's absolutely ridiculous.
FWIW, the 42mm is about the size of an iPod nano. So if you wear an iPod nano watch, it's a great comparison. The Apple watch is a tad thicker, however.
I wear an iPod nano watch, but I'm unsure of which direction I'm leaning toward. Might order both and return the one I like the least. I fear availability will be scarce, so preordering is a must!
its 2015 and they still havent figured out an energy efficient way to display the time all the time? i will wait for gen 3
I'm confused. Do you look at the time without looking at the time? What does it matter if the time doesn't appear until you lift your wrist up? Don't you do that with a normal watch anyhow?
