Apple Watch 2 Display and Battery Components Measured Against Original Model in New Video

After sharing photos and a video of the thin display and larger battery for the Apple Watch 2, Byte today posted a video focused on comparing the measurements of the new and old Apple Watch generations. As expected, the measurements for the Apple Watch 2 represent an overall slightly thinner display than the original model, while its battery is noticeably thicker.

Thanks to the detailed measurements, Byte was able to confirm that the Apple Watch 2's display is 2.86 mm at its thickest location and 2.12 at its thinnest, compared to 3.57 mm and 2.99 mm, respectively, for the original Apple Watch.

apple watch 2 measurements

The thickest point of the Apple Watch display (left) vs thickest point of the Apple Watch 2 display (right)

The Apple Watch 2's slightly different measurements continued in the height and width of its display (appearing to be a 42mm model), which measured 39.47 mm tall and 33.43 mm wide. The first generation Apple Watch came in at 38.74 mm tall and 32.65 mm wide, so while the Apple Watch 2 is slightly taller and longer, the overall difference appears to be similarly negligible as iPhone generations that jump between the main models and an "S" generation.

Byte also measured the thickness, length, and width of each generation of Apple Watch battery, with the first measuring 3.95 mm thick, 27.46 long, and 18.42 mm wide. Comparatively, the upcoming second generation Apple Watch battery measured 5.11 mm thick, 27.50 mm long, and 18.71 mm wide, falling in line with previous rumors that the Apple Watch 2 would have a larger battery to fuel speedier performance and improve its recharge life.


The battery for the 42mm Apple Watch 2 was investigated in a video last week, and was rated for 1.28 watt-hours. If proved true, this means that the 42mm Apple Watch 2 will have a 334 mAh battery that is 35.7% larger than the 246 mAh battery in the original 42mm model. Last week's video also showed Apple Watch 2 components like the Force Touch gasket, but the piece wasn't measured due to the similar size between each generation.

Byte also shared a circular gasket component of the Apple Watch 2, speculating its potential involvement in providing further water resistance to the unit, particularly its appropriate size for the heart rate sensor.

Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch 2 during tomorrow's media event, along with the debut of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. Despite the slight differences in the measurement of its display and battery, the new generation of Apple Watch will still keep the external design of the current model.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Apple Creator Studio

Apple's Next Launch is Today

Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available. Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
apple silicon 1 feature

Apple Responds to Skyrocketing RAM and Storage Chip Prices

Thursday January 29, 2026 2:40 pm PST by
On an earnings call with equity analysts today, Apple CEO Tim Cook responded to fast-rising RAM and SSD storage chip prices in the supply chain. Cook said that rising memory chip prices had a "minimal impact" on Apple's gross margin in the fourth quarter of the 2025 calendar year, but he does expect a "bit more of an impact" on the company's gross margin in the current quarter. Cook added ...

Top Rated Comments

keysofanxiety Avatar
123 months ago
If the overall watch is the same size as the current model, the size of the individual parts is less important.
On the contrary: if the overall watch is the same size as the current model, but the size of the individual parts are smaller, then it will likely have a bigger battery and better battery life! So good news if this is the case.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GaryLasereyes Avatar
123 months ago
except for those who already have one (me) and see no reason to buy another one with this minimal change.

as well as everyone else who didn't buy it and still see no reason to.


So my question is... who is going to buy this?
"No one will want this because I don't want this"

This statement is nearly always incorrect.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Elijen Avatar
123 months ago
OMG it's thinner!!! Just like EVERYBODY was requesting!


(not)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
noobinator Avatar
123 months ago
except for those who already have one (me) and see no reason to buy another one with this minimal change.

as well as everyone else who didn't buy it and still see no reason to.


So my question is... who is going to buy this?
Lots will buy it for the GPS, if this rumor is true.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GaryLasereyes Avatar
123 months ago
Why do people want always on when they don't constantly look at their watch.
Because it's getting difficult to complain about other things.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yaxomoxay Avatar
123 months ago

Current watch looks horrible on my small arms, it's slightly too thick.
Your arms are wrong. Replace as by Apple's instructions.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)