The Good: Costs less than Apple Watch Series 3. Has Apple Pay, heart rate functions, and runs all the same apps. Similar design and uses same bands, too. The Bad: Lacks swim-ready water resistance and onboard GPS found in Series 3 models. Only comes in aluminum. Doesn't have the Wi-Fi music streaming and Radio app of Series 3 models. The Bottom Line: If you're not a runner or a swimmer, the entry-level Apple Watch has most of what you'll need at a more affordable price. Editors' note (Sept. 12, 2018): Apple has discontinued the Apple Watch Series 1 reviewed here. The Apple Watch Series 3 is now available at a reduced price of $279. Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 4, which will start at $399 for the Series 4 model, $499 for the LTE model. Pre-orders for the Watch Series 4 will start on Sept. 14, and the watches will be available on Sept. 21. You don't need a smartwatch. And if you think you do, paying more than a couple of hundred dollars feels pretty hard to swallow.The Apple Watch is in Year Three now, and there are three choices: the fancy Apple Watch Series 3 that's also a phone, the Series 3 without cellular, and the entry-level Series 1. The Apple Watch Series 1 is frequently offered on sale throughout the year, and especially over the holidays. Should you buy it?The Series 1 name is confusing because it's actually newer than the original Apple Watch -- now dubbed "Series Zero" which launched in 2015. In fact, the Series 1 debuted in 2016 alongside the now-discontinued Series 2, but both of them shared the identical second-generation speed and smarts. But if you're looking to get a basic smartwatch and you're not a runner or swimmer, the Series 1 is still probably your best budget bet.But, keep in mind that the Series 3, for a little more, has battery life, speed, and extras like GPS and added water resistance that are welcome adds for serious everyday fitness users.The best part about this year's Apple Watch is the new WatchOS 4 software. Like the previous version, it offers a bunch of new features: more heart rate-tracking functions, an improved Music app that now syncs albums and playlists in Apple Music more easily, and better fitness and workout features. And, in addition, a few new watch faces.Apple Watch Series 1 can use all these features. And, a year later, it still handles well. I wore one on my wrist again, and it's still good -- in fact, for everyday use, it's everything you'd need. It also costs less than the Apple Watch Series 3. But it also feels like less of a great deal this year than it was last year. It's slower, and the price gap between it and the non-cellular Series 3 is smaller than last year's jump from Series 1 to Series 2.Here's what you're missing out on if you get a Series 1 over a Series 1: GPS, swim-proofing, a brighter outdoor display, slightly faster speeds, slightly better battery life, and access to a few Wi-Fi-streaming features on the Music app and Radio app.This year, if you can get an Apple Watch Series 1 for half the price of the Series 3 on a sale (it happens, sometimes), it's definitely worth considering. If not, your better bet is the Series 3.Here's a more detailed look at the differences mentioned above.
Walmart
Amazon