When I write articles about the Apple Watch, questions about the display resolution of the different models and generations keep coming up. Now that I had to google it myself a number of times, I decided to create a spreadsheet with this data. I always try to add the new models as soon as possible after the Apple keynote.
| Apple watch generation | Resolution (38/40mm) | Resolution (42/44/45mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Series 0 (Gen 1) | 272 x 340 px | 312 x 390 px |
| Series 1 | 272 x 340 px | 312 x 390 px |
| Series 2 | 272 x 340 px | 312 x 390 px |
| Series 3 | 272 x 340 px | 312 x 390 px |
| Series 4 | 324 x 394 px | 368 x 448 px |
| Series 5 | 324 x 394 px | 368 x 448 px |
| Series 6 | 324 x 394 px | 368 x 448 px |
| Series 7 | 352 x 430 px | 396 x 484 px |
| Series 8 | 352 x 430 px | 396 x 484 px |
| Apple WatchSE | 324 x 394 px | 368 x 448 px |
| Incredibly | - | 410 x 502px (49mm) |
Chapter in this post:
Which models have which screen diagonals?
Of course, this question is also relevant when writing about the Apple Watch. However, the screen diagonal of the display goes hand in hand with the resolution from one size to the next. The Apple Watch Ultra obviously has the largest display, measuring 49mm diagonally.
- Apple Watch Series 0 to 3 → 38 and 42mm
- Apple Watch Series 4 to 6 → 40 and 44mm
- Apple Watch Series 7 and 8 → 41 and 45mm
- Apple Watch SE → 40 and 44mm
- Apple Watch Ultra → 49mm
Differences in display technology
There are also differences in the display technology used in the various Apple Watch generations. Here is an overview of the main differences:
| Apple watch generation | display technology |
|---|---|
| Series 0 (Gen 1) | OLED retina display |
| Series 1 | OLED retina display |
| Series 2 | OLED Retina display, 2x brighter |
| Series 3 | OLED retina display |
| Series 4 | LTPO OLED Retina display |
| Series 5 | LTPO OLED Retina Display, Always On |
| Series 6 | LTPO OLED Retina Display, Always On |
| Series 7 | LTPO OLED Retina Display, Always On |
| Series 8 | LTPO OLED Retina Display, Always On |
| apple watch ultra | LTPO OLED Retina Display, always-on, 2x brighter |
The first three generations (Series 0 through 2) use OLED Retina displays, with the Series 2 display being twice as bright as previous models. Starting with the Series 4, the Apple Watches use LTPO OLED Retina displays. LTPO stands for Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide and enables higher energy efficiency.
The Series 5, 6, 7, 8 and Ultra also have an always-on display. This means the display stays on all the time, showing information even when the user is not actively using the watch. On previous models, the display turns off when not in use to save battery life.
Another special feature is the display of the Apple Watch Ultra, which at 2000 nits is twice as bright as that of the Series 5 to 8. A MicroLED display is expected in the 2023 version of the Apple Watch Ultra.
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Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.
