Apple has just updated its obsolete products list to include the second-generation Apple Watch Series 1 models that debuted in 2016. Now you may be asking: why were they considered “second-generation”? Let’s go back in time. Apple introduced the original Apple Watch in September 2014, followed by its release in April 2015. The following year in September, Apple introduced two new Apple Watch models: the Series 1 and the Series 2. The original Apple Watch from 2015 was considered the first-generation, and hence retroactively called “Series 0” since Apple has stuck with the “Series” numbering scheme to this day.
So what’s so different between the Series 0 and the Series 1? The Series 1 was just a repackaged version of the Series 0, but the only thing different was that the Series 1 featured a faster CPU. There were three distinct system-in-packages for these models:
- Series 0: S1
- Series 1: S1P
- Series 2: S2
Actually, both the Series 1 and Series 2 feature the same improved CPU that was faster than the Series 0. Therefore, the Series 1 was sold alongside the Series 2 as the cheaper option. The key advantages that the Series 2 had over the Series 1 were the built-in GPS and improved water resistance at up to 50m. The Series 1 came in only aluminum cases in silver, space gray, gold, rose gold. The Series 2 came in those same finishes for the aluminum cases, and it also offered stainless steel cases (silver/space black) and even ceramic for the Edition models (effectively replacing the 18K gold cases). There were even silver/space gray aluminum Nike models for Series 2.
In September 2017, Apple discontinued the Series 2 following the introduction of the Series 3, but the Series 1 lived for another year at a lower price although it discontinued the gold/rose gold finishes. So that’s why Series 2 was declared obsolete before the Series 1 did. The Series 1 was discontinued in September 2018 when Apple debuted the Series 4; therefore, it’s been close to seven years since Apple stopped selling that model. By Apple’s definition, a product is declared obsolete seven years it was last distributed for sale. So if you’re still holding onto that Apple Watch Series 1, it may be a good idea to upgrade soon since Apple no longer provides parts for obsolete products and thus just make it impossible to repair.
