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.
Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more.
Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1.
Release Date
Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below.
Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors.
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Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:07 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The RCs betas come a week after Apple released the fourth betas.
The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software...
Monday October 27, 2025 9:15 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple this month refreshed the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with its new M5 chip, and higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to follow in early 2026. However, these machines will represent the final update to the current design, with Apple reportedly developing a completely new version of the MacBook Pro packed with next-generation hardware...
Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth...
Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:21 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of macOS Tahoe 26.1, which means the update will likely see a public launch next week.
The release candidate includes notes on what's in the update, so we have a full picture of the new features that Apple has included.
macOS Tahoe 26.1 adds AutoMix support over AirPlay, improved FaceTime audio...
Wednesday October 29, 2025 7:13 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Rumors are stoking excitement for the next-generation iPad mini that Apple is reportedly close to launching. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out.
Processor and Performance
Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to...
Tuesday October 28, 2025 5:27 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is preparing to bring support for its digital car key feature to Jetour vehicles, according to evidence uncovered on Apple's backend by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris.
Introduced in 2022, Car Keys allows an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock a vehicle through the Wallet app. A digital version of a car key is stored in Wallet, and unlocking can be done by holding an Apple Watch or...
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?
