So you have set your heart on getting an Apple Watch. This iconic wearable device lets you track health metrics, message friends, take calls and much more…right from your wrist!
As you decide which Apple Watch model to get, one of the first big decisions is – should you get the 40mm or 44mm size?
I faced the same dilemma when buying my first ever Apple Watch last year. And trust me, making the right pick between the two sizes made all the difference in comfort, aesthetics and utility derived from what‘s become my favorite new gadget!
In this detailed guide, I will walk you through all the key similarities and differences between the 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch variants. My goal is to arm you with all the info needed to pick the perfect size to match your wrist, usage needs and personal preferences.
Here‘s a quick preview of what we‘ll cover:
- Display size, resolution and technology differences
- Weight and dimensions comparison
- Ideal wrist size for each model
- Battery life variations
- Width, depth and band size considerations
- Pricing and value comparison
- Usage statistics and buying preferences
- Which size is better for specific usage scenarios
Let‘s get started!
At First Glance: How the 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch Models Compare
While both models pack the same overall capabilities into an iconic rectangular watch case, the 40mm and 44mm variants differ across some key metrics like display size, weight and pricing.
The 40mm Apple Watch offers a more compact footprint that looks stylish on petite wrists. It‘s the perfect balance of screen real estate and lightweight portability.
The 44mm Apple Watch features a bigger screen to showcase more content. It handles notifications and messaging better but costs slightly more and weighs noticeably heavier too.
But both watches leverage the same cutting-edge hardware and software to showcase everything Apple excels at – personalization, accuracy and intelligence.
Here‘s a high-level specs comparison across some key metrics:
| Metric | 40mm Apple Watch | 44mm Apple Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 1.57" | 1.78" |
| Screen Resolution | 394 x 324 | 448 x 368 |
| Watch Case Width | 34 mm | 38 mm |
| Weight | 30.5 g | 36.4 g |
| Battery Life | 18 hours | 18+ hours |
| Price (GPS) | $249+ | $279+ |
Now let‘s dig deeper into each specification to understand how picking the 40mm vs 44mm watch sizes will impact your overall usage experience.
Display Size and Quality Explained
One of the most prominent differences between the 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch models is found in their displays.
The 40mm Apple Watch features a more compact 1.57" display. The smaller surface area allows Apple to optimize the design for lightweight portability. Resolution comes in at a sharp 394 x 324 pixels to render imagery vividly on the 40mm screen.
In comparison, the 44mm Apple Watch display spans an expansive 1.78" inches – that‘s a sizeable 15% larger screen real estate compared to what you get on the 40mm watch face.
As a result, screen resolution also gets a meaningful boost up to 448 x 368 pixels on the bigger 44mm display. That‘s a 23% jump in total pixels!
But resolution aside, both displays leverage the same bright, vibrant OLED panel technology that Apple coined the Retina display. With a pixel density rating of about 326 PPI, everything from app interfaces to family photos will pop beautifully on both Apple Watch screen sizes.
So if you will be glancing at your watch more for notifications and messaging, the 44mm model‘s bigger screen will make interactions easier. But expect comparable visual quality across both sizes.
Dimensions and Weight – How Big Do They Wear?
A bigger watch face obviously necessitates a larger footprint for the overall device. But how much heftier is the 44mm Apple Watch compared to its daintier sibling?
Let‘s break it down dimension-by-dimension:
Height Difference: We‘ve already covered display size, but in terms of overall watch case height – the 44mm variant measures 44mm while the 40mm comes in at 40mm high as you‘d expect. That 4mm height differential allows room for a bigger (and better) battery as we‘ll see later.
Width: With the larger display, Apple had to make the 44mm watch face wider as well. It spans 38mm vs just 34mm for the narrower 40mm watch profile.
However, thickness is uniform at 10.4mm for both models. This standardization allows both watches to slide cleanly under shirt cuffs while still packing advanced sensors and durable waterproof casing.
The dimensional differences also contribute to a noticeable weight gap – the 40mm aluminum Apple Watch tips the scales at just 30.5 grams. The larger 44mm watch comes in significantly heavier at 36.4 grams.
For perspective, that‘s equivalent to strapping on an additional US quarter coin permanently on your wrist! So expect some initial adjustment time if switching from the 40mm to the 44mm Apple Watch variants.
In summary – the 44mm watch costs you 5mm extra in peak dimensions and 6 grams additional weight. Plan your watch bands and charging docks accordingly!
Figuring Out Which Size Fits Your Wrist Better
With a bigger body in every dimension, it stands to reason that the 44mm Apple Watch best suits users with larger wrist sizes. But what are the recommended wrist circumferences for each model?
Based on Apple‘s design specs and feedback from countless users worldwide, here are some best practice wrist size guidelines:
The 40mm Apple Watch is best suited for petite and medium-sized wrists measuring 130 to 150 mm in circumference. Within this range, you‘ll find the most comfortable fit while still protecting full touchscreen usability.
For larger wrists sizes between 150 to 210 mm, the bigger 44mm works better. Anything beyond 200mm and special expanded bands are recommended to get a good wrap-around fit.
As you can see, there is some overlap between 130 to 150 mm wrist sizes where either watch can work well. It comes down to individual taste and your usage preferences. We‘ll cover how to pick based on usage next.
No matter what your wrist size, I highly recommend visiting an Apple store to try out both sizes first-hand. Feeling the weight and fit yourself is invaluable in making this big decision!
Comparing Battery Life Across Both Models
One major advantage a bigger body brings is room for a larger battery pack. And in the case of the 44mm Apple Watch, the extra juice directly translates into longer runtime between charges.
Let‘s break down the battery performance as officially rated by Apple during internal testing with production hardware:
40mm Battery Life: In controlled usage spanning time checks, notifications, app usage and a daily hour-long workout, the 40mm Apple Watch lasted around 18 hours per full charge.
44mm Battery Life: The same usage scenario leads to an extra 2-3 hours of runtime on the 44mm Apple Watch thanks to the bigger battery unit housed within. So expect about 20 hours or more depending on your usage.
For most daily scenarios, 18 hours is adequate runtime to get you from morning till night on a full charge. But hardcore users and athletes will benefit from that extra stamina. Especially if their Apple Watch also handles sleep tracking at night!
Bottomline – 44mm buyers get measurably better battery life. But both last comfortably through a full day unless you really push usage limits.
Pricing and Value Comparison
With all the perks a bigger body brings, you would expect the 44mm Apple Watch to command a significant price premium, right?
Interestingly, that is not the case when you scan pricing across Apple and major third-party retailers.
Let‘s take the example of the latest Apple Watch SE models at launch:
Apple Watch SE 40mm: Starts at $249 for GPS and $299 for GPS + Cellular variants
Apple Watch SE 44mm: Carries just a $30 premium at $279 for GPS and $329 for GPS + Cellular models
The narrow price difference holds up across other watch models and bands too. And during big holiday sales events, prices get even closer making 44mm watches a better value buy.
Resale pricing is very similar as well – you can snag an Apple Watch Series 5 44mm model pre-owned on Amazon for cheaper than a 40mm variant in some cases!
So across new and used markets, the 44mm Apple Watch demands only a slim premium over its 40mm counterpart. Factor in the bigger screen and better battery life, and 44mm emerges the clear value buy overall.
Usage Statistics Show Growing 44mm Popularity
Analytics data indicates I‘m not alone in my preference for the 44mm Apple Watch models over their 40mm alternatives:
According to MixPanel tracking up to June 2022, the 44mm Apple Watch accounted for almost 66% of usage among existing Apple Watch owners. 40mm models played second fiddle at just over 32% usage share.
44mm watches also sell out faster both online and offline during promotions and holiday sales per my local Apple Store salesperson. Production capacity seems biased towards the 44mm size as well based on wait times.
Third-party Apple Watch accessory makers focus more on 44mm size options. Everything from chargers and screen protectors to the range of bands and bumpers come in better variability for the 44mm case size.
The data shows a clear penchant among both existing and first-time Apple Watch buyers for the 44mm variant. And the trends signal that this preference will only grow heading into 2023.
Which Size Should You Pick Based on Usage?
Beyond wrist size, your intended usage patterns should drive the 40mm vs 44mm decision as well. Let me share some guidance here based on how I landed on the 44mm watch myself:
Pick the 40mm Apple Watch if your usage focuses mainly on health/workout tracking and notifications. The lighter design won‘t weight you down during strenuous activity. And the compact footprint lets it fade into the background for all-day wear.
Go with the 44mm Apple Watch if you rely heavily on messaging from your wrist. The larger display makes reading and replying to texts easier without having to grab your iPhone. And the bigger battery ensures you won‘t run dry even with heavy app usage.
Personally, I loved the idea of quick message triage and content consumption during my daily commute. I don‘t have the biggest wrists either at 150mm circumference. But getting the 44mm Apple Watch was the right choice – the minor extra heft is worth the usability perks!
Answering Common Apple Watch Size Questions
Still uncertain whether you need a 40mm or 44mm Apple Watch? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions for deeper insight:
Q: Which size is considered unisex for styling purposes?
A: Both the 40mm and 44mm sizes work very well as unisex watches. The all-display rectangular silhouette and customizable bands let you tune the styling easily to your personal tastes. Don‘t let traditional gender perceptions dictate size here!
Q: Is aluminum or stainless steel better for durability?
A: Apple uses ultra-resilient Ion-X glass and lightweight aluminum for their watches priced $399 and under. But for $699+ models, sapphire crystal and heavier stainless steel offer unmatched scratch resistance and resilience. I suggest aluminum for active usage, stainless only if budget allows!
Q: Do both sizes have ultra wideband support for digital keys?
A: Yes, Apple‘s latest U1 ultra wideband (UWB) chip is built into all Watch Series 6 and newer models launched. So both 40mm and 44mm variants work with UWB-enabled apps for tap-to-unlock car and home access, location tracking and more.
Q: Can I use 44mm bands with the 40mm watch?
A: No! While you can use 40mm bands just fine with the 44mm watch, the reverse in not possible. Trying to squeeze in mismatched bands risks seriously damaging your Apple Watch. Always match bands to watch size for safety!
I hope the size comparison guide above and answers to common questions helps make your buying decision easier. Feel free to reach out to me on social media if you have any other sizing questions!
Jeremy @ HistoryComputers
Pick the Apple Watch Case Size That Matches Your Style
When you boil it down, the smaller 40mm or larger 44mm Apple Watch size that fits your wrist and your usage style is the winner for you!
If still uncertain, I recommend visiting an Apple Store and trying out both variants in person. But use this guide to set expectations beforehand.
Let me leave you with some best practice tips I wish I had known:
- Strap on each size watch for at least 5-10 minutes to test long-term comfort
- Try interacting with the UI – does screen feel cramped or overly expansive?
- Don‘t underestimate small weight differences for all-day wear
- Match band size to watch size (40mm uses 140mm band, 44mm gets 180mm band)
- Take side-profile mirror selfies and pictures to evaluate visual appeal
- Think about planned usage – fitness tracking or messaging/content?
Once you‘ve determined the right fit, you‘ll enjoy your new Apple Watch so much more knowing you didn‘t compromise fit and comfort. Having owned both sizes now, I enjoy the 44mm size but also appreciate why some prefer rocking the 40mm watches instead.
So take a considered approach, try both models without hurry and then decide. Let me know which size you picked for yourself @ JeremyOnTech!
