Ready for a trip down memory lane? We’ve dug into the archives to list every single Apple Watch launch since the series began back in 2015.
Over the past ten years, we’ve seen the introduction of both Apple Watch SE and Ultra series, alongside new watchOS features to help cement the entire wearable lineup as a brilliant all-round fitness tracker and smartwatch.
To show you how the wearable has evolved in the past decade, we’ve listed every Apple Watch since 2015 up to the present day. If you’re keen to see which current model is our favourite, then make sure you visit our best smartwatches guide once you’re finished here.
Apple Watch – April 2015
Just under seven months after its initial announcement, the first ever Apple Watch officially launched in April 2015. Available in three collections, including the Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch Edition which inexplicably came equipped with an 18-karat rose or yellow gold case, the collections started at £299 and ranged up to an eye-watering £8,000.
The Apple Watch promised to feature “revolutionary new technologies” and was fitted with the Digital Crown that remains on the latest Apple Watch series too. The essence of the Apple Watch has remained the same too, as it was designed to enable communication from your wrist, and offer health and fitness apps to help people lead healthier lives.
Apple Watch x Hermes – October 2015
October 2015 saw the introduction of the Apple Watch x Hermes collaboration, which provided the Apple Watch with a stainless steel finish with leather bands from Hermes. This initial collaboration started a long-standing tradition with the two brands, with Hermes iterations still available to buy now.
Apple Watch Series 2 – September 2016
The Apple Watch Series 2 saw a plethora of updates which helped shape it more into the smartwatch we’re used to now. Not only did Apple add a water resistance rating for swimming, and built-in GPS, but the Series 2 was promised to make it easier to respond to notifications and use Apple Pay thanks to watchOS 3.
Alongside the Apple Watch Series 2, Apple also introduced the Apple Watch Nike Plus which included the Nike+ Run Club app and came equipped with a choice of exclusive Nike Sport Bands too. Fortunately you didn’t need to splurge for the addition of the app and a different band, as it had the same starting price as the standard Apple Watch Series 2.
Apple Watch Series 3 – September 2017
Apple brought built-in cellular connectivity to the Apple Watch Series 3, which was a genuine game changer as it allows you to make calls and receive tests without needing your iPhone nearby.
Apple Watch Series 4 – September 2018
The Apple Watch Series 4 saw a pretty big reinvention with a thinner yet 30% larger display, fall detection and an electrical heart rate sensor for taking ECGs at home. In fact, the latter is a staple and can be found among many of the best smartwatches.
We’d argue that the Series 4 firmly cemented the Apple Watch as a health tracker alongside an extension of the iPhone.
Apple Watch Series 5 – September 2019
Although it debuted an always-on display, the fifth generation Apple Watch wasn’t as much of a reinvention as it was a refinement. Having said that, there were a handful of new health and fitness tools thanks to watchOS 6, including Cycle Tracking which somehow took five series to make its way into the Watch.
The Apple Watch Series 5 also introduced a titanium model which was lighter yet much more durable than the stainless steel model.
Apple Watch Series 6 and SE – September 2020
2020 was a huge year for the Apple Watch as it not only saw the launch of the sixth generation but it also brought in a more affordable model to reach more users. Coined the Apple Watch SE, the wearable boasts many of the sensors and features found in its more expensive counterpart including fall detection, Emergency SOS and tools such as sleep and workout tracking.
While the Apple Watch Series 6 looked more or less exactly the same as the Series 5 (if it ain’t broke etc), it was promised to sport a faster SiP and introduced the Blood Oxygen monitor. Plus, much like its younger SE sibling, watchOS 7 introduced sleep tracking, new workouts and even automatic handwashing detection.
We should also mention that 2020 saw the announcement of Apple Fitness Plus. The subscription-based service allows users to be guided through a variety of workouts from certified trainers, all from the comfort of their own home.
Apple Watch Series 7 – September 2021
Hailed as being the “most durable Apple Watch ever”, the Series 7 was the first to sport an IP6X dust-resistance rating while retaining its 50m water resistance rating. Plus, its larger and re-engineered always-on display sported a stronger front crystal too.
Other than the new display, it was business as usual with the Apple Watch Series 7. However, the inclusion of watchOS 8 saw new apps such as Mindfulness alongside new workouts for Tai Chi and Pilates too.
Apple Watch Series 8, SE 2 and Ultra – September 2022
September 2022 was a huge year for the Apple Watch, as both iterations saw an update and the mighty Ultra was first introduced.
It’s fair to say that the Apple Watch Series 8 didn’t see many hardware updates from the Series 7, and retained its always-on display, 18-hour battery life and health sensors like the ECG app. Even so, Apple did introduce temperature sensing capabilities, Crash Detection and international roaming with the Series 8.
Despite launching three years ago, the Apple Watch SE 2 remains one of our favourite affordable Apple Watches. While it lacks the always-on display and ECG app, it still offers the core Apple Watch experience with activity tracking, heart rate notifications and both fall and crash detection too.
Boasting the biggest and brightest Apple Watch display, a new customisable Action button and up to 36 hours a battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra was designed for athletes and adventurers alike. The Apple Watch Ultra also promised the most accurate GPS of any Apple Watch and was even certified to EN13319 for scuba diving too.
All of this, however, came with a pretty hefty starting price of £849 / $899.
Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 – September 2023
The headline feature for 2023’s Apple Watch announcement was undoubtedly the gestures function. Found with both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, gestures allow you to control your wearable by raising your wrist, covering the watch and double tapping your index finger and thumb.
Having said that, the Watch Series 9 introduced the new Smart Stack, cycling and hiking support and more.
Similarly, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 saw a few tweaks over a total redesign compared to its original. Powered by the new S9 SiP, the Ultra 2 boasted Apple’s brightest display ever (again), on-device Siri and more capabilities for water sports too. Surprisingly, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 also saw a cheaper starting price compared to its predecessor, at £799.
Apple Watch Series 10 and Black Ultra 2 – September 2024
Although 2024 saw the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now available in black, only the main Apple Watch series received a new iteration.
Hailed as the “thinnest Apple Watch yet”, Apple also claimed its display was the biggest and most advanced of any Apple Watch. In fact, the Series 10 included some Ultra-level features including a 6m water depth alongside tools such as sleep apnea notifications and faster charging too.
Apple Watch Series 11, SE 3 and Ultra 3 – September 2025
Apple’s current flagship models all launched in September 2025 and include: Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
The “most advanced” Apple Watch, the Ultra 3 is fitted with plenty of premium features including 5G cellular capabilities, the “most accurate GPS in a sports watch” and up to 42 hours of battery life. Plus, the Ultra 3 allows users to share their locations with emergency services even without connection.
For most people however, the Apple Watch Series 11 remains the “ultimate health and fitness companion”. Like the Ultra 3, the Series 11 now supports 5G but also benefits from a 2x more scratch resistant screen and up to 24 hours of battery life too.
The 2025 lineup ends with the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE 3 which is the first of its series to sport an always-on display, 5G support and sleep apnea notifications which were introduced in the Apple Watch Series 10.
Otherwise, all three Apple Watch iterations saw the introduction of Workout Buddy, an Apple Intelligence powered “personal trainer” that gives you encouragement and keeps you motivated during your workouts, hypertension notifications and Sleep Score too.
