Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch: 5 Key Details

The Apple Watch release brings three Apple Watch models to consumers in April, but for most shoppers there are only two real Apple Watch models to compare. This Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch comparison will help you understand the major differences between these two Apple Watch options that are in reach of the average consumer.

On March 9th Apple will tell consumers more about the Apple Watch, including the Apple Watch release date, but with the original reveal in 2014 we already know how the Apple Watch vs Apple Watch Sport comparison looks. In fact we can compare all the Apple Watch models thanks to loads of great Apple Watch photos that show off the differences between the Watch and the Watch Sport.

Read our Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch comparison to see how they stack up.

The Apple Watch is an iPhone accessory, so you will need an iPhone for this to work and it doesn’t do much when it isn’t connected to your iPhone, but it will play music directly to Bluetooth headphones without your iPhone, which means it is a tempting workout accessory for users who want to leave the iPhone at home.

Here are the five most important things you need to know about the Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch right now.

Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch Price

The Apple Watch price starts at $349, but there is some debate over which model that price is linked to. On stage during the iPhone 6 event in September 2014 Tim Cook first announced the watch and shared the Apple Watch Price and the three models. During this event Cook only shared a single price. On stage Tim Cook states, “Apple Watch starts at only $349.”

The Apple Watch price starts at $349, but is that the cheapest model?

In the Apple Watch press release Apple states, “Apple Watch will be available in early 2015 starting at $349 (US).” None of these statements references a specific Apple Watch model.

Rumors suggest the Apple Watch Sport price is $349 and the Apple Watch could start at $500 to $1,000 depending on the bands and other options. This is possible, but Kevin Tofel of GigaOM believes the Apple Watch price will start at $349 and the Apple Watch Sport price will come in lower at $279 or $299 because it uses cheaper materials like aluminum and fluoroelastomer.

We’ll have to wait for the Apple Watch event before we get a firm answer on this, but you will be able to buy at least one for this price.

Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch Design

The Apple Watch Sport and Apple Watch will both offer the same size options, the Digital Crown and the option to switch watch bands, but they are made of different materials.

The Apple Watch is available in big and small.

The Apple Watch Sport is made of a lightweight anodized aluminum in solver or space gray. Apple covers the display in Ion-X glass and users strap it to their hand with a fluoroelastomer band in one of five colors.

Apple delivers a higher-end look and feel with the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch features a stainless steel or space black stainless steel material for the actual watch material and a Sapphire screen cover. Options include leather bands, a link bracelet, a Milanese loop and a fluoroelastomer band option.

There are important design differences between the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport.

Sapphire is stronger than glass when it comes to preventing scratches, and stainless steel should also hold up better than aluminum over time. The Apple Watch Sport weighs 30% less than the Apple Watch with stainless steel, and Apple claims the aluminum is 60% stronger than traditional alloys, so it may be able to hold its own. Apple boasts that the specific Apple Watch steel is stronger and cold forged to make it, “less susceptible to nicks and scratches.”

The Apple Watch sizes are 38mm and 42mm, which offer a small and a large option of each version so that users can pick the one that fits their wrist.

Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch Bands

Apple sells 10 Apple Watch Sport Models and 18 Apple Watch models with a variety of bands. The only cross over that Apple shows online is from the Apple Watch Sport to the Apple Watch. Both models work with a white and a black Sport band. This is a good

There are many Apple Watch bands.

The Apple Watch includes a Sport band option, and both of these models offer the option to remove a band with the push of a button, so there is hope that you will be able to buy a new band to make the Apple Watch Sport look nicer when you need something without a rubber band.

Some colors and Apple Watch bands are only shown on specific sizes and versions of the Apple Watch. According to 9to5Mac Apple will sell individual Apple Watch bands in the Apple Store on the Apple Watch release. There is no word on the Apple Watch band prices.

An Apple Watch band adapter prototype.

We are already seeing an Apple Watch band adapter to use regular bands with the Apple Watch, as reported by MacRumors, but Apple may try to limit third-party options and accessories.

Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch Features

In terms of what the Apple Watch can do, there is no difference between the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport. Both will run the same software, both should work in the shower and can play music without your iPhone connected. The slides below outlines 25 things the Apple Watch can do.

Answer Calls on the Apple Watch

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You can answer a call on your Apple Watch using it as a small Bluetooth speakerphone. You only want to use this for shorter calls because the audio quality isn't as good as when you are talking on speakerphone on your iPhone.  The Apple Watch only allows you to answer your calls on Speakerphone, so you won't want to use this all the time. It is very handy when you are working on a project or busy with your hands. Definitely be conscious of where you are taking calls. If you wouldn't talk on speakerphone, you shouldn't talk on your Apple Watch. If you buy the new Apple Watch with LTE, you can even make calls on the Apple Watch without your iPhone nearby. This requires adding the watch to your plan for $10 a month. You cannot answer a FaceTime video call on the Apple Watch.

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Apple Watch Sport vs Apple Watch Release Dates

Apple only announced the Apple Watch release date as Spring, since that announcement Tim Cook told investors that it is coming in April. With an Apple Watch event on Monday March 9th it is clear that the Apple Watch release is coming soon.

Count on seeing all of the models in store on the Apple Watch release date. Lewis Tse Pui Lung / Shutterstock.com

A recent Apple Watch release date rumor form MacRumors claims the Apple Watch release date is set for the first full week of April, between April 6th and April 10th.

We expect to see all the Apple Watch models available on the same day, but depending on demand you may have trouble finding some of the most popular, or most affordable options.