42mm Apple Watch Series 4 to Feature Resolution of 384x480 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

42mm Apple Watch Series 4 to Feature Resolution of 384x480

Apple's upcoming Apple Watch Series 4 models will feature larger displays thanks to reduced bezel size, and information 9to5Mac discovered in the most recent watchOS 5 beta suggests the 42mm Apple Watch will likely have a screen resolution of 384x480.

The current 42mm Apple Watch Series 3 model, for comparison, has a resolution of 312x390.

With the higher resolution (and increased PPI), Apple Watch Series 4 apps will be able to display more information at a higher resolution on the display, as shown in the example image below that were taken from a modified Apple Watch Simulator using a guesstimated PPI of 345.

applewatchscreensizecomparison
As was seen in leaked marketing materials last week, the upcoming Apple Watch Series 4 models will feature at least one new watch face capable of displaying up to nine complications at one time.

Additional new watch faces could be included, and information taken from the beta suggests there will be new types of complications for Apple Watch apps to use.

Given the increase in resolution, third-party app developers will need to tweak their apps to work with the new Apple Watch Series 4 screen sizes.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)

Popular Stories

apple watch series 11 pink

Apple Starts Selling Refurbished Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3

Friday June 5, 2026 2:14 pm PDT by
Apple is now selling refurbished versions of the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and Apple Watch SE 3 at discounted prices. This is the first time the Series 11, Ultra 3, and SE 3 have been available through Apple's online refurbished store since the devices launched last September. Refurbished pricing on the 46mm GPS Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $369, down from $429, while ...
Apple Watch Series 9 Pink Aluminum Feature

watchOS 27 Drops Support for Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra 1, SE 2, and Older

Monday June 8, 2026 11:37 am PDT by
Apple today confirmed that watchOS 27 will not support the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra (first generation), or Apple Watch SE (second generation), effectively drawing a line at devices equipped with the S9 or S10 chip. The only Apple Watch models compatible with watchOS 27 are the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, Ultra 3, and SE 3. The cuts are the biggest...
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 Mistakenly Left Off watchOS 27 Compatibility List

Monday June 8, 2026 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today confirmed that the Apple Watch Series 9 is compatible with watchOS 27, after the device was mistakenly omitted from the software's official compatibility page. Apple updated its website immediately following its WWDC 2026 keynote, and the watchOS 27 page listed a shorter compatibility list than many users expected: the Apple Watch SE 3, Series 10, Series 11, Ultra 2, and Ultra 3. ...

Top Rated Comments

CaptMarvel Avatar
102 months ago
These should fly off of the shelves...just watch!!
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
102 months ago
And to think, the original iPhone was 320x480. (The original Mac was 512x342.)
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redheeler Avatar
102 months ago
Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro's pixel density has not been improved since 2012. At least we know where Apple's priorities lie...
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macduke Avatar
102 months ago
Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro's pixel density has not been improved since 2012. At least we know where Apple's priorities lie...
Is this actually, seriously a problem? I can't even see pixel edges until I get under a foot from the display. In normal use it's fine. However, it would be nice to be able to drive an @3X display down to @2X but with a smaller UI so you can fit more on the display if you wanted to. The thing is 95% of people would never do this so Apple is probably preferring to keep their margins high until 4320x2700 15" displays come down in price. They could go all weird on the scaling like the iPhone Plus but I think they prefer not to.

What I would rather have is a 120Hz refresh rate.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RodThePlod Avatar
102 months ago
Really looking forward to upgrading to the Series 4. In fact, I'm more excited to see the new Watch than the new iPhones!
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lobbyist Avatar
102 months ago
9to5mac are on a roll
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors