Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 10 on September 9th, showcasing a substantial redesign and upgrade. The most noticeable change is the display, which is now larger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple also opted to forego updating the Apple Watch SE lineup, keeping the 2nd generation model from 2022 available. This year, the Series 10 takes center stage.
Thinner Design and Larger display
The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts improvements in almost every area. The display is larger and brighter, with improved viewing angles and an always-on mode that now displays seconds even when your wrist is down. The watch itself is remarkably thin, measuring in at 9.7mm, making it 10% thinner than the Series 9. Here’s a closer look at the key upgrades:
- Completely redesigned case in 42mm and 46mm sizes
- Largest display area yet on an Apple Watch: 374x446px for the 42mm and 416x496px for the 46mm
- Thinnest Apple Watch ever made (9.7mm compared to 10.7mm on Series 9)
- New “Ionic Glass” screen with a curved design
- New S10 silicon.
- “Wide Angle OLED” display for 40% better brightness at an angle
- Increased overall display brightness
- Always-on display now shows seconds in standby mode (updates every 1 second instead of 1 minute)
- Speaker can now play media and music (previously required headphones)
- Significantly faster charging: 80% charge in 30 minutes (fastest Apple Watch yet)
- New exclusively designed bands from Nike and Hermes.
See: Google Pixel Watch 3 – The watch that has it all
Enhanced Health & Fitness features
The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces a range of new health features:
- Automatic background noise removal during voice calls with a new neural network.
- Depth gauge for snorkeling (up to 6 meters/20 feet) – maintains 50m water resistance.
- Water temperature sensor for swimming activities.
- New “Tides” app to view tidal data worldwide.
- Snorkeling support with the third-party Oceanic app (through a partnership).
- Sleep apnea detection with monthly reports and analysis.
- New sleep metric: breathing disturbances (contributes to sleep apnea detection).
Pricing & Availability
You can preorder the Apple Watch Series 10 starting today, and it will be shipping from September 20 onwards. The GPS-enabled model starts at $399, and the cellular-enabled model starts at $499.
See: OnePlus Watch 2R – A perfect budget friendly choice
Battery Life and Performance
The Apple Watch Series 10 is designed to provide up to 18 hours of battery life in smartwatch mode. This estimate may vary depending on usage factors such as screen brightness, app usage, and workout intensity. The new S10 chip is expected to contribute to improved overall performance, including smoother app launches, faster calculations, and efficient multitasking.
Other highlighting features on offer
- Two new watch faces: “Flux” and “Reflections”
- New metal backplate
- Three color options for the base edition: Rose Gold, Silver Aluminum, and Jet Black
- Three new polished titanium versions (20% lighter than stainless steel)
- Titanium Series 10 is a carbon-neutral product.
Software Updates
While most software features were announced with WatchOS11 in June, there are a few additions specific to the Series 10:
- The “Tides” app is now included in WatchOS11 for all compatible Apple Watches.
- Sleep apnea features will be available on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 as well. (Note: Sleep apnea detection is not yet medically certified, but Apple expects approval this month).
See: How sustainable and repairable is Pixel Watch 3
You should also know
- Faster charging requires newer Apple Watch charging cables with braided exteriors or silver around the puck (introduced with Apple Watch 7 & Ultra or later). Older cables will work but at slower speeds.
- The Blood Oxygen monitoring is still not available due to a patent approval.
In Conclusion
Apple has taken a significant leap forward with the Apple Watch Series 10. The larger, brighter display, faster charging, and new health features make it a compelling upgrade for those with older models. While real-world testing is needed to assess battery life and performance, the Series 10 is undoubtedly the most exciting iteration of the Apple Watch yet.