Apple Watch Series 10 Review

Jonathan Kao

Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch Series 10 was a pretty large step forward for Apple’s smart watch lineup, even though most of the changes were very subtle. Now that it’s been out for a while, we’re looking back at how the watch has performed and what people have been saying about it. The watch itself has a bigger screen that’s easier to read from different angles. This makes it simpler to check your info quickly.

The Series 10 is thinner and more powerful than past models, with new health features and faster charging. It comes in aluminum or titanium cases and runs the latest watchOS 11 software. This update brings fresh watch faces and apps to enjoy.

Apple made the Series 10 to be their best watch yet. It aims to help users stay healthy, connected, and on top of their day. The new model builds on what people liked about earlier Apple Watches while adding useful upgrades.

Apple Watch Series 10 Ratings

FeatureRating (1-5)
Display5
Performance5
Battery Life4
Health and Fitness Features5
Software and User Experience5
Durability4
Value4

Overall Score: 4.5 out of 5

Apple Watch Series 10: A Detailed Look

The Apple Watch Series 10 is the latest iteration of Apple’s popular smartwatch. It builds upon the success of its predecessors with notable improvements and new features. Let’s dive into what makes the Series 10 tick.

Design and Display

The Series 10 retains the iconic rectangular design with a focus on a larger, more vibrant display. Apple has reduced the bezels, allowing for a nearly 20% larger screen area compared to the Series 8. This means more space to view content and interact with apps. The display also boasts increased brightness, making it easier to read outdoors in sunlight. Apple has introduced a new color option, a striking deep red alongside the standard aluminum and stainless steel finishes.

Performance and Battery Life

Powering the Series 10 is Apple’s new S10 SiP (System in Package). This chip delivers faster performance and improved efficiency. You’ll notice smoother animations, quicker app launches, and enhanced responsiveness. Despite the larger display and powerful processor, Apple claims the Series 10 maintains the same all-day battery life as the Series 8, lasting up to 18 hours on a single charge. A new low-power mode helps extend battery life even further when needed.

Health and Fitness Features

The Apple Watch continues to be a leader in health and fitness tracking. The Series 10 includes an upgraded heart rate sensor for more accurate readings. It retains the ECG app and blood oxygen sensor for comprehensive health monitoring. New to the Series 10 is a body temperature sensor, which can provide insights into your overall wellness and even aid in cycle tracking for women. For fitness enthusiasts, the Series 10 offers advanced workout tracking, automatic workout detection, and new metrics like running power and stride length.

WatchOS 10

The Series 10 ships with the latest WatchOS 10, bringing a redesigned interface and new ways to interact with your watch. The updated OS focuses on glanceable information and widgets, making it easier to access what you need at a quick glance. watchOS 10 also introduces new watch faces, enhanced cycling features, and improved mental health tools.

Other Notable Features

The Series 10 retains all the features that make Apple Watch a versatile companion. This includes built-in GPS, cellular connectivity options, Apple Pay support, and water resistance up to 50 meters. It also boasts a new, more durable case design with improved crack resistance.

Comparison Table

FeatureApple Watch Series 10Apple Watch Series 8
DisplayLarger display with reduced bezels, increased brightnessSmaller display
ProcessorS10 SiPS8 SiP
Health SensorsHeart rate sensor, ECG, blood oxygen, body temperatureHeart rate sensor, ECG, blood oxygen
Battery LifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
New FeaturesRedesigned OS with glanceable information, new watch faces, enhanced cycling features

Who is it for?

The Apple Watch Series 10 is a great choice for those who want the latest and greatest from Apple. Its larger display, faster performance, and new health features make it a compelling upgrade for existing Apple Watch users. It’s also an excellent option for first-time smartwatch buyers looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly device.

Key Takeaways

  • Bigger, brighter screen makes info easier to read at a glance
  • Thinner design with more power and new health features
  • Runs watchOS 11 with new faces and apps

Design and Build Quality

The Apple Watch Series 10 brings a refined design that’s thinner and more comfortable. It features a larger display with thinner bezels, while maintaining the iconic shape users know and love.

Materials and Finishes

The Series 10 comes in aluminum and titanium options. Aluminum models are available in silver, gold, and space gray. Titanium watches offer a premium look in natural and space black finishes. Both materials are lightweight yet durable, perfect for all-day wear.

Apple has improved the scratch resistance of the aluminum models. The titanium versions keep their high-end feel and extra strength. All models have a ceramic and sapphire crystal back for better sensor contact.

Display Enhancements

The new display is 20% larger than previous models. It has thinner bezels that make the screen seem to stretch edge-to-edge. The Always-On Retina display is brighter, making it easier to read in sunlight.

Text and images look sharper thanks to higher resolution. The screen’s curves match the case perfectly, creating a seamless look. Watch faces take full advantage of the extra space, showing more info at a glance.

Dimensions and Weight

The Series 10 is the thinnest Apple Watch yet. It’s about 10% slimmer than the Series 9, sitting more flush on the wrist. This makes it more comfortable for sleep tracking and all-day wear.

Despite being thinner, the watch keeps its water resistance for swimming. It’s also lighter, especially the titanium models. The exact weight varies by case size and material:

  • 41mm aluminum: 32g
  • 45mm aluminum: 38.8g
  • 41mm titanium: 37g
  • 45mm titanium: 45.1g

The slimmer profile doesn’t affect battery life, which remains at 18 hours of normal use.

Technical Specifications

The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts impressive hardware, connectivity options, and battery life. This latest model brings upgrades in performance, cellular capabilities, and power efficiency.

Hardware Performance

The Series 10 features the new S10 SiP (System in Package) chip, which offers faster processing and improved energy efficiency. This chip powers the watch’s wide-angle OLED display, providing crisp visuals and smooth animations. The screen measures 46mm diagonally on the larger model, with a resolution of 416 by 496 pixels.

The watch includes an upgraded accelerometer for more precise motion tracking. It also has a depth gauge, allowing users to measure water depth while swimming or diving. This feature enhances the watch’s water resistance capabilities.

The Series 10 comes in aluminum or titanium cases. The aluminum GPS model weighs 36.4 grams, while the GPS + Cellular version is slightly lighter at 35.3 grams.

Connectivity and Cellular

Apple has improved the cellular antenna in the Series 10, resulting in better signal reception for the GPS + Cellular models. This upgrade allows for clearer calls and faster data speeds when away from a paired iPhone.

The watch runs on watchOS 11, which brings new features and optimizations. It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless connectivity with other devices and accessories.

GPS accuracy has been enhanced, providing more precise location tracking for fitness activities and navigation. The cellular model can make calls, send texts, and stream music independently of a paired iPhone.

Battery and Charging

The Series 10 features an efficient battery that can last up to 18 hours on a single charge with typical use. Apple has improved the charging coil, enabling faster charging times compared to previous models.

The watch supports quick charging, allowing users to get a full day’s charge in about 45 minutes. This is especially useful for sleep tracking, as users can quickly top up the battery before bedtime.

The new power management system works with the S10 chip to optimize battery use. This results in longer battery life during workouts and when using power-hungry features like GPS and cellular connections.

Health and Safety Innovations

The Apple Watch Series 10 brings new health monitoring and safety features. These upgrades aim to help users track their well-being and stay safe in various situations.

Monitoring and Wellness Features

The Series 10 watch can now detect signs of sleep apnea. This feature checks for breathing issues during sleep. Users get a report they can show their doctor. The watch also tracks other sleep data to give a full picture of rest quality.

The device has a Vitals app that keeps an eye on key health markers. It can spot changes that might point to problems like high blood pressure. The Health app stores all this info in one place.

Machine learning helps the watch learn users’ normal patterns. This lets it spot unusual changes faster. The Series 10 can track more health signs than older models.

Safety and Accessibility

Apple added new safety features to the Series 10. The watch can now call for help if it senses a fall during activities like snorkeling. This adds to its existing fall detection for land-based activities.

For users with limited mobility, there are new ways to control the watch. Voice commands and gestures make it easier to use without touching the screen.

The Series 10 is water-resistant to 50 meters. This makes it safe for swimming and other water sports. The watch can track these activities and give safety alerts if needed.