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Apple recently released a whole bunch of new tech: the iPhone 16, AirPods 4, AirPods Max, Apple Intelligence and of course…the Apple Watch Series 10. 

The launch of this new model is obviously enticing and might have left you wondering if you should buy the Apple Watch 10 or 9? Or possibly you’re considering upgrading from the Series 9 you already have?

In this article, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of these two Apple Watch models. We’ll compare their designs and displays, see how they stack up in terms of performance and features, and take a look at their battery life and charging capabilities. 

By the time we’re done, you’ll know whether the new Apple Watch Series 10 or 9 is right for you.

Apple Watch S9 vs S10: At a Glance

Here’s a comparison table that will give you the basics of each model at a glance.

Feature	Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Series 10
Display	Retina LTPO OLED, up to 2000 nits	MicroLED, up to 3000 nits
Processor	S9 SiP	S10 SiP with faster performance
Storage	64GB	64GB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi	Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6E
Sensors	Blood Oxygen, ECG, Heart Rate, Temperature	Same as Series 9 + new sensors
Material Options	Aluminum, Stainless Steel	Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Titanium
Battery Life	Up to 18 hours, fast charging	Similar battery, improved power efficiency
Ultra-Wideband Chip	U2 chip	U2 chip, improved accuracy for location tracking
New Features	Gesture Control (Double Tap), Night Mode	Same, with enhanced performance

Now let’s get more in-depth…

Design and Display

When it comes to assessing the Apple Watch Series 9 vs Series 10, there are some noticeable differences in design and display that might sway your decision. Let’s dive into the details and see what’s new.

Case Size and Materials

The Apple Watch 10 has grown up a bit. It now comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, compared to the S9’s 41mm and 45mm options. This slight increase gives you more screen real estate to play with. But what’s better – the S10 is actually thinner than its predecessor. At just 9.7mm thick, it’s the first Apple Watch to go under 1cm, which is pretty impressive considering the S9 (and every model since the Series 6) was 10.7mm thick.

In terms of materials, the S9 gave us aluminium and stainless steel options, but the S10 is different. Apple has swapped out stainless steel for titanium in the S10. Titanium is stronger and lighter. The titanium S10 weighs about 20% less than the stainless steel S9. If you’re into the aluminium models, the weight difference isn’t as dramatic, but the S10 is still a tad lighter.

Also, the S10 comes in a new Jet Black finish for the aluminium model.

Screen Technology

Both the S9 and S10 have OLED displays, but the S10 takes it up a notch with its new wide-angle OLED. This new tech makes the screen look up to 40% brighter when you’re glancing at it from an angle. The idea is to stop wrist-twisting to check the time!

The S10 also introduces LTPO3 technology, which is a fancy way of saying it can adjust its refresh rate more efficiently. This means you can now see the seconds ticking by on the always-on display, something the S9 couldn’t do.

Brightness and Visibility

When it comes to brightness, both watches can reach 2,000 nits, which is plenty bright for sunny days. But the S10’s wide-angle OLED gives it an edge in visibility. Apple says the S10’s screen appears up to 40% brighter when viewed from an angle compared to the S9.

The S10’s display is also bigger, giving you up to 30% more screen area than older models like the Series 6. This means you can see more text, type easier with the on-screen keyboard, and even get extra features on your watch face.

In terms of actual screen size, the 46mm S10 boasts a 496 by 416 pixel display, which is 288 more pixels than the 45mm S9.

So, when it comes to design and display, the Apple Watch S10 definitely brings some upgrades to the table. It’s thinner, lighter (especially in titanium), has a bigger and brighter screen, and offers some new finishes.

Performance and Features

When it comes to the Apple Watch S9 vs S10, there are some notable differences in performance and features too.

S9 vs S10 Chip

Both the S9 and S10 come with powerful 64-bit dual-core processors, but the S10 introduces the new S10 SiP (System in Package). While it might not be a massive leap in capabilities, the S10 chip could potentially handle tasks a bit faster, especially when it comes to Apple Intelligence features.

One cool thing about both watches is that they support on-watch Siri and the double-tap gesture. This means you can use voice commands or a simple tap to control your watch, making it super convenient when your hands are full.

The S10 might have a slight edge in processing speed, but for most everyday tasks, you probably won’t notice a huge difference between the two. Both watches are snappy and responsive when handling everything from app launches to workout tracking.

Health and Fitness Capabilities

When it comes to health and fitness features, both the S9 and S10 have got a whole bunch of tools.

In terms of wellness features, both the S9 and S10 Apple watches:

• Have an electrical heart sensor for taking ECGs.
• Track your blood oxygen levels
• Monitor your sleep
• Estimate when you’ve ovulated
• Vitals App
• Sleep Apnea notifications (coming soon)

But what does that mean?

Sleep Apnea notifications are coming in a future update, and it’ll let you know if you might have sleep Apnea and whether you should chat with a doctor about it.

Both watches also have the Vitals app, which gives you a quick look at your key overnight health metrics right on your wrist. That includes talking heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, and how long you slept.

Now, here’s where the S10 starts to pull ahead a bit. If you’re into water sports, the S10 features a depth gauge and water temperature sensors that can measure how deep you are (up to 6 meters underwater) and how warm the water is. It even adopts the entire Oceanic+ app that used to be just for the Apple Watch Ultra series.

Furthermore, both watches are great for tracking all sorts of workouts. They can measure things like heart rate zones, power, and elevation during your workouts. You can also create custom workouts with specific time and distance intervals.

One thing that some users might appreciate is the new Training Load feature. It helps you see how the intensity and duration of your workouts might be impacting your body over time. This is super helpful if you’re training for a big event and need to make smart decisions about when to push harder and when to take it easy.

So, when it comes to performance and features in the Apple Watch S9 vs S10 debate, both watches are pretty solid. The S10 has a slight edge with its new chip and some cool water-focused features, but for most people, the S9 will still be more than capable of handling all your health and fitness tracking needs.

Battery Life and Charging

When it comes to battery life and charging, both the Apple Watch S9 and S10 have some impressive features.

Battery Duration

Apple claims that the battery life of the S10 and S9 can last up to 18 hours with normal use, which is pretty solid for a smartwatch. Also, they can both go up to 36 hours in Low Power mode.

However, in real-world tests with the Series 9, we’ve found it can last up to 32.5 hours with normal use.

Charging Speed

Here’s where the S10 really shines in the Apple Watch S9 vs S10 debate. You can charge up the S10 from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes

The S9 takes about 45 minutes to reach the same 80% charge. So, if you’re always in a rush, the S10’s faster charging could sway you.

The S10 also has a new feature that’s perfect for those of us who like to track our sleep. Just 8 minutes of charging can give you up to 8 hours of sleep tracking. That means you can pop it on the charger while you’re getting ready for bed, and it’ll be good to go all night long.

And if you’re running low on juice during the day, a quick 15-minute charge can give you up to 8 hours of normal use. Make sure you’re using an Apple USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable and a compatible power adapter. And keep in mind that extreme temperatures can affect charging speed.

In the end, while both the S9 and S10 offer solid battery life, the S10’s faster charging capabilities give it a slight edge. Whether that’s enough to sway your decision in the Apple Watch S9 vs S10 debate depends on how much you value those extra minutes saved at the charging station.

Conclusion

Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10 offer brilliant performance, but the right choice depends on your priorities.

If you already own the Series 9, the upgrades in the Series 10—like the brighter display, thinner design, and faster charging—are compelling but aren’t exactly necessary. So save some money and stick with your Apple Watch Series 9.

However, if you’re into water sports, appreciate faster charging, or love the idea of a lighter, thinner watch with a bigger screen, the Series 10 is the clear winner. For those upgrading from older models (pre- S9) or buying their first Apple Watch, the Series 10 offers the most advanced technology, making it the best pick for long-term use.

For more details, you can visit Apple’s comparison page.