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On the 9th September Apple unveiled its latest smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10 alongside some other exciting releases such as the iPhone 16, AirPods 4 and a new version of AirPods Max with USB-C.
This highly anticipated release marks a significant milestone, as it celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the original Apple Watch. So naturally, we have been expecting big things from this new model!
From a sleeker design and a larger, brighter display to groundbreaking health features and fast charging, here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Series 10.
Full Apple Watch Series 10 review here
Release and Availability
The Apple Watch Series 10 was released on 20th September 2024 and is now officially available to buy from the Apple Store.
Pricing for the GPS-enabled model starts at $399/ £399, while the cellular-enabled variant will set you back $499/ £499.
You can buy the S10 here from Amazon.
Here’s an article on the 5 things to love about the Apple Watch Series 10 by Mark Ellis.
Design and Display
One of the most striking features of the Apple Watch Series 10 is its design evolution. This model boasts the thinnest case ever seen on an Apple Watch, measuring just 9.7mm in thickness. Yet, despite its slimmer profile, the display has undergone a significant transformation, becoming the largest and most advanced ever featured on the wearable.
New Bands!
Apple has unveiled a range of new bands from Nike and Hermès.
The model is nearly 10 percent thinner than Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, and Series 9, while offering all the advanced capabilities, adding new features, and maintaining an 18-hour battery life. An innovative metal back integrates the antenna into the housing of the device itself, combining the two layers into one. The back is perfectly matched in material, finish, and colour to the rest of the case, making it appear like the device is made from a single piece of metal.
This latest iteration of the wearable comes in three aluminium finishes: Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver.
The Series 10 introduces a wide-angle OLED display, offering up to 30% more screen real estate compared to previous generations. This expanded canvas not only allows for a more immersive viewing experience but also enables the display to extend further towards the edges of the case. The result is a more seamless, edge-to-edge aesthetic that gives the watch an even more refined appearance.
Furthermore, Apple has also engineered the display to be up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle, making it easier to read your watch face even in bright, glare-filled environments.
Here is a table summarizing some of the Apple Watch Series 10 design features we’ve spoken about above:
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|
| Case Thickness | 9.7mm (thinnest case ever on an Apple Watch) |
| Display Type | Wide-Angle OLED |
| Display Size | Up to 30% more screen real estate compared to previous generations |
| Display Brightness | Up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle |
| Display Aesthetic | Edge-to-edge design for a seamless, immersive experience |
| Design Evolution | Largest and most advanced display ever featured on an Apple Watch |
| Color Options | Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver |
| Case Materials | Recycled aluminum and recycled titanium options (as per general Series 10 information) |
Specifications and Performance
The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts a significant performance upgrade, courtesy of the new S10 System in Package (SiP). This custom-designed chip enhances the overall efficiency and also unlocks a host of new capabilities.
One of the most notable improvements is the watch’s ability to charge significantly faster than its predecessors. The Series 10 can now reach an 80% charge in just 30 minutes.
In terms of battery life, Apple estimates the Series 10 to have a runtime of around 18 hours under normal usage conditions. However, the introduction of a new Low Power Mode promises to extend this figure to 36 hours.
Complementing the hardware upgrades, the Series 10 also ships with the latest software, watchOS 11. This software update brings a host of new features and enhancements.
Here’s a table summarizing the performance of the Apple Watch Series 10:
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|
| Processor | S10 System in Package (SiP) |
| Charging Speed | 80% charge in 30 minutes |
| Battery Life (Normal Usage) | Approximately 18 hours |
| Battery Life (Low Power Mode) | Up to 36 hours |
| Operating System | watchOS 11 |
| Notable Improvements | Enhanced efficiency, faster charging, extended battery life, and new capabilities with watchOS 11 |
Health and Fitness Tracking
As always, the Apple Watch Series 10 places a strong emphasis on health and fitness tracking.
One of the most significant additions is the watch’s ability to detect signs of sleep apnea, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, with an estimated 80% of cases going undiagnosed.
The Series 10 utilises its advanced accelerometer to monitor movement during the night, analysing the data every 30 days to provide users with a comprehensive report on their sleep patterns. This feature, however, is still pending FDA approval.
In addition to sleep apnea detection, the Series 10 also introduces new depth and water temperature sensors, making it an even more versatile companion for aquatic enthusiasts. Swimmers and divers can now easily track their depth and the temperature of the water they’re exploring, while the Tides app provides up-to-date information on beach conditions and surf spots.
The new Vitals app further enhances the watch’s health-tracking capabilities, offering a suite of advanced metrics and insights. Users can now monitor their training load, adjust their activity goals, and gain a deeper understanding of their overall well-being.
Connectivity and Intelligent Features
The Apple Watch Series 10 improves on its predecessor’s connectivity and intelligent features.
One of the standout additions is the ability to make and receive calls directly from the watch without the need to have your iPhone nearby. This cellular connectivity, combined with the watch’s built-in speaker and microphone, allows you to easily manage your communications on the go.
The Series 10 also introduces a new Translate app, which automatically adds a translation widget to your watch face when it detects that you’re travelling to a region with a different primary language. This feature, which can work offline, makes it easier than ever to navigate language barriers and communicate with locals.
Furthermore, the watch’s Precision Finding feature takes the guesswork out of locating your iPhone. By using the built-in Ultra Wideband chip, the Series 10 can provide you with the distance and direction to your missing device, making it easier to quickly track down.
Sustainability and Accessibility
The Series 10 Apple watch’s case is now made from 100% recycled aluminium or 95% recycled titanium, reducing the environmental impact of its production.
Apple has also introduced the ability to configure any Apple Watch in any material or finish to be carbon neutral.
Apple has also introduced the ability to configure any Apple Watch in any material or finish to be carbon neutral.
Accessibility has also been a key focus for the Series 10, with built-in features like AssistiveTouch, VoiceOver, and wheelchair workouts ensuring that the watch is inclusive for users of all abilities.
Pricing and Purchasing Options
The Apple Watch Series 10 hit the shelves on September 20th.
The GPS-enabled model starts at $399/ £399, while the cellular-enabled variant will set you back $499/ £499.
In addition to the standard purchasing options, Apple is also offering a range of flexible financing and trade-in programs to make the Series 10 more accessible to a wider audience. Customers can take advantage of Apple Card Monthly Installments, which allow them to pay for the watch over time, interest-free. Those with eligible devices can also trade them in to receive credit towards their new Apple Watch purchase.
Read about some Apple Watch alternatives:
– Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro review
– Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review
– Garmin MARQ Commander review
For added convenience, Apple is providing a variety of delivery and pickup options, including two-hour delivery from an Apple Store, free next-day shipping, and the ability to collect your new watch from a nearby retail location.
Comparison to Previous Models
As the latest iteration in the Apple Watch lineup, the Series 10 introduces a host of improvements and refinements over its predecessors.
Curious about older models?
Here’s our Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 9: Six Month Comparison article.
To help you better understand the key differences, here’s a detailed comparison table comparing the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Series 10.
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | Up to 45mm | Up to 49mm |
| Display Type | OLED | Wide-Angle OLED |
| Display Brightness | Up to 1000 nits | Up to 2000 nits |
| Display Viewing Angle | – | Up to 40% brighter |
| Case Thickness | 10.7mm | 9.7mm |
| Processor | S9 SiP | S10 SiP |
| Charging Speed | 33% in 30 minutes | 80% in 30 minutes |
| Battery Life (Normal Usage) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery Life (Low Power Mode) | Up to 36 hours | Up to 36 hours |
| Sleep Apnea Detection | – | Yes (pending FDA approval) |
| Depth and Water Temperature Sensors | No | Yes |
| Cellular Connectivity | Optional | Optional |
| Translate App | No | Yes |
| Precision Finding | No | Yes |
| Recycled Materials | 100% recycled aluminum | 100% recycled aluminum or 95% recycled titanium |
| Carbon Neutral Configuration | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, the Apple Watch Series 10 brings a host of significant upgrades, from a larger and brighter display to enhanced health-tracking capabilities and faster charging. These improvements, coupled with the sleeker design and new intelligent features, make the Series 10 a truly compelling upgrade for both new and existing Apple Watch users.
Some images courtesy of Apple.
