As Apple Watch celebrates its 10th anniversary, Series 10 has arrived with a suite of refinements rather than revolutionary changes, our Apple Watch 10 review roundup found. And that’s despite the fact that a redesign took place to make the wearable larger yet slimmer. Let’s dive into what reviewers say this latest iteration brings to the table, including a larger display, faster charging and sleep apnea detection.
Apple Watch 10 review roundup
Sleeker design and larger display
Apple Watch Series 10 marks a significant step forward in Apple’s pursuit of a more wearable smartwatch with robust features, reviews generally agree. And that begs the question, should you buy Apple Watch 10 or is upgrading to Ultra 2 still worth it? The Verge emphasizes that Apple Watch 10 is the “thinnest, lightest, and fastest-charging” Apple wearable to date, with the biggest display ever. TechCrunch adds that the watch features more rounded corners and new finishes, contributing to a sleeker overall look.
Engadget provides a vivid description, noting that the Series 10 feels “a bit like a biscuit” compared to the Series 9’s “smaller mahjong tile” feel. Pretty much all reviews highlight the larger display, which now measures 42mm and 46mm for the two different-sized cases (up from 41mm and 45mm). The wide-angle OLED screen offers improved viewing angles, making it easier to glance at your watch from various positions and still be able to make out what’s on the brighter screen.
Photo: Apple
Slightly boosted battery and faster charging
One of the most praised improvements is the Series 10’s faster charging capability, as a CNBC review pointed out. It and The Verge report that you can now go from zero to 80% battery in just 30 minutes, with a 15-minute charge providing eight hours of use. This addresses one of the long-standing issues with the Apple Watch — its need for daily charging, especially when used for sleep tracking.
Engadget‘s testing found that Series 10 generally outlasted Series 9, though not by a huge margin. However, compared to some competitors offering multi-day battery life, the Apple Watch still lags behind in this department.
Sleep apnea detection and other health features
The introduction of sleep apnea detection is a significant new health feature, highlighted by all three reviews. This feature monitors breathing patterns during sleep and can alert users to potential issues, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis of this common but often undetected condition.
However, as The Verge and TechCrunch point out, Series 10 loses blood oxygen monitoring capabilities in the US due to an ongoing patent dispute with Masimo. This removal might be a dealbreaker for some users who rely on this feature.
Engadget draws attention to new water-related features borrowed from the Apple Watch Ultra, including the Depth app for measuring water depth and temperature, and a new Tides app. These additions cater to users who enjoy water sports or frequent beach visits.
Performance and watchOS 11
Photo: Apple
While none of the reviews mention significant performance improvements, they do highlight software enhancements coming with watchOS 11. Engadget discusses the new Smart Stack feature, which provides easy access to relevant widgets, and the Translate app, which allows for on-the-go language translation.
TechCrunch mentions the new Vitals app, which collates all health metrics in one place, and the Training Load app for athletes to track workout intensity over time.
Surprisingly good audio
An interesting addition noted by Engadget is the ability to play music and podcasts directly through the watch’s speaker. While not intended for prolonged listening, the reviewer found the audio quality surprisingly good for its size, offering clear mids and trebles at maximum volume in quiet environments.
Apple Watch 10 review roundup: Overall impressions
Photo: Apple
The consensus in our Apple Watch 10 review roundup is that Series 10 represents a nice set of refinements rather than a revolutionary redesign. The Verge describes it as “another steady, incremental refinement in a long line of steady, incremental refinements,” while TechCrunch emphasizes Apple’s focus on “refining over redesigning.”
Engadget draws a parallel with the iPhone’s evolution, noting that the Apple Watch has reached a stage of maturity where annual updates are more iterative than transformative.
All three reviews suggest that the Series 10 is a worthwhile upgrade for those coming from older models (Series 6 or earlier). However, for users with more recent versions, the improvements may not justify an immediate upgrade.
So Apple Watch Series 10 continues to lead the smartwatch market with its blend of health features, seamless ecosystem integration and refined design. While it may not offer the dramatic leap some were hoping for on its 10th anniversary, it does represent a thoughtful evolution of a product that has become an integral part of many users’ daily lives.
Preorder Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399 for the 42mm model in aluminum with GPS only. For $429, you can get the 46mm model with GPS only. Adding cellular networking adds $100 to the price tag. The aluminum watches come in silver, rose gold or jet black.
Replacing stainless steel, the titanium model starts at $699 for the 42mm size. The 46mm model starts at $749. They come with both GPS and cellular, in gold, slate or natural titanium finishes.
If you are tempted by a shiny new Apple Watch Series 10, you can preorder now. Watches become available in stores and for general online ordering on Friday.
