The Morning After: Our verdict on the Apple Watch Series 10

After much anticipation, the Apple Watch Series 10 is here, and it’s packed with enough upgrades to make it a serious contender for the best wearable of the year. Apple’s latest iteration of its flagship smartwatch brings notable improvements in health tracking, battery life, and design, but is it enough to justify an upgrade if you’re already sporting a previous generation? Here’s our detailed verdict after putting the Series 10 through its paces.

Design and Display: Refined, but Familiar

At first glance, the Apple Watch Series 10 looks similar to its predecessor, the Series 9, with its sleek, square face and durable materials. However, Apple has fine-tuned the design, offering an even larger display with thinner bezels, providing more screen real estate without increasing the overall size of the device. This is particularly noticeable on the Ultra model, which boasts a rugged design aimed at outdoor enthusiasts.

The always-on Retina display is as vibrant and sharp as ever, making it easy to read in any lighting condition. According to TechCrunch, the updated display technology offers 30% higher brightness, making it easier to view under direct sunlight (source). The materials feel premium, with new band options made from sustainable materials, reinforcing Apple’s commitment to eco-friendly design.

“The Apple Watch Series 10 continues to refine its look with subtle but meaningful upgrades, maintaining the elegance Apple users expect,” said Joanna Stern from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Health Features: Taking It to the Next Level

One of the most significant reasons to consider upgrading to the Series 10 is the new health and fitness tracking capabilities. Apple has added several new sensors and features designed to provide deeper insights into your health. Notably, the Series 10 introduces the long-awaited blood pressure monitoring feature, making it one of the most advanced health wearables on the market.

Additionally, the ECG and blood oxygen monitoring have been fine-tuned for improved accuracy, with the new heart rate variability and sleep tracking algorithms offering even more precise data. These features are all part of Apple’s vision to make the Apple Watch a true “health companion.”

CNET noted that the Series 10’s health tracking features put it ahead of its competitors like Fitbit and Garmin in terms of overall functionality and ease of use (source).

“The new health features solidify the Series 10 as a must-have for anyone focused on fitness and wellness. Blood pressure monitoring is a game-changer, and Apple has delivered it in a sleek package,” said Raymond Wong, tech reviewer at Input Mag (Input Mag).

Performance and Battery Life: Incremental Upgrades

The Apple Watch Series 10 comes equipped with the S10 chip, offering improved performance and efficiency over the previous generation. Apps load faster, and navigating between functions feels seamless. However, for day-to-day use, the performance improvements may not be immediately noticeable if you’re upgrading from the Series 8 or Series 9.

Battery life, while slightly improved, still provides about 18-24 hours of usage, depending on how you use it. This is a bit underwhelming, especially compared to competitors like the Garmin Fenix or Fitbit Sense, which offer multi-day battery life. However, Apple’s fast charging capability means you can quickly top up your watch when needed.

“Battery life remains the Achilles’ heel of the Apple Watch, but the fast-charging feature compensates for it to some extent. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it could be a point of frustration for heavy users,” commented Mark Gurman, tech journalist at Bloomberg (Bloomberg).

Software: watchOS 11 Shines

With the Series 10, you also get watchOS 11, which introduces a more customizable and intuitive interface. New widgets and watch faces offer plenty of personalization options, while features like Assistive Touch make the watch more accessible for users with mobility challenges.

One standout feature in watchOS 11 is Mindful Mode, which integrates stress tracking, meditation, and breathing exercises into one cohesive experience. Paired with the Series 10’s enhanced health sensors, this makes for a more holistic approach to wellness.

Should You Upgrade?

For users coming from an Apple Watch Series 6 or older, the Series 10 offers enough new features to make the upgrade worth considering, particularly if you’re interested in health monitoring or fitness tracking. The blood pressure monitoring and improved health metrics are standout features that are difficult to find elsewhere.

However, if you’re currently using a Series 9, the differences may feel incremental, and it may be worth holding off for another generation unless you’re particularly excited about the new health features or watchOS 11 improvements.

In summary, the Apple Watch Series 10 builds on what was already a solid foundation, but it’s the health and wellness tracking that truly sets it apart. While the battery life could still use some improvement, the overall package remains one of the best in the wearables market.

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