Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Thinner, Lighter, and Packed with New Features

Apple Watch Series 10, the latest addition to the Apple Watch lineup, has undergone minor design and performance improvements. Although the external changes are subtle, there are noticeable upgrades in real-world use. The update brings a lighter and thinner design, a new titanium alloy case, a wider OLED display, and new health monitoring features. While the configuration has not seen groundbreaking changes, the innovative polishing techniques and eco-friendly measures add a new dimension to the overall design.

This article will delve into the core highlights and user experience of the Series 10, covering its appearance, screen, health management, exercise features, and battery life, helping you gain a comprehensive understanding of the product's value. Will it surpass its predecessors and become the new market favorite? We’ll reveal the answers.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - What's New?

Apple Watch Series 10 is not just about external changes; it also boasts significant upgrades in both functionality and design. The new model features a lighter and thinner design (10% lighter and just 9.7mm thick), making it more comfortable to wear, with an improved screen and speaker.

In terms of the display, the Series 10 comes with a larger wide-angle OLED screen, Apple's first of its kind, offering higher brightness, clearer text, and an Always-On Display that refreshes every second, making information easier to read. Additionally, Series 10 introduces a speaker that supports audio playback, delivering excellent sound quality.

On the health front, Series 10 introduces a groundbreaking sleep apnea detection feature (soon to be FDA approved) and supports faster charging speeds. These improvements, coupled with new colors and materials, make Series 10 one of the most significant updates to the Apple Watch in recent years.

It’s worth noting that the sleep apnea detection feature will also be rolled out to Series 9 and Ultra 2 through WatchOS 11, but for users upgrading from the SE model, the Series 10 is undoubtedly a giant leap forward.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - What Hasn't Changed?

Despite numerous upgrades, some key aspects of the Series 10 remain unchanged. Firstly, battery life has not seen a significant improvement. Similar to previous generations, daily use still requires charging once a day, and it does not achieve a full 24-hour battery life, which remains a challenge for users needing continuous health monitoring.

Furthermore, while a new charger that complies with WPT standards has been introduced, older chargers are no longer compatible with the new watch, limiting flexibility in charging accessories. Although improvements have been made in screen brightness and size, the basic functionality of the display has not undergone any revolutionary changes and remains consistent with previous generations.

In summary, while Series 10 offers some performance optimizations, core experiences such as battery life and compatibility have not seen a complete breakthrough.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Price and Availability

The 42mm version of the Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399, with the cellular model priced at $499. The 46mm version starts at $429, and the cellular model costs $529. The new model will officially be released on September 20.

As for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, it is priced at $799. While it also supports sleep apnea detection via a software update, the overall changes are limited. If you’re deciding on the Series 10 vs Ultra 2, be sure to check out our comparison guide.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Specifications

Apple Watch Series 10 Specifications
Starting Price	$399
Size	42 mm, 46 mm
Weight	29.3 g - 41.7 g
Battery Life	Up to 18 hours
Display	LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina
Case Material and Colors	Aluminum: Midnight, Rose Gold, Silver
	Titanium: Slate, Gold, Natural
Water Resistance	Up to 50 meters
Compatibility	iOS 18
Processor	S10

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Design

The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces the first major design change since the Series 7, with a 9% increase in screen size over the Series 9 and a 30% increase compared to Series 6 or earlier. This watch features a wide-angle OLED screen with 40% increased brightness and is thinner than the Series 9, with a thickness of just 9.7mm and 10% lighter. Both wearability and visual appeal have been noticeably improved.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, with a black sport band. The band uses the classic butterfly clasp design for a secure fit and is compatible with previous Apple Watch bands. If you're looking for the best Apple Watch 10 bands, Bandletic, a premium sport watch bands brands, offers excellent options to add style and comfort to your watch. Additionally, Series 10 offers fabric, stainless steel, and titanium bands to meet various needs.

The design details of the watch have also been upgraded. The right side includes a rotating crown, microphone, and control button, while the left side has a redesigned speaker with dual mesh holes. The back sensor is now smoother, enhancing wear comfort.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Health Monitoring

Apple Watch Series 10 is equipped with the updated features of watchOS 11, including the newly added sleep apnea detection (which will also be available for Series 9 and Ultra 2 once FDA approved). You can also check the buying guide of Apple Watch Series 9 vs Ultra 2 to know more Apple Watch products. This feature helps users detect potential health risks. After wearing the watch overnight, users can view sleep apnea data and receive potential apnea alerts after 10 nights of wear.

The Series 10 also features sensors for blood oxygen, electrocardiogram (ECG), body temperature, and heart rate, providing comprehensive health data. Sleep tracking accurately records each sleep stage (deep sleep, REM, etc.) and provides data on body temperature and breathing rate. Short naps (under 20 minutes) are not recorded, but naps over an hour are displayed.

Heart rate monitoring frequency has improved, with automatic updates almost every minute, providing timely notifications for abnormalities. Active heart rate measurement takes only 7-8 seconds. The ECG feature helps detect arrhythmias and other issues.

Compared to Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6, Fitbit Sense 2 or Garmin Fenix 8, the Apple Watch Series 10 excels in real-time data analysis for health monitoring. In the ongoing debates of Garmin vs. Apple Watch and Fitbit vs. Apple Watch, it stands out by offering more comprehensive insights, particularly for heart rate, sleep quality, and vital signs, helping users better understand and manage their health.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Exercise Experience

Apple Watch Series 10 offers extensive sports support, including running, hiking, swimming, cycling, golf, yoga, and skiing. The new water temperature sensor provides pool water temperature data, while the depth sensor supports measurements up to 6 meters, suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Paired with the Oceanic+ app, it supports snorkeling activities.

The Series 10 uses L1 single-frequency satellite positioning and supports five major positioning systems (Beidou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS), allowing for quick start without waiting for satellite signal acquisition. In cycling mode, it accurately tracks time, distance, speed, and other data, with no noticeable drift in tracking. Compared to Garmin’s Fenix 7 series or Forerunner 955, the Apple Watch Series 10 also delivers high-precision performance in positioning and sports monitoring.

Fitness-wise, the new fitness app introduces a training load index, helping users intuitively understand the intensity and impact of workouts, guiding when to ramp up exercise and when to rest and recover.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Battery Life and Charging

The battery life of Apple Watch Series 10 is up to 18 hours with regular use, and up to 36 hours in low power mode. For users especially sensitive to battery life, it’s recommended to opt for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or carry a charging cable.

Charging-wise, the Series 10 comes with a larger charging coil, allowing it to reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, a significant improvement over the 45 minutes of the Series 7, Apple Watch Series 8, and 9, offering a more efficient charging experience.

Apple Watch Series 10 Review - Bandletic’s Final Thoughts

The Apple Watch Series 10 brings a lighter, thinner design with a larger OLED display, offering a more comfortable wearing experience. New health monitoring features, such as sleep apnea detection, make it a powerful tool for health management. Furthermore, Series 10 offers faster charging speeds and excellent display performance, enhancing the overall user experience. However, its battery life remains at 18 hours, and the blood oxygen monitoring feature has been removed. For users who already own Series 8 or Series 9, the need to upgrade may not be as pressing. You can also check Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 or Apple Watch Series 8 vs 9 to make a more smart decision on buying guide.

When to Choose the Apple Watch Series 10:

If you are an iPhone user, the Series 10 is the perfect smart watch companion.If you need more accurate health monitoring, especially sleep apnea detection, the Series 10 is an ideal choice.If you value OLED display quality, faster charging speeds, and a lightweight design, the Series 10 will offer an excellent experience.

When Not to Purchase the Apple Watch Series 10:

• If you have high battery life demands, the Series 10 may not be sufficient for full-day use.
• If you want to use blood oxygen monitoring, Series 10 no longer supports this feature.
• For Series 8 and Series 9 users, unless you have specific needs for the new design or lightweight build, the upgrade to Series 10 may not offer significant differences.