Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - which to adopt?

The Apple Watch series is always an improvement in order to give the latest technology of fitness, health tracking, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. With the new release of Apple Watch Series 10, many wonder how it will compare with its predecessor, the Series 9.

This guide compares the designs, features, performance, and value of the Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9, based on accurate, verified information directly from Apple's website.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - design and build quality

The Apple Watch Series 9 comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes with aluminum cases, offering IP6X dust resistance and 50-meter water resistance for swimming. Some models are carbon neutral, aligning with Apple's sustainability goals.

The Series 10, now in 42mm and 46mm sizes, features 100% recycled aluminum or 95% recycled titanium cases. These materials improve durability, reduce weight, and increase comfort. The larger size and lighter titanium enhance comfort and visibility. The Series 10 also offers carbon-neutral options in all finishes.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - display technology

The Apple Watch Series 10 features the largest screen area of any Apple Watch, with up to 75% more screen area than Series 3 and 9% more than Series 7, 8, and 9. Both models share a 2000 nits brightness Retina LTPO OLED display, but the Series 10 stands out with its wide-angle viewing technology, providing sharper and more visible display, especially under sunlight or at different angles.

The 46mm Series 10 also offers a slightly higher resolution of 416×496 pixels, improving clarity and screen size by around 9% compared to the Series 9, enhancing the visual experience for users who prioritize display quality.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - performance

Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10 are equipped with advanced processors, but the Series 10 takes it a step further with the thinner S10 SiP chip, offering enhanced computing power and improved energy efficiency. This makes the Series 10 ideal for users who rely heavily on features like Siri, health monitoring, and other intensive tasks.

Both models support the second-generation ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, enabling seamless integration with other Apple devices. For example, the Precision Finding feature provides a more accurate location experience when searching for an iPhone. Additionally, the Double Tap Gesture—a convenient way to control the watch by tapping the thumb and index finger together—is exclusive to the Series 10, offering greater accessibility and ease of use.​

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - advanced health and fitness features

Health tracking is a core strength of Apple Watch, and both models excel in this area. Key features include:

• ECG and blood oxygen monitoring: Present in both versions, with a medical-grade reading.
• Temperature detection: Improved for ovulation tracking and sleep monitoring, in both Series 9 and 10.
• Sleep apnea detection: Available only in Series 10, pending approval, to help understand the quality of sleep and the breathing pattern​
• Cycle tracking app: Even more improved in Series 10 to be more integrated with other health metrics.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - battery life and charging

Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10 offer a battery life of up to 18 hours on a single charge. However, the Series 10 has a significant advantage in charging speed, taking just 30 minutes to charge from 0% to 80%, compared to 45 minutes for the Series 9.

This faster charging capability is especially useful in busy daily life, allowing users to quickly recharge and get back to using their watch. When using Low Power Mode, both models can last up to 36 hours, depending on usage.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - software and ecosystem

Both watches run on watchOS 10, which comes with redesigned apps, improved cycling metrics, and offline maps. The features make it very smooth to integrate into the Apple ecosystem, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Series 10 brings the second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, enhancing the precision for location-based features such as finding other Apple devices.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - sustainability and environmental focus

The Apple Watch Series 10 is a big leap toward sustainability. It's the first carbon-neutral product from Apple if used with specific bands. This device utilizes recycled materials for the aluminum casing and other elements, such as gold, tungsten, and rare earth. The Series 9, although sustainable, is not at par with the Series 10 in terms of its eco-friendly features.

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9 - price and availability

Series 10 is marketed as a higher product, reflecting its added functionality, as well as improved environmental sustainability. The Series 9 is still more affordable as it offers similar features yet stays around $399 (GPS), and $499 (GPS + Cellular) for customers who don't need cutting-edge technology.

• Series 9 starting price: $399 (GPS) / $499 (GPS + Cellular)
• Series 10 starting price: Estimated at $449+ for each region (to be confirmed)

Pros and Cons of Apple Watch Series 10

Pros:

• Brighter display: 2000 nits peak brightness and wide Angle display technology ensures increased visibility in all lighting conditions, including direct sunlight.
• Double tap gesture: Hands-free control makes it more accessible and usable.
• Sustainability: Carbon-neutral design with 100% recycled aluminum and use of eco-friendly materials.
• Advanced UWB technology: Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip provides better precision with location-based tasks.
• Advanced health features: It has potential sleep apnea detection (subject to approval) and better health metrics integration.

Cons:

• Higher price: This is more expensive than Series 9.
• Incremental upgrades: The core performance and battery life are very close to Series 9.
• Limited compatibility: Needs iPhone XS or later running iOS 18 or later.

Pros and Cons of Apple Watch Series 9

Pros:

• Reasonable pricing: It brings premium smartwatch features at a relatively affordable price.
• Smooth performance: The same S9 SiP is powering it for smooth performance.
• Advanced health features: It comes with ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and temperature sensing.
• Bright display: 2000 nits brightness, which is enough for most lighting conditions.

Cons:

• No double tap gesture: It misses out on the latest gesture control.
• First-gen UWB: Not as precise as Series 10's second-generation Ultra Wideband chip.
• Sustainability: It does not come with carbon-neutral certification like Series 10.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Apple Watch Series 10 worth upgrading from Series 9?

It's perfect for those users who care about sustainability, better display brightness, and other new features like Double Tap Gesture. The Series 9, however, remains a very powerful choice for those who do not require such incremental upgrades.

What is Double Tap Gesture in Series 10?

It is a new feature that enables users to operate an Apple Watch using a touch by the thumb and index fingers. This gesture can accept incoming calls, open up any app, and more, thereby completely hands-free.

Does the Apple Watch Series 10 have more endurance?

No, in general, the Series 10 is not any more durable than its predecessor, the Series 9, with up to 18 hours of endurance extending to 36 hours if enabled with Low Power Mode.

Why is the Series 10 more eco-friendly?

The Series 10 uses recycled materials in its aluminum casing, battery, and other parts, and is carbon-neutral when used with some bands.

Do both watches work with all iPhones?

No, both Series 10 and Series 9 require an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18 or above.

Can I swim with both models?

Yes, both Series 9 and Series 10 have water resistance up to 50 meters and can therefore be used for swimming or shallow-water activities.

How do Series 10 and Series 9 differ in terms of brightness of the screen?

The peak brightness is 3000 nits for Series 10, which is more suited for use in bright outdoor conditions. Series 9 has 2000 nits peak brightness.

Conclusion - should you upgrade?

For a Series 9 owner, it might not be necessary to upgrade to the Series 10 unless you want features like Double Tap Gesture, a brighter display, or sustainability.

However, for first time buyers or those using outdated Apple Watch models, there's much cutting-edge technology and benefit of being eco-friendly from this Series 10 watch.