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Everyone was hoping for this anniversary edition Apple Watch Series 10 to be this big upgrade with something radically new. On paper, it isn't. There is no marquee new feature, it cannot measure your blood pressure, there are no ground-breaking innovations.
However, after using it for a while, I'm convinced that all the little tweaks come together in a watch that is much more comfortable to watch. And that might just be the game-changer.
For all else, this is the mostly same Apple Watch as always: same battery life, same styling.
But there are a few new features, so let's start there.
First, you have two slightly tweaked sizes, both have bigger screens than before, but most importantly, the body is now 10% thinner and weighs 10% less.
Other welcome changes include wider viewing angles, a new jet black color that looks stunning, as well as an always-on mode that updates every second instead of every minute.
You can now see the seconds moving even when your screen is not active (Image by PhoneArena)
You still have a choice of two materials. The aluminum Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $400, just like before, but the pricier model no longer has a stainless steel case, but instead a titanium one, which is lighter. This is not the first time we see a titanium Apple Watch, but those were earlier part of the luxury Edition models, and now you can get a titanium watch from $700.
Another important addition is faster charging – you can now get 80% charge in just 30 minutes, and it used to take 45 minutes. That's great for those who sleep with their watch as even a quick top-up is enough for to ensure the watch will last the night.
Speaking of sleep, you get Sleep Apnea detection, but that one is also available on the older Series 9, not just the new Series 10.
Apple Watch Series 10, 42mm: Get at Amazon for 8% off
The latest the Apple Watch Series 10 is up for grabs at Amazon. The latest wearable features an ECG app and a brilliant always-on display. Get yours for 8% off its list price at Amazon.
The latest Apple Watch 2 model arrives with stunning new finishes. The rugged timepiece is available for purchase at Amazon. There are no discounts at the time of writing.
Small changes make a massive difference in the way it wears
Series 10 has a bigger screen size
Apple's claims that the Series 10 has an "new design" raised some eyebrows, as the Series 10 definitely looks a lot like all previous Apple Watches.
However, after using it for a while, I can say – these small changes make a far bigger difference than you might think.
The body on the Series 10 is roughly 10% slimmer and 10% lighter than the Series 9.
The changes in body size make a bigger difference than you might think (Image by PhoneArena)
You also have two new sizes, both slightly bigger than before. The small model is now 42mm, up from 41mm, while the larger one is 46mm, up from 45mm.
This is a small change, but a welcome one, and the overall size of the watches has not improved much.
Bands from the previous models are perfectly compatible with the new models, which is great.
Apple Watch Series unboxing (Image by PhoneArena)
The aluminum Series 10 watch is available in three colors: Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver. Of course, all eyes are on the new Jet Black, a stunning, polished finish that brings back iPhone 7 memories. For nearly two weeks of use, it remained scratch free on my wrist, but of course we need way more time to see how durable it really is.
Series 10 aluminum in Jet Black, Rose Gold and Silver
Apple is switching to titanium for the more premium Series 10 option, and we did not even know it was possible to have this gorgeous polished finish on the Titanium models, but they look great indeed.
Series 10 titanium in Natural, Gold and Slate
You have several new bands that go great with this titanium model, with the new Milanese Loop being the star of the show, and then you also have a few luxury bands by Hermes.
As for the screen, the brightness has not changed, but it now has noticeably wider viewing angles. That's nice, but in real use, it is barely noticeable.
Apple Watch Series 10 New Features
New S10 chip and Sleep Apnea detection
The Series 10 comes with a new S10 SiP, but this is not a faster chip, just slightly repacked to fit the slimmer body. Speaking of AI, there are no user-facing AI features in the Series 10 watch, but we bet some of the background tasks rely on AI.
Apple has been laser-focused on the Watch as a health guardian and we get a new health feature this year: Sleep Apnea detection.
Sleep Apnea Detection
First, let's make it clear that Sleep Apnea detection is also available on the previous Series 9 model.
Apple does not use blood oxygen data for this, like most other companies, but instead relies on your gyro data to monitor your moves when you sleep, and it takes a full 30 days to come up with an estimate. Even then, you get a warning about a possible Sleep Apnea problem.
Considering that 80% of sleep apnea cases go undetected, this might be a huge success for the Apple Watch. It has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people, but again, time will be the best judge of that.
There are no changes in the heart rate sensor, or the GPS, so the Series 10 is still a single-band GPS watch (but one with very accurate signal). If you want dual-band GPS, you have to go for the Apple Watch Ultra models.
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Water Temperature and Depth Gauge
The other new feature for the Series 10 is water temperature detection and a depth gauge, which will display automatically when you are underwater.
We tried this with open water swimming and it was cool being able to see the temperature of the water.
The Series 10, however, is still NOT a diving watch. For that, again, look at the Apple Watch Ultra, which can be submerged down to 40M depth (compared to just 6M on the Series 10).
So what is it good for?
Snorkeling! The Series 10 now comes with the Oceanic+ app, so you can use it for snorkeling. Do you know people who love snorkeling? I bet there are some, but I don't think it's among the most popular sports out there.
Apple Watch Series 10 Battery and Charging
Faster charging, but, sadly, unchanged battery life
No changes in battery life (Image by PhoneArena)
Let's be honest – longer battery life is probably number one or number two on the wish lists of most Apple Watch owners.
But unfortunately, you don't get this here.
We get the thinner design with the Series 10, and this is obviously the way to go for at least the next few generations. And yes, a thinner design is definitely at odds with longer battery life.
Apple estimates the Series 10 will last 18 hours on a single charge, or 36 hours with Low Power Mode, the same numbers as on previous Apple watches. Bummer!
We already mentioned the faster charging and this is really a great feature (30 minute charge gives you 80% battery back).
Apple Watch Model
Charging Speeds
Apple Watch Series 10
80% in 30 minutes
Apple Watch Series 7 to Series 9
80% in 45 minutes
Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen
80% in 90 minutes
Apple Watch Series 4 to Series 6
80% in 60 minutes
Apple Watch Series 3 and older
80% in 90 minutes
And this might just be the most under-rated change in the Series 10 overall.
Apple Watch Series 10 Models and Prices
Let's break the price for each Series 10 model:
Apple Watch Series 10 Aluminum 42mm: $400 for Wi-Fi only, $500 for Wi-Fi + Cellular
Apple Watch Series 10 Aluminum 46mm: from $430 for Wi-Fi only, $530 for Wi-Fi + Cellular
Apple Watch Series 10 Titanium 42mm: from $700 (all models have Wi-Fi + Cellular)
Apple Watch Series 10 Titanium 46mm: from $750 (all models have Wi-Fi + Cellular)
Apple Watch Series 10 Competitors
There are three other big names in the smartwatch world right now.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Garmin Venu 3: The Apple Watch is smarter, but the Garmin has a nearly week-long battery life
Apple Watch Series 10 Summary
The change in size is actually very noticeable and some people might want to upgrade just because of that (Image by PhoneArena)
We came to the Series 10 with low expectations, but the slimmer and lighter design actually turned out to be a really noticeable change in the way this watch wears. It's so much more comfortable now and it doesn't wobble around your wrist when you run (as it did before).
This is certainly not a "new design" or the Apple Watch 2.0, but it's a change we did not expect we would love so much.
If you value this better feel, there is an argument to upgrade just for that. But if you are just fine with the way your current Apple Watch wears, there are no other big features that would convince you to upgrade.
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Victor, a seasoned mobile technology expert, has spent over a decade at PhoneArena, exploring the depths of mobile photography and reviewing hundreds of smartphones across Android and iOS ecosystems. His passion for technology, coupled with his extensive knowledge of smartphone cameras and battery life, has positioned him as a leading voice in the mobile tech industry.
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