Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9: All the differences explained
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Intro
What is new in the Apple Watch Series 10 compared to the previous Series 9?
In the last few years, Apple has been making very minor tweaks to the Apple Watch every year, but with this tenth anniversary Apple Watch, there are some bigger changes.
First and foremost, the Apple Watch Series 10 comes in two larger sizes than before. The small version goes from 41mm size to 42mm, while the bigger model grows from 45mm to 46mm. It's also 10% lighter and thinner than before, which Apple tried to sell as a brand new design, but the design looks very similar to what we have had until now.
On the list of new features is Sleep Apnea detection, a condition that goes undetected for a majority of the people who suffer from it (this will be added to the Series 9 as well). What is unique to the Series 10 is a water temperature sensor and a depth gaude. It's not a diving watch, but it can be used for snorkeling.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9: Differences
| Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch Series 9 |
|---|---|
| 42mm small model 46mm large model | 41mm small model 45mm large model |
| Same 18-hour battery life 36 hours with Low Power Mode | 18-hour battery life 36 hours with Low Power Mode |
| Screen 989 sq mm for 42mm 1220 sq mm for 46mm | Screen 904 sq mm for 41mm 1143 sq mm for 45mm |
| Wide-angle OLED | Viewing angles not as wide |
| 9.7mm 10% thinner | 10.7mm |
| 30 grams for 42mm 36.4 grams for 46mm 10% lighter | 31.9 g for 41mm 38.7 g for 45mm |
| Base aluminum model with new Jet Black color option | Base aluminum model |
| Titanium premium option replaces steel | Stainless steel premium option |
| New S10 SiP with AI boost | S9 chip |
| Sleep apnea detection | Sleep apnea also supported |
| Water temp sensor Depth gauge and Depth app | - |
| Media playback via speaker | - |
Table of Contents:
Design & Sizes
Bigger 42mm and 46mm sizes, new Jet Black color
Series 10 in the smaller and bigger size
The Series 10 comes with larger screens and more rounded design, but it keeps the overall esthetic of previous models.
The new sizes are 42mm, up from 41mm, and 46mm, up from 45mm. Bands from the previous models will be compatible with the new models, which is definitely good to see.
Series 9 vs Series 10 screen size comparison
There are a few new bands, but one band material that is going away is Apple's "Finewoven", a plastic material that was intended to replace leather, but never caught up.
Instead of boosting battery life, Apple decided to make the Series 10 watches 10% thinner and 10% lighter. We are sure many will appreciate this more svelte design, but we are not so sure that, if asked, most people would prefer a thinner watch over longer battery life.
Series 10 thickness comparison
The Series 9 was available in five colorways for the aluminum version: Starlight, Midnight, Silver, (PRODUCT)RED, and Pink.
The new Series 10 aluminum comes in a choice of three colors: Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver. The Jet Black is the star of the show, a polished finish that reminds us of the iPhone 7, it looks stunning. Apple says it is extremely scratch resistant, but let's see about that.
Series 10 aluminum in Jet Black, Rose Gold and Silver
The Series 9 was also available in a premium polished stainless steel case. For the Series 10, Apple changes this premium option to its beloved Titanium material, which is both strong and weighs much less than steel. Your color options here are Slate, Gold and Natural.
Series 10 titanium in Natural, Gold and Slate
You have a new titanium Milanese Loop band that would go good with this new Titanium Apple Watch, as well as a few new premium bands by Hermes.
Performance & Features
Sleep Apnea detection for both Series 10 and Series 9, but only S10 has depth gauge and water temp sensor
Apple Watches have been sufficiently fast in the past few years, so we don't see people really asking for faster speeds, but you do get a newer S10 SiP in the Series 10.
The Apple Watch Series 10 itself is not getting special AI features, we just wanted to throw this in if you were wondering.
Let us remind you that the Apple Watch Series 9 arrived with an S9 chip with better Neural Engine that delivered double the machine learning speed task compared to the Series 8. So Apple Watches do have some AI power inside them, but no specific features are announced yet.
Sleep Apnea detection
Both the Series 10 and the Series 9 (with a later software update) are getting Sleep Apnea detection.
This is pending FDA approval and will be coming over the next months, but it's interesting that Apple only uses the accelerometer for this instead of blood oxygen readings like other smartwatches. The reason for that might be that it is in a legal dispute with patent holder Masimo over whether it can measure blood oxygen at all in the United States.
As for Sleep Apnea itself it is a condition that is often undiagnozed for years, and it has big consequences for the quality of life of affected people. Apple says its accuracy is validated against other detection devices, so that is definitely reassuring.
Water Temp Sensor and Depth App
Another cool party trick of the Series 10 is a water temperature sensor which will automatically tell you the temperature when you are in open water or in the swimming pool. You might just impress someone with this.
You now also get a depth gauge and the depth app that we first saw on the Apple Watch Ultra.
However, the Series 10 is not dive certified and can only be submerged down to 6M (the Apple Watch Ultra can be taken diving up to 40M depth). So snorkeling is in, diving is out on the Series 10.
You also get a new Tide app, which is a neat way to learn about the tide levels for surfing.
Battery and Charging
Same old 18-hour battery life, but we at least get faster charging
Apple Watches have had roughly the same 18-hour battery life since the beginning, and that has been easily the number one user complaint.
They just don't last more than a day (except for the Ultra model), so you have to always remember to charge them.
Well the big part of that equation - battery life - is not changing. The Series 10 have the same 18-hour rating (36 hours with Low Power Mode) as before.
But charging is a bit faster now, so there is at least that. It now takes 30 minutes to get an 80% charge back, while Series 7 to Series 9 watches achieved this task in 45 minutes.
We don't yet know the Apple Watch Series 10 battery size, but we are sure that information will appear soon as people teardown the first units. We will be updating you on this here.
Apple Watch battery sizes:
- Series 10 46mm – unknown
- Series 10 49mm – unknown
- Series 9 41mm – 282 mAh
- Series 9 45mm – 308 mAh
Models and Prices
Apple keeps the same pricing as before for the Series 10 in the United States.
Here is what that means:
- $400/$430 for the 42mm/46mm Aluminum Wi-Fi model, add $100 for cellular
- $700/$750 for the 42mm/46mm Titaniu model (comes with Wi-Fi AND Cellular)
Summary
With a new design and sizes, the Apple Watch Series 10 is indeed a bigger than usual upgrade for the world's most popular smartwatch.
Still, if you are happy with your Series 9, and we would say also Series 8 and Series 7, we don't really see big reasons to upgrade.
It is only if you really love that bigger screen and need the faster charging that we recommend seriously considering the larger Series 10 model. Oh, and if you like Jet Black. That's one hot finish.
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