Apple kicked off its September event today by announcing a significant update to its flagship wearable line: the Apple Watch Series 10. It features a brighter, bigger display—even bigger than the Ultra—and a softer, thinner design. It’s not the total redesign some of us were hoping for, but there is enough here to lure many previous Watch owners to upgrade.
As a current Apple Watch Series 4 owner (and daily user), I believe this might be the first model in a long time that has intrigued me enough to upgrade. It has the bigger display, the thinner design, and the all-new Jet Black colorway. Perhaps the most useful new feature, however, is the faster charging battery. Being able to get almost a full charge in just 30 minutes—enough time to take a shower or eat lunch—really renders the dismal 18-hour battery life moot.
Statement from Apple on the new Watch Series 10:
“Around the world, Apple Watch has had an immeasurable positive impact on people by helping them stay healthy, active, safe, and connected to the things that matter to them — and it’s helped save countless lives along the way,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “Apple Watch Series 10 builds on a decade of breakthrough innovations to offer the most advanced version yet, with even more intelligence, our biggest wearable display, and a design that’s slimmer and sleeker than ever.”
Design
The Apple Watch Series 10 is 10% thinner than its predecessors while retaining its advanced features and 18-hour battery life. It sports an innovative metal back that seamlessly integrates the antenna into the housing, giving it a sleek, unified appearance.
- Thinner design – 9.7mm thick; nearly 10% thinner than Series 9
- Lighter weight – Aluminum cases weigh up to 10% less; titanium option available, replacing stainless steel
- Recycled materials – Made with 100% recycled aluminum or 95% recycled titanium in the case
Display
Apple Watch Series 10 features the largest and most advanced display ever built for a wearable device. With increased brightness and optimized pixel tech, the display is designed for better visibility at various angles, making it more user-friendly for everyday activities.
- Largest Apple Watch display ever – 30% more screen area compared to previous generations
- Optimized wide-angle OLED – Each pixel emits more light at wider angles
- Improved visibility – 40% brighter when viewed from an angle
- New screen updates – display updates every second, versus once every minute
Health Features
The Series 10 introduces new health-tracking capabilities, expanding on its already robust set of features. With innovations like Sleep Apnea detection and enhancements to existing health apps, it’s designed to offer more comprehensive health insights to users.
- Sleep Apnea detection – Uses accelerometer to detect breathing disturbances
- FDA clearance pending – Validated in a large clinical trial
- Depth gauge – Good to 20 feet, plus water temperature for swimming
- New Tides app – Provides data from coastlines worldwide, ideal for surfing and fishing
- Other: Afib notifications and wrist temperature measurements also available
Performance and Battery
The new S10 SiP in Series 10 is engineered for superior performance, power efficiency, and intelligence. Coupled with its extended battery life and quick charging, the watch is built to keep you humming along throughout your daily activities.
- New S10 SiP – Designed for performance, power efficiency, and intelligence
- Improved call quality – Neural network reduces background noise during calls
- Battery life – 80% charge in 30 minutes, supporting more extended use
- Music and podcasts – Can be played directly through the watch’s speaker
Price and Availability
Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399, with the GPS + Cellular version priced at $499. It’s available for preorder today, with shipping beginning on September 20.
- Starts at $399
- GPS + Cellular version for $499
- Preorder available now
- Ships on September 20
Stay tuned to iDB this week for more on the new Apple Watch Series 10.