Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 10 at its “Glowtime” iPhone 16 event in September 2024. Unlike previous years, this model offers more than just a spec bump. Here are my favorite features that make this 10th-anniversary Apple Watch a must-buy.
1 Larger and Brighter Screen
The most important part of any Apple Watch is the screen, and the Series 10 sports the largest-ever display on an Apple Watch. It features 30 percent more active screen area than the Series 4, 5, and 6 and a little less than 10 percent more real estate than the Series 9.
In day-to-day use, a larger screen can improve almost every part of the Apple Watch experience. Whether you’re typing a message on the keyboard or reading an email, bigger is better.
Besides the larger screen size, the Apple Watch Series 10 features a wide-angle OLED display that’s up to 40 percent brighter when viewed from an angle, allowing you to more easily see what’s on the screen with a quick glance. The display is also more power efficient. So it will refresh once every second, instead of once every minute, when in always-on mode.
It will also include two new faces—Flux and Reflections—to take advantage of the larger display. And don’t forget that it’ll get all the great features watchOS 11 has to offer.
2 Thinner and Lighter Case
Even though the screen is larger, don’t expect a heavier case because the Apple Watch Series 10 is almost 10 percent thinner than the Series 9. The newest model also weighs less on your wrist.
The aluminum variants of the Series 10 weigh 10 percent less than the Series 9, and the new titanium case options are 20 percent lighter than the stainless steel Series 9 models.
3 Detect Sleep Apnea
The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces a new health feature to detect sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops repeatedly during sleep, and Apple says it affects over 1 billion people globally. If left undiagnosed, it leads to an increased risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiac issues.
When you wear the watch to sleep, it tracks small movements at the wrist that are associated with interruptions in normal breathing patterns. The algorithm will analyze that data and inform you of consistent signs of sleep apnea. Fortunately, this feature will also be available for the Apple Watch Series 9 by the end of September 2024.
4 Faster Charging
Thanks to a metal back and larger, more efficient coil, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the fastest-charging Apple Watch you can buy. You can charge from zero to 80 percent in 30 minutes. And if you don’t have enough time for that, 15 minutes of charging can provide up to 8 hours of daily use.
5 Play Audio Through Built-In Speakers
You don’t need to grab your AirPods or other Bluetooth speakers if you want to listen to audio on the Apple Watch Series 10. You can play back a wide variety of audio through apps like Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, Apple Books, and other third-party apps directly from the speakers.
6 Depth and Water Temperature Gauge
Apple also brought two of the standout features of the Apple Watch Ultra—a water temperature sensor and depth gauge—to the Apple Watch Series 10. This also means the 10th-anniversary Apple Watch gets the Depth app.
Using the same Depth app, you can gauge up to 6 meters below the water and see the time, water temperature, time underwater, and maximum depth. You can set the app to automatically activate when you submerge the Apple Watch in water. You can also view the water temperature measurement during Pool Swim and Open Water Swim workouts.
7 New Colors, Including Jet Black
Like previous models, there are new Apple Watch colors to choose from. One of the best is the Jet Black aluminum model. As the first aluminum case in a polished finish, it brings back memories of the iconic Jet Black iPhone 7 variant. Joining that option is an updated Rose Gold aluminum and the usual Silver aluminum.
For a different look, you can also choose from a titanium option that replaces the stainless steel version from previous generations. It’s available in Natural, Gold, and Slate.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is already available for pre-order on Apple Store Online and will be available starting September 20. Pricing starts at $399 and $699 for the aluminum and titanium variants, respectively.
