Apple Watch Series 10 Review

Review Summary

The Apple Watch Series 10 builds on the foundations of previous models with an improved design, a more vibrant display, and enhanced health-tracking features, making it a powerful option for both new users and those upgrading from older versions. With its refined look and practical upgrades, the Series 10 continues to push Apple’s leadership in the smartwatch space. Here's our in-depth review of the Series 10 after extensive testing.

Design & Build Quality

The Apple Watch Series 10 features a thinner, lighter design, making it one of the most comfortable Apple Watches to date. Available in two sizes—42mm and 46mm—it introduces a sleek jet black color option, which is a departure from the previous stainless steel, now replaced with polished titanium. The updated design includes subtle tweaks such as more streamlined speaker grilles and an OLED display with wider viewing angles, improving readability from various angles. The watch fits snugly on the wrist and feels comfortable for all-day wear, thanks to the slimmer form factor.

The OLED display itself has been expanded by 30%, reaching 2,000 nits of brightness at peak, making it ideal for viewing outdoors. This high level of brightness significantly enhances readability, ensuring that text, notifications, and apps are visible even under direct sunlight. The display enhancements and refined build make the Series 10 a sleek, functional accessory that easily blends into both casual and professional settings.

Display & User Interface

The larger, brighter OLED display is a standout feature, taking full advantage of Apple’s new Flux watch face that fills the screen edge-to-edge. This watch face, along with others like Reflections, utilizes the expanded display area to provide a more immersive visual experience. The double-tap gesture is another welcome addition, allowing users to interact with notifications, answer calls, and perform basic functions without needing both hands. This gesture is particularly convenient when multitasking, making it easier to control common tasks on the go.

Apple has also introduced Smart Stack widgets with watchOS 11, which intelligently prioritizes relevant apps based on time of day and user behavior. This feature organizes widgets and notifications for quick access, displaying useful information such as weather in the morning or calendar reminders before meetings. These interface improvements, combined with the double-tap gesture, provide a user experience that feels smoother and more intuitive than ever.

Health & Fitness Tracking

Health monitoring has always been a central feature of the Apple Watch, and the Series 10 introduces even more capabilities. One of the most significant additions is sleep apnea detection, which analyzes breathing disturbances during sleep. This feature could alert users to potential health issues, making the watch a valuable tool for proactive health management. Sleep apnea monitoring joins Apple’s existing suite of health features, including heart rate tracking, ECG, and fall detection. These tools work in conjunction with Apple’s Health app, creating a comprehensive view of the user’s health metrics over time.

For water sports enthusiasts, the Series 10 includes a new depth sensor for tracking underwater activities and a water temperature sensor, providing data on water conditions in real time. The watch is still rated for water resistance, making it ideal for swimmers and divers who want more detailed metrics. However, the absence of blood oxygen monitoring in some regions, particularly in the United States, may be a drawback for users who rely on that feature for health insights.

Performance & Battery Life

Powered by the S10 chip and optimized with watchOS 11, the Apple Watch Series 10 offers faster performance and smoother multitasking. Navigating through apps, widgets, and settings feels more responsive, and the processor handles complex tasks like health monitoring and notification management with ease. This improved performance translates to a more fluid experience, even during high-demand tasks such as GPS tracking and intensive health monitoring.

Battery life remains similar to previous models, lasting about 18 hours on a single charge, which is suitable for daily use but may require nightly charging. However, fast-charging technology has been further optimized, allowing the watch to reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes. This fast-charging capability is especially beneficial for users who wear the watch for continuous health monitoring, as it minimizes downtime between charges. While the battery life doesn’t mark a leap forward, the enhanced charging speed compensates to an extent, making the Series 10 easy to integrate into a busy routine.

Value for Money

Starting at $399 for the 42mm model, the Series 10 sits in the higher price range for smartwatches, especially with add-ons such as cellular connectivity and premium materials like titanium. For users upgrading from older models, the larger display, additional health features, and refined design make it a worthwhile investment. However, for those with the Series 9, the incremental upgrades may not justify an immediate upgrade unless the new features directly address specific needs. The Series 10 provides excellent value for users new to the Apple Watch ecosystem or upgrading from models released several generations ago.

Who It’s For

• Health-Focused Users: With sleep apnea detection, water temperature monitoring, and a depth sensor, the Series 10 is ideal for those seeking an all-in-one health companion.
• Outdoor Enthusiasts: The 2,000-nit OLED display and water-resistant design make it an excellent choice for outdoor activities, providing clear visibility and durability.
• Multitaskers: The double-tap gesture and Smart Stack widgets simplify navigation and control, making the watch convenient for users on the go.

Overall Rating: 4/5

The Apple Watch Series 10 is an attractive upgrade with its refined design, enhanced display, and new health features like sleep apnea monitoring. While it doesn’t significantly diverge from previous models in terms of battery life or core functionality, its design and usability improvements make it a solid choice for those looking to invest in a premium smartwatch. The combination of health tracking, user-friendly design, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem makes the Series 10 a versatile and capable smartwatch.