In 2014, the viral Ice Bucket Challenge flooded our feeds, Germany celebrated a World Cup win, and Apple entered the smartwatch game with the very first Apple Watch. Fast forward ten years, and this wrist-worn marvel has changed the way we think about wearable tech.
To celebrate this milestone, Apple has rolled out the Series 10, packed with a host of thoughtful upgrades. So, what’s new?
For starters, the Series 10 gets a stylish new polished jet black finish and a lighter, slimmer case—perfect for all-day wear. And on the health front, Apple has stepped things up, introducing enhanced sleep tracking that not only monitors breathing disturbances but can also alert you to potential sleep apnea.
Other notable features include faster charging, an upgraded speaker, a depth gauge, and a water temperature sensor—ideal for fitness buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike. And with WatchOS 11 (still the gold standard), Apple continues to seamlessly blend style, functionality, and practicality.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new Apple Watch.
Design: Slimmer, Brighter, Yet Comfortably Familiar
Apple keeps things familiar while adding a few sleek refinements. The Series 10 comes in two sizes—42mm and 46mm—giving a subtle nod to the original Apple Watch’s size. It’s lighter and thinner too, so it’s even more comfortable, especially when you wear it to bed. The polished aluminum jet black finish adds a touch of elegance, but fair warning—it’s a bit of a fingerprint magnet.
The edge-to-edge OLED display is now 9% larger, with a wide-angle boost that makes the screen up to 40% brighter at an angle. And the always-on display? It’s smarter, refreshing once per second to let that second hand tick away in real time—a nice nod to the classic analog look, although for now, it’s limited to certain watch faces.
For a more premium feel, Apple has introduced titanium cases in natural, gold, and slate, alongside aluminum options in jet black, rose gold, and silver.
Health and Fitness: Better Sleep and Smarter Workouts
The Series 10 is all about enhancing what Apple does best—health tracking. With improved sleep monitoring, the watch can now track your breathing and even warn you of potential sleep apnea. The new Vitals app delivers a quick morning check-in with metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and wrist temperature, so you can get a better snapshot of your overall health without picking up your phone.
Fitness-wise, you can now set different activity goals for each day, and the new Training Load feature tracks workout intensity and gives you ratings on how much effort you’re putting in. Plus, with the added water temperature sensor and a depth gauge rated for up to 6 meters, the Series 10 is ready to dive into your aquatic adventures with the help of the Oceanic Plus app.
Same Battery Life, but Faster Charging
Battery life hasn’t changed much, but Apple has made charging faster. I find that the Series 10 is able to last about a day and a half with moderate use—on par with the Series 9. But if you’re streaming music or making calls, expect to charge it nightly. The good news? The watch can now hit 80% in just 30 minutes with the fast charger.
That said, I think the bigger challenge for Apple will be getting users to shift away from their habit of overnight charging. With so many sleep-tracking features tied to the watch, faster charging might help, but changing user behavior is the real key here.
Verdict: A Thoughtful Evolution for Wellness and Style
Celebrating a decade of innovation, the Apple Watch Series 10 is more refined than revolutionary, but that’s not a bad thing. The sharper display, upgraded sensors, and expanded health features make it a tempting upgrade for anyone with an older model. And for first-timers, it’s one of the most versatile smartwatches out there, perfectly balancing wellness, practicality, and style.
If you’re looking for a device that effortlessly complements a health-conscious lifestyle while offering premium features and a sleek design, the Apple Watch Series 10 is worth considering.
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