Apple on Monday unveiled its new Apple Watch Series 10, which brings a slew of new features and improvements over its predecessor, last year’s Apple Watch Series 9. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s changed (and what hasn’t) to help you determine whether an upgrade is in order:
Processing Power & Operating System
- Series 10: Powered by the new S10 SiP chip, runs watchOS 11.
- Series 9: Powered by the S9 SiP chip, upgradable to watchOS 11.
Gesture Control
Both models feature a double-tap gesture for one-handed control, along with standard gestures like tap, swipe, and wrist raise.
Display & Brightness
- Series 10: LTPO3 Wide-angle OLED Always-on Retina display with a maximum brightness of up to 2000 nits. Up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle, per Apple.
- Series 9: LTPO OLED Always-on Retina display with a maximum brightness of up to 2000 nits.
Siri Capabilities
Both Apple Watch models boast fast on-device Siri processing for quicker and more reliable responses, complete with health data access.
Battery Life
- Series 10: All-day 18-hour battery life with faster charging (0-80% in about 30 minutes).
- Series 9: All-day 18-hour battery life with fast charging (0-80% in 45 minutes).
Case Options
- Series 10: Available in 46mm or 42mm sizes, with a choice between an aluminum or titanium case. Colour options include Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver for aluminum and Slate, Gold, and Natural for titanium.
- Series 9: 45mm or 41mm sizes, with a choice between an aluminum or stainless steel case. Colour options include Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Pink, and (PRODUCT)RED for aluminum and Graphite, Silver, and Gold for stainless steel.
Additional Sensors & Features
- Series 10:
- Water temperature sensor
- Depth gauge (up to 6m / 20 ft) and Depth app.
- Oceanic+ app for snorkeling (available on the App Store).
- Media playback support.
- Microphone with voice isolation.
- Metal and sapphire crystal back.
- Series 9:
- Speaker with no media playback support.
- Microphone with no voice isolation.
- Ceramic and sapphire crystal back.
- Both Series:
- 4-core Neural Engine.
- Electrical heart sensor (ECG app).
- Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates.
- Nightly wrist temperature tracking.
- Sleep tracking.
- Sleep apnea notifications.
- Vitals app and Mindfulness app.
- Crash Detection.
- Compass.
- Always-on altimeter.
- Water resistance up to 50 metres.
- Certified IP6X dust resistance.
- Emergency SOS.
- Ambient light sensor.
- Precision Finding for iPhone.
- and more…
Connectivity & Integration
Both Apple Watch models come equipped with Apple’s Second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip to allow for Precision Finding and HomePod integration. They both also come in Cellular and Wi-Fi-only options.
Environmental Impact
- Series 10: 100% recycled aluminum, 95% recycled titanium in the case — also available in carbon-neutral combinations (with specific bands). 100% recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine, and 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets.
- Series 9: 100% recycled aluminum, 100% recycled stainless steel in the case — also available in carbon-neutral combinations (with specific bands). 100% recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine, and 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets.
Storage Capacity
Price
The Apple Watch Series 10 appears to be a rather tame update over last year’s Apple Watch Series 9, although an upgrade nonetheless. That said, the larger case sizes and slimmer bezels do look tempting, as does the new and more durable titanium build option.
Notably, blood oxygen measurement capabilities are absent from both models, along with the flagship Apple Watch Ultra 2 (which is getting a refresh alongside the new Series 10). Earlier this year, Apple was barred from selling Apple Watch models with the blood oxygen feature in the U.S. due to an ongoing court dispute over patents with Masimo.
You can click here to pre-order your Apple Watch Series 10 on Apple.ca, ahead of next week’s launch on September 20.
From the Apple website in Canada, it describes the watch to have an oxygen sensor. The description is absent from the US website.
The bezels are actually bigger on series 10, not slimmer. Also Canada does have the blood oxygen sensor still
My series 7 battery needs to be replaced so it looks like it's a good time to upgrade.