Apple Watch Series 10 hands-on: Larger, thinner, and even more features

The regular Apple Watch gets a huge redesign and nifty new features.
#apple #applewatchseries10 #smartwatch

Note: This feature was first published on 10 September 2024.

The new Apple Watch Series 10 in polished titanium. Photo: HWZ

The new Apple Watch Series 10 in polished titanium. Photo: HWZ

Depending on who you ask, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch. If you remember, it was announced in 2014 but went on sale in the first half of 2015. And for this year, Apple is giving its quintessential smartwatch a major makeover.

To begin, the Apple Watch Series 10 has a new case design and larger displays. The smaller 41mm case is now 42mm, while the larger 45mm case grows to 46mm. This allows for larger displays. It’s 9% larger than last year’s Series 9 and up to 30% larger than Series 6.

I can't really tell that the 46mm Series 10 has a larger display than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Photo: HWZ

I can't really tell that the 46mm Series 10 has a larger display than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Photo: HWZ

In fact, Apple says that on the 46mm model, the display is even larger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s. I won’t say I noticed the new 46mm Series 10 has the larger display, but certainly, the two watches now have comparable display sizes. Previously, it was obvious the Apple Watch Ultra had a larger display.

The display itself uses a new type of OLED panel that Apple calls a “wide-angle OLED display”. It’s supposedly 40% brighter when viewed at an angle, and yes, it is very bright regardless of your viewing angle.

The new Series 10 are very noticeably thinner than Series 9. Both 42mm and 46mm models are just 9.7mm thick. Photo: HWZ

The new Series 10 are very noticeably thinner than Series 9. Both 42mm and 46mm models are just 9.7mm thick. Photo: HWZ

What was noticeable to me was the more square aspect ratio, both of the display and the watch case. Series 10 is more of a square than a rectangle now. This, coupled with its thinness (10% thinner than Series 9), gives the Series 10 a case profile that has a whiff of the Santos-Dumont from Cartier.

Series 10 comes in new finishes too. For the first time in an aluminium Apple Watch, there will be a polished jet black aluminium finish. Rose gold makes a return and so does brushed silver. Series 10 also ditches stainless steel for titanium. In titanium, it’s available in natural, gold, and slate. All three are highly polished and look very well-made. 

The digital crown is slightly smaller too. Photo: HWZ

The digital crown is slightly smaller too. Photo: HWZ

Inside, Series 10 is the new S10 SiP. Apple didn’t say much about its performance other than to say it has a four-core Neural Engine and is engineered for “performance, power efficiency, and intelligence.”

The hardware changes aside, the Series 10 watches are getting a host of software improvements too. The highlight is arguably sleep apnea detection. Using the accelerometer, Series 10 will be able to detect interruptions in your breathing patterns while you sleep and warn you if it senses your metrics are out of the ordinary. Though this feature won’t be available immediately at launch, I was told that Apple is currently seeking approval from health regulatory bodies around the world and it should be available in over 150 countries later this month.

Though sleep apnea detection is new to Series 10, it will also be coming to Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Photo: HWZ

Though sleep apnea detection is new to Series 10, it will also be coming to Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Photo: HWZ

Series 10 is also getting the depth gauge that was previously only available on the Apple Watch Ultra. This nifty tool appears automatically whenever you submerge your watch in the water and it tells you how deep you are and what the temperature of the water is. 

Based on first impressions, the updates to Series 10 are significant. The new design and form factor aside, Series 10 is also getting some important new features. What’s most telling to me is that it is getting a lot of things that were previously only available on the Apple Watch Ultra, things like a large display, a titanium case, and the depth gauge. I have a good feeling about the Series 10 and I think a lot of people holding on to older Apple Watches will be really tempted to upgrade.

Availability and pricing

Series 10 in jet black. Photo: HWZ

Series 10 in jet black. Photo: HWZ

Prices of the Apple Watch Series 10 start at S$599 for the aluminium models and S$1,049 for the titanium models. Pre-orders start today and the watches will be available in retail next Friday, 20 September.

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