Apple Watch Series 10 Review: This is It?

Summary

The 10th generation Apple Watch offers incremental improvements over its predecessors, with a slightly thinner, lighter design, and larger screens. It introduces a titanium model, a new water temperature sensor, and faster charging capabilities. watchOS 11 brings health features like sleep apnea detection and a Vitals app. While the update is not a dramatic redesign, the larger display and faster charging are notable enhancements. For those with older Apple Watches, this iteration provides a solid upgrade, but don't expect significant changes in future models based on Apple's current design direction.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The 10th generation Apple Watch was anticipated to have a significant redesign, similar to the iPhone 10, but it turned out to be an incremental upgrade.
• 📏 Physical changes include a slightly thinner, lighter, and larger design with a 10% reduction in thickness and weight for the aluminum model, and 20% for the titanium model.
• 🖥 The screen sizes for both models have increased, offering more display area and a more comfortable fit on the wrist.
• 🛠 Despite the changes, the new model still feels similar to previous versions, with internal components like the metal back and speaker being re-engineered to fit the new design.
• 📱 watchOS 11 introduces new features like the Vitals app, sleep apnea detection, and training load tracking, some of which will also be available on older models.
• 🎧 A redesigned speaker allows for media playback out loud, a new feature for the Apple Watch.
• 🕒 The updated LTPO 3 display can go as low as 1 hertz, enabling the Always On Display to show the second hand without extra battery drain.
• 🌡️ A new water temperature sensor is included, although the reviewer does not provide personal testing results for this feature.
• 🔌 Faster charging is now possible, with the ability to reach up to 65% charge in half an hour using the included Puck charger.
• 💤 The reviewer suggests that the most significant improvements for them are the larger display and faster charging, and mentions using the Eight Sleep Pod for sleep tracking instead of relying on the Apple Watch.
• 🔮 Based on Apple's presentation and language, the reviewer predicts that future updates to the Apple Watch will likely be incremental rather than featuring major redesigns or new innovations.

Q & A

What were the expectations for the 10th generation Apple Watch in terms of design?

There were serious rumors that the 10th generation Apple Watch would undergo a huge redesign, similar to how the iPhone 10 reset the design language of the iPhone line.

How does the Apple Watch Series 10 compare to its predecessors in terms of physical design?

The Apple Watch Series 10 is slightly thinner, lighter, and has a bigger screen compared to its predecessors. The aluminum model is 10% thinner and lighter, while the higher-end models use titanium, making them 20% lighter.

What new materials were introduced in the Apple Watch Series 10?

Stainless steel was dropped in favor of titanium for the higher-end models, which contributes to the 20% weight reduction.

What are the notable changes in the screen size of the Apple Watch Series 10?

Both sizes of the Apple Watch Series 10 have even bigger screens, allowing for more content to be displayed and providing a more comfortable fit on the wrist.

What new features does watchOS 11 bring to the Apple Watch Series 10?

watchOS 11 introduces new features like the Vitals app for energy scoring, sleep apnea detection with FDA approval, and training load tracking for perceived workout intensity.

What are the four specific features that are new to the Apple Watch Series 10?

The four new features are: 1) Redesigned speaker for media playback, 2) Updated LTPO 3 display for lower refresh rates and better off-axis viewing, 3) A new water temperature sensor, and 4) Faster charging capabilities.

How does the new LTPO 3 display in the Apple Watch Series 10 enhance the user experience?

The LTPO 3 display allows the watch to show the second hand all the time on the Always On Display without consuming extra battery, and it offers better off-axis viewing angles.

What is the significance of the new water temperature sensor in the Apple Watch Series 10?

The water temperature sensor is a new addition, but the reviewer does not provide specific use cases or test results due to not spending much time around deep water.

How much faster is the charging speed of the Apple Watch Series 10 compared to previous models?

The Apple Watch Series 10 can charge up to around 65% from dead in half an hour using the Puck charger that comes with it.

What is the reviewer's prediction regarding future design changes to the Apple Watch after the Series 10?

The reviewer predicts that the design of the Apple Watch Series 10 will likely remain consistent for the next 5 to 10 years, with only minor changes expected in future updates.

Why does the reviewer mention Eight Sleep in the context of the Apple Watch Series 10 review?

The reviewer mentions Eight Sleep because they use it for sleep tracking instead of relying on the Apple Watch, and they are highlighting its effectiveness and the current promotion for the product.