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.

Outlines

00:00

📱 Incremental Upgrade: Apple Watch Series 10 Review

The Apple Watch Series 10 was anticipated to bring a significant redesign, akin to the iPhone 10, but it turned out to be another incremental upgrade. Despite rumors of a major design overhaul, the Series 10 introduced only minor physical changes: it's slightly thinner and lighter, with larger screens, and a switch from stainless steel to titanium for the high-end models. The new design is reminiscent of the Pixel Watch, especially with the new Jet Black color. The larger screen size now matches the Apple Watch Ultra, and watchOS 11, which comes with this new model, adds features like an energy score app, sleep apnea detection, and training load tracking. However, the lack of a dramatic new form factor or significant new features may leave some users questioning the necessity of upgrading from previous models.

05:00

🔋 Notable Features: Display, Charging, and More

The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces a few key features that set it apart from its predecessors. The display is now larger, which allows for an additional line of information in certain workout modes, enhancing the user interface. The Always On Display has been improved with an updated LTPO 3 display, enabling it to show the second hand without consuming extra battery life and offering better off-axis viewing angles. A new water temperature sensor has been added, although its utility may be limited for those not frequently in deep water. One of the most significant improvements is the faster charging capability, which can charge the watch up to around 65% in half an hour using the included Puck charger. Additionally, the new S10 SiP chip, while not noticeably faster, does have an improved neural engine. The video suggests that this redesign may set the template for the Apple Watch's design for the next 5 to 10 years, with only minor changes expected in future iterations.

Keywords

💡Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch Series 10 is the latest iteration of Apple's smartwatch, as discussed in the video. It represents a significant milestone as it is the 10th generation, which often prompts major design overhauls in Apple's product lineup. The video reviewer expresses some disappointment that this version is more of an incremental upgrade rather than a complete redesign, similar to the iPhone 10's impact on the iPhone series.

💡Incremental Upgrade

An incremental upgrade refers to a product update that offers only minor improvements over its predecessor. In the context of the video, the Apple Watch Series 10 is described as an incremental upgrade, meaning it has slight enhancements in design and features but lacks a groundbreaking transformation. This term is central to the reviewer's assessment of whether the new watch is worth purchasing.

💡Design Language

Design language pertains to the visual and aesthetic principles that guide the creation of a product's appearance. The video mentions the iPhone 10's impact on the iPhone's design language, suggesting that major version numbers sometimes bring about significant aesthetic changes. The reviewer had expected a similar redesign for the Apple Watch Series 10 but found the changes to be more incremental.

💡Re-engineered Speaker

The re-engineered speaker in the Apple Watch Series 10 is a component that has been redesigned to be 30% smaller, allowing for a slimmer profile of the watch. This is an example of an incremental improvement mentioned in the video, contributing to the overall slight reduction in size and weight of the device.

💡LTPO 3 Display

LTPO stands for Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide, a technology used in displays to improve power efficiency. The LTPO 3 display in the Apple Watch Series 10 allows the device to have an Always On Display that can show a second hand without consuming extra battery, representing a technical advancement in the watch's screen technology.

💡Water Temperature Sensor

The water temperature sensor is a new feature in the Apple Watch Series 10 that measures the temperature of the water when the watch is submerged. This is an example of a specific addition to the latest model that could be useful for certain users, such as swimmers or divers, but the reviewer notes that they personally did not have the opportunity to test this feature.

💡Faster Charging

Faster charging is a feature of the Apple Watch Series 10 that allows the device to reach up to 65% charge in half an hour, which is a significant improvement over previous models. This is highlighted in the video as a welcome upgrade for users who need a quick charge or want to maximize battery life in a short amount of time.

💡S10 SiP

The S10 SiP, or System in Package, refers to the new chip inside the Apple Watch Series 10. It is an integrated circuit that powers the watch, and while it has an improved neural engine, the reviewer notes that it does not offer noticeable performance improvements over the previous S9 chip.

💡watchOS 11

watchOS 11 is the latest operating system for the Apple Watch, which introduces new features and apps like the Vitals app and sleep apnea detection. The video discusses how these features are not exclusive to the Series 10 but will also be available as a software update for some older Apple Watch models.

💡Eight Sleep

Eight Sleep is a brand mentioned in the video that offers sleep tracking solutions. The reviewer discusses using the Eight Sleep Pod 4 Ultra for sleep tracking instead of relying on the Apple Watch for this purpose. This highlights an alternative approach to health and sleep monitoring that complements or competes with the functionalities of the Apple Watch.

Highlights

Rumors suggested a huge redesign for the 10th generation Apple Watch, similar to the iPhone 10's impact on design language.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is an incremental upgrade rather than a complete redesign.

Physical differences include a 10% thinner and lighter aluminum model with larger screens for both sizes.

Stainless steel is replaced with titanium for higher-end models, making them 20% lighter.

The new design feels like a squashed version of the previous model with a new one-piece metal back and re-engineered speaker.

The new design visually resembles a Pixel Watch, especially with the new Jet Black color.

The 46-millimeter Apple Watch Series 10 now matches the screen size of the Apple Watch Ultra.

watchOS 11 introduces new features like the Vitals app, sleep apnea detection, and training load tracking.

Four specific features are exclusive to the new watch: redesigned speaker for media playback, LTPO 3 display for always-on second hand, a new water temperature sensor, and faster charging.

The S10 SiP inside the watch doesn't show noticeable improvements over the S9.

The reviewer predicts that the current design will likely persist for the next 5 to 10 years based on Apple's language during the keynote.

The most significant updates for the reviewer are the larger display and faster charging.

Eight Sleep's Pod 4 Ultra is highlighted for its biometric tracking and ability to adjust temperature independently on each side of the bed.

For owners of older Apple Watch models, Series 10 is recommended as a significant upgrade.

The absence of anticipated features like a rotating bezel, circular shape, or significant battery life improvement indicates a static design for the foreseeable future.

The 10th generation Apple Watch is presented as Apple's definitive statement on the device's design and functionality.

Transcripts

(bright music)

- Okay, so there were rumors, there were serious rumors

that the 10th generation Apple Watch

was gonna be the one that gets this huge redesign.

Like, remember the iPhone 10,

that sort of reset the design language

of the whole iPhone line?

And 10 is just such a nice round even number, right?

So we just kind of figured

that maybe the Apple Watch would do the same thing.

And I even remember in my last few years

of reviewing the Apple Watch,

Series 8, Series 9,

I was like, "Look, these are good watches,

but clearly, very incremental improvements."

"So if you want a big upgrade,

maybe wait till the 10th gen one."

And so now here we are,

I've been using Apple Watch Series 10 for the past week,

and it's... it's....

it's definitely another incremental upgrade.

Now, you know, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Obviously, it's not as exciting as a total redesign,

but that definitely makes this review pretty simple

as far as whether you should get one or not.

The main physical differences this time on the outside are,

it's slightly thinner and lighter and bigger.

So the numbers say 10% thinner

and 10% lighter for the aluminum one,

and then they actually drop stainless steel

in favor of titanium on the higher-end ones,

so that's 20% lighter.

And the screens of both sizes are now even bigger.

And the result is really just that you can see more,

and it's just more comfortable on the wrist.

In fact, it actually just feels

like someone took last year's Apple Watch

and just squashed it down a little bit.

And there you go, that's the new design.

And of course, it's more complicated than that.

Like, there is a new metal back that's one piece now,

and there's a new re-engineered speaker that's 30% smaller,

so it can fit in this,

and just other pieces like shuffled around

to fit in this new shape.

But the end result is very much still an incremental update

instead of some dramatic new form factor.

I actually think now this visually reminds me more than ever

of a Pixel Watch just depending on what face you have,

just because of the way the top edges are curved even more,

and the way everything just kind of melts into the sides,

especially with this new Jet Black color.

It's just way bigger.

In fact, it's true

the larger 46-millimeter Apple Watch Series 10

basically now runs the same screen size

as the Apple Watch Ultra.

And Apple loves to do that thing,

where they show an older watch on the screen,

and then the newer watch with a bigger screen next to it,

and brag about how, "Hey there's a bigger screen

so you can get even more text,

and even more content on the screen,

and it's easier to type on that onscreen keyboard."

And to be honest, it never really made

that much of a big difference to me

other than maybe the Ultra.

But this year, I noticed something very specific.

The Disc Sports Workout

now shows one extra line of information.

So instead of time, active calories,

total calories, and heart rate,

it now shows me time, active calories,

total calories, heart rate... and miles.

So, there's that.

I think watchOS 11 literally just adds

an extra line of text in some instances

with these bigger screens, which is kind of funny.

But speaking of watchOS 11,

that launches on these new watches

and gets pushed as a software update

to some older Apple Watches.

So you're gonna get things like the new Vitals app,

which gives you a sort of energy score,

kind of like the Garmin Body Battery.

And there's a sleep apnea detection,

which just got FDA approval to detect and notify you

of potentially high levels of sleep apnea

using only the accelerometer.

And there's training load as well,

which keeps track of the perceived intensity of workouts.

That stuff is nice,

and it's also, like I said,

coming to some older Apple Watches as well.

So if you really wanna know

what stuff is specifically coming just to this newest watch,

so like a reason to get this one,

then there's about four that you should know about.

Okay, so let me know if these are enough

to convince you to get this newest watch.

So number one, with this redesigned speaker,

you can now listen to media out loud on the watch.

So meaning you could already

like take phone calls and set alarms and stuff,

but now you can literally just play media,

like music or podcasts or audio books out loud.

So you could be on a hike and just forget your headphones,

and just... you could be that guy.

But don't, don't be that guy.

So the number two, this is now an updated LTPO 3 display,

which means it'll go all the way down

to 1 hertz instead of 10 hertz.

So now it can show the second hand all the time

when the Always On Display is on

because it doesn't take up extra battery.

Plus, it has slightly noticeably better

off-axis viewing angles,

which actually helps for a watch,

so you can sort of glance

and check the watch and still see it

without looking like you're checking your watch.

Then number three, there is a new water temperature sensor.

So here's the thing.

I don't know if you can tell by looking at me,

but I don't really spend too much time around deep water.

So I don't have any test results

for this particular new sensor,

but it's there now.

So.. great.

But then number four, faster charging.

So cared about this one?

Turns out, so if you use the Puck that comes with it,

this is how you maximize your charging speed,

you can now get it up to somewhere around 65%

from dead in half an hour.

It's supposed to be 80% actually,

but we couldn't get it quite that fast.

But nevertheless, the faster charging speed is very welcome.

And that's it, that's the new big 10th generation update.

There's also the new S10 SiP inside,

which doesn't seem to be noticeably faster

or better at anything than in the S9.

It has an improved neural engine

but hasn't been enabling anything that the S9 can't do.

So yeah, is that enough?

And the more I thought about it, honestly,

my take is that now that Apple has called this a redesign.

Like, if you watch the keynote,

they were like, "This is a huge deal."

"This is a big new 10th generation redesign."

Now that they've done that,

I'm fairly sure that that means

that this is what the Apple Watch is going to look like

for the next 5 to 10 more years.

Like, if this is a real redesign for Apple,

then we're gonna be back

to even smaller changes from here on.

Really, the only parts of this update

that made a big difference at all to me

are the larger display and faster charging.

The larger display for obvious reasons.

The faster charging is nice,

especially just 'cause if you wanna drop it

on a charger for a few minutes

and get a bunch of use, then you can.

I would find it even better

if I was doing sleep tracking as well.

But I've mentioned this before,

I'm not because I'm using the Eight Sleep

for all my sleep tracking metrics,

and so shout out to Eight Sleep

for sponsoring this portion of the video.

The Eight Sleep has been so good to me,

which is why I'm mentioning it in previous videos.

And you've already heard about this new one,

the Pod 4 Ultra, which can get super cool

or super warm to each side of the bed independently.

But also, yeah, it's doing that biometric tracking

with 99% accuracy no matter how you're sleeping,

which I think is actually an advantage

over something on the back of your wrist.

So then you just jump in the app and you can see, you know,

here's the different stages of sleep here.

I've been waking up in the middle of the night randomly

since coming back from Australia's time zone,

but this is a pretty good night right here.

You can see heart rate, heart rate variability, breath rate.

No snoring, which is great. (chuckles)

And it's helping me get back

into my sleep routine here on the East Coast,

and it can help anyone sleep better, honestly.

So you just add the Pod

to your current mattress like a fitted sheet,

and it automatically cools down

or warms up each side of the bed.

So you can go to eightsleep.com/mkbhd

and get $350 off Pod 4 Ultra,

or 200 bucks off the Pod 4.

And then you can also leave your wearable on the nightstand.

But okay, so if you have an older Apple Watch,

Series 4, 5, 6, 7,

and you want a new one,

then okay, yeah, this is the upgrade to get.

That's like the easiest, no-brainer conclusion

in the world for this product.

But I'm going the extra step as a reviewer

and predicting the future of this product,

and just based on Apple's language in their presentations,

I really don't think we're getting any planned big upgrades

to this watch for a while, which is unfortunate.

But like, all those major features we are thinking about,

like a rotating bezel, or a circular shape,

or a meaningful improvement to the battery,

any of which would've been the biggest change

to the Apple Watch in years,

we didn't get any of that with this 10th gen redesign.

So it feels like they're not planning on doing any of it.

So this is the 10th gen Apple watch,

and this feels like Apple's big statement of,

"This is the Apple Watch." (chuckles)

It's the squircle, no rotating bezel,

these are the buttons, this is the shape,

18-hour battery life, over and over again.

Take it or leave it.

That's it, that's the review.

Thanks for watching.

I'll catch you guys in the next one, peace.

(bright music)