The Apple Watch has officially reached a significant milestone, celebrating its 10th anniversary. This decade has witnessed the Apple Watch transform the smartwatch landscape, becoming a staple for many and even proving life-saving in certain situations. For anyone seeking a smartwatch and health tracker, the Apple Watch is a compelling choice, especially for those already entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. However, the question arises: should you opt for the Apple Watch Series 10 over the Series 9? Or, if you own a Series 9, does the Series 10 justify the upgrade cost? Let’s delve into a comprehensive breakdown to help you make an informed decision.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Specifications and Design
While the Apple Watch has maintained a consistent aesthetic over the years, with the exception of the Apple Watch Ultra, this year brings some notable changes to the Series 10. The Series 9 retains the familiar rounded square design, crafted from aluminum or stainless steel with a ceramic and sapphire crystal back, available in 41mm or 45mm sizes. The aluminum boasts a matte finish, while the stainless steel offers a polished, glossy look. Color options for the aluminum Series 9 include Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Pink, and Product(RED), while the stainless steel variant is offered in silver or Space Black.
Apple has taken a different approach with the Apple Watch Series 10. Although it retains the signature “squircle” shape, the body has become slimmer, and the display larger. Two new sizes are introduced: 42mm and 46mm. The 46mm size boasts a display that surpasses even the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra thanks to the new wide-angle OLED display, which extends farther down the sides of the case, enhancing visibility from angles. The Apple Watch Series 10 also marks the first time Apple has excluded stainless steel from the color lineup. The Series 10 now comes in either aluminum or titanium. Aluminum Apple Watch Series 10 models are available in rose gold, silver, and a new jet black finish with a polished, glossy look. For titanium, the options include slate, gold, or natural. Prior to the announcement, there were rumors circulating about Apple altering the watch band attachment system, but thankfully (or perhaps not, depending on your perspective), that aspect remained unchanged.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Display
The display on the Apple Watch Series 10 represents a significant improvement over its predecessor, particularly with the 46mm version. Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 10 utilize an always-on OLED display, but the Series 10’s display now extends farther down the case sides. This is beneficial because it allows the wearer to view the screen from an angle without needing to adjust their wrist as much. The display also exhibits a 40% increase in brightness when viewed from an angle, further enhancing visibility. Apple asserts that the 46mm Apple Watch Series 10’s display is 30% larger than previous generations and even surpasses the Apple Watch Ultra display in size. A larger screen translates to more visible text, easier on-screen keyboard typing, and the ability to accommodate more features on the watch face, such as a seconds-ticker for the clock. The brightness levels remain consistent between the Series 10 and Series 9, reaching up to 2,000 nits peak brightness and dropping to 1 nit in low-light conditions.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Health and Fitness Tracking
Apple has consistently enhanced the Apple Watch with new health features and sensors, and the Apple Watch Series 10 continues this trend. The Apple Watch Series 10 encompasses all the fundamental features of the Series 9, including heart rate tracking, ECG, wrist temperature sensor, sleep tracking, and more. During the keynote, Apple showcased the Apple Watch Series 10’s sleep apnea detection capabilities. However, it’s worth noting that this feature is also being introduced to the Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, making it not a defining reason for upgrading. Initially, it was believed that sleep apnea detection would necessitate blood-oxygen monitoring, which is currently unavailable on U.S. Apple Watches due to a lawsuit involving Masimo. However, Apple has devised a workaround using the accelerometer instead to measure sleep movement. The collected data will be analyzed every 30 days, and if potential signs of sleep apnea are detected, a report will be generated. This feature is pending FDA approval, but Apple anticipates its clearance soon.
For swimmers, the Apple Watch Series 10 introduces additional health features that will be appreciated. It now includes a depth gauge and water temperature sensor, similar to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. However, while the Ultra 2 can handle dives up to 40 meters (130 feet), the Series 10 is limited to 6 meters (20 feet). The Oceanic+ app is also available on the Series 10 and Ultra 2 but not on the Series 9.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Software and Performance
The Apple Watch Series 9 originally shipped with watchOS 10 but can be upgraded to watchOS 11. It houses the S9 SiP, enabling faster, on-device Siri with localized access to Health data and introducing the Double Tap gesture for one-handed Apple Watch use for specific actions. The Apple Watch Series 10 comes pre-loaded with watchOS 11. Apple has integrated a faster S10 SiP, which, combined with the new wide-angle OLED, translates to enhanced power efficiency. One of the prominent new features in watchOS 11 is the Vitals app. While it doesn’t provide new data, it presents your existing health information in a fresh way. Five key metrics are highlighted: heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen, and sleep duration. When you wear your Apple Watch to sleep, the Vitals app displays how those metrics performed overnight, providing an easier way to identify any potential concerns. One can anticipate at least several years of support for any Apple Watch, including the Series 9 and Series 10. While Apple doesn’t specify a specific time frame, it will be a considerable period.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Battery and Charging
In terms of battery life, the Apple Watch Series 10 is comparable to its predecessor, offering up to 18 hours with regular usage or up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode. However, Apple has made improvements to charging with the Series 10. Previously, the Apple Watch Series 9 would reach 80% battery from 0% in approximately 45 minutes. With the Series 10, you can achieve 80% from 0% in just 30 minutes. Given the increased likelihood of wearing your Apple Watch to bed, faster charging becomes a significant consideration when making a purchase.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Verdict
For those already owning an Apple Watch Series 9, upgrading to the Series 10 is a difficult sell. After all, the Series 9 is also receiving sleep apnea detection. Unless you engage in frequent snorkeling, the depth gauge and water temperature sensors are cool features but not essential. However, if you are transitioning from an older Apple Watch or even an Apple Watch Ultra model, the Apple Watch Series 10 presents a compelling proposition. It boasts a thinner profile yet houses the largest display (with the 46mm) on an Apple Watch, even surpassing the Apple Watch Ultra. And with the wide-angle OLED and increased brightness, viewing the watch face from an angle becomes effortless. While some anticipated more substantial changes with the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple has streamlined and refined its iconic wearable. If you’re seeking an upgrade, the Apple Watch Series 10 appears to be a solid choice. But if you decide to opt for its predecessor, it’s a good time to explore available deals.
