Bigger Screen, Faster Charging: Is the Apple Watch Series 10 Truly Extraordinary?

The 10th Generation Apple Watch: An Incremental Upgrade or a Missed Opportunity?

Everyone who loved Apple and watched tech news assumed that with its 10th generation the Apple Watch would follow the iPhone X strategy by getting a major redesign update. Despite the importance of number 10 many people predicted that the Apple Watch would significantly change. The Apple Watch Series 10 presents expected developments instead of the major changes users had hoped for after my first week of use.

That’s not to say it’s a bad device—far from it. The Series 10 brings smooth enhancements yet remains too close to its predecessors for anyone hoping to see a major transformation in wearable technology.

A Familiar but Slimmer Design

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Apple Watch Series 10 brings small yet important changes to design and display. The Series 10 Apple Watch maintains thinner and lighter construction plus it comes with a bigger display. Apple Watch Series 10 aluminum models weigh 10% less and have 10% thinner designs compared to previous models. Titanium replaces stainless steel in advanced models for a 20% weight reduction. Users of the Apple Watch Series 10 find more display area in both watch sizes while reading and viewing content.

Apple refined the Apple Watch Series 10 by reducing dimensions and depth of last year’s model. The raised borders flow smoothly into the glass surface at top. Apple Watch Series 10 uses new Jet Black coloring to enhance its updated sleek modern design. Users who know the Pixel Watch recognize Apple’s clear design inspiration most notably in the curved top edges and simplified melting look.

Some people hoped Apple would take bigger design risks here. The watch maintains its basic squircle design with familiar button placement which Apple introduced with the Apple Watch Series 10 launch. Apple continues to present this as a “redesign” thus maintaining the Apple Watch Series 10 form factor across the upcoming decade.

Incremental Changes with Big Implications

The Bigger Display

The Series 10’s most important change comes from its display upgrade. The 46mm Series 10 watch now matches Apple Watch Ultra’s screen size and lets users read text more easily and operate on-screen features with improved comfort. A tangible example? You can now view time, burned and active calories, heart rate, plus total distance during Disc Sports Workouts on a single display line.

With watchOS 11 on the larger screen two devices show more information through smart UI designs. The expanded screen shows more text at once which helps you reply to messages and explore menus with better space to work.

watchOS 11 Features

Speaking of watchOS 11, it brings several new features to the table. These include:

• Vitals App: A Garmin-inspired feature that provides an energy score, helping users monitor their overall energy levels.
• Sleep Apnea Detection: Approved by the FDA, this feature uses the watch’s accelerometer to detect signs of sleep apnea and notify the user.
• Training Load Metrics: This tracks the perceived intensity of workouts, giving athletes a clearer understanding of their training efforts.

However, most of these features are available on older Apple Watches as well, courtesy of the watchOS 11 update. This limits their appeal as exclusive selling points for the Series 10.

Four Exclusive Features

For those wondering what makes the Series 10 truly unique, here are the four exclusive features:

1. Media Playback on the Watch: With a redesigned speaker that’s 30% smaller, the Series 10 now allows users to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks directly on the watch. While it’s a niche use case, it could come in handy during hikes or casual settings—just don’t be “that person” blaring music in public.
2. LTPO 3 Display: This updated display can now drop to 1Hz (compared to 10Hz on previous models), enabling the Always-On Display to show the second hand without impacting battery life. The improved off-axis viewing angles also make it easier to glance at the watch discreetly.
3. Water Temperature Sensor: This new sensor measures water temperature, though its utility may be limited for the average user. It’s more relevant for swimmers, divers, or those frequently exposed to water.
4. Faster Charging: Using the included charging puck, the Series 10 can now charge up to 65% in 30 minutes (Apple claims 80%, though real-world tests fell slightly short). This faster charging capability is particularly useful for users who rely on quick top-ups.

The Unchanged Core

Despite the improvements, some elements remain disappointingly unchanged. The S10 SiP (System in Package) inside the Series 10 doesn’t offer noticeable performance gains over the S9. While it features an improved neural engine, it hasn’t enabled any functionality that the S9 couldn’t handle. The battery life, too, remains the same—18 hours, a standard Apple Watch metric that hasn’t shifted in years.

Should You Upgrade?

The Apple Watch Series 10 is an easy recommendation for users with older Apple Watches, such as the Series 4, 5, 6, or 7. The combination of a larger display, faster charging, and watchOS 11 features make the Apple Watch Series 10 a compelling upgrade for those looking to refresh their device.

However, for Apple Watch Series 8 or Series 9 owners, the changes may feel too incremental to justify the upgrade. The design, while refined, is not a drastic departure, and many of the new features found on the Apple Watch Series 10 can be experienced on older models via software updates.

Pros and Cons of the Apple Watch Series 10

Pros

• Larger Display
• Faster Charging
• Lighter Build
• watchOS 11 Features
• Jet Black Option

Cons

• Incremental Changes
• Minimal Design Shift
• Expensive Upgrade
• Similar Form Factor
• Limited Innovation

A Glimpse Into the Future

Apple’s presentation language suggests that this design will likely define the Apple Watch for years to come. The lack of major innovations, such as a circular design, rotating bezel, or significant battery improvements, indicates that Apple views this iteration as the pinnacle of the current design philosophy. For better or worse, this is the Apple Watch.

For enthusiasts hoping for revolutionary changes, this may feel like a missed opportunity. But for those who appreciate Apple’s iterative approach, the Series 10 represents a refined, polished version of an already excellent product.

Conclusion

The Series 10 Apple Watch delivers essential updates by becoming more comfortable to wear with a better display and quicker charging. While users hoped for major innovations this smartwatch presents the dependable quality and refined health features Apple fans recognize from previous models.

If you want a new Apple Watch and own an earlier model you should consider upgrading to Series 10. After using the Series 8 or 9 devices you should assess if these new updates justify moving to the Series 10. The Series 10 improves everyday fitness and health while maintaining reliability but it doesn’t bring groundbreaking changes.