Apple Series 10 was showcased at an event at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California on September 12, 2023.
Loren Elliott | Reuters
new apple Watch Series 10 will be available on Friday. I’ve been testing it for the past five days, and there are enough improvements to appeal to both beginners and people considering upgrading.
When Apple announced its new watch earlier this month, I wasn’t necessarily excited. The company showed off a thinner design, a larger screen and some software features for earlier models. But overall, there’s a lot to like.
Apple Watch is part of the company’s wearable devices, home and accessories division, which reported fiscal third-quarter revenue of $8.1 billion, down 2% from the same period last year. Chief Executive Tim Cook said at the time of the report that two-thirds of Apple Watch buyers were still unfamiliar with the device.
Apple Watch Series 10, as the name suggests, marks the tenth year of Apple Watch. This is the best yet, even if some of the changes are minor.
What’s good
Charging is great. The Series 10 is equipped with a new coil under the rear glass that can charge to 80% in 30 minutes. I can plug it in while reading a book or taking a shower, giving me plenty of juice for the day ahead. A full charge lasts for 18 hours, which has been standard since the Series 1.
The slightly larger screen is perfect for typing and selecting songs in playlists or clicking buttons. I’ve been using my personal Apple Watch Series Ultra for the past few years and have gotten used to it, but the larger display makes a big difference when you’re trying to respond to text messages quickly.
I love the new speakers that allow you to listen to podcasts, music, or audiobooks without using headphones. I rarely find myself without my phone or AirPods, but sometimes I leave my phone downstairs to charge. It was nice to continue listening to a part of the audiobook I started in the car while I was putting away my clothes after get off work.
Apple adds new features, like option to detect sleep apnea, which gets rave reviews The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it on Monday and it will be ready when the watch goes on sale to consumers on Friday. It’s already available for Apple Watch Series 9.
Finally, I like the switch from steel to titanium on higher-end models. Apple’s polished steel versions have always been my favorite, but they are heavier than the aluminum versions. Titanium is much lighter.
I really like the look of the shiny black aluminum option. It looks more expensive than the matte silver or rose gold models, but starts at the same price: $399.
What’s wrong
The Series 10 is thinner than earlier Apple Watches, which weren’t particularly thick. If the previous thickness meant longer battery life, I’d be happy with it.
This remains the greatest weakness. Part of what makes the Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 stand out is their 36 hours of battery life. This can make a huge difference when you’re traveling or if you just forget to plug it in one night.
There aren’t many major health upgrades. Apple is reportedly developing blood glucose monitoring or blood pressure monitoring for the Apple Watch. I wasn’t expecting it this year either, but I’m worried about spending money on a device now only to have it become obsolete when important health features are reduced.
Should you buy it?
For the two-thirds of people who are buying an Apple Watch for the first time, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a great first purchase. You get a new chip, a bigger screen, a thinner design, and faster charging. Owners of Series 6 or older models may also see enough evidence to justify an upgrade. But if you like more extreme sports like diving or hiking, and need features like more accurate GPS and support for deeper underwater dives, or just longer battery life, I would recommend the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
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