The Apple Watch is the preferred smartwatch in the marketplace, providing a slew of well being and health options in an iconic design. Because the Apple Watch’s preliminary debut a decade in the past, the iPhone maker has been introducing contemporary fashions yearly, which characteristic enhanced capabilities and occasional design tweaks. On paper, the newest Apple Watch Sequence 10 is the sleekest, most superior iteration but, providing bigger screens and new capabilities. Nevertheless, a better look exposes why that’s not truly the case.
A downgraded design in disguise
In the course of the Glowtime keynote, a prolonged portion of the Apple Watch part revolved across the Sequence 10’s all-new design. With this launch, Apple has made its wearable even slimmer, which, in idea, is a welcome design improve. Having worn each the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and Sequence 10 on the identical wrist, nonetheless, I can guarantee you that the distinction isn’t of significance. Certain, you possibly can inform them aside after they’re positioned facet by facet, however it’s removed from being a revolutionary overhaul just like the Mac mini.
In actual fact, Apple has resorted to optical illusions on its web site to make the Sequence 10 seem slimmer than it truly is. The corporate is making the most of the jet black mannequin’s reflective exterior and putting it in opposition to white backgrounds in advertising and marketing pictures, which exaggerates how skinny the gadget is. Had the smartwatch been meaningfully thinner, Apple wouldn’t must depend on trickery to promote it—as a substitute, it could confidently current it as it’s.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 appears to be like thinner in renders than it does in actual life.
Apple
And, regardless of Apple dedicating a big chunk of the presentation to boast concerning the improved design, it casually disregarded one main downgrade on this division. The Apple Watch Sequence 10, in comparison with the Sequence 7, 8, and 9, has noticeably thicker display screen bezels. Provided that customers spend most of their time trying on the watch face (and never how slim its physique is), the Sequence 10 arguably seems a bit extra dated than its predecessors the place it issues.
In any other case, Apple has discontinued the purple end, which was essentially the most vibrant possibility. So, customers are actually restricted to fewer and duller colours. And whereas shiny fans will respect the brand new jet black mannequin, Apple isn’t providing a matte black variant for individuals who don’t need their watches to point out scratches as simply.
Well being options which might be so 2023
With each new Apple Watch launch, the agency sometimes reveals at the very least one new health-related characteristic—and 2024’s version was no totally different. In the course of the keynote, Apple introduced that sleep apnea detection is debuting with watchOS 11. Properly, besides that it’s not unique to the Apple Watch Sequence 10, with help extending to final yr’s Sequence 9 and Extremely 2. So, by shopping for the Apple Watch Sequence 10, you’re not getting any unique well being options unavailable on earlier fashions.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10’s new sleep apnea detection can also be coming to Sequence 9.
Foundry
In any other case, the blood-oxygen monitor on the Sequence 10 continues to be inactive within the U.S. attributable to a patent dispute. Whereas Apple could allow it by means of a future software program replace at any time, no related rumors or official bulletins counsel that’s taking place anytime quickly. In the meantime, the Apple Watch Sequence 9 gives blood-oxygen monitoring within the U.S. if the mannequin quantity doesn’t finish with LW/A. So, when you come throughout an older, pre-ban Sequence 9 unit, seize it because it’ll give you extra well being information than the newest Sequence 10.
Past that, the Apple Watch Sequence 10 packs a depth gauge that may deal with not more than 6 meters of water. In the meantime, the Extremely 2 variant helps as much as 40 meters. So, whereas the Sequence 10 caters to informal divers greater than the Sequence 9, any severe watersport athlete would most likely discover its 6-meter restrict laughable and go for the Extremely 2 as a substitute.
Repackaged, year-old efficiency
In an period the place smartwatches have grow to be mini telephones, the processor issues greater than ever. In typical Apple trend, although, the Sequence 10 doesn’t supply any efficiency boosts. The S10 chip that powers 2024’s mannequin is seeingly only a repackaged S9 from final yr’s launch. Consequently, you get the identical set of options, such because the double-tap gesture, on-device Siri with entry to well being information, RAM, and storage capacities, and so on.
Whereas the design is barely totally different, lots of the specs and options of the Apple Watch Sequence 10 are the identical as final yr’s mannequin.
Foundry
Equally, the battery life—in line with Apple’s personal claims—stays unchanged with the Sequence 10. The watch, nonetheless, does cost from 0 to 80 % in half-hour as a substitute of 45 minutes—when utilizing a 20W or increased charger (Apple doesn’t provide one). Moreover, the speaker now helps direct music and podcast playback, which had been unique to the Extremely mannequin.
Whereas the Apple Watch Sequence 10 undoubtedly brings some small enhancements to the desk, they’re unlikely to influence most customers’ each day lives. I’ve but to return throughout somebody who’s trying to play music by means of their smartwatch’s speaker or cares that a lot about spending quarter-hour much less when topping up its battery.
Not the time to purchase
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 is an excellent smartwatch. However so is the Sequence 9. Future fashions will seemingly keep the thinner construct whereas managing to skinny down the chunky show bezels, probably as early as subsequent yr. Till then, I personally assume the general look of the Sequence 9 is the epitome of Apple Watch design.
If you will discover an Apple Watch Sequence 9 on clearance, seize one.
Foundry
In the meantime, each the Sequence 9 and Sequence 10 supply the identical efficiency, battery life, and well being options—together with the newest sleep apnea detection. In actual fact, the Sequence 9, in some cases, completely gives blood-oxygen monitoring within the US, which 2024’s version fully misses out on.
Taking all the above into consideration, it’s best to most likely skip the Sequence 10 this yr. In case you actually need a new Apple Watch, think about selecting up a less expensive Apple Watch Sequence 9 on clearance. In any other case, you’re higher off getting final yr’s mannequin or ready for the Sequence 11.