Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9: These are all the differences

At first glance, the Apple Watch Series 10 has remained the same: the same sleek design with rounded corners. But in some areas the watch has changed a lot compared to the previous generation.

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Like every year, Apple introduces a new generation of Apple Watch systems. The Series 10 has the S10 SiP installed, but we expect the new system to be based on an A16, as was the case with the S9. Experience has shown that Apple sticks with a base processor for two to three years before the manufacturer updates its watch to the actual next generation. The A13 was the basis for the Apple Watch Series 6 to 8, until the Series 9 was able to upgrade to the A16.

New sensor

It is not entirely true that the Apple Watch Series 10 does not have any sensors built in. However, the rumors are more about blood pressure and less about blood sugar measurement. Apple, on the other hand, borrowed the water temperature sensor from the Apple Watch Ultra (2), so that the Series 10 can be used for snorkeling and recreational diving (up to 6 meters deep).

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Dimensions

This is where the most has changed. Firstly, the Apple Watch Series 10 has grown again: the long side of the small version has grown from 41 mm to 42 mm, and the long side of the large version from 45 mm to 46 mm. Nevertheless, the straps of the old generation fit on the new one and vice versa. At the same time, the new Series 10 has become thinner.

The manufacturer was able to shave off one millimeter from the two sizes. What sounds like a small amount on paper will actually contribute to the comfort of wearing the watch. You will notice the difference when you have to switch from the thin Series 10 to something thicker.

The Series 10 has also become lighter. Okay, the switch from stainless steel to titanium can explain the differences in the Series 10 edition, but the differences are also quite noticeable in the aluminum version, both with and without LTE. Apple has saved up to twenty percent in weight in the titanium models, in both sizes. But the new generation of LTE models has also become almost ten percent lighter. The next point explains why this is the case.

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On the back, the manufacturer has opted for sapphire glass and metal instead of sapphire glass and ceramic. At the same time, the metal ring serves as an antenna for LTE reception. This also explains the rather large weight differences between the two generations.

Battery and faster charging

Nominally, nothing has changed with the battery, Apple still claims 18 hours of battery life in normal mode and up to 36 hours in power saving mode. However, the Apple Watch Series 10 can charge much faster: from zero to 80 percent in 30 minutes. With the Series 9, you have to wait 45 minutes to get to 80 percent charge.

Display and display frame

The biggest visible change is probably the display: Firstly, Apple has installed the third generation of its LTPO OLED panel, which allows better visibility of the content even at very oblique viewing angles. The display area is also larger: from 904 mm² to 989 mm² for the smaller version and 1,143 mm² to 1,220 mm² in the larger version.

However, the thinner frame is just a marketing trick, because Apple compared the Series 10 with the Series 6 in this respect. The direct comparison with the Series 9 shows that the frames on the Series 10 have actually become wider.

Colors)

This year, Apple has dropped the colors Polar Star and Product Red, and instead the real black is being used on Apple’s aluminum watch. Diamond black was already an option on the iPhone 7, and now the color is making a return on the Apple Watch.

Titanium instead of stainless steel

Apple is finally bringing its standard watch closer to the Ultra by offering a titanium version instead of a stainless steel version. The color options have changed slightly: from graphite, silver and gold to slate, gold and natural. Fortunately, the manufacturer has not changed the prices, although the larger version is already slowly approaching the Ultra limit of 899 euros.

Conclusion

Unlike the iPhone X, the Series 10 is not a decade-long update: Back then, Apple fundamentally changed the design, introduced an important innovation in the form of Face ID and switched to OLED technology in the screen. If you have also bought a Series 9, there is no reason to switch, as watchOS 11 also includes a sleep apnea warning on this model. We will probably have to wait at least until next fall for a groundbreaking innovation such as non-invasive blood pressure measurement.