Apple introduced one new Apple Watch this year: the Apple Watch Series 10. If you are in the market for an Apple Watch this year as I was (I was upgrading from a Series 7), should you get the Series 10, the Ultra 2 (my review) that Apple introduced a year ago and continues to sell, or the SE? The Apple Watch SE (second generation) was released two years ago, and it is aimed at people who just want the cheapest Apple Watch. But if you want a little more, then you are deciding between the Series 10 and the Ultra 2. Here are my thoughts on the Series 10 and my advice for deciding between the Series 10 and the Ultra 2.
How we got here
Apple introduced the original Apple Watch in 2015. Since then, Apple has come out with a new model every year, using the name "Series" followed by a number, from the Series 2 in 2016 to this year's Series 10. Along the way, Apple has also introduced alternative versions of the Apple Watch: the SE in 2020, the Ultra in 2022, the SE (second generation) in 2022, and the Ultra 2 in 2023.
For the "Series" versions of the Apple Watch, the year-to-year changes are often just to the insides of the watch. But every few yearsâin 2018 (Series 4), 2021 (Series 7), and this year (Series 10)âApple introduced a new design for the watch itself. These have not been radical changes. Apple always keeps a rectangular screen with a black background, and surprisingly to me, watch bands purchased for the very first Apple Watch back in 2015 still work today with the newest models. But the design changes have, in my opinion, always resulted in a better watch.
This year for the Series 10, Apple has once again made some changes to the exterior design of the Apple Watch: it is thinner and has a larger screen. I've been using one since it first went on sale this past Friday, and I'm a huge fan. This is a fantastic version of the Apple Watch. For me, it is the best Apple Watch ever, although I understand that some people have reasons to prefer the Ultra 2.
Here is what stands out on the Series 10.
Larger screen and case size
It is always useful to be able to see more information on the Apple Watch screen. Accordingly, Apple has gradually introduced larger and larger displays since the original Apple Watch was first introduced in 2014 and went on sale in 2015.
For the original Apple Watch through the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017, the case size was either 42 mm or 38mm (measured vertically, top to bottom) and there was a relatively large black border between the usable screen space and the edge of the screen. The screen could display either 312 x 390 pixels (42mm) or 272 x 340 pixels (38mm). Here is the Series 2:
For the Apple Watch Series 4 in 2018 through the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020, Apple increased the case size to 44mm or 40mm and also somewhat reduced the border. The screen could display either 368 x 448 pixels (44mm) or 324 x 394 pixels (40mm). Thus, the screen on the smaller version could display more pixels than the screen on the prior larger version. Here is the Series 5:
For the Apple Watch Series 7 in 2021 through the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2023, Apple increased the case size to 45mm or 41mm and also substantially reduced the border by 40%. As a result, the screen could display either 396 x 484 pixels (45mm) or 352 x 430 pixels (41mm). This time, the small screen did not display more pixels than the prior large screen, but it was close. Here is the Series 8:
The screen size on the Series 7 through 9 was very nice, but when Apple introduced the Ultra in 2022 (discussed in more detail below), Apple showed that there was room for a screen to get even larger. This year, Apple has increased the case size of the Series version of the Apple Watch to 46mm or 42mm, and this allows for a larger screen that can display either 416 x 496 pixels (46mm) or 374 x 446 pixels (42mm). So this year, the smaller version of the watch has a case that is the same size as the original large Apple Watch, and yet because the bezel is so much smaller, it not only displays far more pixels than the original larger Apple Watch but also displays slightly more pixels than the larger model of the Series 4 through 6. Here is the Series 10:
As a result of these screen increases over the last decade, when you compare the Series 10 to the display of the first few models of the Apple Watch, there is 75% more screen area. This picture on Apple's website demonstrates quite well that the screen size has increased dramatically while the case size has not increased very much:
One more advantage of this new display is that Apple says that the Series 10 uses a wide-angle OLED display that is up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle. The idea is that when you glance at the face of an Apple Watch without turning your wrist, it is easier to read. This sounds great, but when I compared the Ultra 2 to the Series 10, I cannot say that I really noticed it. But that may just be because the Ultra 2 has an amazing screen. Other reviewers have noted that it makes a difference. For example, Lexy Savvides of CNet wrote: " I wore both the Series 10 and the Series 9 on the same wrist while typing this review. Looking down at them at an angle, I could see the Series 10 was a touch brighter when checking the time."
Screen: Series 10 vs. Ultra
I'll have more to say below about deciding between the Ultra 2 and the Series 10, but while we are discussing the screen, let's compare and contrast the great screens on these two models.
As noted above, a larger screen was one of the big advantages of the Apple Watch Ultra when it was first introduced two years ago. The Ultra and Ultra 2, both of which have a 49mm case, have a display size of 410 x 502 pixels. This year, the larger model of the Series 10 has a case that is only 46mm and yet it can display 416 x 496 pixels. For all intents and purposes, it is fair to say that the display is the same size on both watches. In the following picture, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is on the left and the Apple Watch Series 10 is on the right, and you can see just as much Snoopy goodness on both screens:
Thus, if you want a large display, you no longer need to opt for the Ultra line. The Series 10 does just as good of a job providing the largest display.
There are four noticeable differences between the screens on the Ultra line and the Series 10. First, the case around the screen is much larger on the Ultra models. As noted above, the Ultra models have a 49mm case (measured top to bottom) and the Series 10 is 46mm in the larger size. That extra case size serves an important purpose on the Ultra models: it makes it more durable. If I was going to bang an Apple Watch against the side of a mountain, I'd much rather it be an Ultra 2. Having said that, I don't really spend any time on rocky mountains, so I appreciate the smaller case around a screen that is essentially the same size.
Second, the Ultra 2 screen can get much brighter when it is outside on a sunny day: up to 3000 nits. The Series 10, like the original Ultra, gets up to 2000 nits. Don't get me wrong, 2000 nits is plenty bright and nice to have, but when the sun is at its brightest, 3000 nits is a luxury that makes it easier to read the screen. On the other hand, when I am inside, or even outside when it is not super sunny, I don't notice the difference in nits.
Third, the Ultra and Ultra 2 screens are completely flat. The Series 10 screen curves slightly at the edges, with the display going all the way to where the screen curves:
I suppose that one is not objectively better than the other. And I suspect that the flat screen and the bulky case make the Ultra models more durable if they fall onto a hard surface. But when the watch is on your wrist where it is supposed to be, I think that bringing the display all the way to the curved edges is nicer. Which one you prefer is up to you, but note that there is a difference.
Finally, even though the two screens are essentially the same size, one of my favorite watch faces on the Ultra and Ultra 2âModular Ultraâis not available on the Series 10. I love this watch face on the Ultra 2 because it can display so much different information at once: a clock, a large complication in the middle, three small complications at the top, three more at the bottom, and information around the edges of the screen such as a seconds indicator:
On the Series 10, you are not even given the option to use the Series 10 face. Tim Chatten of the iPad Pros podcast speculated that perhaps the curved screen on the Series 10 would make the Modular Ultra face look odd on the edges, where I had the seconds displayed. But when I took a screen shot of the Modular Ultra watch face on an Ultra 2 and then displayed that image using the Photos app on the Series 10, it looked fine to me, even at the edges:
I wish that Apple would reconsider. Or, if Apple doesn't like having a watch face on the Series 10 that has "Ultra" in the name, come up with something similar that has a different name.
Thinner
The original Apple Watch had a depth of 10.5mm. The Series 2 and 3 were a little thicker at 11.4mm, but Apple brought that down to 10.7mm for the Series 4, which I noted in my review was a welcome change. The Apple Watch stayed at 10.7mm all the way through the Series 9. This year, the depth is only 9.7mm, the thinnest version of the Apple Watch ever.
This is a nice change. First, I think that the Apple Watch looks better from afar when it is thinner. Second, it is easier to wear a long sleeve shirt that is tight around your wrist. Third, I think that the Apple Watch feels easier to use when it is closer to the wrist.
In the following picture, the original Apple Watch is on the left and the Series 10 is on the right. You can see that the Series 10 is just slightly thinner than the original Apple Watch:
During the last few weeks, I've worn an Apple Watch Ultra 2. It has a substantial depth of 14.4mm. You really notice the thickness, and I wasn't a fan. The following two pictures show how much thicker the Ultra 2 (on the left) is compared to the Series 1o (on the right):
To be fair, there is a specific reason for the thickness of the Ultra. Not only is it part of the reason that the Ultra is more durable, but it also comes with a substantial advantage: that more chunky size gives you double the battery life. Double the battery life is pretty amazing, and for many people makes the thicker design of the Ultra worth it.
Titanium
The Apple Watch has always been available with an aluminum finish, although the colors have varied over the years. This year, there is a Jet Black case that has polished aluminum and looks pretty cool.
Additionally, the Apple Watch has always been available in alternative cases. The very first year, you could get an Apple Watch in 18-karat gold at a cost of $10,000 to $17,000. That made headlines, but Apple never did it again. Also, the very first year, you could get an Apple Watch with a stainless steel case, and that is the version that I have used since my very first Apple Watch in 2015. This year, Apple has stopped offering stainless steel.
In 2016 with the Apple Watch Series 2, Apple added a white ceramic case option. Ceramic was also an option for the Series 2, Series 3, and Series 5, but we haven't seen it since the Series 5 in 2019.
Also in 2019 with the Series 5, Apple introduced a titanium case option. Titanium is a great material because it is very strong (stronger than aluminum) but very light (although not quite as light as aluminum). That makes it perfect for the case for an electronic device. If you buy a new iPhone 16, the 16 and 16 Pro have an aluminum case, but the two Pro models have a titanium case. When Apple first introduced a titanium Apple Watch in 2019, the case had a matte, brushed titanium look:
That look was similar to the way that titanium looks on the current Ultra 2.
This year, titanium is back on the Series model, but it is polished titanium that looks fantastic. There are three colors: natural, gold, and slate:
I purchased the natural titanium, and it is beautiful. And now that I see it, I understand why Apple discontinued the stainless steel case that it has been selling every year since 2015. The polished natural titanium has a shiny silver finish that looks very similar to stainless steel, as you can see above if you go up six pictures to the one that shows my original Apple Watch with a stainless steel case on the left and the Series 10 on the right. But the polished titanium weighs less. A 45mm stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9 weighs 51.5 grams. A 46mm titanium Apple Watch Series 10 weighs only 41.7 grams. There is no reason for Apple to sell a stainless steel case at the same time that it sells a polished titanium case.
The polished natural titanium on the Apple Watch Series 10 looks particularly nice when paired with the same Milanese Loop band by Apple (my review) that I've been wearing almost every day since I was wearing my very first Apple Watch in 2015.
There is nothing wrong with the aluminum version of an Apple Watch. It is less expensive and even lighter. But because my Apple Watch is the only jewelry that I wear (besides my wedding ring), I enjoy wearing something that I think looks better. So yes, I did pay more for it, but this polished titanium case looks great and is a delight to wear.
Sensors
Apple occasionally adds new sensors to the Apple Watch, the last one being the temperatur sensor that can be used by people who are ovulating to track their cycle, a sensor introduced two years ago in the Series 8. This year, Apple is using the accelerometer to detect sleep apnea if you wear your watch while you are sleeping. This requires the processing power that comes in the S9 (Series 9 and Ultra 2) or the S10 (Series 10), so those are the only three Apple Watch models currently shipping that can support this feature. Apple does this by tracking what it calls Breathing Disturbances; if those are elevated, you are more likely to have sleep apnea. Apple describes the process as follows:
Following an onboarding for the feature, the new sleep apnea notifications algorithm analyzes breathing disturbance data every 30 days, so Apple Watch can notify a user if it identifies signs of sleep apnea. The notification includes the time period when potential sleep apnea occurred and educational materials on the importance of seeking treatment, along with a PDF providing three months of breathing disturbance data, notification details, and additional information to reference during a conversation with a healthcare provider.
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a water resistance rating of 50 meters, so it can be used for shallow-water activities like snorkeling or swimming in a pool or ocean. (Note that Apple warns that water resistance can diminish over time.) When you are using an Apple Watch Series 10 in the water, a new water temperature sensor gives you more information for a swimming workout, and a new depth sensor (up to 6 meters or 20 feet) gives you more information for swimming and snorkeling.
Speaking of sensors, note that the blood oxygen sensor, first introduced with the Series 6 in 2020, does not currently work with the Series 10 if you are in the United States. As I have reported in the past, Apple is currently in a legal dispute with Masimo, a medical technology company that alleges that the way that Apple Watches shine a light on your arm to read blood-oxygen levels violates Masimo's patents. As a result, Apple is currently prohibited by court order from enabling the blood oxygen sensor for any model of any Apple Watch that it sells in the United States. (Prior models that were already sold with a working blood oxygen sensor are not affected.) I know many people who use this sensor frequently. When my father needed a new Apple Watch earlier this year, he wanted the sensor, so I was able to find a store that was selling a model that it purchased from Apple before the ban went into effect. I just heard from an attorney in Pennsylvania who was unaware of this change and was very upset when he purchased a Series 10 a few days ago only to discover that the sensor that he has been using for years is missing.
I see that a five-day jury trial in the lawsuit between Masimo and Apple is scheduled to begin on October 21, 2024. (U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, No. 1:22-CV-01378) Hopefully, Apple will either win or settle the lawsuit soon so that it can turn this feature back on.
Let's hear it
Although the Apple Watch has had a speaker since the very first model, you were limited in what you could do with it. It was designed for playing alerts and for using the telephone feature. With the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple has added the ability to use the speaker for media playback. Thus, if you are listening to a song or a podcast and you don't have an iPhone, AirPods, or other speaker nearby to use, you can play the sound from the Apple Watch itself.
You need to follow several steps to do so. When you are listening to music, tap the three dots in the top right of the Apple Watch screen. Then select AirPlay. Then select Control Other Speakers & TVs. Then select your Apple Watch as the destination. I'm listening to The Rolling Stones sing Start Me Up as I type these words, and the sound is fine considering how tiny the speakers are. The quality is more than good enough for listening to a podcast. This would never be my first choice for a speaker, but if you don't have another option, at least you can now still play the audio.
Note that media playback through the Apple Watch's own speaker isnât supported when you are charging an Apple Watch. Note also that Apple warns: "Media playback through the Apple Watch speaker drains the battery more quickly. (10 minutes of audio playback reduces the battery life by 1 hour.") So I wouldn't plan to listen to an entire audiobook on the Apple Watch, unless it is a short story. But if you have the battery life to spare, and you want to listen to a podcast for 20 or 30 minutes with no other good speaker avaiable, this is a nice feature to have. Indeed, it is a feature that I had been wishing for since my very first Apple Watch.
Finally, note that this media playback feature also now works on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (but not the first-generation Ultra).
Faster charging
Speaking of charging your Apple Watch, you can charge a Series 10 faster than you can charge other Apple Watch models, going from 0% to 80% in only 30 minutes as opposed to 45 minutes of fast charging on the Series 7 through 9.
Note that fast charging requires a USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable and a power adapter of at least 18W.
I haven't had a chance to test this feature yet. My hope is that the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe, which is $129.95 on Amazon and which I have been using for years, will support the faster charging available with the Series 10. My assumption is that it will work just fine.
Series 10 vs. Ultra 2
If you are reading this review because you are trying to decide between the Series 10 and the Ultra 2, that was the same choice that I faced. Although I had intended to keep using my Series 7 until this month, it unfortunately stopped working last month. In the interim, I have been trying out other Apple Watches. I spent over three weeks using an Ultra 2 (my review).
If you want an Apple Watch made for extreme outdoor adventures, the Ultra 2 is the obvious choice. The Ultra provides lots of durability features that a Series 10 lacks. It has a design made to stand up to more abuse. It has the ability to scuba dive up to 40m, whereas the Series 10 is designed for only shallow depths. The Ultra is water resistant up to 100 meters (under ISO standard 22810:2010) but the Series 10 is water resistant only up to 50 meters. Special watch bands made by Apple for outdoor activities are only available with the Ultra models. If you plan to use your Apple Watch for rugged adventures in the great outdoors, the Ultra models give you significant advantages. And even if your outdoor adventures are limited to running around the neighborhood while tracking where you went, the improved GPS of the Ultra models may make the difference for you.
But if you were only thinking of the Ultra 2 because you wanted the best Apple Watch, it is now debatable as to which model is the top-of-the-line.
I like the big screen on the Ultra models, but now you have essentially the same big screen on the Series 10. In fact, what is similar and different about the screens is important enough that I devoted many paragraphs to that topic, up above.
I don't like the bulky size of the Ultra models, and now the Series 10 is the slimmest Apple Watch ever. And while the titanium finish of the Ultra model is, in my opinion, just fine, the polished titanium finish available on the Series 10 is beautiful.
If you are not getting a titanium case, the Series 10 is significantly cheaper than the Ultra 2, but only if you get the aluminum model (or the smaller model). The 49mm Ultra 2, which includes cellular, is $799. The aluminum 46mm Series 10 is $429 without cellular or $529 with cellular. So the fairest comparison is $529 versus $799, which is $270 more for the Ultra. If you get the titanium 46mm Series 10, which includes cellular, it costs $749, so the Ultra is only $50 more.
One place where the Ultra models come out on top is battery life: you get twice as much with the Utra. And as I noted in my review, in practice, it can often feel like endless battery life. The Ultra 2 can also get up to 3000 nits of brightness when you are outside on a sunny day, whereas the Series 10 goes up to 2000 nitsâwhich is still plenty bright, but not quite as good. The Ultra models have an action button on the left that you can assign to various tasks, such as invoking the flashlight feature or starting a workout. The Ultra models have two speakers (versus a single speaker on the Series 10) which make it up to 40% louder. The Ultra models have a siren, which can be useful if you are in an emergency situation. And only the Ultra models can use the fantastic Modular Ultra watch face.
Those are significant advantages, especially if battery life is important to you. But the Series 10 has its own advantages over the Ultra 2. The most obvious advantage is the slimmer design. I also prefer the look of the polished titanium. And the Digital Crown is easier to use on the Series 10. To protect the Digital Crown, the Ultra models have a case built up around the crown that makes it harder to turn. The Ultra models use a larger crown with deeper groves to try to compensate, but I'm not a big fan. When I stopped using an Ultra 2 and started using a Series 10 this past Friday, one of the first things that made me smileâafter admiring how thin it wasâwas how much better the Digital Crown felt. And, of course, the Series 10 is either a little bit cheaper or a lot cheaper than the Ultra, depending upon which configuration you select.
Although I prefer the Series 10, an example of an argument in favor of the Ultra 2 comes from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. Gurman has used an Ultra 2 for the past year, and this year he decided to get another Ultra 2 with the new black finish rather than get a Series 10. In brief, the reasons he provided for preferring the Ultra 2 over the Series 10 are:
- He finds 3,000 nits to be a "noticeable and helpful improvement."
- He considers the 2x battery life more important than the thinner and lighter size of the Series 10.
- He likes the Action button, which he uses to trigger tracking for outdoor walks
- He doesn't consider the Series 10 wide-angle OLED a substantial improvement. (I agree.)
- The screen size is essentially the same for both. (I agree)
- He loves the Modular Ultra watch face, which isn't on the Series 10. (I agree.)
The Ultra 2 and Series 10 are both great watches. Each will have fans who believe that one is better than the other. For me, the Series 10 is the clear winner. I'm jealous of the additional battery life on the Ultra and I do miss the action button, but neither of those makes me prefer an Ultra 2 over a Series 10.
Conclusion
For the past decade, the yearly updates to the Series models of the Apple Watch have made the watch better and better. There was a significant update in 2021 when the Series 7 was introduced with a new design, and this is once again a year in which there is a significant design change. Plus, the Series 10 includes lots of other great features. If you want an Apple Watch made for rugged outdoor adventure, then you should get the Ultra 2. But if you just want a great Apple Watch, The Ultra 2 has some advantages (most notably the fantastic battery life) but the Series 10 has its own advantages (most notably being thinner and less expensive, plus the ability to get the fantastic polished titanium case). Either is a great Apple Watch. And for me, the Series 10 is the best Apple Watch ever.
Click here to get the Apple Watch Series 10 from Amazon.
