Apple Watch Series 10: A Comprehensive Review of the 10th Anniversary Smartwatch

The Apple Watch Series 10 marks an important milestone for Apple, celebrating a decade of innovation in the wearable tech market. Since its initial release in 2015, the Apple Watch has continuously set the standard for smartwatches, blending style, functionality, and powerful health and fitness features into one seamless device.

While the iPhone X brought a bold, revolutionary redesign for its 10th anniversary, the Apple Watch Series 10 is more of a refinement of its predecessors. Instead of radically altering its appearance or introducing disruptive technology, Apple has chosen to enhance what already works exceptionally well. The result is a smartwatch that feels familiar but is packed with useful upgrades in design, performance, health features, and usability.

In this in-depth review, we will break down everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Series 10. From its revamped design to the new S10 chip, health monitoring updates, and battery improvements, we’ll cover all the key aspects to help you decide if this is the right smartwatch for you.

Key Specifications of Apple Watch Series 10

Design & Build: Slimmer, Lighter, and More Premium

The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces several subtle but significant design enhancements, making it not only sleeker but also more ergonomically friendly. Apple has continuously focused on refining its hardware design, and the Series 10 exemplifies this effort.

Reduced Thickness

One of the most noticeable improvements is the thinner profile. The Series 10 measures 9.7 mm in thickness, making it one of the slimmest smartwatches Apple has ever produced. This is a full millimeter thinner than the Series 9, which measured 10.7 mm. While this may sound like a minor change on paper, the difference in comfort when worn for extended periods is quite significant. Whether you wear your Apple Watch during workouts, long commutes, or just throughout the day, the slimmer design enhances the overall wearability.

Lightweight Titanium Finish

Another major design change is the introduction of a titanium finish, replacing the stainless steel option. Titanium is known for its strength-to-weight ratio, making it much lighter without compromising on durability. This makes the Series 10 feel significantly lighter on the wrist, especially for users who are upgrading from older models like the Series 5 or Series 6. The titanium version, starting at ₹79,900, also has a premium look, perfect for those who prioritize both luxury and functionality.

For users who prefer something more affordable, the aluminum option remains available at a starting price of ₹46,900. This version is durable and comes in a variety of colors that suit different tastes and styles.

Nostalgic Color Options

The color options for the Series 10 are another interesting element. Apple has reintroduced the jet black aluminum finish, which is reminiscent of the iPhone 7 Plus. This color option is both sleek and nostalgic, making the device feel like a modern twist on one of Apple’s most iconic products.

Overall Build Quality

In terms of build quality, the Series 10 maintains Apple’s high standards. The materials are premium, and the overall construction feels sturdy and refined. While it’s not a groundbreaking departure from the Series 9, the slight design refinements enhance comfort and style in a meaningful way.

Display: Bigger, Brighter, and Sharper

One of the most noticeable areas of improvement in the Apple Watch Series 10 is its display. Apple has made the screen larger, brighter, and even more vivid, offering a significantly enhanced viewing experience.

Larger Display

The case sizes have been increased to 42 mm and 46 mm, up from the 41 mm and 45 mm of the Series 9. While the increase may seem modest, it creates a more immersive display experience, making it easier to interact with the watch’s features. The larger size also enables more information to be shown on the screen at once, which is particularly beneficial for users who rely heavily on apps like fitness trackers, weather widgets, and navigation.

Reduced Bezels

The Series 10 features thinner bezels, allowing the display to stretch closer to the edges of the watch face. This design choice maximizes the screen area without significantly increasing the physical size of the watch. The end result is a more modern and sleek look, with the display appearing almost edge-to-edge.

OLED Display with 2000 Nits of Brightness

One of the biggest improvements is the brightness of the OLED display. The Series 10 boasts a peak brightness of 2000 nits, which is double that of the Series 9. This makes the display incredibly easy to read, even in direct sunlight. Whether you’re checking messages while on a hike or reviewing workout data during an outdoor run, the enhanced brightness ensures that you’ll never struggle to see the information on your watch.

Additionally, Apple has improved the viewing angles on the Series 10, claiming that the display is 40% brighter when viewed at an angle compared to previous models. This makes it easier to read the watch face in various situations, such as when it’s lying on a table or when viewed from an angle while working out.

Always-On Display

The always-on display feature continues to be a hallmark of the Apple Watch. With the Series 10, Apple has made the always-on mode even more efficient, ensuring that it doesn’t drain the battery while still providing a bright, readable screen at all times.

Health & Fitness Features: Incremental but Meaningful Updates

Health and fitness tracking have always been at the core of the Apple Watch experience, and the Apple Watch Series 10 continues to build on that foundation. Apple has introduced a few new health features, while also enhancing existing ones to provide more detailed and accurate data.

Water Temperature Sensor

One of the most notable new features is the water temperature sensor. This is a game-changer for users who frequently engage in swimming or other water-based activities. The sensor provides real-time data on the temperature of the water you’re swimming in, allowing for more accurate tracking of your workouts. While this may seem like a niche feature, it adds a level of precision that serious swimmers will appreciate.

Sleep Apnea Detection (via Software Update)

Apple has announced that sleep apnea detection will be introduced via a software update in the coming months. This feature uses the existing blood oxygen (SP2) sensor and other metrics to detect patterns in your breathing that may indicate sleep apnea. If you’re someone who struggles with sleep or suspects you might have sleep apnea, this feature could provide valuable insights into your health.

Retained Health Features

Many of the classic health features from previous models have been retained, including SP2 blood oxygen monitoring, temperature sensing, heart rate monitoring, and ECG functionality. These tools continue to make the Apple Watch one of the most comprehensive health-tracking devices on the market.

Fitness Tracking

The Series 10 continues to excel in fitness tracking. Whether you’re a runner, cyclist, swimmer, or gym-goer, the Activity Rings, Workout App, and Third-Party Fitness Apps offer a wealth of data and customization. With improved sensors, the watch tracks workouts more accurately, giving you the information you need to optimize your performance.

Performance & Chipset: The Power of the S10 Chip

At the heart of the Apple Watch Series 10 is the new S10 chip, which offers a significant performance boost over its predecessor. Here’s a look at what the S10 chip brings to the table:

Faster and More Efficient

The S10 chip is faster and more efficient than the S9. This translates to smoother performance across the board, from launching apps to processing health data. The increased efficiency also plays a role in battery optimization, ensuring that the watch can handle intensive tasks like GPS navigation and fitness tracking without draining the battery as quickly as previous models.

Enhanced Voice Clarity

Apple has made improvements to voice call clarity, ensuring that calls made from the watch are crisper and clearer. This is a particularly useful feature for users who frequently take calls on the go or in noisy environments.

Music Playback

The Series 10 also allows users to play music directly from the watch, with improved sound quality. For those who enjoy listening to music or podcasts during their workouts without carrying their phone, this feature will be a welcome enhancement.

Compatibility with iOS 18

The Series 10 is designed to work seamlessly with iOS 18, Apple’s latest operating system for iPhones. This ensures that you can sync notifications, respond to messages, and control apps with even greater ease.

Battery Life & Charging: A Notable Leap Forward

Battery life is often a key concern for smartwatch users, and Apple has made some significant improvements in this area with the Series 10.

Improved Battery Life

The Apple Watch Series 10 has made notable strides in the area of battery efficiency. Thanks to the more energy-efficient S10 chip and further optimization in watchOS, Apple has managed to squeeze more battery life out of a smaller, slimmer device. The Series 10 offers an impressive 24- to 36-hour battery life on typical usage. This is a notable improvement over the 18-24 hours of the Series 9.

In low-power mode, the Series 10 can extend the battery life even further, making it ideal for users who need their watch to last longer without recharging, such as during travel or extended outdoor activities. The battery-saving features are well-integrated, so users can still track basic fitness metrics, get notifications, and use the watch for navigation in this mode.

Faster Charging

Apple has also drastically improved the charging speed. The Series 10 can now go from 0 to 80% in just 13 minutes. This is a significant improvement over the 45 minutes required by the Series 9 to reach a full charge. This makes the Series 10 one of the fastest charging smartwatches on the market, which is a major convenience for users who often forget to charge their devices or are in a hurry.

The improved charging speed means that even if you’re in a rush, you can still get enough power for a full day of usage with just a few minutes on the charger. This feature, coupled with the enhanced battery life, makes the Series 10 an even more appealing option for power users.

Software and Usability: watchOS 10 Brings Exciting Changes

The Apple Watch Series 10 ships with watchOS 10, which introduces some new and improved features. While the S10 chip powers the device, it’s the software that truly enhances the user experience. Here are the key watchOS 10 features that take usability to the next level:

Redesigned App Interfaces

Apple has revamped the app interface with watchOS 10, making it even easier to navigate and interact with various applications. Apps like Messages, Calendar, and Workout now show more detailed information on the screen, and they’ve also been optimized for the larger display. This improvement, paired with the Series 10’s larger screen and higher brightness, makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

Improved Control Center

The Control Center in watchOS 10 has been improved as well. Now, users can customize the settings they access most frequently, such as Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Battery Percentage, and Do Not Disturb. These changes allow for quicker navigation and more seamless multitasking, giving the user more control over their watch’s functionality.

Advanced Health Notifications

The Series 10 also brings more advanced health notifications through watchOS 10. Users will receive more frequent alerts for heart rate irregularities, temperature fluctuations, and blood oxygen levels. These real-time notifications are more accurate than ever before, ensuring that you can keep track of your health without having to manually check your watch.

For instance, if the water temperature sensor detects a sudden shift in temperature while swimming, it will trigger a notification that could be crucial for safety. Similarly, users with potential sleep apnea will be alerted when irregular breathing patterns are detected during sleep. These personalized notifications, powered by watchOS 10, enhance the health management capabilities of the Apple Watch Series 10.

Enhanced Siri Integration

Apple has improved Siri’s performance with watchOS 10. The new S10 chip makes Siri’s responses faster and more accurate, which is especially useful for tasks like setting reminders, sending messages, and controlling smart home devices. Siri can now handle more complex tasks, such as initiating fitness workouts, playing specific songs from Apple Music, or even providing health updates based on your recent activity.

Why the Apple Watch Series 10 is a Game-Changer

The Apple Watch Series 10 isn’t just another iterative update—it represents a refined blend of cutting-edge technology, premium design, and advanced health features. With a thinner, sleeker body, a more immersive display, and advanced sensors for health monitoring, it’s a versatile companion for daily life and fitness.

Here’s why the Series 10 stands out:

• Thinner, lighter design with a more premium titanium finish makes it comfortable and durable.
• Larger, brighter display with 2000 nits of peak brightness improves visibility in any condition.
• The new S10 chip delivers faster performance and better battery efficiency.
• Health features like the water temperature sensor and upcoming sleep apnea detection take health monitoring to the next level.
• Faster charging ensures you can power up quickly and get back to your day without delays.

If you are a fitness enthusiast, this watch will provide you with all the metrics you need, along with advanced workout tracking features. For those who prioritize health monitoring, the Series 10 offers industry-leading tools to track vital signs and provide crucial alerts when needed.

Potential Drawbacks

Of course, no product is perfect. While the Series 10 offers a host of improvements, it’s worth noting some potential drawbacks:

• Price: Starting at ₹46,900 for the aluminum model and ₹79,900 for the titanium variant, the Series 10 is undoubtedly an investment.
• Incremental Updates: Users who are coming from the Series 7 or Series 8 may not find enough significant changes to justify an upgrade. The Series 10 focuses more on refinements than revolutionary new features.

However, for those upgrading from older models, such as the Series 5 or earlier, the Series 10 will feel like a major leap forward.

Conclusion: Is the Apple Watch Series 10 Worth It?

In summary, the Apple Watch Series 10 represents the pinnacle of what Apple can currently offer in the wearable tech space. It takes everything that made previous generations great and fine-tunes it, offering an even more polished experience. Whether you’re new to smartwatches or looking to upgrade, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a solid investment, especially if you’re into fitness, health monitoring, or need a powerful companion to your iPhone.

With premium design, best-in-class health tracking, and an unmatched ecosystem of apps and features, the Series 10 is a standout smartwatch in the industry. For those who want the best combination of form, function, and innovation, the Apple Watch Series 10 delivers.