The Apple Watch 10 is not completely new, but it brings with it one crucial change that makes it something special. Even the much more expensive Ultra looks somewhat old compared to the anniversary watch.
Around ten years ago, Apple introduced its first watch, which came onto the market the following spring. A very special new model was expected for the anniversary, but the Apple Watch 10 wasn’t quite as spectacular as many had hoped. But she is still something special. Overall, it offers the best price-performance ratio and even leaves the super-expensive Ultra behind in one area.
Apple has basically retained the design even after ten years; at first glance, the tenth generation looks like the first. There is even a 42 millimeter version again. However, this only applies to the longest side of the housing. The display back then was only around 1.5 inches in size, whereas the screen of the Apple Watch 10 is almost 1.8 inches.
Larger display than the Ultra 2
At that time, the 42 mm model was the larger version, while the smaller watch only measured 38 mm. With the Series 3, the sizes changed to 40 and 44 mm, and from the Apple Watch 7 onwards there were 41 and 45 mm models. The 10 is available as a 42 mm version and with a 46 mm case.
You can clearly see the narrow display edge here.
(Photo: kwe)
Nevertheless, number 10 is not the largest Apple Watch, as the Ultra even measures 49 mm. But the new watch has a narrower display edge, which is why it has a 1.96-inch panel in its significantly smaller housing. The Ultra 2’s screen is 1.92 mm, the 9’s is 1.9 inches. At 9.7 mm, the Apple Watch 10 is also 1 mm thinner than its predecessor and, depending on the model, up to 10 g lighter.
Pretty and “extremely” easy to read
Despite having the largest Apple Watch display to date, the 46 mm test sample from ntv.de looks anything but bulky on the wrist. In addition, the screen on the 10 can shine even brighter and can still be easily read from the side even at extreme angles without becoming visibly cloudy. There are also small visual treats: a cover glass that is bent further into the frame and rounder housing corners.
Also new is a titanium case, which the Watch 10 now offers in addition to the Ultra 2. In this variant, the display is also protected by sapphire glass, while in the cheaper aluminum alternative this is the job of Ion-X glass.
Suitable for snorkelers
A change that is not particularly important for most users is a new speaker that is also suitable for media playback. The sound is actually okay and absolutely sufficient for podcasts or audio books if you have left your iPhone behind or don’t have your Airpods with you. In addition, a new microphone with voice isolation means you can be heard better during phone calls on the watch than on the Watch 9.
Apple has also upgraded the Watch 10 with features from the Ultra 2: If desired, it can also automatically display the water depth and temperature as soon as it is submerged. However, the 10 is only designed for six meters, while the Ultra reaches down 2 to 40 meters. Bottle divers can’t do much with the 10, but snorkelers can.
New chip, old endurance
The new S10 chip is initially a unique selling point. However, you can’t feel or see the difference. This also applies to the endurance, which should theoretically be higher with the more economical processor and a more efficient LTPO 3 display. In practice, the new one, like its predecessor, has a running time of around 18 hours. The much thicker Ultra 2 has twice as much, but it also has to be on the charging station for around 60 minutes, twice as long as the Watch 10 until the battery is 80 percent full. Its predecessor takes 45 minutes to do this.
A key new feature of the 10 is sleep apnea detection. Many people don’t notice the pauses in breathing, which can lead to, among other things, heart problems and high blood pressure. However, this is not a unique selling point. Ultra 2 and Watch 9 also received the feature with watchOS 11.
Conclusion
There is no reason for owners of an older Apple Watch to buy the 10 as long as they have been happy with their watch so far. The changes are too small for that. But if you need a new watch or want to buy your first one, you get a watch that can do almost as much as the Ultra 2, but costs much less and also has a larger display.
