Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9: Which Should You Buy?

Looking to dive into the world of Apple Watch upgrades? Let’s chat about the Apple Watch Series 10 and why it’s catching eyes with its sleek design and upgraded features. From health innovations to fitness enhancements, there’s a lot to consider if you’re thinking of making the upgrade from Series 9. So, what makes the Series 10 tick? Let’s explore!

Design and Build: A Slimmer Sleekness

The Apple Watch Series 10 struts in as Apple’s thinnest model yet, coming with a new S10 processor and snazzy titanium options. This new model is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes, just a bit bigger than the Series 9, but impressively slimmer. The depth is trimmed down to 9.7mm, achieving a sleek look and feel that’s truly next-level.

Light as Titanium

Moving away from the stainless steel options, the Series 10 opts for titanium, which is both lighter and strong. The titanium versions weigh 1.21 and 1.47 ounces, a noticeable reduction from the Series 9’s weight. For those who choose aesthetics, Jet Black is the color to beat, boasting Apple’s first fully black finish, adding to the series’ chic allure.

Screen: More View, More Functionality

Let’s talk displays! The Series 10’s screen edges further into your view with an edge-to-edge OLED display, making it visibly larger than the Series 9. According to Apple, the viewing area can display an additional line of text or allow for a larger font size. The 42mm and 46mm models house more pixels, making your everyday interactions just a tad sharper.

Brightness and Clarity

While the Series 10 doesn’t up the brightness game compared to the Series 9, it delivers up to a stellar 2,000 nits. It shines especially when viewed from an angle, presenting a brighter appeal by up to 40%. If display clarity tops your list, this might be a reason to cheer.

Performance and Processing Power

With each new Apple Watch, we look forward to new hardware innovations, and Series 10 doesn’t disappoint with its new S10 SiP chip. Despite expectations, the performance leap from Series 9 isn’t massive, but you might notice some snappier responses here and there. It supports on-watch Siri and finesse like the double-tap gesture.

AI and Beyond

The AI landscape on the new Series 10 remains a bit of a mystery. While Apple promotes its Apple Intelligence suite, these features hinge on your iPhone to work their magic. The quad-core Neural Engine aids in on-watch functionalities, paving the way for future updates.

Health and Fitness: Taking a Dive

If you’re a swimmer or ocean enthusiast, Series 10 rolls out new features like a depth gauge and water temperature sensing, perfect for a dip. It even incorporates the Oceanic+ app, enriching your underwater adventures, something that was once limited to the Apple Watch Ultra.

Steady and Steady

For those whose adventures mostly stay above sea level, Series 9’s capabilities, enhanced with watchOS 11, suffice. Heart monitoring and ECG features are steady companions on both, with upcoming sleep apnea notifications arriving across the board.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Both Series 9 and 10 promise up to 18 hours of battery life, stretching to 36 hours in Low Power mode. The charging speed in Series 10 is somewhat improved, reaching 80% in 30 minutes with the appropriate adapter.

Networks Staying Steady

No major shake-ups here; both versions support the W3 chip, 802.11n WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.3, amongst other connectivity goodies. Your Series 10 will keep you linked without skipping a beat.

Pricing: Is It Worth It?

The price tag for a new Series 10 starts at $399 for the aluminum 42mm GPS model and can hit up to $1,049 for a titanium version with cellular capabilities. These stay aligned with Series 9 launch prices, as Apple positions this as the next staple smartwatch.

FAQ

Should I upgrade to Apple Watch Series 10 if I have a Series 9?

If sleek design and advanced swimming features catch your eye, Series 10 could be enticing. Otherwise, the Series 9 remains a sturdy and capable choice.

What is unique about the Series 10 display?

The Series 10 boasts an edge-to-edge OLED screen that offers more pixels and can display an extra line of text or larger fonts compared to previous models.

Looking for Cellular Plans for Apple Watch?

Here’s a breakdown of all the plans that are currently available in the US.

CarrierCost (per month)Additional Details
US MobileFREE with Unltd Premium
Or $6.5/mo annually
Or $9.5/mo
Taxes & fees included!
Standalone coming soon.
Works with any plans.
Verizon$15 + tax & fees$7.50 credit with certain plans​Verizon
AT&T$10 + tax & fees
T-Mobile$12 + tax & feesOnly works with certain plans​www.iphonelife.comiMore
Xfinity Mobile$10 + tax & feesPairs well with Xfinity home internet​ www.iphonelife.comCoverage Critic
C Spire$10 + tax & feesOnly available in select regions​Wear To TrackiMore
Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9: Which Should You Buy?