This new generation has the biggest display of any Apple Watch – yes, this includes the Apple Watch Ultra 2 – and is also the thinnest watch from the company. Additionally, charging has been sped up significantly. Long story short, this is like a more slender Ultra and it even has a new titanium version. Let’s start with the display, since it's a major upgrade. It’s a bit bigger than the Ultra (both generations had 1.92”), compared to non-Ultra generations, the display is up to 30% larger.
And get this – Apple managed to increase
the refresh rate from once a minute to once a second. This means that the
Always On Display can now show a ticking second hand (and there are new watch
faces that show off this feature). For AOD users, the new display is up to 40%
brighter when viewed at an angle, making it easier to just glance at
information. Naturally, the larger display allows apps to fit more text and it
makes typing on the watch easier.
With all that, Apple managed to preserve
battery life – you can expect 18 hours on a charge. So, yes, you will still be
charging daily. The good news is that Apple made the process faster – 30
minutes is all you need to get to 80% (down from 45 minutes). The watch
supports MagSafe and Qi 2 charging. The aluminum version comes in Rose Gold and
Silver and a new option – Jet Black. This is the first polished aluminum finish
on an Apple Watch. But there is a more premium version that is even lighter.
Apple is dropping stainless steel as a
material option for the Apple Watch, replacing it with Titanium instead. This
is 20% lighter than it would have been if it still used steel. This version
will be available in three colors: Natural, Gold and Slate Gray. Apple updated
the Milanese loop and Link Bracelet to match the new material. The display is
protected by sapphire.
The Series 10 is similar to the Ultra in
more than just the choice of metal. Water resistance was upgraded and a new
depth gauge, which comes on automatically the moment you dive and can track you
down to 6m/20ft, with a timer for your dive and an indication of the maximum
depth you reached. There is also a water temperature sensor. The Series 10 is
perfect for snorkeling and is even getting the Oceanic+ app. There’s more, the
watch can be your companion on a fishing trip or when you go kayaking. There’s
a new app that shows tide info, while the Paddle Logger app has coastline info
and lets you create a float plan.
Apple is extending the health tracking
features of the watch. Did you know that 80% of people suffering from sleep
apnea haven’t been diagnosed? Well, the Watch Series 10 has a sleep apnea
detection that will deliver morning reports on any breathing disturbances while
you slept. Every 30 day period, the watch will analyze all collected data and
warn you if you are at risk from sleep apnea. Apple expects to get clearance
from the FDA and other agencies in 150+ countries around the world this month.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and the Watch Ultra 2 will receive apnea detection as
an update soon.
Apple had to redesign the speaker on the
watch completely. The new module is 30% smaller and you can now use it as a
speaker – this means that you can listen to music or podcasts with just your
watch, no headphones necessary. Naturally, you can use it for voice calls too.
Here, the new, powerful chipset leverages AI smarts for noise cancellation to
improve your calls. The Apple S10 has a 4-core neural engine, which allows it
to run some tasks on device. The AI features also include knowing which widget
to show you at any moment and picking out the best photo to use as a
background. The Apple Watch Series 10 goes on pre-order today and will be
available in two weeks' time, starting on September 20. The GPS model starts at US$ 400, the GPS+Cellular one is US$ 100 more.
