Apple Watch Series 10 Review: It’s What’s on the Inside That Counts the Most

By Danial Martinus  •  25 Nov 2024 in Gear

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since the release of the very first Apple Watch. Since then, the wearable has become an integral part of the Apple ecosystem, with many users treating it as a physical extension of their iPhone.

For its 10th birthday, Cupertino has released the aptly-named Apple Watch Series 10, a watch that promises to do much more than you might infer from its physical appearance.

At first glance, it’s easy to spot the fact that the 46mm Series 10 features the largest display ever put on an Apple Watch—yes, it’s even bigger than the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2. But is the Series 10 merely a size upgrade, or is there more to it?

Design and build

Highlights

• Largest Apple Watch display ever (46mm model)
• Improved visibility at different angles
• Much lighter than predecessor
• Thinner than predecessor
• New Jet Black colour is a welcome addition

The Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm) features the largest display yet on any Apple Watch.

When comparing this to older models, like the Series 6, it’s a whopping 30% size increase. But even when comparing it to the Apple Watch Ultra, which has a 49mm case size, the Series 10 still manages to outsize it in terms of display. What does this translate to in real-world use?

Vastly improved visibility, even when viewing the watch at an angle. An added bonus for the Series 10 is the presence of an always-on seconds hand for select watch faces. Now your digital watch can feel more like your favourite mechanical watch. Apparently, this was a highly-requested feature, though I don’t really see any merit in it aside from better aesthetics.

Despite the size increase, the 46mm Series 10 (in Jet Black Aluminium) is surprisingly lightweight and has a rather thin profile. Without the band, it weighs just 35.3g—a stark difference if you look back to the Series 9, which weighs 51.5g (aluminium variant).

With just this loss in weight alone, the Series 10 is a perfect alternative for those who want similar screen real estate to the Ultra, without the added bulk that comes with the rugged model.

You might be wondering how Apple has managed to make the Series 10’s display bigger without making it feel like a chunky behemoth on your wrist. In fact, its 1mm thinner than its predecessor. From logic alone, we can assume the bigger display has opened up more lateral inner room, which allows for a thinner design.

But while a 1mm decrease in thickness sounds minuscule, you can truly feel the difference on your wrist. I sometimes find myself forgetting I’m even wearing it, especially when paired with Apple’s equally lightweight Sport Loop. I do, however, find the Sport Loop a little difficult to detach, since its soft material unfortunately has too much give when trying to slide it out of the Apple Watch. But I digress.

New for this year’s lineup is a Jet Black colour, which might ring some bells if you’re familiar with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, which were also offered in the same glossy black finish. It’s nice to see the colour make a comeback, albeit in an Apple Watch instead of an iPhone. It’s the one this writer has been using for this review, and it’s a welcome addition.

But of course, if Jet Black doesn’t tickle your fancy, the aluminium Series 10 is also offered in Silver and Rose Gold, while the Titanium variant is offered in Natural, Gold, and Slate.

Performance and features

Highlights

• 0% to 80% charge takes just 30 minutes with 20W charger (15 minutes faster)
• Still requires at least one charge a day
• Noise suppression is great for calls using the Series 10
• Sleep apnea tracking is a neat new health and wellness feature

Powering the Series 10 is Apple’s new S10 chip, which delivers more than just a marginal boost in performance and efficiency.

Let’s start off with the battery, which sees a much-appreciated improvement in charging speed. The Series 10 takes just 30 minutes to charge from 0% to 80% with a 20W charger. This reduces the 0-80 charging time by 15 minutes, which makes a big difference in daily use.

I can usually breeze through this charging period in the morning, leaving the Series 10 on its charging puck while I brush my teeth and take a shower. By the time I’m done with my skincare routine, I’ll have a charged Apple Watch ready to take the day on. But if you’re expecting to survive more than two days with a single charge, think again.

Like most Apple Watches, the Series 10 still requires at least one charge a day. Whether you do that in the daytime or at night is up to you. I tend to charge mine in the morning, as previously stated. Sometimes, however, I do find myself giving the Series 10 a quick top-up as I’m getting ready for bed—this only matters if you use your watch for sleep tracking.

Better power efficiency aside, the S10 chip also supports features like noise suppression (when using the Series 10 to call someone), as well as a whole suite of advanced health tracking features. For the most part, the health tracking features in the Series 10 can also be found on older Apple Watches (Series 9 and older).

But it’s set apart with one very important new addition: Sleep apnea tracking, which is only available on Series 10, Series 9, and Ultra 2. This feature uses data from the watch’s accelerometer to monitor and check for sleep disturbances while you’re asleep. It might not seem like such a big deal, but it is.

Most people with sleep apnea don’t even know they have it, as the majority of cases go undiagnosed. The only way to get yourself tested is to go to a medical facility and get yourself hooked to some very expensive machines for the good part of an entire night. This isn’t ideal for most people and can be extremely costly.

The Apple Watch Series 10 lets you test for sleep apnea from the convenience and comfort of your own home. If you don’t have sleep apnea, this feature might be completely useless to you, but it’s still nice to have in the event that your health declines, especially as you age.

Should you get the Apple Watch Series 10?

As with all tech reviews, the answer to this question is multi-pronged.

Get the Apple Watch Series 10 if…

You have an Apple Watch Series 8 (or older) and you’re looking for a larger display with a thinner and lighter design, along with faster performance and new health features. If this is your first Apple Watch, definitely go for it!

Don’t get the Apple Watch Series 10 if…

You’re a Series 9 user. You’ll only get a larger screen—unless that’s something you desperately need. It’s an incremental upgrade at best.

Though it might not seem like much has changed, there’s definitely a clear distinction between the Series 10 and its predecessors, and if you’re a first-time Apple Watch buyer, this might just be the right one to get for its new dimensions alone. It’s—as Apple calls it—a “thinstant classic”.

The Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm) in Jet Black Aluminium, as tested, retails for RM2,449.

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