New Apple Watch Series 10 & Ultra 2 unveiled – but what is actually new?
Zach Blass- The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts the largest-ever display in the thinnest-ever case (9.7mm).
- The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is unchanged from previous iterations, only introducing a new black titanium option.
- Apple Watch Series 10 starts at US$399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at US$799.
It’s once again that time of year when tech geeks, waiting with bated breath, can finally exhale – either cheering at Apple’s latest innovations or sighing at seemingly lacklustre evolutions. Of course, the main draw of the yearly September Apple Keynote are the iPhone announcements. But as watch geeks, we’re always curious to see what is new with the latest Apple Watches. While watch snobs contend it’s a device and not a wristwatch, the Apple Watch is ultimately the most successful wearable timekeeper of the modern era – you cannot go anywhere without seeing one on someone’s wrist. While the new iPhone 16 has clear-cut revolutionising new AI features, the Apple Watch Series 10 would not appear to most as a major update. So let’s dig a little deeper and run through what is actually new with the latest WatchOS 11 and debuting Apple Watch Series 10.
WatchOS 11
Both devices will feature Apple’s latest operating system: WatchOS 11. The operating system does not bring what most would consider to be major updates, but its headlining new features begin with what Apple calls Live Activities being brought into the Smart Stack. The Smart Stack, introduced to the Apple Watch in WatchOS 10, allows users to have a customisable stack of app widgets ready and accessible via a rotation of the crown. With the new integration of Live Activities, app widgets will now be automatically brought into and to the top of the stack in the right context. For example, while using Uber, the app’s widget will be brought to the top of the stack and display the ETA for your ride’s arrival to pick you up and the remaining travel time for your ride once you are inside.
The majority of the updates, beyond Live Activities and Smart Stack, along with some new watch “faces”, involve Apple’s focus on health tracking. Health functionality updates include enhanced GPS tracking, new custom swim workout tracking, overnight health data tracking, and cycle tracking that Apple explains will “now display your gestational age and track your pregnancy across all your health charts.”
Refinements have also been made to the Activity app, with greater modularity that will allow you to pause your goal rings for a day, week, month, or more. You can now set your activity goal rings per day as well, with different goals for different days of the week. These metrics are also even more customisable in the app’s summary page where you can curate this summary dashboard further.
With a new Training Load feature, Apple’s Watch OS will aid in evaluating how you conduct your workouts. This will be especially relevant for those who are gearing up for an event. Apple explains: “Training load helps you see how the intensity of your workouts may impact your body over time, so you can make informed decisions about how and when to adjust your workouts – especially when you’re training for a big event. You can also see your overnight vitals for additional insights.”
The remaining feature updates worth noting are Check In, which will automatically notify a friend or loved one when you’ve arrived at a destination; Double Tap, which now allows third-party developers to use this existing capability for a heightened user experience; Tides, for assisting in evaluating swim and surf conditions; and Translation, which will allow you to use the Apple Translation app on your Apple Watch. Lastly, WatchOS 11, in conjunction with the latest models of the Apple Watch, will be able to detect and track sleep apnea.
Apple Watch Series 10
The new Translation app in WatchOS 11 is rather relevant to a notable return to the Apple Watch Series 10: the ability to play media through the Apple Watch’s speaker. So when you are abroad, conversing with your Apple Watch as a go-between, the other person will not need headphones to hear the translation.
Probably the most major news, however, is the fact that the Apple Watch Series 10 is the thinnest Apple Watch ever made. This required many already tiny components to be redesigned, including the speaker, to allow for its new 9.7mm thickness – 1mm less than the previous Series 9. The case sizes, however, have been enlarged by a millimetre and are now available in 42mm and 46mm. This continues the trend of Apple Watches getting larger and larger, while the mechanical watch market seems to be seeking to make things more compact.
A redesign of the caseback not only aids in the thickness reduction, but also creates a more cohesive aesthetic. Apple explains: “An innovative metal back integrates the antenna into the housing of the device itself, combining the two layers into one. The back is perfectly matched in material, finish, and color to the rest of the case, making it appear like the device is made from a single piece of metal.”
With its new sizing, the Apple Watch Series 10 also boasts the largest-ever display for an Apple Watch. Apple describes the display as having a 75% larger screen area than Series 3 and up to 30% more screen area than Series 4, 5, 6, and SE. It also utilises a wide-angle OLED display that is said to be 40% brighter.
In the jump from Series 9 to Apple Watch Series 10, stainless steel is no longer an option. Buyers will be limited to grade 5 titanium and aluminium options, with each metal available in three hues. In aluminium, Apple has notably introduced a new Jet Black aluminium that marks its first time in a polished and glossy finish – realised through a process in which the alloy is polished by silicon nanoparticles. Jet Black is joined by rose gold and silver aluminium options.
The grade 5 titanium options are available in Natural, Gold, and Slate, and all of these options have the cases rendered in the first-ever fully polished finish for Apple’s grade 5 titanium. Of course, Apple continues to have a wide variety of straps, but for these new grade 5 titanium models it’s worth mentioning that Apple has updated the Milanese and returning link bracelet to colour-match the three hues of its grade 5 titanium. It is great to see the link bracelet, very ahead of its time, make its return as an option with its easily adjustable sizing due to links that can be removed and reattached with your fingers. Interestingly, Apple has not produced these Series 10 compatible milanese and link bracelets in titanium, rather they remain in stainless steel.
Visually this will not necessarily pose a problem as they have been colour-matched, but I would be interested to see how they feel on the wrist with stainless steel being heavier than titanium. For those who may need additional links, Apple has now introduced the Link Bracelet Kit which will allow buyers to purchase extra sets of six links for US$49. However, these kits are only currently available for the larger 46mm size. Also, you should know these metal bands are not water-resistant according to Apple, so you will need another strap standing at the ready should you wish to swim with your Apple Watch.
A few final notes regarding the Apple Watch Series 10. Firstly, it is now capable of fast charging. Apple claims that fifteen minutes of charging provides up to eight hours of normal daily use and that in about a half hour the Apple Watch can charge to 80% battery. Secondly, it utilises a next generation S10 SiP – the most advanced in the entire Apple Watch lineup including the Ultra.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Whereas there have been quite a few evolutions in the step from Series 9 to Series 10, there are no major updates in terms of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, with only a new black titanium colourway for its second generation, and the ability to track sleep apnea.
Hermès Editions are still in the picture
Probably the most major Apple Watch Ultra 2 development is that, unlike the original Apple Watch Ultra, there is now a Hermès Edition for this segment. Naturally, there are also Hermès Editions of the Apple Watch Series 10. Once again this means special Hermès Apple Watch Faces and configurations sold outright on Hermès straps. What I find fascinating though is that the new range of Hermès straps entirely pivots away from the brand’s world-leading leather its name is built upon, and instead transitions to new rubber and fabric material options along with a new bracelet. I cannot say for sure, but my concern here is that these straps are merely Hermès-designed rather than Hermès-manufactured (which was definitely the case for its leather Apple Watch straps).
Some of these straps, however, are size-exclusive in certain colours. For example, the textured Killim rubber strap is available in black for both sizes, but blue and green are currently exclusive to the 46mm size. Like the other bracelets mentioned, the Hermès Satiné Grand H bracelet is made in non-case-matching stainless steel.
Final thoughts
All in all, these updates may not be significant enough for owners of the Apple Watch Series 9 and silver Apple Watch Ultra 2 to feel rushed in upgrading. Making the Apple Watch Series 10 thinner is certainly a welcome development, and its larger screen area can’t hurt either. The Apple Watch Ultra 2, however, feels a little like an afterthought, simply available as it was with new colour and strap configurations. Material-wise, the reduction down to just titanium and aluminium makes me miss the days when Apple explored ceramic and precious metals. Then again, this incrementally evolved offering is wise, considering next year will mark the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch. Perhaps Apple is saving more major design changes for this milestone.
Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 pricing and availability
The Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be available beginning September 20. Price: starting at US$399 (Apple Watch Series 10), starting at US$799 (Apple Watch Ultra 2)