The Apple Watch has turned ten, and while the Apple Watch Series 10 might not be the revolutionary redesign some anticipated, it’s a compelling refinement that solidifies its position as the best smartwatch for everyday use. Forget the iPhone X-level design overhaul; this iteration focuses on enhancing existing strengths, delivering subtle yet impactful upgrades that make it a worthy successor, particularly for those upgrading from older models. This in-depth review explores the Series 10’s design, performance, health features, and battery life to determine if its improvements are enough to justify an upgrade.
Apple Watch Series 10 Price in India and Specifications
The Apple Watch Series 10 price in India starts at ₹46,900 for the Aluminium (GPS) model. Numerous configurations are available, including GPS + Cellular options reaching up to ₹59,900, depending on case size (42mm and 46mm, new this year). Apple also introduced premium Titanium (GPS + Cellular) models, priced from ₹79,900 to ₹89,900 for the top-tier Milanese Loop version.
Apple Watch Series 10 Key Specifications:
- Sizes: 42mm and 46mm
- Display: LTPO3 OLED Always-on Retina display
- Case Materials: Aluminium (Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver) and Titanium (Natural, Gold, Slate)
- Battery: Up to 18 hours of battery life (claimed)
- Processor: S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
- Operating System: watchOS 11
Apple Watch Series 10 Design and Display: Familiar Comfort with a Fresh Twist
The Series 10 prioritizes the smartwatch’s most crucial element: the display. Apple boasts the largest and most advanced display ever in an Apple Watch. While subtle compared to the Series 9, the differences are noticeable.
The larger display, subtly wrapping around the corners, gives a more modern and premium look. Apple claims a 40 percent brightness increase, reaching up to 2,000 nits, making it incredibly easy to read even in direct sunlight. With the new 42mm and 46mm sizes (slightly larger than the Series 9’s 41mm and 45mm), the Series 10 offers about 30 percent more screen area compared to the Series 6. This extra space allows for an additional line of text in many apps. Typing messages is also noticeably improved.
While Apple ditched the stainless steel case for the lighter titanium option, this also resulted in somewhat less vibrant color choices. The Aluminium models come in Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver, while the Titanium options offer Slate, Gold, and Natural. Personally, I found the options relatively muted compared to the Series 9, except for the stunning Jet Black Aluminium, which significantly contributes to the overall premium feel.
The included Sport Loop band offers comfortable daily wear, thanks to its velcro strap. The Milanese Loop (Titanium models only) provides another excellent option.
The upgraded LTPO3 OLED Always-on Retina display represents a notable improvement. Apple’s claim of power efficiency translates to smoother, more responsive always-on functionality, updating once per second compared to the Series 9’s once-a-minute refresh rate. This improvement is readily apparent, even down to viewing the smoothly ticking seconds hand on certain watch faces.
Despite the larger screen, particularly compared to the Apple Watch Ultra, the Series 10 is arguably a better, more practical, and cheaper option for everyday wear.
Apple Watch Series 10 Performance: Subtle Progress
The Series 10 utilizes the S10 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor. While a noticeable performance leap isn’t immediately evident compared to the Series 9, the user experience remains consistently smooth and responsive. App loading, workout detection, and dictation all function flawlessly. Apple highlights the use of machine learning to improve the accuracy of fall detection and crash detection, identifying motion signatures and impact forces more effectively.
The Smart Stack feature automatically adds relevant widgets, offering personalized convenience. The Translate app, accessible through Smart Stack, seamlessly translates on the go, though languages need to be downloaded beforehand.
Apple improved the speaker system, which is now 30% smaller but noticeably louder. Combined with enhanced voice isolation, the Series 10 maintains clear audio quality even in noisy environments, invaluable for emergency calls and podcast/music listening.
The display’s 2,000-nit peak brightness and 1-nit minimum brightness levels deliver exceptional clarity and dynamic range across a variety of conditions, enhancing both visual appeal and practicality. Moreover, several vibrant and eye-catching watch faces round out these display improvements.
Beyond the new water temperature sensor, other sensor configurations mirror the Series 9. Support for the Oceanic+ app caters to snorkeling enthusiasts, making their aquatic experiences more data-rich. The Series 10 retains 64GB of storage, matching the Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2.
The metal and sapphire crystal back, replacing the Series 9’s Ceramic back, is reported to improve cellular performance due to integrated antenna integration. This contributes to improved cell performance, all while keeping the form factor thinner.
Apple Watch Series 10 Battery: Fast Charging Support, Finally
The Apple Watch Series 10 boasts Apple’s fastest charging yet. Charging time improvements are substantial with up to 80 percent charge in approximately 30 minutes, a clear upgrade from the Series 9’s 45-minute time and the Ultra 2’s 60-minute requirement. This speed enhancement is due to the larger, more efficient charging coil accommodating the new metal back.
During testing, the Series 10 provided roughly 20 hours of battery life on a single charge with typical usage. Incorporate extended workouts, and the battery life drops to around 18 hours, activating Low Power Mode at 15%. The 0-80% charge in 30 minutes is accurate, with a full charge taking approximately 60 minutes. Overall, an incremental battery life improvement is apparent compared to past iterations.
Apple Watch Series 10 Review: Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 10 didn’t introduce earth-shattering changes compared to its predecessor. However, it expertly builds upon the Series 9’s strengths. The faster charging significantly enhances the user experience, making it significantly more convenient. The larger screen size allows for better app viewing and typing. The water temperature sensor and Oceanic+ app compatibility add extra value for users who engage in water-based activities.
Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 10? Apple Watch upgrades have become less strictly annual, allowing consumers to skip iterations based on their needs. If you own a Series 8 or 9, the incremental improvements likely aren’t substantial enough to justify an upgrade. However, if the faster charging and larger screen appeal to you, the Series 10 is a reasonable choice. Users of Series 7 or 6 would find the upgrade much more beneficial. Finally, for first-time Apple Watch buyers, the Series 10 is currently the best overall option from Apple’s current product lineup.
Alternatives include the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, both offering compelling features and differing strengths. Ultimately, however, the Series 10’s combination of refined design, excellent performance, enhanced health features, and particularly, the fast-charging capability makes it a powerful and practical smartwatch for everyday use.
