Apple kicked off its big event with watches — a Series 10 that’s almost a complete redesign and a new look for the Ultra 2. We’ll start with the new model.
Apple Watch Series 10
This new generation has the largest display of any Apple Watch — yes, that includes the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — and it’s also the company’s thinnest watch. Plus, charging has been significantly sped up. In short, this is like a thinner Ultra, and it even has a new titanium version.
Let’s start with the screen, since it’s a big upgrade. It’s slightly larger than the Ultra (both generations were 1.92”), and compared to the non-Ultra generations, the screen is up to 30% larger.
The new display is larger than any previous Apple Watch
And get this — Apple managed to increase the refresh rate from once per minute to once per second. That means the Always On Display can now show a second hand (and there are new watch faces that showcase this feature). For AOD users, the new display is up to 40 percent 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 makes typing on the watch easier.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is thinner than ever, now measuring 9.7mm (1mm thinner than the Series 9). The aluminum version is about 10% lighter than previous iterations, too.
With all this, Apple has managed to preserve battery life — you can expect 18 hours on a single charge. So yes, you’ll still be charging daily. The good news is that Apple has made the process faster — 30 minutes is all it takes to get to 80 percent (up from 45 minutes). The watch supports both 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’s a more premium version that’s even lighter.
Color options: Apple Watch Series 10 aluminum • Apple Watch Series 10 titanium
Apple is ditching stainless steel as a material option for the Apple Watch, replacing it with titanium. That’s 20 percent lighter than it would be if it still used steel. This version will be available in three colors: Natural, Gold, and Slate Gray. Apple has updated the Milanese loop and Link Bracelet to match the new material. The display is protected by sapphire.
New bracelet designs
The Series 10 is similar to the Ultra in more than just the choice of metal. It has upgraded water resistance and a new depth gauge, which automatically turns on 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’ve reached. There’s also a water temperature sensor.
Automatic Depth Gauge • Tracks depth and direction while snorkeling
The Series 10 is perfect for snorkeling and is even getting the Oceanic+ app. What’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 information, while the Paddle Logger app has coastal information and lets you create a float plan.
Kayaking and Fishing Features
Apple is expanding the health monitoring capabilities of the Watch. Did you know that 80% of people who suffer from sleep apnea are undiagnosed? Well, the Watch Series 10 has a sleep apnea detection that will give you morning reports of any breathing disturbances while you were sleeping. Every 30 days, the Watch will analyze all the data it collects and let you know if you are at risk for sleep apnea.
Apple expects to receive FDA and other regulatory approvals in more than 150 countries around the world this month. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 will receive apnea detection as an update soon.
Apple had to completely redesign the speaker on the watch. The new module is 30% smaller and you can now use it as a speaker – that means you can listen to music or podcasts with just your watch, without needing headphones. Of course, you can also use it for voice calls. Here, the powerful new chipset takes advantage of AI for noise cancellation to improve your calls.
The Apple S10 has a 4-core Neural Engine, which allows it to perform some tasks on the device. AI capabilities also include knowing which widget to show you at any given time and choosing the best photo to use as your background.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is up for pre-order today and will be available in two weeks, starting September 20. The GPS model starts at $400, while the GPS+Cellular model costs $100 more.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
No new Ultra, not yet. But there is a new look for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 – Satin Black. This is a matte finish achieved through a custom process that makes the exterior more scratch-resistant. The watch is still made of titanium, specifically 95% recycled grade 5 titanium (the Series 10 titanium also uses recycled material). The back is made of hard-wearing zirconia.
New Satin Black color compared to the original
To match the new look, Apple also designed a new Titanium Milanese Loop. It’s inspired by divers and designed for divers. And if you already have an Ultra 2, don’t worry, there’s a version of the new loop to match the original natural titanium look.
Longtime partner Hermès has also designed a new strap, this one inspired by sailing. There’s a matching watch face, too – if you wear it, the Action button will be set to a nautical-themed countdown timer.
New look and new handles
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Satin Black is available for pre-order starting today and will be available on September 20. The price is the same as before, $800 (all Ultra watches are GPS + Cellular).
