The Apple Watch has been round for ten years. Taking a look at photos of the gadget then, it won’t seem to be a lot has modified — even the apps drawer appears an identical. However subtly and quietly, the Apple Watch – the corporate’s first new product line of the post-Steve Jobs period – has advanced to grow to be able to a lot extra right now. Over the previous couple of years, there have been some huge leaps ahead for the Apple Watch’s featureset, as much as and together with wrist-based ECG and heart-rate readings that had been as soon as the purview of science fiction. We’ve heard many testimonials, largely from Apple at its occasions, about how the Apple Watch has saved lives — whether or not or not it’s by detection of a fall or atrial fibrillation. Smartwatches as a class have matured and located their place, it appears, and the Apple Watch has carved out a snug spot throughout the house.
So colour me shocked when the Sequence 10 launched to little or no fanfare final week. I assume I used to be anticipating Apple to be a bit extra self-congratulatory, however the firm appeared to gloss over the product’s birthday. As a substitute, we obtained to be taught concerning the gadget’s thinner profile and greater display screen with better viewing angles. It additionally has smaller onboard audio system, apps for water sports activities fans and well being options like the brand new sleep apnea monitoring and alerts. It might sound underwhelming in comparison with the seemingly futuristic options we had been seeing within the Apple Watch’s early days, however the Sequence 10 is simply following within the footsteps of the iPhone. It’s a mature product that’s traded huge annual overhauls for iterative updates that add up over time. For a smartwatch that has persistently been referred to as the very best in its class, the Sequence 10 largely continues that custom, even because it walks again a function or two due to ongoing copyright litigation.
Editors’ Observe: Whereas we have been testing the Apple Watch Sequence 10 for a few week, there are some options — together with sleep apnea alerts — that we might prefer to spend extra time evaluating. As such, we’ll be returning to this overview with additional analysis adopted by a closing score within the close to future.
Design and show
In comparison with the Sequence 9, the newest Apple Watch is ever so barely greater and noticeably thinner and lighter. It’s not such an awesome distinction that you just’ll discover with out having the 2 aspect by aspect, however each time I choose up the Sequence 10 I positively really feel a tiny spark of pleasure. The squatter form, slimmer profile and extra rounded corners one way or the other make the brand new watch really feel a bit like a biscuit, whereas the Sequence 9 comes off extra like a smaller mahjong tile.
Each sizes of the mainstream Apple Watch have grown ever so barely, with the 41mm model now coming in at 42mm and the 45mm one sitting at 46mm. I’ve worn the smaller Sequence 10 and Sequence 9 on each wrists for a couple of days now and genuinely don’t discover there to be a serious distinction in every day use. As important as I feel the thinner physique and lighter weight is on the Sequence 10, it’s not like I used to be having hassle squeezing its predecessor by means of jacket sleeves earlier than. I’ll say that the brand new mannequin will definitely be extra snug beneath the snuggest of my cuffs.
Apple reducing the Sequence 10 down to only 9.7mm skinny is definitely a feat, contemplating the Pixel Watch 3 remains to be a fairly chunky 12mm thick. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 7 is identical top, so Google must play a little bit of catch-up right here.
The Sequence 10’s greater display screen does make some issues simpler to see, like highway names on Maps and the clock whenever you’re in Spotify. You’ll seemingly discover better features right here by selecting bigger font sizes, which is a little bit of an apparent notice however not less than on the Sequence 10 you’ll have extra room to work with. For those who want one thing even greater, you must think about the Watch Extremely 2, which has a 49mm display screen.
Apple’s additionally utilizing a wide-angle OLED this 12 months to make issues simpler to learn even when your wrist is solely resting on the desk, not held up in entrance of your eyes. Once more, in my aspect by aspect observations, the change is noticeable however not in an enormous manner. There does look like better distinction between the digits of the time in opposition to the picture within the background, too, which makes the clock extra seen at an angle.
Nonetheless, it’s value stating that whenever you’re staring on the Sequence 10 face on, you may discover its bezels noticeably thicker than on the Sequence 9. Even in case you’re planning on upgrading from a Sequence 9, the place you’ll be most primed to really feel the larger bezels’ influence on design, it’s nonetheless a tiny grievance, if in any respect. Thicker borders don’t actually have an effect on the watch’s efficiency.
Apple launched some new watch faces with the Sequence 10, because it does with each successive technology. This time, the Flux face is meant to make full use of the show’s wider angle view because it spills over the perimeters (type of). There’s additionally a little bit of an animation that mimics a second hand ticking throughout the display screen, which is sweet, however doesn’t add a lot to the expertise.
There are different small design adjustments across the watch. For instance, as an alternative of an inch-long slit on the left edge for the speaker output, there now sits two half-inch grilles which mix extra seamlessly into the watch. I’d even be remiss if I didn’t not less than point out the brand new jet black case colour possibility, in addition to the polished titanium fashions that exchange the earlier stainless-steel ones. They’re good choices to have, in case you can afford the $300 improve for the brand new lighter materials.
Lastly, a part of why the Sequence 10 obtained thinner is its redesigned steel again, which allowed Apple to combine the antenna into the case and compress two layers into one. There’s additionally slightly so-called isolation circle to assist keep mobile efficiency. This isn’t one thing you’ll really feel essentially, however it does contribute to the Sequence 10’s total thinness.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10’s speaker
One thing Apple dropped at the Sequence 10 is the power to play music and podcasts by means of the watch’s onboard speaker. It might sound foolish to need to use the tiny gadget for any type of media, particularly issues like songs the place you’d like not less than some semblance of sound high quality for the expertise to be satisfying. Within the few days I’ve had the Sequence 10, I by no means discovered the necessity to stream songs from the speaker on the watch, till I needed to check it.
On the most loudness in a quiet convention room, I loved listening to Operating By way of the Night time by Seori and Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter. It wasn’t as bass-heavy as I’d like for a daily listening session, however given the circumstances and the scale of the watch, the mids and trebles had been a lot clear and punchy. You’re not meant to depend on this for lengthy durations anyway, and it’s simply there to scratch an itch if or when it arises. With noisier environments, although, it’s a battle.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 vs. sleep apnea
Arguably the most important function coming to the Sequence 10 is sleep apnea monitoring (although that function can also be obtainable on the Sequence 9 and Extremely 2 by way of watchOS 11). That is just for individuals who haven’t been recognized with sleep apnea, that means in case you already know you’ve got this situation, it’s not designed that will help you see in case your CPAP machine is efficient, as an illustration.
I’ve not been recognized with sleep apnea, and may very effectively be one of many 80 % of people who has the situation and don’t realize it. Nonetheless, it will be good to know for sure and when watchOS 11 dropped yesterday, these of us on iOS 18 with appropriate Apple Watch fashions had been in a position to choose in to notifications. I went to the Well being app to set this up, answered a collection of questions on my age and whether or not I’d been recognized with sleep apnea, and was knowledgeable I used to be arrange for the function.
Within the rationalization Apple offers throughout the onboarding course of, it says “Apple Watch tracks your breathing while you’re asleep and records any disturbances in a 30-day period.” It may possibly notify you if these disturbances “are suggestive of sleep apnea,” so you possibly can go to a health care provider for a correct analysis.
It’s been solely a few week since Apple introduced sleep apnea notifications had been coming, and clearly 30 days haven’t handed. I’ve but to glean sufficient info for any alerts, and can’t but gauge the influence of this function.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10 as a well being and health tracker
Barring adjustments that include watchOS 11, which older Apple Watches can even get, the Sequence 10 is basically the identical as its predecessor with regards to monitoring your exercise. So long as you’ve set issues up proper, you’ll get reminders to log your temper, take your meds and transfer after you’ve been idle too lengthy.
Having simply reviewed Google’s Pixel Watch 3, I can’t assist however want Apple had been a tad extra delicate and constant at routinely prompting me to begin logging a stroll. There’s no actual steering as to how lengthy you must have been energetic for the watch to counsel you’d been figuring out. That results in some confusion and pure frustration whenever you assume you’d walked or run sufficient for the auto detection to kick in, however solely to seek out out you possibly hadn’t moved in the proper manner or for lengthy sufficient.
I’ve been a yearslong Apple Watch consumer, so I’ve grown extraordinarily acquainted and reliant on its interface and the information it collects. I like diving into my calendar view and looking out proudly in any respect the times I closed my rings. The Well being app does job of presenting my current tendencies and the way that compares with my efficiency a 12 months in the past, subtly shaming me into realizing I ought to possibly take a couple of extra walks per week. The Sequence 10 doesn’t differ a lot from the Sequence 9 in that manner, and in case you’re already in Apple’s ecosystem, it will largely really feel extraordinarily acquainted.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10’s water-sports options
There are some new instruments on the Sequence 10 which are borrowed from elsewhere within the household, although. Apple’s introduced the Watch Extremely’s Depth app over and launched a brand new Tides app throughout the Sequence 10 and Watch Extremely 2 that needs to be useful for many who spend lots of time within the water.
I’m not an enormous water sports activities woman, however I do often hang around at seashores. Whether or not it’s Lengthy Island’s pristine, sandy shores or the rocky terrain of Pink Hook’s Valentino Pier, I’ve definitely encountered sudden swells in water stage that I’ve needed to run to keep away from. It’s not the most important drawback, after all, however I can see how the Tides app would assist anybody plan a day. I launched the app, and in a couple of seconds, the Sequence 10 situated the closest seaside, informing me that the tide was falling and that water ranges would hit their lowest at about 2:07AM.
I didn’t confirm this by going to Newport Seaside at 2:07AM to measure water ranges, however even from my temporary testing it seems to be a useful app for many who have to know this info for a full day of browsing, for instance. It’s additionally helpful for many who need a handy method to find the closest physique of water, because the map view exhibits seashores round you.
It’s laborious to think about the Depth app being helpful for a non-snorkeler or non-scuba diver like me, as I’ve watched one too many movies of underwater cave diving gone improper. However the Depth app and water temperature sensor may theoretically be helpful in different situations. When you have a deep sufficient tub, you may probably stick the Sequence 10 in your wrist into the underside and get a studying for whether or not the water is simply too scorching on your child.
In contrast to on the Apple Watch Extremely (1 and a pair of), which go all the way down to 40 meters (131.2 ft), the Sequence 10’s depth gauge will solely present readings as much as 6 meters. That does imply you received’t need to take this scuba diving, and it’s not rated for that, both. All three fashions I discussed right here supply the identical water temperature functionality, although.
The Apple Watch Sequence 10’s battery life and charging velocity
Within the few days I’ve had the Apple Watch Sequence 10, it’s usually outlasted the Sequence 9, not normally by a lot. At some point, after a cross-training exercise at 8AM adopted by a GPS-enabled stroll and a day filled with Slack and Telegram alerts, the Sequence 10 nonetheless managed to have 46 % left at 11:45PM once I obtained dwelling. The Sequence 9 was struggling at 19 %, and each had the identical show and At all times On settings. That is one facet that I’d like extra time testing to raised perceive, however contemplating the brand new watch’s slimmer profile and greater display screen, the truth that it even has comparable runtime in any respect could be respectable.
Apple additionally up to date the charging setup on its newest smartwatch, which ought to deliver the Sequence 10 again to 80 % in half-hour. It’s value noting you’ll have to make use of a fast-charge-certified accent, comparable to a charging cable from the Sequence 7 or later, which you’ll be able to inform by confirming that the wire is braided. Sooner recharge speeds are good, since they make up for any shortfalls in battery life by ensuring you don’t want to attend too lengthy on your gadget to get again as much as a wholesome stage.
Nonetheless, contemplating many units from Garmin, Fitbit and even Samsung can last more than two days and even as much as seven days per cost, the Apple Watch’s day and a half appears like a quantity that might be increased. If the corporate had been in search of methods to push the envelope additional, battery life is definitely the realm to analyze. I don’t thoughts charging my watch each morning (or night time), however some folks need to have the ability to go tenting over an extended weekend and never have to fret about bringing alongside chargers. Don’t inform them to purchase an Apple Watch Extremely for that profit.
Wrap-up
It’s laborious to sum up how I really feel concerning the Apple Watch Sequence 10. On one hand, I positively nonetheless want extra time to kind a conclusion about issues I don’t really feel aware of but, like sleep apnea alerts. On the opposite, I really feel like I already know this product very effectively, due to its similarity to its predecessor(s). Plus, with watchOS 11 bringing lots of comparable options to the Sequence 9, Watch Extremely 2 and extra, it feels tough to advocate anybody with a current gadget spring for an improve. A few of my buddies contemplating the Sequence 10 are coming from the Sequence 8 or older, and for them Apple’s newest definitely feels worthwhile.
Nonetheless, these utilizing an older mannequin needs to be conscious that upgrading to a more moderen Apple Watch would price them entry to the blood oxygen detection options. The corporate has but to deliver again the Blood Oxygen app that it faraway from the Sequence 9 and Extremely 2 that it sells within the US, on account of a patent lawsuit filed by Masimo. It’s fully doable the corporate is ready to revive this function merely by means of a software program replace, but when this measurement is essential to your every day life, it is likely to be value sticking together with your Sequence 8.
These in search of an enormous leap ahead due to the quantity “10” within the gadget’s title needs to be ready to be underwhelmed. However simply because the Sequence 10 isn’t a reinvention of smartwatches doesn’t imply it isn’t nonetheless a superb companion gadget and well-rounded health-tracker. For those who’re merely in search of a brand new Apple Watch or don’t look after SpO2 readings, and are coming from a mannequin that’s not less than two years previous, the Sequence 10 will really feel like a strong improve. And it’s nonetheless the very best for any iPhone proprietor.