Apple Watch 10 Review: Deja vu design with new health-tracking features

In this latest edition of the Watch 10, Apple’s wearable introduces additional health-tracking features in a familiar design.

Ten years have passed since the first Apple Watch hit the market. In this latest edition, Apple’s wearable introduces additional health-tracking features in a familiar design. While the Apple Watch Series 10 may not look significantly different from its predecessor, the upgrades lie in the details. For starters, compared to the Watch Series 9, this device is slightly slimmer and features a larger display. It also boasts improved battery life and a variety of customisation options to suit individual tastes.

The Apple Watch 10 is nearly 10% thinner than previous models, making it Apple’s thinnest smartwatch to date. Although this reduction in thickness is subtle, the larger display compared to its predecessor is noticeable. The new wide-angle OLED display provides 30% more screen space, enhancing readability and usability across all functions. It is brighter, easier to read from side angles, and highly efficient, offering improved visibility and refresh rates. This model comes in aluminium and titanium, and is available in natural, gold, and slate tones.

The watch’s LTPO 3 display supports a refresh rate as low as 1 Hz, allowing for a ticking second hand on the always-on display. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, this model matches the Series 9’s maximum brightness, but the wide-angle OLED feature makes it appear brighter from the side. The large display is ideal for quick glances, and dynamically adjusts refresh rates based on screen activity—a feature rarely found in smartwatches. Users will like the spacious screen for reading messages, tracking running metrics, and navigating apps while on the move. Despite the size increase, the W10 is compatible with bands designed for 40- and 41-mm models, so you won’t need to upgrade additional accessories.

The Apple Watch 10 includes a new voice isolation feature that reduces background noise during calls. It also has an upgraded speaker compared to its predecessor, allowing for music playback, albeit at a lower volume. Powered by the 4-core Neural Engine, calls sound clearer, providing a smoother communication experience. If you forget your earphones, the watch’s speaker can serve as a backup, though this feature works best in quieter settings. It may not be as effective in crowded or noisy environments.

This model also includes the S10 System in Package (SiP) for increased power and performance. Compared with the S9 SiP, the performance difference may be modest, but it’s a notable upgrade for users moving from the S8. The S10 SiP, with its built-in 4-core Neural Engine, retains features such as double-tap, voice assistant, dictation, crash, and fall detection. However, the Smart Stack UI is noticeably more robust and responsive on the Watch 10 compared to Watch 9, making it easy to close tabs and switch sessions.

When it comes to Siri interactions, the Watch 10 performs far better than its predecessors. Siri is more responsive and adaptive, adjusting to changes in tone when I spoke during runs and handling tasks like changing tracks and playlists effortlessly.

The Apple Watch Series 10 pushes the boundaries of health monitoring with its most advanced health-tracking feature yet. Leveraging the built-in accelerometer and a new breathing disturbance metric, this wearable can help users identify potential sleep apnoea symptoms. By tracking minor wrist movements, the watch can detect possible sleep apnoea. If it notices consistent signs, the watch will send a notification along with a detailed report in the Health app. This technology offers an easy way to monitor sleep quality, potentially helping identify serious health concerns early.