Apple Watch Series 10 debuted at Monday’s “It’s Glowtime” event, just under a decade after the iPhone maker released its first smartwatch. Headlining the new wearable is a redesign — arguably the largest since the device’s launch. The Apple Watch Series 10 has “our biggest screen and thinnest design,” CEO Tim Cook noted during the Apple Event 2024.
The company says the screen is “up to 30%” larger than previous generations, covered by “durable onyx glass.” The body, meanwhile, is 10% thinner than the Series 9, measuring in at 9.6mm.
The speaker has been updated, and for the first time, users will be able to play music and podcasts directly on the wearable without AirPods. A new charging coil offers 80% of life in 30 minutes. The company promises 18 hours of battery life on a full charge.
A new titanium option is available, replacing stainless steel and making the watch even lighter than before.
This is the first Apple Watch to detect sleep apnea, using the watch’s accelerometer to find disturbances in sleep. While the company says the feature is “medical grade,” it has yet to get FDA approval for the feature. It expects this “very soon.”
Like the Ultra before it, Series 10 now has a depth sensor for water-based activities. Apple points to snorkeling (versus the Ultra’s scuba diving) as a key activity that utilizes the features. The Tides app has been added, as well, for surfers and the like.
The Series 10 is powered by a new S10 chip. This allows new neural processing to improve sound with the onboard microphone. It also brings translate to the device, which should prove extremely useful while traveling.
On the climate side, the new Watch is Apple’s latest carbon neutral device, according to the company. The Series 10 starts at $399. Preorders open Monday, with shipping on September 28.
