Apple Watch Series 10: Design update, release date, and features

On September 9, Apple officially unveiled a new Apple Watch for the device's 10th anniversary and it has a lot to offer. 

The Apple Watch Series 10, or "Series X", is the lightest model to date and features a larger display, new sensors, faster charging, and a long-awaited health feature. As of September 20, it's officially available for purchase, too. 

Whether you're thinking about trading in your old Apple Watch or getting ready to buy your first one, there are a few things you should know about the Apple Watch Series 10 before making your final pick. 

See also: Upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 10 and save up to $200 with this exclusive trade-in offer

Here's a look at everything we know about the Apple Watch Series 10 including its price, release date, design, and features. 

Latest news (updated September 20, 2024)

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Apple Watch Series 10: Release date

The Apple Watch Series 10 was released on September 20, 2024, which was spot on with our prediction prior to the watch's announcement on September 9, 2024. Apple's release dates tend to follow a similar pattern every year, which makes it easier to guess when a new device will launch. 

Here's a look at all Apple Watch release dates so far: 

Apple Watch Series 10: Price and where to buy

The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at just $399, the same as the Series 9. That might not come as a surprise considering Apple has kept its Watch prices pretty consistent over the years. All of the main "Series" models have always been at least $300, with the Series 4 through 10 starting at $399. (Of course, the price goes up for premium models featuring different materials, cellular functionality, or special watch bands.) 

You might not have to pay full price for the Apple Watch Series 10, though. There are already some great deals out there that can save you hundreds of dollars on a new Apple Watch, such as this offer from Best Buy: 

Apple Watch Series 10: from $399, up to $300 off @ Best Buy w/ trade-in
Buy the Apple Watch Series 10 from Best Buy and save up to $200 when you trade in a similar device. Over the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch Series 10 sports a thinner, lighter design and offers a larger display option. 

Features: 42mm aluminum case, Sleep apnea detection, fast charging support, up to 18-hour battery life.

Price check: Amazon $389| T-Mobile from $499, up to $300 off a second Apple Watch Series 10

View Deal

To compare the Series 10 to previous models, take a look at this chart of all Apple Watch prices over the years: 

Apple Watch Series 10: Thinner design, larger display

The Apple Watch Series 10 retains the same basic design as previous models, but it's the thinnest version yet. Apple claims the Series 10 is 10% thinner than the Series 9, which might not sound like much, but on a device that's already this small, that can make a tangible difference. 

Despite being thinner than ever, the Apple Watch Series 10 also has a larger display. Apple slightly tweaked the sizes, increasing them to 42mm and 46mm. Don't worry, though. If you have an older Apple Watch in the 41mm and 45mm sizes, your watch straps will still work with the Series 10. 

The display isn't just bigger. It's also wide-angle OLED and 40% brighter when viewed from an angle, meaning it's significantly easier to see outdoors or in bright lighting. 

Apple also added a new color option: Jet Black Aluminum. This sleek, glossy black colorway is one of the base options, so you don't even have to pay extra for it. Some people may be disappointed that it replaced the classic Space Gray and Midnight aluminum options, though. 

Apple Watch Series 10: New sensors

One of the highlights of Apple's announcement for the Apple Watch Series 10 was the unveiling of Sleep Apnea Detection. This feature isn't exclusive to the Series 10, though. When it launches it will be available on the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2.

Sleep Apnea Detection monitors your breathing while you sleep and records sleep disturbances (indicated by breathing changes). This data can hint at a possible case of sleep apnea if it persists over time. The Health app will notify users if it detects signs of sleep apnea and collect Watch data into a convenient PDF for users to take to their doctor.

This feature could be a major motivator for many people with older Apple Watches to upgrade since sleep apnea is a highly under-diagnosed condition that can have serious long-term effects. 

Apple also added some water-focused sensing capabilities to the Series 10 including a water temperature sensor and depth guage. The Apple Watch Series 10 still isn't a fully-fledged SCUBA diving watch, but these new sensors are helpful for a wide variety of other water activities like surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and more. 

Apple Watch Series 10: watchOS 11

Sleep apnea detection and new water-focused sensors aren't the only new features on the Apple Watch Series 10. It will launch with watchOS 11, which brings even more new tools and capabilities announced back at WWDC 2024. 

For example, the new Tides app allows you to track tides directly from your watch and view nearby beaches. Similarly, the Oceanic+ app offers features specifically for snorkeling, helping you find nearby snorkeling spots and routes and view conditions like temperature and depth.  

The new Training Load feature improves workout tracking by using an algorithm to calculate an "effort rating" for workouts. This allows you to track the intensity of your workouts and monitor workout intensity trends, which can help prevent injuries from doing too many intense workouts in a row. You can adjust the effort rating for workouts, as well, if you want to tweak the algorithm's estimated rating. 

watchOS 11 will also include a new Vitals app, which will allow you to view health data in greater detail. This is helpful for people who use their Apple Watch to monitor medical conditions or changes in certain health metrics since the Vitals app can notify you if any of your metrics go outside of your normal range. Similarly, the Health app is getting a Cycle Tracking feature in watchOS 11, which can also monitor the progress of pregnancies. 

watchOS 11 isn't just bringing new health features. It will also include a live translation app that can use machine learning to translate words and phrases directly from your Watch. There will be a new safety feature, as well, called Check In, which can use your Watch's location data to let a designated contact know when you've return home safe, such as after a late-night run. 

Apple Watch Series 10: Should you upgrade?

The Apple Watch Series 10 (or "Series X") officially arrived in stores on September 20, so it's now available to buy. If you have an older Apple Watch, it's definitely worth upgrading, especially if health tracking features are important to you. This is especially true if you have a Series 5 or earlier since these older watches are no longer receiving watchOS updates. 

However, if you have a Series 9, it might not be worth upgrading. The Series 9 has most of the main features of the Series 10 and will get watchOS 11 and Sleep Apnea Detection. 

While the Apple Watch Series 10 isn't the drastic redesign many rumors suggested, it still includes some welcome updates and a thinner chassis. So, overall, it's a solid entry for the Apple Watch's 10th anniversary. 

Laptop Mag will be covering all the latest news on Apple's latest devices so stay tuned for more details. 

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