Apple's Watch Series 10 is finally here and on its 10th anniversary, it promises to deliver a number of improvements and new features over the current lineup. If you're thinking of buying a new Apple Watch or you already own last year's Series 9, you may be wondering whether the Watch Series 10 is better than its predecessor. In this comparison of the Watch Series 10 and Series 9, we'll explain what's changed between the two models and, most importantly, whether you should upgrade to the latest device right away.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9: What's the difference
Unlike the existing Watch Series models, the most notable difference is the larger displays on both variants. The base 41mm model has now been replaced by a 42mm unit, while the old 45mm version has been increased to a 46mm size. The larger display means the watch casing is slightly larger, which is just a buildup in terms of size. The new wide-angle OLED panels are also 40 percent brighter than their predecessors.
For power, the Watch Series 10 has been given Apple S10 and 4-core neural engine. It has intelligent features like on-device Siri, automatic workout detection and double tap gesture. Charging time has also been increased. Series 10 takes 30 minutes to charge from 0-80%, while the older model took 45 minutes for this.
The new model has a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge that works up to 6 meters underwater. On the other hand, the Series 9 does not have any such sensor. Additionally, the new model also has the Oceanic+ app for snorkeling enthusiasts.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9: Similarities
Apart from the features mentioned above, the Watch Series 10 retains all the other features of the Series 9. Apart from being larger, both models are Retina LTPO OLED with a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. The overall design is the same as the Series 9, so you get the same stainless steel frame with a ceramic and sapphire crystal back panel.
Then, there is the sleep apnea detection feature that monitors your sleep routine and checks your breathing pattern through blood oxygen saturation during this time. If it detects any abnormalities, the Series 10 will ask you to consult a doctor. However, this is not exclusive to the Watch Series 10, so you will soon find them on the Series 9 models as well.
The new models get the same IP6X rating for resistance. Therefore, both allow submersion in water up to 50 meters and are swimproof.
Battery life is almost the same on both devices i.e. up to 18 hours and 36 hours on normal and low battery usage respectively. Apart from the additional sensors, the rest of the hardware remains intact. The Series 10 comes with all the major sensors like electrical heart sensor, optical heart sensor, temperature, SpO2, VO2max, compass, accelerometer, barometer, gyro, and altimeter.
For connectivity, you also get a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. On the software front, both models will run on Apple's latest watchOS 11 version, so there are no major differences that you will find while navigating through it.
Should you upgrade to the Watch Series 10?
Unlike the iPhone, which got a major overhaul during its 10th anniversary, the Apple Watch hasn't been as lucky. Apart from the bigger display, the only area where the Series 10 feels like an upgrade is the health features. But unless you really need blood pressure and sleep apnea monitoring for your health, there's no point in upgrading if you already have a Watch Series 9.
