After 100 Days - Is the Apple Watch Series 10 Worth It?
It's been exactly 100 days since I got my hands on the aluminum Apple Watch Series 10, in both 42mm and 46mm sizes. Today, we're diving into two simple questions: how have they held up, and are they worth your investment?
Introduction: Design and Sizing
Announced in early September, the Series 10 boasts slightly larger sizes—42mm and 46mm—and a more rounded, thinner design compared to its predecessors. The reduction from 10.7mm to 9.7mm in thickness makes a noticeable difference, offering a sleeker profile on the wrist.
For my 165mm wrists, the 46mm Series 10 feels perfect, while my sister-in-law preferred the 42mm version for her 152mm wrist size. Keep in mind, the larger size comes with a slightly higher price tag: $400 for the 42mm and $430 for the 46mm in aluminum, and $700 and $750 respectively for titanium versions.
Durability After 100 Days
After 100 days of use, durability remains a critical factor. The Jet Black Aluminum has held up well with minimal scratches, except for noticeable ones on the 42mm model's screen, due to its Ion‑X front glass. For rugged use, consider opting for the titanium version with a more durable Sapphire front crystal or use screen protectors to prevent such issues.
Performance and Hardware Updates
Under the hood, the Series 10 features the S10 System in Package Processor, a refined version of Apple's previous chip. While performance improvements are marginal, the highlight is the new wide-angle OLED display, offering better edge-to-edge viewing and improved energy efficiency, though it still requires daily charging.
Battery Life and Fast Charging
Apple promises up to 18 hours of normal use or 36 hours in Low Power Mode. During outdoor GPS activities, expect around 7 hours of battery life, which may not suffice for ultra-endurance events but suits regular use. Fast charging capabilities allow up to 80% charge in 30 minutes with Apple's fast-charging puck.
GPS Accuracy
Unlike the AW Ultra 2, the Series 10 lacks dual-band GPS, but its single-band performance remains reliable in most scenarios, even in dense urban or rugged outdoor environments.
Health and Fitness Features
With WatchOS 11, Apple introduces the Vitals App for sleep health metrics, excluding blood oxygen saturation in the US due to patent issues. The Training Load feature provides effort scores based on heart rate and duration, although detailed numbers are omitted. Additional features like Sleep Apnea Detection and apps for offline maps, tides, and translations enhance functionality.
What’s Missing Compared to the Ultra 2?
Compared to the AW Ultra 2, the Series 10 lacks extended battery life, an action button, a siren, precision GPS start, deeper diving capabilities, and a brighter display. Price-wise, the Ultra 2 at $800 is significantly more expensive.
Conclusion
After 100 days, is the Apple Watch Series 10 worth it? For Series 9 owners, the incremental upgrades may not justify an immediate upgrade. However, if you're using an older Apple Watch, the Series 10 offers worthwhile improvements in design, features, and software enhancements with WatchOS 11.
Looking ahead, while Apple continues to refine rather than revolutionize its smartwatch, future innovations like blood pressure monitoring and advanced AI features could reshape the landscape.
What are your thoughts on the Apple Watch Series 10? If you own one, how has your experience been? Do you think it's worth the upgrade, or are you waiting for more substantial changes? Share your opinions in the comments below.