Apple Watch Series 10 review roundup: A strong annual upgrade

The initial reviews of Apple's latest wearable device have started to surface. The initial wave appears to agree that the redesign is a success, thanks to its thinner body and bigger screen.

The Apple Watch Series 10 is available to preorder now, starting from $399 for the aluminum 42mm model, $429 for the 46mm. The titanium version, replacing the stainless steel variant, starts from $699.

Apple will start shipping the Apple Watch Series 10 to consumers from September 20.

MKBHD

The major YouTube personality opens his review of the Apple Watch Series by covering the hype of the redesign. But he immediately opens by calling out the relatively muted changes.

"Remember the iPhone X, that sort of reset the design language of the whole iPhone line," he reminisces. "We just kind of figured that maybe the Apple Watch would do the same."

Deeming the latest model as "another incremental upgrade" that makes it "pretty simple" to review," MKBHD offers that it's more comfortable on the wrist. "It actually just feels like someone took last year's Apple Watch and just squashed it down a little bit. And there you go, that's the new design."

There are four reasons to upgrade, he offers, with a better speaker, the updated LTPO3 display, the water temperature sensor, and faster charging being a few reasons to do so. He adds that, with Apple making the design change a huge deal, this is what you can expect from its appearance for another five years.

MKBHD recommends it as an upgrade for Series 4 to Series 7 owners, as a "no-brainer conclusion."

Engadget

Cherlynn Low for Engadget says the Apple Watch Series 10 launched "to very little fanfare," with Apple seemingly deciding to "gloss over the product's birthday."

Discussing the refined product list, it "may sound underwhelming compared to the seemingly futuristic features we were seeing in the Apple Watch's early days," but it is "following in the footsteps of the iPhone" as a mature product.

The thin design is celebrated, at least against its competitors. "Apple cutting the Series 10 down to just 9.7mm thin is certainly a feat, considering the Pixel Watch 3 is still a pretty chunky 12mm thick."

The wide-angle OLED is easier to read "even if your wrist is simply resting on the table, not held up in front of your eyes." However, while battery life is better, it barely outlasts the Series 9.

In summing it, it's hard for Lee to really go over the changes. There's a lot of similar features arriving in this model, but those looking for a huge leap forward "should be prepared to be underwhelmed."

TechCrunch

Apple's reference to it being a "refined" design is "an accurate word for the device overall," begins Brian Heater for TechCrunch. "Whereas early rumors pointed to a potentially fundamental rethink for the device's 10th edition on-par with the iPhone X, the new smartwatch prioritizes refining over redesigning."

The wide-angle display gets some praise early on, thanks to its viewing angle limits. "That's a nice upgrade for a wrist-worn system that you can find yourself attempting to read from all sorts of angles."

On the sleep apnea function, the Series 10 isn't "a diagnostic tool" but it should convince more people to try for a proper diagnosis. " I guarantee once this feature is approved out in the world, we're going to hear all sorts of stories to that effect," he adds.

"The truth," he concludes, "is that the Series 10 isn't the major refresh some were anticipating. Again, it's a refinement." For Series 7 and 8 owners, it's not something to rush out and buy, in Heater's opinion.

CNET

"The Apple Watch Series 10 is the same Apple Watch you know, but it's sleeker and more practical than ever," starts Lexy Savvides for the CNET review. While internals have shrunk down, the screen is "bigger than ever."

"Aesthetics aside, all this makes the Series 10 more comfortable than earlier Apple Watches for sleep tracking. Which is important, considering the new sleep apnea notifications on board."

There's praise for voice isolation, which is "mind-blowingly good" here. "It's reassuring to know that even if you do find yourself using the watch to call from a really loud place, like at a concert or a festival, that the caller on the other end will be able to hear you no problem."

In summary, the review concludes "The Series 10 isn't the big, flashy new redesign many were hoping for to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch being revealed. But I don't think that matters." Though more battery life would also be great to have.

The Verge

The bet on a bigger display and a wearable design is a "savvy choice" by Apple, writes Victoria Song for The Verge. However, it's still "another steady, incremental refinement in a long line of steady, incremental refinements."

There's the argument that it's a "more wearable Ultra," since the author had previously chosen the Apple Watch Ultra 2 over the Apple Watch Series 9 due to having a larger display. However, after using the "mini brick on my arm" and switching to the Series 10's lighter frame, it's a big improvement in daily use.

"It fits easily under jacket cuffs, doesn't catch on the straps at my Pilates class, and doesn't slide up and down my arm when I run. Plus, the onscreen buttons are slightly larger," offers Song.

While the Series 10 "is not revolutionary like the Series 3 or 4," wearability is "actually the most important thing for a smartwatch to get right," the review concludes.

"By that measure, the Series 10 is the most wearable, readable Apple Watch in years."