Apple Watch Series 10

Following after the Apple Watch Series 9, the Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Series X promises to introduce major updates to a largely unchanging wearable design. After years of fairly similar timepieces being released, Apple is rumored to use the ten-year anniversary of its reveal to give it a revamp. 

Some have speculated that Apple could follow a similar release strategy with a special edition series "X" model like it did with iPhone. Standard Apple Watch Series 10 could closely resemble the Apple Watch Series 9 it replaces, then an Apple Watch Series X could change things up with a new design and bands.

Whatever Apple's strategy, these models will remain distinct from the Apple Watch Ultra lineup. Apple may skip the Apple Watch Ultra 3 in 2024, saving the iterative update for 2025.

Apple Watch Series 10: A needed revamp

Much like other models of Apple Watch, and some other Apple products, there are some changes that are expected to happen regardless of rumors. 

For example, we know that the Apple Watch will use a new chip inside, moving from the Series 9's S9 SiP in favor of the S10. You can expect it to be more powerful or more power efficient compared to previous versions. 

You can also pretty much expect the aesthetics to be similar to the Apple Watch Series 9, as rumors have not detailed any major structural changes to the product. If Apple had a wild change to the Apple Watch in mind, it should've appeared in supply chain rumors by the summer. 

Even so, rumors and reports offered claims that what would change will be more than an incremental update. It won't be a radical redesign, but the tweaks will be significant. 

Apple Watch Series 10 band changes

The Apple Watch has used the same strap and lug system for a decade. This meant users could use older bands with their newer Apple Watch models without necessarily needing to buy more.

That may not be the case for the Apple Watch Series 10 or special edition Apple Watch Series X, whichever is revealed.

Rumors claimed the connectors for the Apple Watch band have been completely redesigned. However, the leaker didn't go into detail about the actual changes made to the band, which doesn't instill confidence in their claim. 

They did insist that the design change means that older bands won't work with the new Apple Watch model. 

There has been a proposal of Apple using a magnetic band system. Again, there is no clear indication as to how that will work. 

Apple has looked into ways to use magnets with Apple Watch bands, including protective cases. It has also used patent filings to offer more than 50 drawings of how magnets can securely engage with each other. 

Whether this research is used with the Apple Watch 10's bands remains to be seen. 

Apple Watch Series 10's bigger screen

The display of the Apple Watch Series 10 could be quite a bit larger than in previous models. 

Renders released in June showed a device with a much larger display surface, but with a marginally larger chassis than the Series 9. To end users, this would give the appearance of a bigger screen with thinner bezels. 

The render depicted a 50.8mm display, which would be marginally bigger than the 49mm version used in the Apple Watch Ultra. 

Apple Watch Series 10 to be larger and thinner, or thicker

Reports offer that the most obvious change for the Series 10 will be size. The model will allegedly be much larger than previously offered. 

The current Apple Watch sizes are 41mm and 45mm. The Apple Watch Series 10 is tipped to start at 45mm with the larger size being 49mm. 

While physically larger, there is some debate about thickness. There have been some claims the Apple Watch Series 10 will be slimmer, following Apple's drive to make its hardware the thinnest and lightest on the market. 

However, renders have also depicted the Apple Watch Series 10 as being much thicker. At 11.6mm, the new model could be thicker than the Apple Watch Series 9's 10.7mm measurement. 

It may not be too thick though, as it would still be well below the Apple Watch Ultra at 14.4mm. 

Apple Watch Series 10 power savings

Reducing power usage is always good for hardware, since it makes the battery last longer. For the Apple Watch, which has a fairly small battery capacity, it's a crucial thing to develop. 

For the Apple Watch Series 10, the power savings will be introduced via a display technology change. There's already power efficiencies such as adjustable refresh rates, but the Series 10 could go further still. 

This time, reports insist that the use of a new low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) technology will be used in the OLED display. LTPO-TFT is already used for some switching TFTs in the Apple Watch display panel, with older LTPS versions also employed for switching TFTs and driving TFTs. 

LTPO will be used on more TFTs, including driving TFTs, in the new display. LTPS will still be used, but only on TFTs outside the viewable pixel area.

Apple Watch Series 10 release date and price

Apple is expected to reveal the Apple Watch Series 10 alongside the iPhone 16 during the "It's Glowtime" September 9, 2024 Apple Event. The new model will likely have a similar price structure to the Apple Watch Series 9 and include aluminum and stainless steel options.

Aluminum models with GPS start at $399 for the 41mm model and that pricing should be carried over to the new models. Stainless steel starts at $699.