Refinement Over Redesign

Is the Apple Watch Series 10 the game-changer we expected, or is it just a polished version of its predecessors?

A close-up shot of the Apple Watch Series 10 on a person
Photography by Al Amin Mir on Unsplash
Published: Thursday, 03 October 2024 09:21 (EDT)
By Priya Mehta

When Apple announced its Watch Series 10, many of us were holding our breath for a radical redesign. After all, the iPhone X was a game-changer, so why wouldn’t the 10th edition of the Apple Watch follow suit, right? But instead of a complete overhaul, Apple chose to focus on refinement. And honestly, that might not be such a bad thing.

Let’s be real: the Apple Watch is already a solid piece of tech. It’s sleek, functional, and packed with features that make it a staple for fitness enthusiasts, tech lovers, and even casual users. So, while some may have been hoping for a dramatic new look, Apple’s decision to refine rather than redesign makes sense. Why mess with a good thing?

What’s New, What’s Not

So, what exactly has Apple refined? For starters, the design. The Watch Series 10 keeps the familiar square face, but it’s more polished, with smoother edges and a slightly slimmer profile. It’s like the Apple Watch went to a spa and came back glowing. The display is still as vibrant as ever, with excellent brightness and clarity, making it easy to read even in direct sunlight.

Under the hood, you’ll find the usual suspects: a faster processor, improved battery life, and more health-tracking features. But again, nothing revolutionary here. It’s more like Apple took everything that was already great about the Watch Series 9 and gave it a little extra oomph.

Health and Fitness: Still a Powerhouse

If you’re into health and fitness, the Apple Watch Series 10 continues to be your best friend. The heart rate monitor, ECG, and blood oxygen sensors are all still here, and they work seamlessly. Apple has also added some new features, like improved sleep tracking and advanced workout metrics, but these are more incremental upgrades than groundbreaking innovations.

For those who love to track their fitness goals, the Series 10 is still one of the best options on the market. It’s accurate, reliable, and integrates perfectly with the Apple ecosystem, making it easy to sync your data across all your devices.

Should You Upgrade?

Now, the million-dollar question: should you upgrade? Well, that depends. If you’re rocking an older model, say Series 5 or below, then yes, the Series 10 is a significant upgrade in terms of performance, battery life, and features. But if you already own a Series 7 or 8, you might not feel the need to rush out and buy this one unless you’re a die-hard Apple fan who needs the latest and greatest.

At the end of the day, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a refined, polished version of an already excellent product. It may not be the revolutionary upgrade some were hoping for, but it’s still one of the best smartwatches on the market. If you’re in the market for a new smartwatch, this one should definitely be on your radar.

For a more in-depth look at the Apple Watch Series 10, check out TechCrunch’s full review here.

Wearables