Riding on the high of Apple’s It’s Glowtime announcements last week, we’re just days away from the Apple Watch Series 10 being available in stores. Here are a couple of upgrades to the Apple Watch that you should acquaint yourself with, especially if you’re looking to make the switch.
Apple Watch Series 10 (46mm) on the left, Series 9 (45mm) on the right
Overall Look & Feel
Apple Watch Series 10 is almost 10% thinner than Series 7, 8, and 9, making it the thinnest Apple Watch ever. The all-new S10 SiP (System in Package) played a huge part in achieving its thinner profile, specifically upgraded for performance. power efficiency, and intelligence.
Being thinner comes with its perks, Apple Watch Series 10 is also lighter. The aluminium cases are up to 10% lighter than Series 9, and the titanium cases weigh almost 20% lesser than stainless steel Series 9.
In comparison with Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10 has slightly more rounded corners, and a wider aspect ratio, in the new 42mm and 46mm sizes.
Display
The most significant change is the increase in active screen area as compared to Series 4 – 9, allowing for better readability especially for utility apps on Series 10. This makes it much easier to type a reply in Messages, pause a workout without tapping on something else, or even to enter your passcode.
The visuals on the display looks incredibly detailed and high resolution, with Series 10 being the first Apple product to house a wide-angle OLED display. Under direct sunlight when walking in the sun, the display is up to 40% brighter than Series 9 – especially when viewed from an angle.
Battery Life
The new housing integrates a larger charging coil which is more efficient, making it less disruptive to use Apple Watch throughout the day and overnight. It is said that 15 minutes of charging juices it up to 8 hours of normal daily use, 8 minutes of charging powers it up to 8 hours of sleep tracking. Faster charging also means being able to charge it up to 80% in about 30 minutes – the time that one would need to prepare for work in the mornings. Series 10 is touted as the fastest-charging Apple Watch ever, and we are excited to try it out.
Audio Playback
You can now play audio through the built-in speaker on Apple Watch Series 10 – from phone calls, to listening to audio from apps such as Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and third-party apps. The 4-core Neural Engine functions to suppress background noise during calls on the Apple Watch Series 10, allowing voice isolation to render user’s voices crisp and clear on the other end of the line. I took a call on the Series 10 in a windy park and the other party found that my voice was still loud and clear, even though the background was really noisy.
Vitals App
In an increasingly health conscious society, health metrics could be helpful for your daily life. Powered by watchOS 11, the new Vitals app will alert you if two or more metrics are out of your typical range, along with a message sharing the potential linkage to other parts of your life.
Training Load
As you train with Apple Watch Series 10, Training Load allows you an insightful peek into the intensity and duration of your workouts and how they impact your body over time. This could help you make more informed decisions and tailor your training regime accordingly.
Customizable Activity Rings
This was a function I’ve been waiting for a really long time, and trialled out when watchOS was in beta. You can now specify Activity ring goals by the day of the week if you want to. You can also pause your rings for however long you want without your award streaks being affected, and this would come in clutch if you’re nursing an injury, out sick, or just need a day off.
Sleep Apnea Detection
Apple Watch leverages the accelerometer to monitor minute wrist movements that are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns, tracked by a new Apple Watch metric called Breathing Disturbances to detect possible sleep apnea.
Depth App
A new depth gauge in Apple Watch Series 10 can measure down to 6 metres beneath the water’s surface, making it perfect for snorkelling and shallow diving.
Other watchOS 11 Features
The Smart Stack is now a lot smarter, allowing you to quickly access information that matters the most to you directly from your Apple Watch.
Leveraging machine learning, the redesigned Photos face helps curate the best photo options for your Watch face.
The Translate app can come in handy especially when you’re travelling in a city you don’t speak the language, and allows for easy access directly from your Watch instead of fumbling around for your iPhone.
Source: Apple
Colorways
Apple Watch Series 10 in Aluminium finish comes in Silver, Rose Gold, and Polished Jet Black (NEW).
Apple Watch Series 10 in Titanium finish comes in Natural, Gold, and Slate.
Pricing & Availability
Apple Watch Series 10 starts at S$599 for the Aluminium finish, and S$1,049 for the Titanium finish.
Pre-orders are now open on Apple Store and in the Apple Store app, with availability starting 20 Sep, Friday.
