First look: Apple Watch Series 10 is a lesson in refinement (and Watch Ultra 2 is lovely in Black)

Apple held its Glowtime event on 9 September, which wasn’t just the first time the company’s September event was held on a Monday but also marks exactly 10 years to the day that Apple revealed the Apple Watch. The smartwatch was teased by Tim Cook as “one more thing” and while it wasn’t released until 2015, this year is still the anniversary of its debut. 

It’s the Apple Watch Series 10 that marks that anniversary, alongside a black version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. There was no new Watch SE or Watch Ultra 3 announced, but the Apple Watch Series 10 makes small refinements that make a big difference.

New display and design for Apple Watch Series 10

Ushering in a new but familiar design, the Apple Watch Series 10 features Apple’s “largest, most advanced display ever” with what the company is calling a wide-angle OLED display that offers a 30 per cent more active screen area than previous models. It now comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, which is 1mm larger than the Apple Watch Series 9. Interestingly, the 46mm model’s display is larger than the Apple Watch Ultra 2’s thanks to the slimmed down bezels and rounder edges.

What it means in use is the ability to read an extra line of text on the screen, reply to messages easier using the on-screen keyboard, or enlarge the font size without losing the text. The screen is also 40 per cent brighter when viewed from an angle, so handy when your hand is in your lap or trying to read workout metrics.

There’s a slimmer body that is surprisingly noticeable when you pop the Apple Watch Series 10 on. It’s 9.7mm now – 10 per cent slimmer than previous models – and it sits more comfortably on the wrist because of that. I’ve worn the Watch Series 9 since launch and I do think the Watch Series 10 looks better on my wrist.

The aluminium models are also 10 per cent lighter than previous models, while titanium replaces stainless steel for the Apple Watch Series 10, making the more expensive models 20 per cent lighter than their predecessors too. Apple said every millimetre and every gram counts when on your wrist, and when you’re wearing a device all the time, day and night, that is true. 

It’s polished titanium for the Apple Watch Series 10 rather than matte like the iPhone 16 Pro models and it looks great in the flesh. It’s a little bit of a fingerprint magnet, but was the stainless steel and the reduction in weight makes up for having to wipe it clean with your sleeve.

Apple Watch Series 10 new features

It’s not all about looks of course, with several new features arriving on the Apple Watch Series 10, including sleep apnoea detection. Apple said it was expecting FDA clearance for this feature soon – something Samsung already has for the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra. The feature uses the Apple Watch Series 10’s accelerometer to detect breathing disturbances and notify you if there is a risk of sleep apnoea, although it will also come to the Watch Series 9 and the Watch Ultra 2 in the future.

There’s a new S10 chip in the Series 10, along with a depth gauge and a water temperature sensor, both of which kick in as soon as you submerge your wrist into water. The water temperature sensor can be used in open water workouts and pool workouts, and you will also be able to build custom pool workouts too.

Elsewhere, the speaker on the Apple Watch Series 10 – which has been redesigned for this model – allows for playback of podcasts or music, and there’s a new voice isolation feature that will suppress background noise during a phone call if you’re using your Apple Watch for FaceTime audio calls.

Faster charging is also coming to the the Series 10, with 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes. The battery life itself remains the same as the Watch Series 9, with up to 18 hours.

There are also a number of other features that come with watchOS 11, including the Vitals app, Training Load and customisable Activity Rings. Apple’s Check In feature is also coming to Apple Watch and there’s extra functionality coming to Double Tap, plus summarised notifications that use Apple Intelligence and pull from iPhone.

What about the Watch Ultra 2?

The Watch Ultra 2 hasn’t changed in terms of functionality this year so there is no Apple Watch Ultra 3, but there is a Black model of the Watch Ultra 2 – and it is gorgeous. Like the Jet Black model of the Apple Watch Series 10, and the titanium options, the Black Watch Ultra 2 is partial to a fingerprint but it’s a fabulous finish. 

Like the Natural Titanium finish of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Digital Crown features a ring of orange but it really pops on the black finish, as does the action button on the left. There are some lovely new straps too, with the Titanium Milanese Loop particularly surprising in that it’s very lightweight when on and has a very satisfying click when it snaps shut on your wrist.

The Hermès collaboration has made its way to the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now as well, which I’m all for, but you do pay quite a lot more for that model.

Apple Watch Series 10 and Watch Ultra 2 pricing and availability

The Apple Watch Series 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the Black finish are available to pre-order now, with availability from 20 September. The Watch Series 10 comes in aluminium or titanium with the former available in Silver, Rose Gold and Jet Black colours, while the latter comes in Natural, Gold and Slate.

The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at £399 / $399. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at £799 / $799.