Apple Watch 10 Review: Should You Upgrade?

Apple has taken another bold step with the Apple Watch Series 10, introducing a bigger screen, thinner body, enhanced health tracking, and much faster charging. But for many users still rocking a Series 8, the real question is: Is this upgrade worth it? In this in-depth Apple Watch 10 Review, we’ll break down every major change, compare specs, assess real-world performance, and help you decide whether to upgrade or wait.

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What’s New in Series 10: Key Features & Innovations

Design Overhaul: Bigger, Thinner, More Legible

• The Series 10 comes in 46 mm and 42 mm cases, compared to the Series 8’s 45 mm and 41 mm.
• It’s noticeably thinner, about 9.7 mm deep, giving it a sleeker, more refined feel.
• A major upgrade: wide-angle OLED display, which boosts visibility when viewing the screen from off-angle by up to 40%.
• Thanks to this larger and more efficient display, the experience feels more like a premium smartwatch or even a mini Ultra model.

Faster Charging, But the Same Battery Life

• The Series 10 charges from 0% to 80% in ~30 minutes, a significant boost over the Series 8 and 9, which took ~45 minutes.
• Apple claims up to 18 hours of typical use, and up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode same as Series 8’s official spec.
• Some reviewers report real-world battery use: PhoneArena notes no increase in capacity but praises the faster charging.
• Reddit users also highlight surprising endurance. One user said:
  “The watch lasted… 28 hours … and still had 20%.”

New Health Features

• Sleep Apnea Detection: Using a breathing-disturbance metric captured via the accelerometer, this feature flags potential sleep apnea nightly.
• Depth Gauge & Water Temp Sensor: For swimmers, the Series 10 can now measure water depth (up to 6 meters) and track water temperature.
• Vitals App: In watchOS 11, Series 10 introduces a new Vitals app that monitors overnight health metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and more.
• Breathing Disturbance Metric: Apple uses machine-learning algorithms validated in clinical studies to detect breathing irregularities.

Audio Improvements

• Series 10 now supports media playback via the built-in speaker you can listen to podcasts, music, or audiobooks without paired AirPods.
• Voice isolation for calls: A new neural network handles background noise, making calls clearer even in windy or crowded environments.

Performance & Internals

• Powered by the S10 SiP: Apple’s 64-bit dual-core processor + a 4-core Neural Engine give it a performance edge over older watches.
• Storage: 64 GB built in, double what Series 8 offered.
• Constant connectivity: It supports Bluetooth 5.3 and carries over Apple’s precise localization (Ultra-Wideband) for device finding.

Material & Finish Options

• Aluminum: Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver.
• Titanium: New finishes include Slate, Natural, and Gold, giving a premium feel while keeping weight low.
• Apple continues to support band compatibility: most bands from Series 3 and later still fit.

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Series 8 Overview: What You’re Losing or Keeping

To decide whether to upgrade, it’s crucial to understand exactly what the Series 8 already offers and where it falls short.

Design & Display

• Comes in 45 mm and 41 mm cases.
• Always-On Retina display with LTPO OLED, but standard viewing angles are less optimal than Series 10’s wide-angle OLED.
• Slightly thicker than Series 10, giving it a more substantial feel on the wrist.

Health Features

• Offers ECG, temperature sensor, heart rate monitoring, and irregular rhythm alerts.
• Does not include built-in sleep apnea detection, water depth gauge, or water temperature sensor, which are exclusive to Series 10.
• Still supports core safety features like fall detection and Crash Detection, similar to Series 10.

Performance & Storage

• Based on the earlier S8 SiP, which is still powerful but lacks the newer Neural Engine efficiency.
• Storage is likely lower than the Series 10’s 64 GB, as inferred from comparisons.

Battery & Charging

• The same “all-day” battery life: ~18 hours with standard use; up to ~36 hours in Low Power Mode.
• Charging is slower: Series 8 takes around 45 minutes to reach 80%, while Series 10 does it in 30.

Price Consideration

Because the Series 8 is older, it’s often discounted by third-party retailers. Depending on where you live, the cost savings could be part of the upgrade consideration, especially if the new features of Series 10 are not critical for you.

Comparisons: Series 10 vs Series 8 Side by Side

Real-World Use & Performance

Daily Wear & Comfort

Users report that the larger screen and thinner profile make the Apple Watch 10 more comfortable and functional. On Reddit, one user upgrading from Series 7 mentioned they “feel like they’re wearing a cloud.”

The wide-angle display improves readability when glancing at the Apple Watch, especially during workouts or while navigating using Maps.

Charging Experience

• Fast charging is a big win: 80% in ~30 minutes is consistently praised.
• According to reviewers, a 15-minute top-up can provide eight hours of use or sleep tracking, which is highly convenient.
• Some early battery drain was reported post-launch, but watchOS updates (e.g., 11.0.1) fixed many of those issues.

Health & Safety in Practice

• Sleep apnea detection is a standout. Early testers appreciate receiving alerts about breathing disturbances during sleep.
• The depth gauge and water temperature sensor are especially useful for swimmers or water sports enthusiasts, offering more accurate underwater metrics.
• The Vitals app in watchOS 11 is already being used by users to track health trends over time, including overnight metrics.
• For calls, the new voice isolation helps pick up your voice clearly even in noisy environments, according to Apple.

Design Feedback

• The polished Titanium finish looks premium and feels lightweight.
• A larger case gives more screen but may be less comfortable for smaller wrists.
• Always-on display now updates every second when dimmed smoothly, more dynamic without significantly draining battery.

Pros & Cons: Is Series 10 Worth Upgrading From Series 8?

Pros

• Much faster charging is ideal for users who want quick top-ups.
• Bigger, more readable wide-angle display with improved brightness.
• Sleep apnea detection brings meaningful health insights previously unavailable.
• Water-focused sensors (depth & temperature) expand their usefulness for swimmers.
• Speaker media playback + voice isolation is a welcome addition.

Cons

• Battery runtime remains the same (18h), no major leap.
• New features (sleep apnea, depth gauge) might not be critical for all users.
• A larger size may not suit users with smaller wrists.
• Price may not justify upgrade for Series 8 owners who don’t need new sensors.
• Some early firmware issues noted (though likely fixable via updates).

Should You Upgrade? Scenarios to Consider

Here’s when upgrading from Series 8 to Series 10 makes the most sense and when you might wait.

Upgrade If You…

• Charge frequently and prefer faster top-ups.
• Want better health tracking, especially sleep apnea or water-related metrics.
• Use your Apple Watch for swimming or open-water workouts and value depth and water temperature tracking.
• Appreciate a larger, more usable screen and a thinner case.
• Listen to media or take calls on your Apple Watch and want speaker playback and better audio quality.

Wait Or Skip If You…

• Are you happy with your Series 8’s battery life, and don’t prioritize new health features?
• Prefer a smaller case or worry about the 46 mm being too large.
• Only use basic health tracking and don’t need apnea or depth sensors.
• They are price-sensitive and want to wait for potential Series 11 or further discounts.

Final Verdict: Apple Watch 10 Review: Is Series 10 a True Upgrade?

Yes, but it depends on your priorities. The Apple Watch Series 10 is not a “flagship overhaul” but a polished refinement: a bigger, thinner body, a more advanced display, meaningful health features, and significantly faster charging.

For Series 8 users who feel they’ve hit a performance plateau, Series 10 offers real benefits, especially in health tracking and daily usability. However, if your Series 8 already serves all your needs, and battery life or design aren’t pain points, you might be better off waiting or sticking with your current watch.

In short: upgrade if the new health sensors and fast charging matter to you; otherwise, your Series 8 remains a very capable smartwatch.