If you’re considering upgrading your smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 9 offer some compelling features. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide which one fits your needs better.
Design and Build
The Apple Watch Series 10 comes with slightly larger dimensions at 46 x 39 x 9.7 mm, making it a bit taller and slimmer compared to the Series 9, which measures 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm. This difference might seem negligible, but the Series 10’s slimmer profile feels more comfortable, especially for all-day wear.
In terms of weight, the Series 10 also manages to be lighter, especially with the 42mm model at 34.4 g, compared to the Series 9’s 42.3 g for the 41mm model. However, the 46mm Series 10 is lighter than the 45mm Series 9 as well, at 41.7 g vs. 51.5 g. This weight difference is quite noticeable, especially during workouts or long hours of wear.
The Series 10 also upgrades its build material, using a titanium frame, which is not only more durable but also lighter than the stainless steel frame on the Series 9. Both watches share a ceramic/sapphire crystal back, which is standard for premium smartwatches.
Display
Apple has improved the display in the Series 10 slightly with a 1.96-inch Retina LTPO3 OLED display that boasts 2000 nits of peak brightness. The Series 9, while still excellent, features a slightly smaller 1.9-inch Retina LTPO OLED display. Both displays are incredibly bright and offer fantastic color accuracy, but the Series 10 does have an edge with its marginally larger size and newer technology.
In terms of resolution, the Series 10 offers 496 x 416 pixels, providing a bit more clarity than the Series 9’s 484 x 396 pixels. The difference may not be easily noticeable in daily use, but it’s there if you’re paying close attention.
Performance and Software
The Series 10 introduces the Apple S10 chipset, which brings better performance and energy efficiency compared to the S9 chip in the Series 9. Both models feature a dual-core CPU and PowerVR GPU, ensuring smooth performance for watchOS. The Series 10 ships with watchOS 11, while the Series 9 comes with watchOS 10, but both are upgradable to watchOS 11.
In terms of daily use, the Series 10 feels faster, especially when launching apps or handling more demanding tasks. The difference isn’t massive, but if you’re looking for top-tier performance, the Series 10 edges out.
Battery Life
Battery life on both models is solid, but the Series 10 does offer a slightly faster charging experience. Apple claims the Series 10 can charge from 0-80% in just 30 minutes, while the Series 9 takes 45 minutes for the same charge. However, in terms of actual usage, both watches can easily last a day with normal activity.
Both models support wireless charging and come with non-removable Li-Ion batteries, but the Series 10 does not disclose its battery capacity, while the Series 9 holds a 308 mAh battery.
Features
The sensors and features are quite similar between both models, including the usual accelerometer, gyro, heart rate monitor, barometer, compass, and SpO2. Both also offer body temperature sensors, VO2max, and ECG support (region dependent).
However, the Series 10 adds temperature sensing with 0.01˚ accuracy and upgraded Ultra Wideband (UWB) support with a gen2 chip, which enhances device connectivity. This is particularly useful for media playback control and smart home automation.
Both watches are IP6X certified and water-resistant up to 50 meters, so they’re perfect for swimming or casual water exposure.
Connectivity and Other Features
When it comes to connectivity, both watches are on par with eSIM support, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n dual-band, and Bluetooth 5.3. They also support GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, and BDS for accurate positioning, making them ideal for fitness tracking and navigation.
Neither watch supports a 3.5mm jack or USB connectivity, which is standard for smartwatches nowadays.
Final Thoughts
If you’re upgrading from an older model, both the Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 9 will offer significant improvements in terms of performance, display, and features. However, if you already own the Series 9, upgrading to the Series 10 might only be worthwhile if you’re particularly interested in the lighter design, faster charging, and the new Ultra Wideband functionality.
For most users, the Series 9 remains a strong contender with its reliable performance and robust feature set. But if you’re looking for the latest and greatest, the Series 10’s incremental improvements may just make it the better choice.
Verdict:
- Apple Watch Series 10: Best for those wanting the newest features and improvements.
- Apple Watch Series 9: Still a solid option, especially for those not needing the latest upgrades.
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