Ten years into its journey, the Apple Watch has transformed from a fancy wrist accessory into an indispensable health and safety companion. With the Series 10, Apple has refined the formula, offering a slimmer, sleeker design and a host of subtle but impactful improvements.

For someone like me, accustomed to the bulkier Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Series 10’s price tag and understated elegance initially didn’t seem appealing. However, after spending a few days with it, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by its practicality and charm. I had the chance to try out both the new super shiny Jet black color and the Rose Gold (matte finish) in the Aluminum finish, both in 46mm.

A Display That Steals the Show

The star of the show is undoubtedly the Series 10’s LTPO 3 display. Its ability to drop down to a 1Hz refresh rate unlocks a feature many watch enthusiasts have been clamoring for: a ticking second hand on the always-on display. This seemingly minor addition adds a touch of classic watchmaking to the digital world, proving particularly useful for healthcare professionals and anyone who appreciates the subtle rhythm of time.

While the display’s peak brightness remains the same as its predecessor at 2,000 nits, the wide-angle OLED technology ensures a brighter viewing experience from various angles. Even when the watch is inactive, glancing at it from the side reveals a noticeably brighter screen compared to previous models.

The larger screen size is another welcome improvement. The 42mm and 46mm options offer significantly more real estate than their predecessors, making everything from reading messages to navigating maps a more enjoyable experience. The on-screen keyboard is also more comfortable to use, and the difference is especially noticeable when comparing the 42mm Series 10 to the older 41mm models.

A Design That Disappears on Your Wrist

The Series 10’s slimmer frame and lighter weight make it incredibly comfortable to wear, even for those accustomed to larger watches. The titanium case option adds a touch of luxury, and when paired with the stainless steel Milanese loop and the Reflections watch face, it transforms the Series 10 into a piece of wearable art.

This newfound comfort is particularly beneficial for sleep tracking, especially considering the Series 10’s new sleep apnea notifications.

Voice Isolation: A Game-Changer

The Series 10 borrows the impressive voice isolation feature from the AirPods Pro 2, ensuring crystal-clear calls even in the noisiest environments. During my tests in a bustling San Francisco Lion Dance studio, the voice isolation was so effective that it made the deafening drums sound like a distant whisper. My colleague on the other end of the call could hear me perfectly, even though I felt like I was shouting to be heard.

This feature isn’t just for dragon dances; it’s a reassurance that you can take calls from anywhere, be it a concert, a festival, or a busy street, without worrying about background noise interfering with your conversation.

Music on Your Wrist: Finally!

The ability to play music directly from the Series 10’s speaker is a long-awaited feature. It’s perfect for those times when you forget your headphones or simply want to enjoy some tunes while doing chores around the house.

While the speaker isn’t as loud as a phone’s, it’s certainly loud enough to be heard in a quiet environment. My informal tests showed that the maximum volume reached around 92dB with a heavy rock track, but most songs played between 80 to 87dB.

You can play audio from various first-party apps like Podcasts, Apple Music, and Audiobooks, and some third-party apps like Spotify also work.

Sleep Apnea Detection: A Potential Lifesaver

The Series 10, along with the Series 9 and Ultra 2, can now detect signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea, a condition that can have serious health implications if left untreated. This FDA-cleared feature uses the watch’s accelerometer to track breathing disturbances during sleep, providing valuable insights into your sleep quality.

While I haven’t had enough nights tracked yet to receive a sleep apnea notification, the ability to view each night’s breathing disturbances data in the Health app is already insightful.

WatchOS 11: Enhancing the Experience

As always, WatchOS plays a crucial role in unlocking the Series 10’s full potential. New health tools like the Vitals app,which tracks key metrics during sleep, and the ability to pause your activity rings offer greater control over your health and fitness journey.

WatchOS 11 main features:

• A smarter Smart Stack that leverages time and location elements to provide more relevant information throughout the day.
• Customizable Activity Rings that allow users to pause activity rings and modify goals on a per-day basis.
• The Vitals app, which offers a convenient overview of crucial overnight health metrics and alerts users when these metrics fall outside their normal range.
• The Training Load calculator, which assesses the stress and strain your body experiences during workouts to help you strike the right balance between exercise and recovery.
• Enhanced workout features, including the addition of distance and route maps for workouts like rowing, the ability to create custom pool workouts, and an “Up Next” workout view.
• Expanded Cycle Tracking functionality to provide tailored support for pregnant users.
• The Translate app, now available on Apple Watch, with support for 20 languages.
• A redesigned Photos face that leverages machine learning to create dynamic and visually appealing designs based on your photo library.
• Offline hiking trails in the Maps app for all U.S. national parks, complete with turn-by-turn voice guidance.
• New capabilities for the Double Tap feature, thanks to a new API that allows developers to integrate it into third-party apps.
• The new Check In feature, which allows you to notify a friend or loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.

Battery Life:

The Series 10’s battery life remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. With moderate use, including notifications, a 30-minute GPS workout, and sleep tracking, I could squeeze out a day and a half at most. Heavier use, such as making calls or playing music through the speaker, necessitated charging at the end of each day.

While the faster charging speeds are welcome, the 18-hour battery life feels like a missed opportunity, especially considering the watch’s growing role in sleep tracking and other health features.

Final Thoughts: A Refined Classic

The Apple Watch Series 10 may not be the radical redesign some were hoping for, but it’s a testament to Apple’s commitment to continuous improvement. It’s a significant upgrade for those coming from older models, offering a larger, brighter screen, life-saving features like crash detection, and access to future WatchOS updates.

With its blend of elegance, functionality, and cutting-edge health features, the Series 10 feels like a “lite” version of the Apple Watch Ultra. It’s the perfect smartwatch for those who want the best of Apple’s wearable technology without the bulk or the premium price tag.