(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)
CUPERTINO—With striking new case finishes and a slimmer design than ever, the Apple Watch Series 10 is as much a piece of jewelry as it is a health and lifestyle companion. Apple introduced the Series 10 as well as a new black titanium color option for the Apple Watch Ultra 2 alongside the iPhone 16 lineup and new AirPods at its Glowtime event at Apple Park, where I got a first look at the new smartwatch lineup. Read on for my first impressions.
Shiny New Cases
One of the most exciting changes for the Apple Watch Series 10 is a new jet-black polished aluminum case option. Previously, aluminum Apple Watches had a matte finish, and to get a polished finish, you had to upgrade to the pricey stainless steel version.
This is the first time Apple has used a polished aluminum finish on a device since the iPhone 7. The new finish purportedly requires a 30-step process, but I think the results are worth it. The polished aluminum offers the look of shiny stainless steel without the steep increase in price. The aluminum model also comes in matte rose gold or brushed silver color options.
Speaking of the stainless steel Apple Watch, it's now a thing of the past. Apple has replaced it with titanium, which is just as shiny as the older stainless steel models but about 20% lighter. I held the stainless steel Series 9 and the titanium Series 10 in my hands simultaneously, and the difference in weight was noticeable. The titanium Series 10 comes in three colors: natural, gold, or slate, and all of them look quite nice, but the gold is definitely my favorite. This is the first time a non-Ultra Apple Watch has been available in titanium.
Perhaps even more exciting is a new black titanium option for the Ultra 2. In person, it looks really sleek, especially when paired with the new Titanium Milanese Loop band Apple also introduced at the event. Besides the new case color and strap option, the Ultra 2 did not receive any other upgrades.
A Bigger Screen
The Series 10 comes in two case sizes: 42mm and 46mm, up from 41mm and 45mm last generation, and the corners are rounder.
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)Apple has also moved the parting line between the front crystal and the metal case further down. This change allows for improved visibility when viewing the display at an angle, but I also noticed that it gives the Series 10 a slightly thicker bezel (the black border surrounding the screen) than the Series 9. The increased screen real estate on the Series 10 is worth the trade-off, however.
A Thinner Case
The Series 10 is thinner than its predecessor, which should make it more comfortable to wear for sleep tracking. I examined it next to the Series 9 I wore to the event and noticed that the Series 10's case itself and the sensor that protrudes off the back are both slimmer than the last generation.
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)The digital crown on the Series 10 is also slightly thinner than its predecessor from last generation and no longer has a red accent ring, a hallmark of previous Apple Watch models. I never really liked the medical look of the red accent ring on the digital crown, so this is a welcome change for me.
New Speaker Vent, Audio Playback Capabilities
On the left side of the case, the rectangular bar for the speaker on the Series 9 has been replaced by a micro-perforated speaker vent on the Series 10. It's a small design change, but I prefer the more straightforward look of the new speaker vent.
(Credit: Angela Moscaritolo)On a related note, the Series 10 allows for audio playback through the internal speaker for the first time. It doesn't get super loud, but you should have no trouble hearing it with the volume at max in an otherwise quiet environment.
More on the Apple Watch Series 10
In this first look, I'm just scratching the surface of the Series 10, which also features a revamped S10 System in Package (SiP) chip and support for sleep apnea notifications. I can't wait to test the new smartwatch, so stay tuned for my full review in the near future. In the meantime, be sure to check out all of PCMag's Glowtime coverage.