Much like the iPhone, Apple wasn’t the first company to launch a smartwatch. But ask most people to name one and they’ll probably say the Apple Watch.
First launched in 2015, the Apple Watch has undergone quite a transformation. There are currently three different models to choose from: the Series 9, Ultra 2, and SE (2022).
In this article, we’ll focus on the next generation of Apple’s classic smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10 (or will it be called Apple Watch X?).
So when will you be able to get one on your wrist and what new features will make it a worthwhile upgrade? Here’s everything we know so far.
When will the Apple Watch Series 10 be released?
Apple has been fairly consistent with the release schedules of its previous generations of Watch. They generally arrive in September at the same time as the latest iPhones. Here is an overview of the release dates of recent versions:
- Apple Watch Series 9 – September 2023
- Apple Watch Series 8 – September 2022
- Apple Watch Series 7 – October 2021
- Apple Watch Series 6 – September 2020
We see no reason why Apple would change this model, so we expect to see the Apple Watch 10 arrive in September 2024as well as the iPhone 16. However, there is no confirmation (official or otherwise) for this date so far.
There’s a small chance that Apple will delay its release until the Watch’s 10th anniversary in 2025, but that seems highly unlikely. We’re also expecting the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
How much will the Apple Watch Series 10 cost?
Apple Watch prices have remained relatively constant in recent years, despite high inflation and economic uncertainty in many countries around the world.
Here are the starting prices for all sizes of recent generations:
- Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm) – £399/$399
- Apple Watch Series 9 (45mm) – £429/$429
- Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm) – £419/$399
- Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm) – £449/$429
- Apple Watch Series 7 (41mm) – £369/$399
- Apple Watch Series 7 (45mm) – £399/$429
- Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm) – £379/$399
- Apple Watch Series 6 (44mm) – £409/$429
As you can see, pricing is very solid for US customers, while UK buyers have seen a little more variation.
The return to parity with the Apple Watch Series 9 is encouraging, so we hope these prices remain intact when the 10th-gen model appears this year with watchOS 11.
What specs and features will the Apple Watch Series 10 have?
Apple has yet to make an official announcement regarding the 10 series, but has prevented many rumors from appearing online. Here are the ones you should pay attention to:
New design
As this is the 10th generation watch, there are rumors of a revamped design for the Apple Watch 10.
In August 2023, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that Apple’s 2023 smartwatches would be minor updates, before more significant changes were introduced this year. The first part of this proved true, with the Series 9 and Ultra 2 both being very similar to their predecessors.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Jim Martin / Foundry
Jim Martin / Foundry
Gurman then said the device will be known as the “Watch X,” mirroring what Apple did with the iPhone X in 2017. He also predicts it will have a thinner case and a potential new approach to straps.
Currently these have been attached via grooves in the case, which take up a bit of space, but the new ones could be magnetic, freeing up internal space for more tech.
A new post from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a solid track record of leaking Apple information, suggests that Apple will be increasing the size of the Series 10 models. Instead of the 41mm and 45mm options offered on the Series 9, he says that these will become 45mm and 49mm options, and also agrees with Gurman that the devices will be thinner.
Kuo also indicated that some components of the 10 series will be manufactured using 3D printing. This operation would be carried out by the Chinese company BLT, specializing in 3D metal printing. Rumors also suggest that this would make the Apple Watch cheaper to produce and that BLT could take over producing Apple Watch cases in the future.
Another rumor from 91mobiles confirms some of the design changes mentioned above, as it features what are said to be leaked CAD images of the new Apple Watch Series 10. These show the new model with a 2-inch display, which would actually be larger than the Apple Wach Ultra which currently has a 1.93-inch panel.
It’s also said to be a bit larger than the Apple Watch Series 9’s 1.7-inch panel. The post says the watch will measure 46 x 39.7 x 11.6mm, which is a bit of a contradiction to the sizes mentioned in Ming-Chi Kuo’s article. Could this really be a new Apple Watch Ultra?
Blood pressure monitoring
Health and fitness have always been a big factor in the success of the Apple Watch, with Apple marketing it primarily as a wellness device.
The features set in this area appear to be beefed up over the Series 10 with a reported ability to track the wearer’s blood pressure and warn of hypertension. That’s again according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who says the system will “alert users” if they have high blood pressure and “suggest follow-up tests.”
Although this is a very valuable ability for many people, the current technology and how it is obtained has not yet been explained. We’ve seen watches with straps tightened to measure pressure before, but we don’t see Apple going that route, especially if the new straps are magnetically attached.
Sleep Apnea Monitoring
Another health feature rumored to be coming to the Apple Watch Series 10 is sleep apnea tracking.
This is a common problem that can cause breathing to stop momentarily during sleep. This is potentially dangerous, so having a watch that can detect the problem and provide users with data that can be passed on to their doctor would be a valuable addition to the new model.
The same Bloomberg article as above suggests that it will work in the same way as blood pressure, alerting you if nighttime breathing problems have been detected and suggesting next steps.
No Micro-LED display
A rumor that has been circulating for some time but seems to have been quashed today is that the Series 10 will feature a new Micro-LED display.
Popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently posted on his Medium page that the advanced display technology, which could offer better battery life thanks to its power efficiency, would not be ready for the 2024 release and may not even debut until the 2026 lineup arrives.
That’s all we’ve seen so far, but of course we’ll update this article as more information becomes available. In the meantime, be sure to check out our best Apple Watch guide to see if you want to buy one now or wait until the Apple Watch 10 arrives later in the year.
That’s all we’ve found so far, but we’ll continue to update this article as more details are revealed. In the meantime, you might be interested in similar articles on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3.
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