Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Series 10: Which smartwatch is right for you?

It’s the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch Series, and to celebrate its decade on the market, Apple is giving the Series 10 a new look. The Series 10 gets a larger screen size and thinner build, a new sleep apnea detection feature, and a new finish, Apple announced on Monday at its annual hardware event in Cupertino. 

Alongside the updated Apple Watches, which also include a new shade of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the tech giant announced its iPhone 16 lineup and two new models of AirPods. 

Also: Everything announced at Apple’s Its Glowtime event

Whether you’re considering switching from your Series 9 watch to a brand new Series 10 or deliberating between the two options, we’ve weighed the pros and cons of each watch to help you make the best decision. 

Specifications

You should buy the Apple Watch Series 10 if… 

1. You want an improved display and a lighter build

If you think your Apple Watch Series 9’s screen display is too small to type, causing you to fumble and type the wrong passcode or messages, you might want the Series 10 over the Series 9 for its larger screen area. 

You’re getting a larger screen and a thinner watch case with the Series 10, which also means you’re getting a larger watch display. The Series 10 has 9% more active screen area than the Series 9. Series 9 has screen specs of 41mm and 45mm respectively, while the Series 10 specs are 42mm and 46mm. 

Also: Here’s which Apple Watch models will get WatchOS 11 

The Series 10 gets a fundamental design change, shaking up the Apple Watch and improving both on-device readability and user experience. The Series 10 is 10% thinner and lighter than the Series 9, according to an Apple press release. The company says these changes mean the Series 10 is better from a comfort and convenience perspective for sleep tracking. 

Additionally, the Series 10 gets a wide-angle OLED display, the first of its kind in the smartwatch lineup, offering a 40% brighter display when viewed from an angle, compared to the Series 9. 

2. You want to track your sleep apnea

Building on the Apple Watch’s suite of sleep-tracking capabilities, the Series 10 will include a new sleep apnea feature people can use to monitor their condition. The feature works through the watch’s accelerometer, which monitors movements associated with respiratory pattern interruptions and is tracked by Apple’s new Breathing Disturbances metric. You can view these details in the Health app over a one-month, six-month, or one-year period. Users will be notified if their sleep history shows patterns of apnea. Apple says the feature will be FDA-authorized soon, according to the release. 

Also: Your AirPods Pro 2 are getting a free audio upgrade, and it’s the most important one yet

If you primarily wear an Apple Watch or other wearable device to keep an eye on your sleep apnea or other medical conditions, the Apple Watch Series 10 should suit you better than the Series 9.

3. You want new finishes

The Series 10 offers up a new jet black finish. Apple says the finish offers a “distinctively glossy, reflective shine”, thanks to polished nanoparticles and a 30-step finishing process. Alongside jet black, the Series 10 comes in an “updated” rose gold and brushed silver aluminum. You can also get the Series 10 in an aerospace-grade polished titanium, which is lighter than the stainless steel build of the Series 9. Titanium cases come in natural, gold, and slate. 

You should buy the Series 9 if…

1. You want a cheaper Apple Watch

Once the Series 10, which retails for $399, hits the market, the Series 9 will reduce in price substantially. Right now on Amazon, for example, you can get the Series 9 for $100 cheaper than the new generation. This makes it a great time to buy an Apple Watch if you want the tech to learn more about your daily activity levels or have your smartphone’s assistant around your wrist but don’t necessarily care about the latest advancements.

2. You don’t care about the new Apple Watch water features

Apple released a depth gauge, which measures up to six meters beneath the water’s surface, and a water temperature sensor for its Series 10. While these features will benefit hardcore swimmers and surfers, they will go unused by Apple Watch users who take their watches off before heading into a pool or body of water. Buy the Series 9 if you aren’t a swimmer and won’t be using these features to track laps in the pool.