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Just as Apple wasn’t the first brand to release a smartphone, it wasn’t the first brand to release a smartwatch either. But ask most people to name one, and they’ll probably say the Apple Watch, just as they’d probably say the iPhone.
The Apple Watch was first launched in 2015 and 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 mainstream smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10 (or is it called the Apple Watch X?).
So, when can you get one on your wrist and what new features will make it a tempting upgrade? This is all we know so far.
When will the Apple Watch Series 10 be released?
Apple has officially confirmed that the next event, titled ‘It’s Glowtime’, will take place September 9, 2024 at the Steve Jobs Theater in Apple Park, starting at 10am PT (5pm UTC).
This is when we’ll likely see the official launch of the Apple Watch Series 10, as well as the iPhone 16 series and new AirPods.
Here’s a look at when the previous versions made their debut:
There’s a small chance that Apple will delay the release until the Watch’s 10th anniversary in 2025, but that seems highly unlikely. We are also waiting for the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
How much will the Apple Watch Series 10 cost?
Apple Watch prices have remained relatively consistent in recent years, despite high inflation and economic uncertainty in many countries around the world.
Here are the starting prices of all sizes of the 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, prices for US customers have been solid, while UK buyers have experienced a little more variety.
The return to parity with the Apple Watch Series 9 is encouraging, so we’re hoping those prices remain intact when the 10th-gen model releases this year with watchOS 11.
What specifications and features will the Apple Watch Series 10 have?
Apple hasn’t made any official announcements about the Series 10 yet, but that hasn’t stopped many rumors from appearing online. Here are the ones to look out for:
New design
Since this is the 10th generation, there are rumors of an updated design for the Apple Watch 10.
In August 2023, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg said that Apple’s 2023 smartwatches would be minor updates before more significant changes are introduced this year. The first part of that turned out to be true: the Series 9 and Ultra 2 both looked very similar to their predecessors.
Jim Martin / Foundry
Jim Martin / Foundry
Jim Martin / Foundry
Gurman went on to say that the device would be known as the “Watch X,” mirroring what Apple did with the iPhone X in 2017. He also predicted that it will have a sleeker chassis and a potential new approach to bands.
Currently the bands are attached via grooves in the case, which take up some space, but the new ones could be magnetic, freeing up the internal space for more technology.
A Medium post from industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a pretty solid track record on Apple leaks, says that Apple will increase the size of the Series 10 models. Instead of the 41 and 45mm options offered on the Series 9, he states that these will be 45 and 49mm, and also agrees with Gurman that the devices will be thinner.
Kuo also reports that some components in the Series 10 will be manufactured using 3D printing. This will be handled by the Chinese company BLT, which specializes in metal 3D printing. The rumors also suggest that this will make the production of the Apple Watch cheaper, and that BLT may also produce Apple Watch cases in the future.
Another rumor from 91mobiles supports some of the design changes mentioned above, as it reportedly contains 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 Watch Ultra, which currently has a 1.93-inch panel.
It would also be a lot larger than the 1.7-inch panel of the Apple Watch Series 9. The report states that the dimensions of the Watch will be 46 x 39.7 x 11.6mm, which is a bit inconsistent is with the measurements mentioned in Ming-Chi Kuo’s article. Could this actually be a new Apple Watch Ultra instead?
Blood pressure monitoring
Health and fitness have always been a major factor in the success of the Apple Watch, with Apple primarily marketing it as a wellness device.
Features in this area appear to be getting a boost on the Series 10, with a reported ability to track the wearer’s blood pressure and warn of hypertension. That’s echoed by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who says it will “alert users” if they have high blood pressure and “suggest follow-up testing.”
While this will be a very valuable skill for many people, the actual technology and how it is achieved has not yet been explained. We’ve seen watches in the past with constricting bands to measure pressure, but we don’t see Apple going that route, especially if the new bands are magnetically attached.
Sleep apnea tracking
Another health feature rumored to be coming to the Apple Watch Series 10 is sleep apnea measurement.
This is a common condition in which a person may temporarily stop breathing while sleeping. It’s potentially dangerous, so a watch that can detect the problem and give wearers data to share with their doctor would be a valuable addition to the new model.
The same Bloomberg article mentioned above suggests it will work in a similar way to blood pressure, alerting you if problems with your nighttime breathing have been detected and suggesting next steps.
No micro LED display
One rumor that has been circulating for a while, but now seems to have been quashed, is that the Series 10 will have 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 longer battery life due to its energy efficiency, would not be ready for release in 2024 and may not be until will make its debut in 2026. arrives.
That’s all we’ve seen so far, but we’ll of course update this article as more information becomes available. In the meantime, be sure to check out the best Apple Watch guide on our sister publication Macworld, to see if you want to buy one now or wait until the Apple Watch 10 arrives.
You may be interested in similar articles about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Google Pixel Watch 3.