Review: Two Months With the Apple Watch Series 10

It's been two months since Apple released the Apple Watch Series 10, and MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using the Series 10 alongside an Apple Watch Ultra 2 to provide a longer term review and comparison.


The larger version of the Series 10 has the biggest display of any Apple Watch, including the Ultra 2, but it's only a little bit bigger than the Ultra 2 so you're not missing out on much if you have Apple's more rugged watch. The Series 10 is lighter and thinner, though, so it can be more comfortable.

In addition to having the largest display, the Series 10 has better visibility at an angle, so you can better see the time regardless of what you're doing. There's a 1Hz minimum refresh rate too so you get an always-on second hand with some watch faces.

Apple added sleep apnea detection to the Series 10, but the Apple Watch Ultra got it too, so there's no real distinguishing health feature to set it apart. It basically has all the same features as the Ultra 2, including the Dive app and a Tides app, but it can't be used for deep water diving because it doesn't have the same depth resistance. Also unique to the Ultra 2 is the siren sound.

Given the near feature parity, if you have an Ultra 2, there's probably no reason to get the Series 10 at this point, unless you want a watch that's slimmer and lighter. If you're trying to decide between the Ultra 2 and the Series 10, it's between weight and battery life. The Series 10 is lighter and more comfortable, but the Ultra 2 has much longer battery life.

What are your Apple Watch Series 10 thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
iPhone Fold Vertical Feature

Why Apple's Foldable iPhone May Be Smaller Than Expected

Tuesday December 23, 2025 5:21 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone, rumored for release next year, may turn out to be smaller than most people imagine, if a recent report is anything to go by. According to The Information, the outer display on the book-style device will measure just 5.3 inches – that's smaller than the 5.4-inch screen on the ‌iPhone‌ mini, a line Apple discontinued in 2022 due to poor sales. The report has led ...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch

Tuesday December 23, 2025 11:55 am PST by
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18...
iPhone SE Cosmopolitan Clean

Apple Discontinued These 25 Products This Year

Wednesday December 24, 2025 7:24 am PST by
With the end of 2025 near, the time has come to look back at the devices and accessories that Apple discontinued throughout the year. Most of the products that were discontinued this year were simply replaced by a new model with an updated chip. However, the iPhone SE line was entirely discontinued when the iPhone 16e launched, and the iPhone Plus line is being phased out. Below, we have...

Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
15 months ago

My OG SE battery has started to act weird. Some days it lasts all day (6a - 9p) and some days it's dead at noon. I have no notifications on and I rarely use it for anything but Fitness tracking - not Olympic level training either. I don't do sleep tracking. I like the mindfulness app to force me to take breaks throughout the day, too. Otherwise, it's just an extension of my phone for quick weather or time tracking.

I'm really tempted by the 10, and I know it would be a huge upgrade, but I think even the 2nd gen SE would be a good (and cheaper) upgrade for me.

Was anyone in my boat and made either choice?
My series 6 went from all day, plus a 1+ hour gps-recorded run, to being dead by 3pm when I updated to watchOS 11. Photo syncing was the culprit; turned it off and all is back to normal. I was ready to ditch it for the 10, too.

Watch/Photos/Photo Syncing/off.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dbc34 Avatar
15 months ago
I love my Series 10. I went back and forth with the Ultra 2 and Series 10. Couldn’t The siren on the Ultra was neat. The roll to red night vision was cool. I like the Ultra Modular face and the flat face of the Ultra, but the the weight was huge, I wear my watch to sleep every night. I decided on the 10 after wearing each for about a week. I’ve been extremely happy with my choice. And now with it getting colder I’ve noticed my sweater cuffs, jackets, half zip running jackets, etc…all seem to agree with the thinness of the 10 vs the bulky Ultra. The battery was a concern too, but I’ll tell you the charging is super fast on the 10. I put it on the puck when I shower after workouts and don’t have to charge it anymore during the day.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Entilzha Avatar
15 months ago
The larger battery life of the Ultra 2 outweighs any other benefit I’d get from the 10, honestly.

My local Apple Store gave me an Ultra 2 (tho I paid an extra $50 for the upgrade bump) due to the AppleCare repair folks refusing service on my clearly-having-battery-issues SS series 7 back in February, and the extra battery was truly amazing for me. No daily recharge was a huge thing.

I love the look of the series 10, but I’ll live with the extra weight and G-Shockiness of my Ultra 2 for the time being!

But dang, that titanium 10 sure does look nice…
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AgeOfSpiracles Avatar
15 months ago

I like the 10, but no blood oxygen is a major Disappointment. Apple being cheap.
The hardware is still there, so I have hope that it will be re-enabled after the legal disupte is dead.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Entilzha Avatar
15 months ago

My OG SE battery has started to act weird. Some days it lasts all day (6a - 9p) and some days it's dead at noon. I have no notifications on and I rarely use it for anything but Fitness tracking - not Olympic level training either. I don't do sleep tracking. I like the mindfulness app to force me to take breaks throughout the day, too. Otherwise, it's just an extension of my phone for quick weather or time tracking.

I'm really tempted by the 10, and I know it would be a huge upgrade, but I think even the 2nd gen SE would be a good (and cheaper) upgrade for me.

Was anyone in my boat and made either choice?
Go for the 10. There should be some good deals next week, and it’ll last for a good long while!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ralphdaily Avatar
15 months ago
My series 10 is by far the nicest Apple Watch I’ve had and I’ve had most of them including the 9. it’s noticeably thinner, display is easier to read and the gold Milanese loop is beautiful on my 42mm gold titanium watch. I have no interest in the Ultra. P.S. I really like the gold Reflections face.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)