The first bit of hardware news Apple dropped during the It’s Glowtime iPhone 16 launch event on Monday was about the Apple Watch Series 10. The headline here is the larger screen — now bumped up to 42 or 46mm — paired with an overall thinner design. Our own Billy Steele and Cherlynn Low were on the ground in Cupertino giving us live updates. They also had a chance to put their hands on the new devices, including trying on the new wearable.
A new Apple Watch SE was not announced during the event, though it remains part of the official lineup. Last year’s Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still the company’s most recent high-end wearable, only getting an additional shiny black colorway instead of a new model. We’ll put out a full review once we’ve had a chance to really put the Series 10 through its paces, but if you already know you want the new Apple Watch ASAP, here’s how to pre-order before it hits stores on September 20.
Apple
The Apple Watch has always come in two sizes; For the past few generations, your options were 41 or 45mm case measurements. Now with the Apple Watch 10, you can pick between 42mm or 46mm. The wearable has a wide-angle OLED screen and now comes in two metal finishes: Aluminum or titanium. And despite the bigger screen, it’s 10 percent thinner than its predecessor and lighter overall.
Inside, there’s a new, more powerful S10 SiP. A built-in depth gauge, just like in the Ultra, will help with diving and other underwater activities. And, during sleep, the watch can now detect “breathing disturbances” to potentially identify sleep apnea.
Apple’s latest wearable will support watchOS 11, which we heard about during WWDC back in June. The software brings with it a slew of new health and fitness-focused features that the latest wearable will support, including Training Load and a new Vitals app.
We’re big fans of the previous generation — the Apple Watch Series 9 — and even named it the best smartwatch you can buy. Once we get ahold of this new one to test it out, we’ll let you know whether it fills the shoes of its predecessor.
The new Apple Watch 10 comes in a new polished aluminum jet black colorway, along with rose gold and silver aluminum. The new Titanum finishes include natural, gold and slate. The watches start at $399 for the aluminum case and $699 for titanium. Pre-orders opened the same day as the event at the Apple Store and the wearables should start shipping on September 20.
Apple
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 didn’t get a full update, but it does have a new black finish. There’s also a new Titanium Milanese strap — which adds $100 to the price.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 still comes in just one size, 49mm. The watch with the new finish costs $799 and will open to pre-orders today, with units hitting shelves on September 20.
Catch up on all the news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!