The Apple Watch Series 10 is Apple’s thinnest wearable and comes with a new wide-angle OLED screen, which is the largest display Apple has used in a smartwatch to date. The new wearable runs on Apple’s S10 SiP (System in Package) and features a number of new capabilities, including alerts for sleep apnea, a condition in which people stop breathing while they sleep. The Apple Series 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will also be able to play music and podcasts using the watch’s built-in speakers, as opposed to just using it as a speakerphone for calls.
In her very brief time with the wearables, my colleague Victoria Song remarked on how much of a difference the Series 10’s larger display makes. She also praised the new black colorway for the Series 10 and Ultra 2, though, admittedly, the clasp on the latter’s new Milanese Loop can be challenging to use. We’ll share more of our thoughts in our full review, but in the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about preordering both the Series 10 and the new Ultra 2.
The forthcoming Apple Watch Series 10 has been redesigned with a brighter wide-angle OLED display that’s even bigger than that of the Apple Watch Ultra. Apple also says it’s the company’s fastest-charging smartwatch to date, allowing it to reach up to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. The wearable is thinner overall, too, with rounder corners that make for a softer, more streamlined appearance.
The wearable comes with a few changes under the hood — most notably, a new S10 chip with a four-core neural engine. It also features new health and fitness features, including depth and temperature sensors as well as an accelerometer that detects breathing disturbances potentially related to sleep apnea. Once detected, the wearable sends alerts to the user and provides a detailed report to share with a doctor. The feature hasn’t yet received FDA approval, but Apple expects it to do so in the coming months. The wearable’s support for watchOS 11, meanwhile, introduces other fitness features, including a Training Load measurement and the ability to pause your Activity Rings.
Like previous models, Apple’s latest wearables will be available in both titanium and aluminum finishes. Depending on which you choose, you have the option of the following colors: silver, rose gold, jet black, dark gray, and a “natural” light gray shade. You can currently preorder the GPS model from Apple in the 42mm size starting at $399 or the 46mm size starting at $429. If you want to add cellular connectivity, you can preorder the 42mm and 46mm models for $499 and $529, respectively.
The refreshed Apple Watch Ultra 2 now comes with a new “satin black” color option, marking the first time Apple has offered the wearable in more than one color. Like the Series 10, it will also support sleep apnea detection and play music and podcasts via the watch’s built-in speakers. Otherwise, it’s identical to the Ultra 2 released last year, which means it continues to cater to more athletic types than Apple’s other watches. It’s still the most rugged and long-lasting watch in Apple’s lineup, with a last-gen S9 processor and a second-gen ultra wideband chip.
The black Apple Watch Ultra 2 continues to come in one configuration — 49mm, with cellular connectivity — and will launch on September 20th with either an Ocean Band, an Alpine Loop, or a Trail Loop strap. You can preorder it from Apple starting today for $799 or with a matching titanium Milanese Loop for $899.