Unarguably, Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches in the world. The first Apple Watch was launched nearly a decade ago, and now Apple is ready to celebrate its success. With the milestone of enjoying popularity for nearly a decade, Apple is expected to come up with a special 10th-anniversary edition that we could see in 2024 or 2025. Although we are more than two months away from seeing the Apple Watch Series 10 (or Apple Watch X), some rumors and speculations have already started hitting the horizon. Here’s everything we know about the Apple Watch Series 10.
Apple Watch 10 Rumored Design
After the lackluster response from the Apple Watch Series 9, there were strong rumors that we’ll get to see the 2024 Apple Watch with a fresh-looking design. Also, since its inception, the Apple Watch comes in the same design. So, it’s long due for an upgrade. Now that Apple Watch will reach the 10-year milestone, it’s not too much to ask for a redesigned Apple Watch.
According to Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to come up with a thinner version of the Apple Watch, but he’s not sure if it’s coming in 2024 or 2025. This year, Apple launched its thinnest product ever, the 13-inch iPad Pro M4. Apple might stick to its ultraslim design philosophy and offer “thinnest and lightest” products across each category.
Last month, Apple Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that the Apple Watch Series 10 could get a major overhaul with a larger display and a thinner design. Kuo reported that the Apple Watch Series 10 might come in 45mm and 49mm size options, complemented with a thinner design. That’s a notable increase from the current 41mm and 45mm sizes.
In the same month (June 2024), we saw the first CAD renders of the Apple Watch Series 10, depicting a “larger” model boasting a 2-inch display, which is even bigger than the 1.93-inch display on the Apple Watch Ultra. The overall dimensions are roughly 46 x 39.7 x 11.6mm, which would make the upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 bigger than the Series 9 but smaller than the Ultra.
While the previous rumors hinted at a dramatic redesign, the CAD renders didn’t show any such evidence. Rather, they depict the straightforward revision of the Apple Watch Series 9 with a square display, a similar Digital Crown, and a Side button. Also, the renders don’t show any signs of a thinner case and a magnetic band attachment system, which has been rumored for a while now.
Health Features
Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to arrive with an array of new health features. One of the biggest possibilities is the inclusion of Blood pressure monitoring, allowing the smartwatch to detect hypertension. Although the Apple Watch won’t provide specific systolic and diastolic readings, it can inform users if their blood pressure is increasing.
The upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 could also arrive with Sleep apnea detection. With this feature, the Apple Watch Series 10 can use the collected sleep data and breathing patterns to monitor any signs of sleep apnea.
Also, there are rumors that Apple is developing an Apple Watch that can measure blood glucose. However, the technology is still in the works and would probably not be ready for the 2024 Apple Watch. The Cupertino tech giant aims to measure blood glucose using infrared and other sensors, so there’s no need to prick the skin. Till now, no one has discovered how to do it with utmost precision.
Magnetic Band Attachment System
According to Mark Gurman, Apple is working on a new magnetic attachment system that would free up space taken up by the cutouts for the current band attachment points. The available space could be utilized for a larger display or other internal components, ultimately leading to a thinner case. It’s worth knowing that an Apple Watch with a magnetic band attachment system won’t be compatible with older bands. At the moment, it isn’t clear if the magnetic band system will be ready for the Apple Watch X launch.
Battery Life
If there’s one thing to hate about the Apple Watch, it has to be the battery life. Most Apple Watch models can only last up to 18 hours with normal use, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can last you up to 36 hours on a single charge. Although you can use the Apple Watch’s low-power mode to make your smartwatch survive a little longer, a solid battery life still remains at the top of every Apple Watch user’s wishlist.
Interestingly, Apple might finally deliver a nice boost to the battery life with the Apple Watch Series 10. According to The Elec, Apple might include the new low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) technology on its upcoming Apple Watch which is scheduled for 2024. If this happens, the updated OLED display will be more power-efficient and deliver an improved battery life than the previous models.
Apple Watch 10 Expected Release Date & Price
Apple usually unveils its new Apple Watch models sometime in September, along with the new iPhone series. Unless the giant plans to break this tradition, the Apple Watch Series 10 is likely to release in September 2024.
However, there’s still confusion if Apple will release a new watch in 2024 or 2025. Apple announced the first Apple Watch in September 2014 but released it in April 2015. The giant might pick either date for the Apple Watch anniversary. If we put aside the “X” naming speculation for a while, it makes more sense to launch the Apple Watch Series 10 in 2024, rather than 2025.
Based on the previous pricing, the Apple Watch 10 or Apple Watch X might start at $399 for a 41mm size option. Whereas, the larger 45mm model might cost you $429. For cellular support, you might have to spend $499 for the 41mm size or $529 for the 45mm size model.
Will There Be an Anniversary Edition Apple Watch?
In 2017, Apple skipped the iPhone 9 and unveiled an iPhone X to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. So, there’s a fair chance that Apple might do the same with the Apple Watch. That said, at the moment, there isn’t any evidence of the special edition coming this year. Maybe, it could happen in 2025. Apple announced the original Apple Watch in September 2014 and released it in April 2015. So, Apple might offer a redesigned Apple Watch in 2025, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the device.
There have been persistent rumors that Apple is likely to offer a dramatically new generation of Apple Watch that will break band compatibility. Previously, Mark Gurman reported that Apple might launch the “Apple Watch X”, with a notable design upgrade, a thinner case, and a magnetic band attachment system. Now, that brings the question if Apple would call this the Watch X after already releasing a Series 10 in 2024. Well, certainly not, as it won’t make any sense and would be damn confusing. Who knows Apple could call it something else entirely. Surprises, after all.
That’s everything we know so far about the Apple Watch Series 10. We’ll update this piece as new leaks and rumors pile up in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Anshuman Jain
