Just one year after the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple has announced a successor with the Series 11.
If you’re sporting last year’s Apple Watch Series 10 and considering an upgrade, you’re in luck. We’ve explained the noteworthy differences between the newly announced Apple Watch Series 11 and Series 10 below, to help you decide whether you really need to splurge on an upgrade.
Price and Availability
Announced today, September 9th, the Apple Watch Series 11 is available to pre-order now, ready for its launch on September 19. Much like the Apple Watch Series 10, it has a starting RRP of $399/£399.
At the time of writing, the Apple Watch Series 10 has a starting price of £399/$399 for its 42mm model. However, as Apple has just announced the Watch Series 11, we’d expect this price to drop in the coming weeks, plus considering it’s nearly a year old.
Apple Watch Series 11 supports 5G
Although both the Watch Series 10 and Series 11 offer cellular connectivity options, albeit at a higher price than the starting RRP, Apple Watch Series 11 benefits 5G connectivity too. 5G should provide an overall faster performance when on the move, whether you’re downloading music, podcasts or apps.
Not only that, but the Apple Watch Series 11 also features a redesigned cellular antenna which is not only more power efficient than before, but also helps to significantly increase the signal strength when needed.
Just remember that to benefit from cellular or mobile connectivity, you’ll need to ensure your Apple Watch Series 11 is compatible.
Apple Watch Series 11 offers up to 24 hours of battery life
It’s always been battery life that lets down Apple Watches, especially when compared to the likes of Garmin or Whoop which can offer multiple days and even weeks of life on a single charge. While the Apple Watch Series 11 does see a much-needed boost compared to its successor, it’s worth remembering it still doesn’t promise multiple days.
While the Apple Watch Series 10 offers up to 18 hours on a single charge, the Apple Watch Series 11 promises up to 24 hours for day and night tracking. The Series 11 also supports fast charging too, with Apple promising 15 minutes plugged in will result in up to eight hours of battery life.
Apple Watch Series 11’s display is more scratch resistant
While the iPhone 17 boasts Ceramic Shield 2, the Apple Watch Series 11 also sees a stronger display from its predecessor. In fact, Apple claims the aluminium Watch Series 11’s display is two times more scratch resistant than the Series 10, thanks to Ion-X glass.
Essentially, Apple explains Ion-X glass is a custom proprietary glass that “is already the toughest in the industry”. The Watch Series 11 display is treated with Apple-designed ceramic coating that then bonds to the Ion-X glass at an atomic level to significantly harden the surface.
Sure, we’ve never reported an issue with the recent Apple Watch displays, but an additional level of durability certainly doesn’t hurt.
Apple Watch Series 11 includes Sleep Score
One of the newest features of the Apple Watch Series 11, and also found in the upcoming Apple Watch SE 3, is the inclusion of Sleep Score. Essentially, Sleep Score analyses your sleep stages and, after each night, provides users with an overall score and classification in the Sleep app on Apple Watch.
The app then gives a clear breakdown of critical components to help users understand what they need to prioritise in order to improve their sleep.
Sound familiar? Sleep Score is a feature that’s also found across the best smartwatches, including Garmin, Fitbit and Samsung wearables. It’s a long overdue addition to Apple Watch, but a welcome one at that.
Apple Watch Series 11 notifies with possible Hypertension
Alongside its suite of health monitoring tools, including an ECG app, Apple Watch Series 11 is the first to introduce hypertension notifications. The notifications are designed to alert users if signs of chronic high blood pressure are detected, with the idea that users should log their blood pressure for seven days after the alert and share their results with a doctor.
Apple says FDA clearance for hypertension notifications is expected soon, and will be available in over 150 countries and regions by the end of September. This, however, isn’t an Apple Watch Series 11 exclusive and will also be available in the Watch Series 9 and later, plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Early Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 11 offers more tweaks than a complete overhaul compared to the Apple Watch Series 10. While we’re yet to review the wearable, it’s arguable that if you already have the Apple Watch Series 10, then it probably isn’t worth upgrading.
However, if you own an older Apple Watch then you’ll benefit from a better battery life, more tracking features and a more durable design too.
We’ll update this versus once we’ve reviewed the Apple Watch Series 11.
