The Apple Watch Series 10 is better than the Watch Ultra in certain areas, and it’s available to buy

What’s going on?

Best Buy has the price of the Apple Watch Series 10with both the 42mm and 46mm models costing $70 less. The former costs $320 while the latter costs $359.

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With my larger wrists and preference for rugged watches designed for outdoor activities, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has been my favorite wearable for the past year. On the other hand, the more mainstream Apple Watch Series models always felt too small and limited to meet my needs. That’s why I was thrilled when the new Series 10 was announced last month, with larger displays and thinner designs than ever before.

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After trying the new one Jet black 46mm Apple Watch Series 10I wouldn’t go so far as to say it beats the Watch Ultra 2, but the newer model certainly offers attractive features that will likely appeal to most users. Here’s what I liked about the latest Apple Watch and what can be done better next year.

After unpacking, pairing, and attaching the Apple Watch Series 10, the first thing I noticed was its incredibly slim profile. At just 9.7mm thick (compared to the 14.4mm thickness of the Watch Ultra 2), it’s an engineering marvel how Apple managed to fit all the necessary sensors, electronics, batteries and antennas into such a compact design .

The thin and lightweight build not only feels great on the wrist, but also makes sleep tracking much more comfortable than with the Watch Ultra 2 (and other bulky wearables), which protrudes an extra 4.7mm and takes a bit of a beating at night. can feel bulky.

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One of the standout features, especially for sleep tracking enthusiasts, is the Apple Watch’s new ability to more accurately monitor sleep disorders. The Series 10 uses the accelerometer to estimate interruptions in your breathing, with the aim of detecting potential signs of sleep apnea.

While there is no dedicated app for sleep apnea, Apple Health on iPhone now displays any breathing disorders in the breathing section. An algorithm analyzes these patterns and alerts you if it detects possible sleep apnea, which you can then discuss with a healthcare provider. (Please note that all of this pre-visit information is not professional medical advice.) Fortunately, I sleep like a hibernating bear and have not had any issues with my sleep quality.

One of the standout features of the 46mm Series 10 is its larger display. Although it only offers 3% more screen real estate than the Watch Ultra 2, the smaller bezel around the screen makes it feel significantly larger. The Series 10 also features a wide-angle OLED, making the screen easy to read even from an angle – perfect for quick glances throughout the day.

However, I’m a bit spoiled by the Watch Ultra 2’s impressive battery life, easily lasting two full nights and two full days on a single charge. In contrast, the Series 10 requires daily charging, but Apple has thankfully integrated faster charging technology. You can now get up to 80% battery charge in just 30 minutes, or about eight hours of use from a 15-minute quick charge.

Personally, I’ve made it part of my routine to take the watch off in the morning and charge it while I get ready for the day, which gives me more than enough battery for the next morning. That is to say. for most people, the Series 10’s thinner and lighter design is well worth the trade-off in battery life.

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As impressive as the Apple Watch Series 10 is (and I expect it will appeal to most people looking for the best Apple Watch), there are still three main reasons why I won’t be switching from my Watch Ultra 2.

• Robust design: I regularly bump my watch while running, hiking, mountain biking and fly fishing, so I need a device that can take a beating. The Watch Ultra 2’s titanium casing provides solid protection for the sapphire glass display while protecting the right button and digital crown. I also regularly use the Action button to quickly launch the flashlight – a feature I’ve come to rely on.
• Siren: Now that I’m in my mid-50s, I often enjoy outdoor activities alone, so having a reliable safety feature like the Ultra 2’s siren gives me peace of mind. I’ve had a few spills while trail running and cycling, so knowing I have an easy way to ask for help if something like this happens again is a major plus.
• Precision Start & Night Mode Dial: One of my biggest pet peeves with fitness watches is the mandatory countdown before starting an activity. I was disappointed to experience this during my first run with the Apple Watch Series 10. However, the Watch Ultra 2 offers a precision start GPS option, allowing me to capture a GPS signal and complete any last-minute preparations before starting the activity – no frustrating countdown.

Also: I changed these 8 Apple Watch settings to significantly improve battery life

I hope this feature will be rolled out to all Apple Watch models in a future software update. Another feature I love is the Ultra 2’s night mode watch face, which turns everything red at night to preserve night vision. Other watches, such as the Garmin OLED and Amazfit T-Rex 3also offer red or green text for better visibility in the dark. Again, this seems like a feature that could easily be provided with a software update for all Apple Watches.

While the Watch Ultra 2 includes several advanced features, Apple’s software is so intuitive that many of these extras may not make much of a difference to the casual consumer. I realize that I am part of a niche group of watch users who value aspects such as durability and safety features above all else. Maybe you don’t have the same issues with the Apple Watch Series 10 that I do.

Also: 6 Compelling Reasons to Buy an Apple Watch, According to a Wearables Expert

The Apple Watch Series 10 launches with WatchOS 11, which introduces the Vitals app, Training Load, Smart Stack with gesture support, U.S. National Park maps, and more. The gestures on the Series 10 work flawlessly, and in my experience are much more reliable compared to the swipe and finger tap input of other wearables, including the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Buying advice from ZDNET

Apple has made some solid improvements with the Watch series 10which is still the best smartwatch on the market. The Jet Black finish is particularly stunning if you prefer the classic, glossy iPhone 7 aesthetic, and it pairs nicely with a wide variety of watch straps.

The Watch Series 10 retains the signature circular design we first saw a decade ago, but with its sleek 9.7mm thickness it practically disappears on your wrist, while still packing in the very latest technology. Fast charging is a welcome addition, and WatchOS 11 really takes health and wellness tracking to the next level.