Apple Watch Series 9 vs Apple Watch Series 10: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The Apple Watch Series 10 picks up where the Apple Watch Series 9 left off. Close matchups are the hardest to call, and the Apple Watch Series 9 versus the Apple Watch Series 10 is one of them. Below, you’ll find every meaningful difference and what it means in daily use.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Tie
- Battery Life Tie
- Smart Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display7.5
- Health & Fitness Sensors7.1
- Battery Life0.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity10.0
- Display7.5
- Health & Fitness Sensors7.1
- Battery Life0.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a 0.08 oz lighter case
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The Apple Watch Series 10’s 1.28 oz beats the Apple Watch Series 9’s 1.37 oz. A lighter watch is easier to forget about, especially overnight and during workouts.
-
The Apple Watch Series 10 has a 0.04 in slimmer case
The Apple Watch Series 10 wins this narrowly, 0.38 in against 0.42 in, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. A slimmer case sits closer to the wrist, slides under shirt cuffs and feels better during sleep.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 9 45 mm × 0.42 in
- Apple Watch Series 10 46 mm × 0.38 in
The Apple Watch Series 10 simply takes up more room than the Apple Watch Series 9, whether that’s on a desk, in a bag or in a parking space. The Apple Watch Series 9 weighs in 0.08 oz above the Apple Watch Series 10. The Apple Watch Series 10 is 0.04 in thinner than the Apple Watch Series 9.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 46 mm |
| Available sizes | 41 mm, 45 mm | 42 mm, 46 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel | Aluminum, titanium |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.38 in (winner) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.37 oz | 1.28 oz (winner) |
Display
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on display; the numbers are close throughout. Neither watch gives you a reason to choose it on display.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to health & fitness sensors. So health & fitness sensors is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery Life
Too close to call
Side by side, the battery life figures for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Series 10 barely differ. Both cover battery life well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
The Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Series 10 match each other closely in this area. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | Always-On wide-angle LTPO3 OLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 396 x 484 | 416 x 496 |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | Yes | Yes |
| Skin temperature | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Built-in L1 GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) | Built-in L1 GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 18 h |
| Rated life in low-power modeManufacturer rating | 36 h | 36 h |
| Charging | Fast charging, 0 to 80% in about 45 min | Fast charging, 0 to 80% in about 30 min |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S9 | S10 |
| Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Software | watchOS | watchOS |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 45 mm | 46 mm |
| Available sizes | 41 mm, 45 mm | 42 mm, 46 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel | Aluminum, titanium |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.38 in (winner) |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.37 oz | 1.28 oz (winner) |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 | $399 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are identical, so value comes down to which strengths you prefer.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of September 2024. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 9 if…
- you don’t need what the newer model adds
- you prefer something easier to fit into tight spaces
Choose the Apple Watch Series 10 if…
- you want the lighter watch (1.28 oz vs 1.37 oz)
- you want the slimmer watch (0.38 in vs 0.42 in)
- you want the changes the Apple Watch Series 10 brings over its predecessor
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Apple Watch Series 10?
We’d point most buyers to the Apple Watch Series 10. The main exception is if you already have the Apple Watch Series 9 and it works fine.
Should I upgrade from the Apple Watch Series 9 to the Apple Watch Series 10?
For most owners, it’s a meaningful step. The Apple Watch Series 10 brings a 0.08 oz lighter case and a 0.04 in slimmer case over the Apple Watch Series 9.
Does the Apple Watch Series 9 last longer on a charge than the Apple Watch Series 10?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Series 10 are too close to call.
Which is larger, the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Apple Watch Series 10?
Going by the official dimensions, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the larger one: 0.38 in against the Apple Watch Series 9’s 0.42 in.
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 lighter than the Apple Watch Series 10?
On the scale, the Apple Watch Series 10 comes out ahead at 0.08 oz lighter than the Apple Watch Series 9.
Executive Summary
Here’s what I’d tell a friend who asked me about the Apple Watch Series 10 versus the Apple Watch Series 9. It’s hard to argue with a 0.08 oz lighter case, which is exactly what the Apple Watch Series 10 brings.
Fit matters more than scores here. The Apple Watch Series 9 suits buyers focused on the things a spec sheet can’t capture; the Apple Watch Series 10 suits those focused on portability.
My pick: the Apple Watch Series 10, unless you’re already on the Apple Watch Series 9 and happy with it.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.