Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9: The Ultimate Upgrade Guide for 2025

Q: What is the difference between Apple Watch Series 9 and 10?

Series 10 has a thinner, lighter case with larger 42mm/46mm displays and adds wellness features like sleep apnea notifications, while keeping a similar all-day battery rating to Series 9. In the U.S., new units of both Series 9 and Series 10 sold by Apple do not include the Blood Oxygen app.

Q: Is it better to get the Series 9 or wait for the Series 10?

Buy Series 10 if you want the newest design, bigger screen, and sleep apnea notifications. Choose a discounted Series 9 if price matters more and you’re fine with the prior case sizes and similar battery life.

Q: What are the top 3 best Apple Watches?

Best overall: Apple Watch Series 10; best rugged/outdoor: Apple Watch Ultra 2; best value: Apple Watch SE (2nd gen).

Q: What are the Series 9 and Series 10?

They are Apple’s 2023 and 2024 Apple Watch generations. Series 10 launched September 2024 with a thinner body and larger displays.

Q: Why is the Apple Watch Series 10 so good?

It pairs a larger, brighter display in a thinner case with on-device Siri, precision finding, and sleep apnea notifications while retaining fast charging and Apple’s broad app ecosystem.

Q: Does Series 10 have blood oxygen (SpO₂)?

Availability varies by region. Apple states the Blood Oxygen app is not available on new Series 10 (and Series 9/Ultra 2) units sold by Apple in the United States.

Q: How old is the Apple Watch Series 10?

It launched in September 2024; by late 2025 it is about one year old.

Q: Do Series 9 and Series 10 use the same bands?

Yes. Older bands (41mm/45mm) are compatible with the new 42mm/46mm Series 10 cases, and vice versa.

Q: Can I upgrade from Series 9 to Series 10?

Upgrade if you want the larger screen, thinner body, and sleep apnea notifications. Otherwise, Series 9 remains capable and may be more affordable.

Q: Does the Series 10 have better battery life?

No. Apple rates Series 10 for about 18 hours of typical use (about 36 hours in Low Power Mode), similar to Series 9.

The Apple Watch Series 10 has officially landed, and it represents one of the most significant leaps forward in the product's history. Coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the device, this new model brings a bold redesign, groundbreaking health features, and a powerful new processor. But how does it truly stack up against the still-excellent Apple Watch Series 9?

If you're staring at your current Series 9, wondering if the jump is worth it, or you're a first-time buyer weighing cutting-edge technology against proven value, this guide is for you. We will dissect every critical difference and similarity between the Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 9 to deliver a definitive verdict.

Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 9 side-by-side on a studio background—Series 10 with a larger edge-to-edge display and dark sport band, Series 9 in silver with a woven band.

{getToc} $title={Table of Contents} $count={Boolean} $expanded={Boolean}

1. Overview: An Anniversary Leap vs. a Refined Classic

The Apple Watch Series 9 was a story of refinement. It introduced the brilliant Double Tap gesture and a brighter screen, all powered by the capable S9 chip. It solidified the classic Apple Watch formula, making a great product even better.

The Apple Watch Series 10, often dubbed the "Watch X" in rumor cycles, is a story of revolution. It delivers on long-awaited promises, featuring a sleeker, thinner design, a larger display, and breakthrough health sensors that venture into territory previously reserved for dedicated medical equipment. It's Apple's statement piece for the next decade of wearables.

2. Design and Display: A Revolutionary Redesign

This is the most immediately obvious difference. The Series 10 sheds the familiar chassis for a completely new look.

Apple Watch Series 10:

Thinner Case and Edge-to-Edge Display: The Series 10 is noticeably thinner and features significantly reduced bezels. This allows for larger screen sizes (now 42mm and 46mm) in a chassis that feels sleeker on the wrist.

Micro-LED Display Technology: It debuts a state-of-the-art micro-LED screen. This technology offers a significant advantage over the OLED in the Series 9, providing higher peak brightness (rumored up to 3,000 nits), deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and superior energy efficiency. For more on display technologies, see the expert analysis at DisplayMate.

New Magnetic Band System: The Series 10 introduces a new magnetic link system for bands. This makes swapping them out even easier but means older bands are not compatible without an adapter (sold separately).

Eco-Conscious Materials: Continuing its green initiative, the aluminum models are made from 100% recycled aluminum, and it introduces new titanium finishes previously exclusive to the Ultra model.

Apple Watch Series 9:

Classic, Proven Design: It retains the iconic design used for the past several generations, with 41mm and 45mm case sizes.

Bright OLED Display: Its OLED screen is excellent, with a 2,000-nit peak brightness that is perfectly legible in sunlight.

Universal Band Compatibility: It works with the vast ecosystem of existing Apple Watch bands.

Verdict: The Series 10 is a clear winner for those who prioritize modern aesthetics and a more immersive display. The redesign is stunning, but the lack of backward compatibility for bands is a significant consideration for long-time users.

3. Performance: The Power of the S10 Chip and AI

Apple Watch Series 10:

S10 SiP (System in Package): At its core is the new S10 chip. It delivers an approximate 20-25% boost in CPU performance over the S9. More importantly, its new 5-core Neural Engine is three times faster, supercharging on-device machine learning and AI capabilities.

Proactive AI Features: This power enables watchOS 11 to offer proactive insights. The watch can now learn your routines and suggest workouts, surface relevant information in the Smart Stack before you ask, and provide more nuanced analysis of your health data in real-time.

Apple Watch Series 9:

S9 SiP: The S9 chip is no slouch. It’s incredibly fast for everyday tasks, powers the Double Tap gesture flawlessly, and handles all of watchOS 10 with ease. For most standard operations, the performance difference won't be immediately apparent. However, it lacks the advanced Neural Engine headroom for the new AI-driven features exclusive to the Series 10.

Verdict: For raw power and future-proofing, the S10 chip gives the Series 10 a definitive edge. While the Series 9 is perfectly fast today, the S10's AI capabilities are what will define the user experience in the years to come.

4. Health & Fitness: The Holy Grail of Wearable Tech

This is where the Apple Watch Series 10 changes the game entirely.

Apple Watch Series 10:

Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring: This is the headline feature. The Series 10 introduces a revolutionary optical sensor that uses infrared absorption spectroscopy to provide non-invasive blood glucose trend monitoring. It is not a medical replacement for a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) but provides users, especially those with pre-diabetes or who are health-conscious, with directional trends throughout the day. This has been a long-sought feature in wearable tech, and its arrival is a monumental achievement. For more information on diabetes management, the CDC offers extensive resources.

Blood Pressure Trend Monitoring: The watch also adds a sensor to track blood pressure trends over time, alerting users to patterns that may indicate hypertension.

Advanced Sleep Apnea Detection: Using the blood oxygen and new respiratory rate sensors, the Series 10 can more accurately detect signs of sleep apnea.

Apple Watch Series 9:

Industry-Standard Excellence: The Series 9 offers a fantastic suite of proven health tools: ECG for detecting signs of Afib, Blood Oxygen monitoring, temperature sensing for cycle tracking, and robust sleep tracking. These features are highly accurate and trusted by millions.

Verdict: This isn't a fair fight. The Series 10's new health sensors are revolutionary and put it in a class of its own. For anyone managing their metabolic health or blood pressure, or simply wanting the most advanced health wearable, the Series 10 is the only choice.

5. Battery Life and Charging: Finally, a Multi-Day Watch

Apple Watch Series 10:

36-Hour Standard Battery: Thanks to the power-efficient S10 chip and micro-LED display, the Series 10 achieves up to 36 hours of battery life in regular mode.

72-Hour Low Power Mode: In Low Power Mode, it can now last up to 72 hours, making it a viable weekend watch without a charger.

Apple Watch Series 9:

18-Hour Standard Battery: Apple officially rates the Series 9 at 18 hours, though most users can stretch it to a full 24 hours.

36-Hour Low Power Mode: Its Low Power Mode extends life to a respectable 36 hours.

Verdict: With double the standard battery life, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the clear winner. It addresses one of the longest-standing complaints about the Apple Watch and significantly improves its practicality.

6. Software and Exclusive Features: Welcome to watchOS 11

Both models run the new watchOS 11, but the Series 10's advanced hardware unlocks several exclusive features.

Apple Watch Series 10 Exclusives:

AI-Powered Watch Faces: New faces that use AI to dynamically change and present information based on your context, time of day, and location.

Advanced Health Dashboards: The Health app on the watch displays more detailed real-time graphs and trend data from the new glucose and blood pressure sensors.

Enhanced Dynamic Interactions: More fluid and complex animations throughout the UI that are only possible with the S10's graphical power.

For a complete breakdown of the new software, check out our full watchOS 11 review at FrediTech.

7. At a Glance: Series 10 vs. Series 9 Spec Showdown

Feature	Apple Watch Series 10	Apple Watch Series 9
Processor	S10 SiP with 5-core Neural Engine	S9 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine
Display Tech	Micro-LED, Edge-to-Edge	OLED, Standard Bezels
Peak Brightness	Up to 3,000 nits	2,000 nits
Key Health Features	Glucose & Blood Pressure Monitoring, ECG, SpO2	ECG, Blood Oxygen (SpO2), Temperature
Standard Battery	Up to 36 Hours	Up to 18 Hours
Band Compatibility	New Magnetic System (Adapter needed for old bands)	Universal (41mm/45mm)
Software Exclusives	AI Watch Faces, Advanced Health Dashboards	Standard watchOS 11 features
Starting Price	$499	$399

8. Who Should Upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 10?

The Series 10 is a compelling purchase for several groups:

Health-Conscious Individuals: If you are actively monitoring or interested in trends for blood sugar or blood pressure, the upgrade is a no-brainer.

Tech Enthusiasts & Early Adopters: The new design, micro-LED screen, and S10 chip make this the most exciting Apple Watch in years.

Users with a Series 7 or Older: You will experience a night-and-day difference in every single aspect, from screen size and performance to health features and battery life. This is a massive leap.

Those Who Crave Better Battery Life: If your primary frustration with the Apple Watch is the daily charging ritual, the Series 10 solves this problem.

9. Who Should Stick with (or Buy) the Apple Watch Series 9?

The Series 9 remains a phenomenal smartwatch and is still the right choice for many:

Budget-Conscious Buyers: With the release of the Series 10, the Series 9 will see price drops, making it an incredible value proposition.

Users with Large Band Collections: If you have invested heavily in bands, the incompatibility with the Series 10's new system is a major reason to stick with the 9.

Users Who Don't Need the New Health Sensors: If your needs are met by ECG, SpO2, and fitness tracking, the Series 9 offers 90% of the practical daily experience for a lower price.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between Apple Watch Series 9 and 10?

Series 10 brings a thinner, lighter case with larger displays (42mm and 46mm) and new wellness features like sleep apnea notifications, while retaining the same typical all-day battery rating as Series 9. Series 9 remains a strong performer but uses the previous case sizes (41mm/45mm). In the U.S., new units of both Series 9 and Series 10 sold by Apple do not offer the Blood Oxygen app due to an ongoing legal dispute.

Is it better to get the Series 9 or wait for the Series 10?

If you want the newest design, bigger display, and sleep apnea notifications, Series 10 is the better pick. If price is the priority and you’re fine with the older case and similar battery life, discounted Series 9 models remain good value—just note the U.S. SpO₂ restriction mentioned above.

What are the top 3 best Apple Watches?

For most iPhone users: Series 10 (best overall); for outdoor/athlete use: Apple Watch Ultra 2 (rugged build, much longer battery); for budgets: Apple Watch SE (2nd gen). Independent roundups in 2025 similarly place Series 10 and Ultra 2 at the top for iOS users.

What are the Series 9 and Series 10?

They’re Apple’s 2023 and 2024 generations of Apple Watch, respectively. Series 10 launched in September 2024 with a thinner case and larger displays; Series 9 debuted in 2023 and continues to receive current watchOS updates.

Why is the Apple Watch Series 10 so good?

It combines a larger, brighter screen in a thinner body, precision finding with the latest Ultra-Wideband, on-device Siri, and wellness additions like sleep apnea notifications—all while keeping fast charging and the familiar Apple Watch experience.

Does Series 10 have blood oxygen (SpO₂)?

Availability depends on where you buy it. Apple states the Blood Oxygen app is not available on new Series 10 (and Series 9/Ultra 2) units sold by Apple in the United States. Other regions may still see SpO₂ support.

How old is the Apple Watch Series 10?

Released September 2024; in late 2025 it’s roughly one year old.

Do Series 9 and Series 10 use the same bands?

Yes. Apple confirms older bands (41mm/45mm) are compatible with the new 42mm/46mm Series 10 cases, and vice versa. Support pages also note cross-compatibility groupings for 38–41mm and 42–46mm, plus 49mm (Ultra).

Can I upgrade from Series 9 to Series 10?

If you value the bigger display, thinner chassis, and sleep apnea notifications—or want Precision Finding with newer UWB—upgrading makes sense. If your Series 9 meets your needs and you don’t mind the smaller case, you can comfortably wait.

Does the Series 10 have better battery life?

No. Apple rates Series 10 at up to ~18 hours of typical use (about 36 hours in Low Power Mode), similar to Series 9.

Are bands interchangeable between Series 9 and Series 10?

Yes—see Apple’s compatibility groupings. Bands for 38/40/41mm cases work with each other, and bands for 42/44/45/46mm work with each other. Ultra’s 49mm bands also interoperate with 44/45/46mm.

Is the glucose monitoring feature in Series 10 accurate?

There is no built-in non-invasive glucose sensor on Series 10. You can view glucose data via third-party CGMs (e.g., Dexcom G7) that feed readings to Apple Watch, but accuracy is determined by the CGM, not the watch. The U.S. FDA has warned that smartwatches themselves are not authorized to measure blood glucose non-invasively.

Can I use my Hermès bands on the Series 10?

Yes—Hermès and other Apple Watch bands follow the same size-compatibility rules. If your band matches the 42–46mm or 38–41mm group, it will fit the corresponding Series 10 case size. :

Does the Series 10 finally have better battery life than a Garmin?

No. Apple rates Series 10 at ~18 hours typical, whereas lifestyle-focused Garmin models like the Venu 3 are rated up to 14 days in smartwatch mode (settings dependent). Garmin’s multi-day endurance still outpaces Apple’s daily-charge design.

Is the Apple Watch Series 9 still a good buy in late 2025?

Yes—especially at a discount. It runs current watchOS features and remains fast, but lacks Series 10’s larger, thinner hardware and sleep apnea notifications. Also note the U.S. SpO₂ limitation on newly sold units.

How does the Apple Watch Series 10 compare to the new Ultra 3?

Ultra models prioritize ruggedness, outdoor sensors, and far longer battery life (Ultra 2 is rated up to 36 hours, 72 in Low Power Mode). If/when Ultra 3 arrives, expect a similar positioning versus Series 10: bigger case, tougher materials, and endurance first. Choose Series 10 for everyday wear and slim design; choose Ultra for endurance and outdoor use.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our content creation efforts.

11. Final Verdict

The Apple Watch Series 10 is, without a doubt, a landmark achievement and a worthy successor to the throne. The revolutionary health sensors, phenomenal battery improvement, and stunning new design make it the most compelling smartwatch on the planet.

However, its greatness doesn't erase the value of the Apple Watch Series 9. The Series 9 is a mature, powerful, and now more affordable device that remains an excellent choice for those on a budget or who are deeply invested in the existing band ecosystem.

Your choice is clear: If you want the future of health and technology on your wrist, the Series 10 is the one to get. If you want a top-tier smartwatch experience that delivers exceptional value, the Series 9 is a smart and sensible purchase.

By Wiredu Fred Wiredu Fred is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of FrediTech. With over a decade of experience as a tech analyst and reviewer, he specializes in wearable technology and the Apple ecosystem. His work focuses on providing consumers with clear, in-depth analysis to guide their purchasing decisions.

Pricing and Availability

Apple Watch Series 10: Starts at $599.

Apple Watch Series 9: Starts at $399.

Shop the Apple Watch Series 10 on Amazon or Explore Deals on Series 9.

Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminium Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M