Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 42mm case] Smartwatch – Pros and Cons Review

A Refined Smartwatch with Unmatched Appeal

The Apple Watch Series 10 (2025), is Apple’s most polished smartwatch yet, offering a larger display, advanced health features, and a sleek design. Available in 42mm or 46mm with aluminum or titanium cases, it runs watchOS 11 and targets iPhone users seeking a premium wearable. Here’s a detailed review of its pros and cons, emphasizing its standout strengths while noting three key drawbacks.

PROS

Vibrant, Larger Display: The Series 10’s 1.6-inch wide-angle OLED display (446×374 for 42mm, 496×416 for 46mm) is up to 9% larger than the Series 9, with 40% better off-angle brightness (2,000 nits). This makes notifications, maps, and apps like Messages sharper and easier to read, even in sunlight. The 1Hz refresh rate shows seconds in always-on mode, a first for Apple Watches, enhancing its traditional watch feel.

Advanced Health and Fitness Tracking: The Series 10 excels with FDA-authorized sleep apnea detection (after 10 nights of 4+ hours), ECG, heart rate, and temperature sensors. The Vitals app tracks overnight metrics like respiratory rate, while Training Load and Effort Rating help optimize workouts. With 40+ exercise modes, depth/water temperature sensors, and GPS accuracy rivaling Garmin, it’s a top fitness companion.

Sleek, Comfortable Design: At 9.7mm thick (10% thinner than Series 9) and as light as 34g (aluminum), the Series 10 is Apple’s slimmest watch, fitting snugly under cuffs. The titanium option offers a premium, scratch-resistant finish. IP6X dust and 50m water resistance ensure durability for swimming or rugged use. Colors like Jet Black and Gold add style.

Fast Charging and Smart Features: The Series 10 charges to 80% in ~30 minutes, a significant upgrade, making quick top-ups convenient. watchOS 11’s Smart Stack, Double Tap, and hands-free Siri enhance usability. Features like Fall/Crash Detection, Emergency SOS, and Check In provide safety. Apple Pay, music controls, and 64GB storage support apps like Maps and Podcasts.

Eco-Friendly and Future-Proof: The Series 10 is carbon-neutral with select bands (e.g., Sport Loop), using 30% recycled materials like aluminum and titanium. The S10 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine ensures smooth performance and supports future watchOS updates, making it a long-term investment for iPhone users.

CONS

Limited Battery Life: The 18-hour battery (24-28 hours in real-world tests) requires daily charging, lagging behind competitors like the Pixel Watch 3 (48 hours) or Amazfit Bip 6 (~14 days). Low Power Mode extends it to 36 hours but disables key features.

iPhone-Only Compatibility: The Series 10 doesn’t support Android, limiting its appeal to iPhone users (XS or later, iOS 18). This restricts its market compared to versatile watches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

Blood Oxygen Sensor Disabled: Due to a patent dispute with Masimo, the SpO2 sensor is disabled in the U.S., a notable omission for a smartwatch when competitors like Fitbit Versa 4 include it.

FINAL VERDICT

The Apple Watch Series 10 shines with its vibrant, larger display, advanced health tracking, and sleek design, making it the best smartwatch for iPhone users. Fast charging and eco-friendly build add value, but limited battery life, iPhone-only compatibility, and disabled SpO2 are drawbacks. It’s a top pick for upgrades from Series 6 or older.