TechSmartwatchesIs the Apple Watch done evolving? The Series 10’s subtle changes tell a different storyThe Series 10 may seem minor, but it could hold clues to the next era of Apple wearablesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechSmartwatchesIs the Apple Watch done evolving? The Series 10’s subtle changes tell a different storyThe Series 10 may seem minor, but it could hold clues to the next era of Apple wearablesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Series 10 may seem minor, but it could hold clues to the next era of Apple wearables
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
If you watched theApple 2024 Special Eventwith bated breath, like I did, to catch the first glimpse of what would surely become the future of allAppleWatches, you might feel slightly disappointed.
TheSeries 10, despite adding a new, brighter display, lighter chassis, and faster charging, failed to reinvent Apple’s wearable concept the same way theiPhoneX did in 2017. This begs the question: Has theApple Watchstopped evolving?
Will we ever see a drastically different Apple Watch, or is this it? What models in the past were landmark updates? And what does the Series 10 means for the future of the wearable? Let’s dive in.
The key moments in Apple Watch’s evolution
Apple’s journey with the Watch began with the the original model (now called Series 0 online) and theSeries 1, which firmly established the smartwatch category for the brand. At the outset, the focus was as much on fashion and aesthetics as it was on functionality, with the company positioning the Watch as a luxury accessory, thanks to collaborations with high-end brands like Hermès.
TheSeries 2marked a significant shift as Apple pivoted toward fitness and health tracking. This version introduced GPS, a crucial feature for runners and outdoor enthusiasts, allowing the Watch to track distance and location independently from the iPhone. Water resistance was another notable upgrade, opening up new use cases for swimmers and marking the Watch as a versatile fitness companion.
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Then came theSeries 4, arguably one of the most significant updates in the Apple Watch’s history. It was the first major redesign, featuring a larger display with slimmer bezels, which made the Watch feel more immersive without increasing the case size. But the real breakthroughs were in health features. The introduction of the FDA-cleared ECG function allowed users to monitor heart health with unprecedented accuracy, while fall detection added an essential safety feature for older users and those with mobility concerns.
Finally, let’s not forget theApple Watch Ultra, released in 2022, catered to a niche but growing market: extreme sports enthusiasts. Its more rugged design, enhanced GPS capabilities, and significantly longer battery life were tailored for athletes who need their gear to withstand the harshest conditions. The Ultra was a statement of Apple’s ambition to expand the Watch into specialized areas, offering a premium alternative for adventure seekers.
It’s clear that the Apple Watch Series 10 looks and works very differently from the Series 0, which goes to show that although some feature updates might not seem significant, they add up over time. That said, the Series 10’s upgrades can be considered small; what does this mean for the future of the wearable?
What lies ahead for the Apple Watch?
Apple’s approach with the Apple Watch Series 10, focusing on incremental improvements rather than a major overhaul, suggests a few possibilities for the future of the product line.
The Apple Watch has reached a stage of maturity, much like other Apple products (e.g., the iPhone and MacBook), where the focus is now on refinement rather than reinvention. The watch has already established a strong identity, design language, and set of features that work well for most users. Apple might feel that the core experience is solid enough that drastic changes aren’t necessary at this point.
As such, future updates to the Apple Watch might focus more on the software side, with WatchOS playing a bigger role in adding new functionalities and experiences. WithWatchOS 11, for example, we saw features like Smart Stacks, which enhanced usability without changing the hardware. This points to a potential future where major innovations come from the operating system rather than the hardware.
It’s likely Apple will prioritise adding new health and fitness sensors and metrics rather than a significant design overhaul. This is what’s happening with the AppleAirPodsPro 2, which will function as haring aids thanks to an upcoming software update. Future WatchOS updates could see deeper integration with medical-grade monitoring tools (e.g., glucose monitoring, mental health tracking).
Apple’s strategy with the Watch might mirror its iPhone development model, where revolutionary updates (like the iPhone X) happen less frequently, and instead, there are regular, smaller refinements. It’s possible we might eventually see a significant update, but Apple seems to be committed to a cycle of consistent, smaller improvements, ensuring that the watch remains relevant each year without needing to upend the design or functionality.
Does this mean we’ll never see a big update again?
It’s unlikely that we’llneversee a big Apple Watch update. Apple has a history of surprising its user base, and a major leap in design or functionality could come as the technology landscape changes (e.g., breakthroughs in battery life or display technology). However, Apple seems comfortable with the current pace of smaller, steady updates for now.
In the short term, it’s more likely that we’ll continue seeing gradual advancements in performance, health monitoring, and integration with other Apple services rather than a dramatic redesign.
Today’s best Apple Watch dealsApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 9$415.49ViewSee all pricesApple Watch SE (2022)$249$199ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch dealsApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 9$415.49ViewSee all pricesApple Watch SE (2022)$249$199ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch dealsApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 9$415.49ViewSee all pricesApple Watch SE (2022)$249$199ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch deals
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 9$415.49ViewSee all pricesApple Watch SE (2022)$249$199ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular
$193.65View
$193.65
$193.65
See all prices
Apple Watch Series 9$415.49ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 9$415.49ViewSee all prices
$415.49View
$415.49
$415.49
See all prices
Apple Watch SE (2022)$249$199ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch SE (2022)$249$199ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch SE (2022)
Apple Watch SE (2022)
$249$199View
$249$199
$199
See all prices
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra$19.45ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra
Apple Watch Ultra
$19.45View
$19.45
$19.45
See all prices
Apple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Ultra 2$799$759ViewSee all prices
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