Apple Watch Series 10
S10 SiP · 46 mm · Thinner case
Apple Watch Series 9
2023 · Fitness + health
Apple Watch Series 10 takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Apple Watch Series 10 lands at 90 and Apple Watch Series 9 at 88. That puts Apple Watch Series 10 ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Apple Watch Series 10 if…
- ✓Brightest Series display yet
- ✓Noticeably thinner
- ✓Sleep apnea + health suite
Pick Apple Watch Series 9 if…
- ✓Multi-day fitness tracking
- ✓GPS + heart rate
- ✓Notification mirroring
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testDisplay
Apple Watch Series 10Compared on the display sub-score
Apple Watch Series 10 leads on display (94 vs 88).
Health
Apple Watch Series 10Compared on the health sub-score
Apple Watch Series 10 leads on health (94 vs 86).
Fitness
Apple Watch Series 10Compared on the fitness sub-score
Apple Watch Series 10 leads on fitness (90 vs 88).
Value for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 10 | Apple Watch Series 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 46 mm LTPO Wide-angle OLED | — |
| Battery | 18 h (36 h low-power) | — |
| Water | 50 m | — |
| GPS | L1 | — |
| Release year | — | 2023 |
Apple Watch Series 10
- +Brightest Series display yet
- +Noticeably thinner
- +Sleep apnea + health suite
- −Still 18 h battery
- −iPhone required
- −No Ultra-grade GPS
Apple Watch Series 9
- +Multi-day fitness tracking
- +GPS + heart rate
- +Notification mirroring
- −Battery life varies dramatically
- −Companion phone required
- −Screen-on drains battery
FAQ: Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch Series 9
Which is better, Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Series 9? +
Apple Watch Series 10 scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Apple Watch Series 10 worth the price? +
At $399, Apple Watch Series 10 delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in display.
Is Apple Watch Series 9 worth the price? +
At $399, Apple Watch Series 9 delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in display.
Does Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Series 9 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for display, Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Series 9? +
Apple Watch Series 10 — leads on display (94 vs 88). Compared on the display sub-score.
Which is better for health, Apple Watch Series 10 or Apple Watch Series 9? +
Apple Watch Series 10 — leads on health (94 vs 86). Compared on the health sub-score.