Apple long ago made real the sci-fi future of a computer on your wrist. We help you choose the right one for the present
It took a while for Apple Watch to find its niche. Initially dismissed as a bling plaything for the wealthy, it eventually found purpose in the world of health and fitness, along with giving you access to key everyday information.
Today, Apple offers three models. All require an iPhone to function, although once set up they can be used broadly independently – particularly if you’ve a GPS model, which can remain connected to the internet when out of range of your iPhone.
There are many older Apple Watch models, but we don’t recommend buying second hand, because a new Apple Watch SE is a solid budget buy. At most, go back a single generation (Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch Ultra) if you find a bargain.
Also be mindful that, in January 2024, a patent battle forced Apple to disable the blood oxygen feature in the USA. This does not at this time affect Apple Watch in the rest of the world.
Tight for time? Skip to the end for a lightning-fast overview on what to buy and when to upgrade.
Apple Watch SE
From $249/£219 • 40mm/44mm case • S8 chip • 18hr battery / Last updated September 7, 2022
Best for: an affordable Apple Watch entry point or an Apple Watch for kids
With Apple Watch SE, Apple pulls the same trick as with iPhone SE – powering older tech with a more modern chip. The result is an Apple Watch that’s hardly cutting-edge – its design debuted with 2018’s Series 4. But it has enough clout to not feel too old.
It’s a good combination, because the Series 4 design still holds up. The main downside is there’s no always-on display, so you must raise your wrist (and sometimes even shake your arm a bit) to have it turn on. And when it does, you’ll notice bigger bezels than on a Series 10, which means less information on the screen despite similar case sizes.
But the display is still bright and clear, and there are other positives too. The SE has most of the important features found on more expensive models, including Emergency SOS, fall and crash detection, and noise monitoring. For the money, it’s a solid buy – especially if you’re kitting out a family with Apple Watches. In fact, the less distracting screen might even be a boon for kids.
Pros: Affordable; packed with quality features
Cons: No ECG app; relatively large bezels; older chip
Apple Watch Series 10
From $399/£399 • 42mm/46 mm case • S10 chip • 18hr battery / Last updated September 9, 2024
Best for: a mix of new Apple Watch tech for a reasonable outlay
Outwardly, the Series 10 looks similar to the SE. But a subtle case revision means within a very similar form factor – to the degree old straps remain compatible – you get a superior display. It’s brighter and bigger, the 46mm beating even the Ultra. The edge-to-edge design provides precious extra pixels for displaying content and complications, and the wide-angle OLED can be seen from wider angles.
Interaction with the Series 10 also has two major upgrades from the SE. The always-on display can update every second, letting you track timers and other information without first raising your wrist or tapping the screen. And the double-tap gesture lets you perform actions one-handed, although we find we use this function rarely.
The S10 chip doesn’t hugely blaze ahead of the SE’s S8, but does add a couple of years to the device’s likely lifespan and – more importantly – precision finding from a modern iPhone. The Series 10 also supports fast-charging – unnecessary for typical use (a daily charge is fine), but handy after extended exercise sessions.
As an upgrade from the Series 9, this latest Apple Watch is unexciting. If you’ve a Series 6 or newer that’s still working well, don’t bother. But as a first Apple Watch when you’re not on a tight budget, the Series 10 is excellent.
Pros: Bigger, brighter always-on wide-angle display in almost the same case size; S10 chip
Cons: Adds little over Series 9/8/7/6; you’ll use double-tap less than you think
Apple Watch Ultra 2
From $799/£799 • 49mm case • S9 chip • 36hr battery / Last meaningfully updated September 12, 2023 – color updated September 9, 2024
Best for: users who crave more action – or an Action button
The clue should be in the name: Ultra – an Apple Watch that’s ‘extra’ in every sense. And it is bigger, with a single 49mm case option that’s bulky on smaller wrists – and, frankly, even some larger ones. But the screen originally designed for showing more workout metrics and real-time data is now marginally smaller than what you get on the 46mm Series 10. Hmm.
Still, other features cement the Ultra’s intended use-cases of sport and hiking. Precision GPS. The 3000 nits display working well even in bright sunlight. Suitability for recreational diving to 40m rather than just swimming. A siren you can hear from 600ft/180m away if injured in the wilderness. The rugged titanium case with screen-protecting edges.
Also, the customizable Action button is superb, dual speakers are useful for anyone, and few would turn down double the battery life – 36 hours or 72 in Low Power mode. However, given the expense and size, it’s disappointing Apple’s 2024 refresh was merely a new color This means the cheaper Series 10 has a newer chip and a screen viewable from more angles. So unless you really need this Apple Watch’s ‘ultra’ features, go for the Series 10.
Pros: Durable; very bright display; superior battery life
Cons: Too big and bulky for some; overkill for many; no wide-angle display; expensive
TL;DR
Still undecided? Here’s a lightning-fast comparison for when to buy and upgrade:
- Get the Apple Watch SE for a solid entry point to Apple wearables that’s still packed with features.
- Upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 10 for the always-on wide-angle edge-to-edge display, an extra two years of support, double tap, and more health features.
- Only get the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if one or more of the following is true: you do a lot of extreme sports or hiking; you want a much bigger watch (albeit now without a much larger display); you yearn for double the battery life; money’s no object.