At a Glance
- Apple Watch Series 11 keeps the same price as Series 10 but adds 5G, a 24-hour battery, and a new space-gray finish.
- Both models use the same S10 chip and LTPO 3 OLED display, but Series 11 offers more scratch-resistant glass.
- Series 11 adds a 5G RedCap capability and a 24-hour battery rating, up from 18 hours on Series 10.
Why it matters: If you’re deciding between buying a new Series 11 or a refurbished Series 10, the extra battery, 5G, and new color options could be decisive.
Apple’s latest smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 11, arrives with a familiar look but a handful of updates that may sway buyers from the older Series 10. The new watch keeps the same core hardware while adding 5G connectivity, a longer battery life, and a new space-gray aluminum finish.
Design and Build
The Series 11 shares its rectangular case and two sizes-42 mm and 46 mm-with the Series 10. The aluminum and titanium finishes are identical, though the titanium models now contain 100 % recycled titanium versus 95 % in Series 10.
- 46 mm aluminum GPS Series 11 weighs 37.8 g versus 36.4 g for Series 10; 42 mm versions weigh 30.3 g versus 30.0 g.
- New space-gray aluminum finish added to the lineup.
Display and Materials
Both watches use a wide-angle LTPO 3 OLED that can go from 1 nit to 2,000 nits. The Series 11’s aluminum models use Ion-X glass, twice as scratch-resistant as before, while the titanium models use sapphire crystal.
- Ion-X glass on aluminum models.
- Sapphire crystal on titanium models.
Processor and Sensors
Apple stuck with the S10 SoC, the W3 wireless chip, and a four-core Neural Engine. All health sensors-ECG, heart rate, skin temperature, depth gauge, SpO₂, noise monitoring-are unchanged.
Battery Life
Apple claims up to 24 hours of battery life on Series 11 versus 18 hours on Series 10, and 38 hours in Low Power Mode compared to 36 hours.
- 24 hours vs 18 hours.
- 38 hours vs 36 hours.
> With notifications turned on (heavy Slack-ing and texting), at least one 30- to 45-minute outdoor workout a day, a full night of sleep tracking and some mild flashlight use, I’ve consistently managed to squeeze between 27 and 32 hours per charge.
> Apple says that with a 20W power adapter, 15 minutes of fast charging provides up to 8 hours of regular use, while just five minutes is enough for eight hours of sleep tracking.
| Feature | Series 11 | Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | LTPO 3 OLED, 1-2,000 nits | LTPO 3 OLED, 1-2,000 nits |
| Battery | 24 h / 38 h Low Power | 18 h / 36 h Low Power |
| Connectivity | 5G RedCap, LTE, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3 | LTE, UMTS, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Price (GPS, aluminum) | $399 | $399 (Series 10 discontinued) |
Connectivity
Series 11’s cellular models now support 5G RedCap, whereas Series 10 only supports LTE and UMTS. Both use Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5.3.
- 5G RedCap on Series 11.
- LTE and UMTS on Series 10.
- Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) at 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz.
- Bluetooth 5.3.
Pricing
Series 11 starts at $399 for an aluminum GPS model and $699 for titanium, with $30 or $50 extra for the larger case. Adding cellular costs $100, and premium bands raise the price further, while a Hermès titanium edition starts at $1,249. Refurbished Series 10 watches are still available from Apple and other retailers.
WatchOS 26 Features
WatchOS 26 introduces hypertension alerts, a Sleep Score, and a Blood Oxygen app. The Wrist Flick gesture is available on both Series 11 and Series 10.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Watch Series 11 offers a 24-hour battery and 5G RedCap, up from 18 hours and LTE on Series 10.
- The new space-gray aluminum finish and recycled titanium finish add style and sustainability.
- For users who value extra connectivity and endurance, the Series 11 justifies its price; otherwise, a refurbished Series 10 remains a solid choice.
With the same core hardware but a longer battery, 5G support, and a new color, the Series 11 offers a modest upgrade over the Series 10. For users who value the extra connectivity and endurance, the newer model is worth the price; otherwise, a refurbished Series 10 remains a solid choice.
By Derrick M. Collins at News Of Fort Worth
