Apple Watch Series 10 rumors: What we know so far and what we want to see

Update, July 2, 2024 (2:33 PM ET): We have updated our Apple Watch X hub with information about the Apple Watch Series 10, which is looking to be a lot more ordinary than the rumors had suggested.

Apple’s smartwatch line has enjoyed popularity for nearly a decade, and the company is ready to celebrate its success. Reportedly the Apple Watch Series 10 will see a few changes in honor of the Watch’s 10th anniversary. Unfortunately, it seems the changes are a lot less extensive than we’d previously been led to believe. Here’s all everything we know about the Apple Watch Series X, also known as the Watch Series 10.

Will there be an Apple Watch X?

While there will most certainly be a new Apple Watch this year, the expectations have shifted recently. Previously it was believed the next Apple Watch would have a major redesign with a new magnetic strap system and more. This watch would reportedly be rebranded as the Watch X and would commemorate the Watch’s 10th anniversary. Mark Gurman was one of those who championed this claim, but unfortunately, it seems the next Apple Watch might be a much smaller upgrade than rumors had led us to believe. While a bigger update to the Apple Watch might still be in the works for the future, it seems this year will instead focus on the Apple Series 10.

What is the most likely Apple Watch Series 10 release date?

• Apple Watch announced: 2014
• Original (Series 0): April 2015
• Series 1 and 2: September 2016
• Series 3: September 2017
• Series 4: September 2018
• Series 5: September 2019
• Series 6 and SE: September 2020
• Series 7: October 2021
• Series 8, Ultra, and SE 2022: September 2022
• Series 9 and Ultra 2: September 2023

The Apple Watch line follows one of the most consistent launch schedules in the wearables market. Since the device’s inception, at least one new Apple Watch has landed yearly. On a few occasions, the new model also arrived with an SE, or an Ultra, or in the case of 2022, alongside an SE and an Apple Watch Ultra.Unless Apple dramatically changes its strategy, it’s very likely the Apple Watch Series 10 will launch in September of 2024.

What specs and features could the Apple Watch Series 10 have?

While there were a lot of Apple Watch rumors previously, most of these centered around an alleged Anniversary Edition that would arrive either in 2024 or 2025. The rumor mill now suggests we will see a more ordinary Watch release this year with the Apple Watch Series 10. There’s a lot less known about the Watch Series 10 specifically, but we can tell you it will at least see a notable size boost this year.

Early CAD renders suggest this watch has a 2-inch display but other than that it offers pretty much the same old Apple design. The renders also don’t seem to give any evidence of the rumored new magnetic strap system, though it’s possible these renders aren’t fully accurate or there are missing elements we aren’t aware of.

We’ve heard a few other rumors about the so-called Apple Watch Series 10 that differ from the traditional Watch X rumors. For one, it may drop support for small-wristed people and is said to be coming in just 45mm and 49mm variants. The renders we’ve seen may be referencing the new, larger model. That’s about all else we know about Apple Watch Series 10, though we have heard rumors the next-gen Apple Watch Ultra might have very few differences from its predecessor which suggests minor changes across the line. This is further backed up by a report from Bloomberg that states “This year’s third-generation Apple Watch Ultra will have roughly the same look as the original, and the other watch models still resemble the Series 4 launched in 2018.”

Could a major anniversary upgrade still be coming?

While it’s very unlikely a special edition with major changes is coming anytime soon, it’s certainly possible this could still happen in 2015. After all, that is technically the year the Apple Watch first arrived to consumers anyhow. Would Apple call this the Watch X after already releasing a Series 10 the year before? It’s hard to say, though the naming scheme would certainly be confusing and it’s possible Apple could call it something else entirely.

For now, we can safely say the features associated with the Apple Watch X aren’t coming in 2025.

For those curious as to what the rumor mill claimed we might eventually see from this upgraded Watch? Previous leaks suggested the Apple Watch X would have a new magnetic band system that replaces the old method as well as more significant design changes to help it stand out from older watches such as a thinner case design. There were even whispers of features like microLED. Later rumors suggest the microLED feature was an overreach though, as a new report from an analyst claimed Apple had canceled its microLED project with one of its suppliers. Beyond that, the new watch would reportedly bring blood pressure monitoring and sleep apnea detection to the Apple Watch.

Just remember, it’s still possible these features will surface eventually. Just don’t expect them on the Apple Watch Series 10.

What might the Apple Watch Series 10 price be?

• Series 3: $399
• Series 4: $399
• Series 5: $399
• Series 6: $399
• Series 7: $399
• Series 8: $399
• Series 9: $399

It’s hard to gauge just how much the Apple Watch Series 10 might cost. Since the Series 3, every generation of Apple Watch has arrived with a $399 starting price tag. Meanwhile, the premium Ultra line launched at a whopping $799. If the Ultra is meant to remain the company’s high-end offering, it’s possible Apple will keep the X in the same range as previous Series models. Then again, with newer sizes and our current economic state, a price increase wouldn’t be that unexpected.

Should you wait for the Apple Watch Series 10?

To be frank, yes. The Apple Watch Series 9 doesn’t pack significant upgrades. The Apple Watch Series 10 might not be a massive upgrade but there are rumors it will have new sizes and a few other changes that make waiting a few months a worthwhile affair. If you already own a Series 7 (on the product’s website) or Series 8 ($359 at Amazon), we recommend holding off for the Watch Series 10 rather than upgrading to the Series 9.

If you already own an Apple Watch Ultra ($799 at Amazon) or Ultra 2 ($759.99 at eBay), we also wouldn’t recommend upgrading just yet until we learn more about how the Watch Series 10 will compare to the premium lineup, especially in terms of battery life.

Meanwhile, if you are an Android user, there is no reason to wait for an Apple Watch Series 10. The device is extremely unlikely to break the smartwatch line’s streak of compatibility with iPhones only. We recommend taking a look at the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 ($299.99 at Samsung) or the Pixel Watch 2 ($349.99 at Amazon). For a non-Wear OS experience with tons of in-depth fitness tracking, our top pick is the Garmin Venu 3 ($449.99 at Amazon).

Apple Watch Series 10: What we want to see

If Apple is ready to pull out all the stops, we have a number of upgrades on our radar. Here’s everything we want to see on the Apple Watch  Series 10.

Better battery life

Some day we hope to stop wishing for better battery life on our Apple Watches. Compared to competitors like Fitbit and Garmin, dismal battery specs are one of the Apple Watch line’s biggest weaknesses. Here’s hoping we see better with the Series 10.

Advanced health monitoring

Blood pressure monitoring could turn the Apple Watch line into a powerful health companion for many users. According to the CDC, nearly one third of American adults have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for both heart disease and stroke. We hope to see the Apple Watch X leverage its 24-hour role on users’ wrists by monitoring blood pressure and other crucial health measurables. Even the existing tools, such as temperature sensing and cycle tracking, show room for improvement. Unfortunately, new rumors make this feature pretty much guaranteed not to happen.

A more useful flashlight

When it comes to smart features, iPhone integration, and third-party app support, the Apple Watch is unmatched. However, one feature that doesn’t shine as bright as the competition is the device’s flashlight. After a number of review periods with leading Garmin devices, we’d love to see Apple adopt a true, built-in flashlight. The current onscreen version is not nearly powerful enough to be as useful as an LED one.