Is It Worth Buying Apple Watch Series 10 in 2025
Introduction
The Apple Watch Series 10 marks a major milestone — ten generations of innovation since the original Apple Watch debuted in 2015. Released in late 2024, the Series 10 introduces Apple’s boldest redesign in years, featuring a thinner profile, larger display, and new health tracking improvements. Built with the advanced S10 chip, it offers smoother performance, improved battery efficiency, and full support for watchOS 26 — Apple’s latest operating system in 2025.
In 2025, the Apple Watch Series 10 remains one of the most capable and future-proof smartwatches on the market. However, its high retail price has pushed many buyers to explore Certified Used or Refurbished models, which now provide a far better value.
According to UpTrade’s Price Tracker, Certified Used or Refurbished Apple Watch Series 10 units start around $280+, a solid discount from its original launch price. But depending on your needs, you might find even better value in the previous-generation Apple Watch Series 9, which offers nearly identical performance and features — now starting at just $210+.
Apple Watch Series 10 Overview — Apple’s 10th-Generation Redesign
The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces one of the most significant design updates in recent years. It’s noticeably thinner and lighter, featuring a slightly larger and brighter edge-to-edge OLED display, making text, notifications, and fitness stats easier to read. The curved casing is now flatter and sleeker, improving comfort while maintaining the familiar premium feel Apple is known for.
Under the hood, the new S10 chip powers faster app launches, smoother animations, and improved energy management compared to the S9 chip found in the previous model. The Series 10 also benefits from Apple’s latest watchOS 26, ensuring compatibility with new features like enhanced Siri health insights, improved gesture controls, and better integration with iPhone’s Health app.
Despite its refined design, the Series 10 doesn’t introduce major new sensors or breakthrough health features. Instead, it focuses on refinement — better performance, longer battery life, and an even more elegant form factor. For users upgrading from Series 7 or older, the jump feels substantial, but for Series 9 owners, the improvements are more incremental.
Price and Availability in 2025 (UpTrade Price Tracker Insight)
According to UpTrade’s Price Tracker, Certified Used or Refurbished Apple Watch Series 10 models are now widely available starting around $280+ in 2025 — a solid discount from its original $399 retail price at launch. This drop makes the Series 10 an appealing option for those who want Apple’s newest design and latest features without paying full retail.
Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 9, which offers nearly identical performance and full support for watchOS 26, has fallen further to around $210+. Given the modest differences between the two models, many buyers find the Series 9 to offer stronger overall value — especially for those upgrading from older generations like the Series 6 or 7.
Availability for Certified Used and Refurbished models continues to grow through trusted Certified Resellers, who professionally inspect, test, and warranty each unit. These models provide a reliable, safer alternative to uncertified listings on peer-to-peer marketplaces. With frequent price drops during seasonal promotions, it’s often possible to find the Series 10 at its lowest point yet — making 2025 a great time to buy.
Design and Display — Thinner, Brighter, and More Advanced
The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces Apple’s most refined and technically advanced redesign to date. It’s the thinnest Apple Watch ever, nearly 10% slimmer than previous generations like Series 7, 8, and 9, making it lighter and more comfortable for everyday wear. The new metal back integrates the antenna directly into the case, giving the device a seamless, single-piece look.
Apple has also slightly increased the case sizes to 42 mm and 46 mm, allowing for a larger, wider display with more rounded corners and a higher aspect ratio. The result is the biggest and most advanced display ever on an Apple Watch — offering up to 30% more active screen area than earlier models like the Series 6, and 9% more than Series 9.
For the first time, the Series 10 uses a wide-angle OLED display, optimized to emit more light at wider angles. This innovation makes the screen up to 40% brighter when viewed off-axis, improving legibility in any environment. The display also supports a faster always-on refresh rate, now updating once per second instead of once per minute — so users can finally see a smoothly ticking seconds hand without raising their wrist.
The new design pairs with premium aluminum or titanium finishes, including an all-new jet-black polished aluminum, and natural, gold, or slate titanium options. Apple Watch Series 10 remains 50 m water-resistant, offers faster charging, and maintains compatibility with existing Apple Watch bands.
Performance and Health Features — Smarter, Faster, and More Capable
Under the hood, the Apple Watch Series 10 is powered by Apple’s S10 SiP (System in Package), engineered for both performance and energy efficiency. The new chip enables the thinnest Apple Watch design ever while maintaining the familiar 18-hour all-day battery life.
The S10 SiP includes a 4-core Neural Engine that drives on-device intelligence and supports advanced features such as the double-tap gesture, on-device Siri, dictation, and automatic workout detection. It also powers essential safety functions including Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS.
With watchOS 11 and the S10 chip working together, users experience faster app performance, smoother animations, and improved responsiveness. The updated Smart Stack, redesigned Photos watch face, and new Translate app all benefit from this performance upgrade.
On the health side, the Series 10 introduces Sleep Apnea Notifications, a major step forward for health awareness. Using motion and respiratory tracking through a new Breathing Disturbances metric, the watch can help identify patterns that may indicate sleep apnea and prompt users to consult a healthcare provider. This feature is supported by machine-learning analysis and clinical validation and is pending FDA authorization.
Additionally, Apple Watch Series 10 adds depth and water-temperature sensing, enhancing its value for swimmers and snorkelers. The new Depth app activates automatically when submerged to display real-time metrics such as current depth, duration under water, and temperature.
To complement these tools, watchOS 11 introduces a Tides app, providing seven days of global tide forecasts with height, direction, and sunrise/sunset data — useful for beachgoers, divers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Audio performance also improves: the built-in speaker and voice isolation neural network filter background noise during phone and FaceTime audio calls, ensuring voices remain clear even in busy or windy environments.
Battery and Charging — Faster, Longer, and More Convenient
Apple Watch Series 10 doesn’t just get thinner — it also charges faster than any previous generation. Thanks to a redesigned metal back with a larger, more efficient charging coil, the Series 10 achieves Apple’s fastest charging speeds yet, making it easier to keep powered throughout the day and night.
According to Apple, 15 minutes of charging provides up to eight hours of typical daily use, while just eight minutes of charging is enough for a full night of sleep tracking. The watch can reach 80% charge in about 30 minutes, making quick top-ups effortless before workouts or bedtime.
Despite the major design changes, the Series 10 maintains Apple’s signature 18-hour all-day battery life — matching the endurance of previous models while being thinner, lighter, and brighter. The improvements in charging speed mean users can easily maintain continuous wear, even when using features like sleep tracking or fitness monitoring.
Whether for all-day productivity, overnight health insights, or workout tracking, Apple Watch Series 10’s faster charging and energy-efficient design make it significantly more convenient than earlier models like the Series 8 or 9.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9 — Nearly Identical, But One’s a Better Deal
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a sleek evolution of Apple’s bestselling smartwatch — thinner, lighter, and more refined. However, it offers only minor improvements over the Series 9, which still provides nearly identical performance, health tracking, and display quality at a lower price.
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 9 | Apple Watch Series 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2023 | 2024 |
| Case Sizes | 41 mm, 45 mm | 42 mm, 46 mm |
| Chipset | S9 SiP with Neural Engine | S10 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine |
| Thickness | Standard | ~10% thinner than Series 9 |
| Weight | Aluminum / Stainless Steel | Aluminum / Titanium (10–20% lighter) |
| Display | Up to 2000 nits | Up to 2000 nits (brighter at angles) |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours (36 hours in Low Power Mode) |
Same as Series 9 |
| Charging Speed | Fast-charge capable (0–80% in 45 minutes) |
Fast-charge capable (0–80% in 30 minutes) |
| Health & Wellness Features | Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen, ECG, Cycle Tracking, Sleep Apnea Notifications, Fall Detection, Crash Detection, Emergency SOS | Same as Series 9 |
| Durability | Water-resistant (50 m) | Water-resistant (50 m) + Depth & Temperature Sensors |
| Operating System | watchOS 10 / watchOS 26 supported | watchOS 11 / watchOS 26 supported |
| Materials | Aluminum, Stainless Steel | Aluminum, Titanium |
| Certified Used / Refurbished Price (2025) | ~$210 + | ~$280 + |
Key Takeaways:
- Design & Comfort: The Series 10 is slimmer and lighter, but the difference is mostly cosmetic — the Series 9 already feels premium and comfortable.
- Display Quality: Both watches share the same 2000-nit brightness and edge-to-edge OLED quality; the wide-angle enhancement in Series 10 only slightly improves viewing at angles.
- Performance: The new S10 chip offers marginal efficiency gains, but daily performance feels identical to the S9.
- Health & Safety: Both models provide the same comprehensive health and wellness features — including the new Sleep Apnea Notifications and vital safety tools like Crash Detection.
- Value: With Certified Refurbished pricing around $210+, the Series 9 delivers almost everything the Series 10 does for far less.
Bottom line: The Apple Watch Series 10 refines the design, but the Series 9 remains the smarter buy in 2025 — offering nearly identical performance, features, and battery life at a better price.
Conclusion — Should You Buy the Apple Watch Series 10 in 2025?
It depends:
If you value the thinner and lighter design, you may choose Series 10.
If you want a better deal, Series 9 is the answer.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a beautifully refined upgrade with a thinner titanium build, brighter wide-angle display, and faster charging — all while maintaining the same 18-hour battery life and full support for watchOS 26. It’s an excellent smartwatch, but not a major leap forward.
According to UpTrade’s Price Tracker, Certified Used / Refurbished Apple Watch Series 10 models start around $280+, while the Certified Used / Refurbished Series 9 sells for about $210+. Because both watches share the same S-class performance, display brightness (up to 2000 nits), and identical health features — including Sleep Apnea Notifications, Crash Detection, and Blood Oxygen Monitoring — the Series 9 offers better value for most buyers.
FAQ: Buying the Apple Watch Series 10 in 2025
How much does the Apple Watch Series 10 cost in 2025?
Certified Used / Refurbished Apple Watch Series 10 models typically start around $280+, while the Series 9 averages $210+.
Is the Apple Watch Series 10 still supported by Apple?
Yes. Both Series 9 and 10 support watchOS 26 and will continue receiving updates and new features for several more years.
What are the main differences between Series 9 and 10?
Series 10 is thinner, lighter, and features a wider OLED display with improved off-angle brightness and faster charging. However, both share the same performance, battery life, and health features.
Does the Apple Watch Series 10 have new health features?
No. The health suite is identical to Series 9, including Sleep Apnea Notifications, Heart Rate, ECG, Blood Oxygen, and Cycle Tracking.
How long will the Apple Watch Series 10 receive software updates?
Apple typically supports each watch for 5–6 years. The Series 10, released in 2024, should continue receiving full watchOS updates through at least 2030.
Does the Apple Watch Series 10 charge faster than previous models?
Yes. Its redesigned metal back integrates a larger charging coil, enabling Apple’s fastest-ever watch charging — 15 minutes adds about 8 hours of typical use.
Is the Apple Watch Series 10 waterproof?
Yes. It’s water-resistant to 50 meters, includes a depth gauge (down to 6 m), and features a temperature sensor for water activities.
Does the Apple Watch Series 10 use new materials?
Yes. It’s offered in polished aluminum (Jet Black, Rose Gold, Silver) and aerospace-grade titanium (Natural, Gold, Slate).
Is it worth upgrading to Series 10?
Only if you value design improvements. The Series 10 is thinner and lighter with a slightly larger display, but feature-wise, it’s almost identical to the Series 9. If you already own a Series 9, upgrading isn’t necessary.
Is the Apple Watch Series 10 too big?
No. Although it comes in slightly larger 42 mm and 46 mm case sizes, Apple reduced the thickness and weight, so it feels lighter and more comfortable than previous models.
