Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9 Review – Which One Offers the Best Value?

For years, I considered Apple Watches from a distance; They were never high on my list to browse at the Apple Store. Kelcie has had a Series 7 for a while now, and I’ve seen firsthand how it’s become her accountability partner—encouraging her to stay active, focus on mindfulness, and hit her daily goals. When the Series 10 was announced, I thought it might be the perfect time to get my first Apple Watch.

Why? Watching Kelcie take a desk break, fit in a quick walk with the dog at lunch, or squeeze in an extra elliptical session to close her rings got me thinking. I’m naturally competitive and active, but I can fall into bad habits: spending too much time at my desk without a break, staying up too late—you know, the usual. Yet, I never really knew what I was burning when I cycled, walked, or swam. Calories aren’t everything, of course, but understanding them felt like a good place to start.

The Series 10 promises sleek upgrades: a thinner case, a larger screen, and the usual health-tracking features. Tempting, sure. But after weighing the options—and considering what I truly needed—the Series 9 emerged as the smarter, more balanced choice. Here's why it’s the Apple Watch I went with.

Design: Sleek Tweaks vs Timeless Simplicity

The Series 10 makes a splash with its streamlined 9.7mm profile and slightly larger case sizes: 42mm and 46mm, up from the Series 9’s 41mm and 45mm. Its display is 9% larger than the Series 9 and 30% bigger than older models like Kelcie’s Series 7. The new wide-angle OLED technology improves brightness by 40% when viewed from an angle—a feature that sounds handy on paper, but it’s not something I found critical.

Living in Lisbon, a city where the sun graces us almost year-round, I was curious about how these displays would hold up in bright conditions. In practice, the Series 9’s screen handles glare just as well as the Series 10, thanks to its always-on Retina display with vibrant colours and sharp contrast. Whether I’m checking a notification during a stroll through Alfama’s cobbled streets or timing a café order, the Series 9 holds its own beautifully.

What did stand out for me was the materials. The Series 10 swaps stainless steel for lightweight titanium, available in natural, gold, and jet-black finishes. It’s undeniably premium.

Performance: Solid at the Core

Both the Series 9 and Series 10 are powered by Apple’s high-performance chips: the S9 and S10, respectively. These include four-core Neural Engines for on-device Siri processing and seamless app use. While the S10 is technically faster and more efficient, the difference feels incremental in real-world use.

Importantly, both watches feature the W3 wireless chip and Ultra Wideband technology, enabling features like Precision Finding for your iPhone. Living in Lisbon’s winding, maze-like streets, this is a feature I already appreciate—whether it’s for locating my phone at home or retrieving it from a restaurant table where it might’ve been left behind.

For a first-time user like me, the Series 9 feels plenty fast, delivering all the performance I need to stay connected and track my goals.

Health and Fitness: Accountability Built In

One of the main reasons I wanted an Apple Watch was to stay accountable—something Kelcie has mastered with her Series 7. The Series 9 delivers everything I need to keep up: heart rate tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, advanced workout tracking, and mindfulness reminders. Competing with each other—family and friends—by setting shared fitness challenges and motivating each other to close our rings every day made the Apple Watch an easy choice.

The Series 10 adds sleep apnea detection (as does the Series 9 following the watchOS 11 software update), which monitors breathing patterns monthly, and a water temperature sensor for divers. While intriguing, the water temperature feature isn’t essential for me. I’m not a diver, and the Series 9 feels comprehensive enough for my needs.

Battery Life: Nearly a Tie

The Series 10 edges out the Series 9 in battery life, offering up to 48 hours compared to the Series 9’s 36–40 hours. But with both models supporting fast charging—reaching 80% in under 45 minutes—this difference rarely matters in daily life.

In Lisbon’s lifestyle, with its blend of morning coffees and late-night dinners, I’ve found the Series 9 keeps up with ease. Whether charging during my morning routine or while prepping for an evening out, it’s ready when I am.

By the way, here’s how to spend 48 hours in Lisbon.

Apple Watch 10 and Sustainability

Apple has positioned the Series 10 as its most sustainable smartwatch yet, making meaningful strides in eco-conscious design. The titanium model, now carbon neutral when paired with select bands, uses 95% recycled titanium and offsets its manufacturing emissions with renewable energy. Apple has even swapped air shipping for lower-impact transport options to cut emissions further. It’s a clear signal of the brand’s ambition to lead in sustainability—an ambition underscored by a 22% reduction in gross carbon dioxide emissions this year and its ongoing commitment to full carbon neutrality by 2030.

Price: The Sweet Spot for First-Time Buyers

The Series 10 comes in at £399 (€449/$399), placing it firmly in the premium price range. On the other hand, the Series 9—frequently discounted by retailers and, dare I suggest, even secondhand outlets—delivers nearly the same performance and features for a lower cost.

As a first-time buyer, the decision was easy. The Series 9 gave me everything I needed—and more—without the feeling of overspending on upgrades I wouldn’t fully use. I did choose the cellular model, though. I wanted the freedom to leave my iPhone at home when cycling, walking in the city, or visiting my local park while still staying connected if needed. Plus, I simply prefer not to carry extra things.

Who Should Choose the Series 10?

The Series 10 is an excellent choice for anyone upgrading from a much older model, like the Series 5 or earlier. Its larger display, reduced weight, and new health-tracking features will feel like a significant leap forward.

But for those considering their first Apple Watch—or upgrading from a Series 6 or 7—the Series 9 offers the same premium experience at a more compelling price.

The Verdict: A Perfect First Step

Ultimately, my decision wasn’t about chasing specs or trends. It was about finding a tool that aligned with my goals—staying active, becoming more mindful of my natural habits, and sharing those achievements with Kelcie. The Series 9 gives me all of that and more, proving that functionality often trumps marginal upgrades.

While the Series 10 may headline Apple’s lineup, the Series 9 quietly delivers everything a first-time user could need. It’s reliable, refined, and ready to help me take that next step—whether it’s hitting my daily fitness goals, staying connected in Lisbon’s bustling streets, or simply being a little more mindful every day.

If you’re someone who doesn’t chase last year’s discounts or jump on incremental upgrades, it might be worth holding off for the Series 11. The Series 10, while refined, doesn’t offer a dramatic leap forward, and waiting another year could mean benefiting from more substantial innovations. Whether it’s longer battery life, enhanced health features, or a bold design shift, the Series 11 might deliver the breakthrough that makes the upgrade feel truly worthwhile.