Apple’s September occasion put the highlight on iPhones, however the Apple Watch Sequence 11 quietly picked up some huge quality-of-life adjustments. The brand new watch appears the identical because the Sequence 10, however there are significant upgrades: 24-hour battery life (up from 18 hours), 5G connectivity on mobile fashions and more durable Ion-X glass on aluminum variations.
The Sequence 11 additionally debuts a brand new well being function, hypertension notifications, which can provide you with a warning in case your knowledge reveals constant indicators of hypertension. Importantly, Apple confirmed that this function can even roll out to older watches, together with the Sequence 10, Sequence 9 and Extremely 2 through watchOS 26.
The Apple Watch Sequence 11 begins at $399 and retains the identical 42mm and 46mm case sizes as its predecessor. It runs watchOS 26, makes use of the identical S10 chip and helps the total well being suite with ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, temperature sensing, sleep apnea alerts and sleep scoring.
As standard, the older your Apple Watch — particularly Sequence 8 and earlier — the extra tangible enhancements and advantages you will see from leaping to the Sequence 11. But when you have already got a Sequence 10, is it price upgrading? For most individuals, the reply depends upon how a lot you worth endurance and connectivity. Let’s take a better have a look at what’s new and what’s the identical with regards to the brand new Apple Watch Sequence 11 and final yr’s Sequence 10.
Design and show
At first look, these watches are almost equivalent. Each use Apple’s acquainted slim instances in aluminum or titanium, and have the identical Retina LTPO OLED show with always-on performance and as much as 2,000 nits of peak brightness. Bodily, they’re just about indistinguishable. Should you walked into an Apple Retailer and combined them up on the desk, you’d in all probability must flip them over and test the spec sheet to inform which was which.
The change is below the floor, because the Sequence 11 aluminum fashions achieve Ion-X glass with a ceramic coating that Apple says is twice as scratch-resistant because the Sequence 10. It’s not indestructible, however should you’re the sort who frequently introduces your watch to door frames, it would prevent a number of scuffs.
Efficiency and connectivity
Efficiency stays regular between the 2 generations. Each use the S10 chip launched in 2024, which implies apps launch rapidly and the general expertise ought to really feel fluid. The one main change is in connectivity. The Sequence 11’s mobile fashions now assist 5G, whereas the Sequence 10 stays restricted to LTE. That gained’t matter should you at all times hold your iPhone close by, however should you’re the type of one who likes to move out for a run or seize a espresso and not using a telephone in your pocket, 5G provides you extra respiration room.
Well being and health options
Well being and health monitoring is strong on each fashions. ECG, blood oxygen, temperature sensing, sleep apnea alerts and sleep scoring are all supported on each the Sequence 10 and Sequence 11.
Hypertension notifications are debuting with the Sequence 11, however Apple has confirmed they can even be out there on the Sequence 10 via a software program replace. So that you don’t must rush to improve should you’re solely considering blood stress alerts — Apple’s giving your present watch a lift, too.
Battery and charging
Battery life is the place the Sequence 11 has probably the most sensible variations. After years of quoting the identical 18-hour determine, Apple now guarantees as much as 24 hours of use on a single cost. It’s nonetheless not a full weekend away and not using a charger, however for the primary time an Apple Watch can comfortably final via a full day and evening with out begging for the puck. Quick charging continues to be supported throughout each fashions, so even the Sequence 10 might be topped up rapidly, however the Sequence 11 provides you extra respiration room in on a regular basis use.
Software program expertise
Each watches run watchOS 26 (Sequence 10 gadgets will get that in a software program replace), which introduces the redesigned Sensible Stack, new exercise modes and up to date well being dashboards. Apple has not tied any main new software program options solely to the Sequence 11 aside from those who depend on its more durable glass or 5G {hardware}. In different phrases, the interface will really feel the identical whether or not you’re on the shiny new mannequin or final yr’s.
Worth and availability
The Sequence 11 begins at $399, which is identical beginning value the Sequence 10 had when it first launched. Apple usually phases out outdated flagship fashions as soon as the newest has launched, however within the close to future, you might be able to discover a discounted Sequence 10 whereas retailers do away with their inventory. Each assist the identical case sizes and band compatibility, so present equipment carry over. So should you’ve obtained a drawer stuffed with straps, you don’t want to fret — they’ll nonetheless snap proper on.
Do you have to improve?
Should you’re questioning if now’s the time to step as much as an Apple Watch Sequence 11, the choice will come right down to how a lot you worth endurance and connectivity. The Sequence 11 is the clear winner in order for you 24-hour battery life, 5G assist and more durable glass. These adjustments might not sound dramatic at first, however they alter how you utilize the watch from day to nighttime, particularly should you depend on mobile knowledge or put on it throughout exercises and sleep.
If you have already got a Sequence 10, you’ll get the identical well being expertise, the identical software program and the identical efficiency. With hypertension notifications additionally arriving on Sequence 10 (and even the Sequence 9), the hole between them narrows even additional.
The Apple Watch Sequence 11 doesn’t reinvent the formulation, however its upgrades matter. The bump to 24 hours of battery life will make it extra of an all-day and all-night companion, 5G makes it extra dependable away out of your telephone and more durable glass provides peace of thoughts. Consider it this fashion: should you’re after sturdiness and freedom from the charger, Sequence 11 is a protected wager. Should you’d moderately lower your expenses and nonetheless shut your rings on daily basis, stick to the Sequence 10 or seize one whereas there’s nonetheless discounted inventory floating round on the web.
Full specs comparability
Specs
Apple Watch Sequence 11
Apple Watch Sequence 10
Chip
S10
S10
Show
LTPO3 always-on
LTPO3 always-on
Sizes
42mm, 46mm
42mm, 46mm
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, non-obligatory mobile with 5G
Wi-Fi, non-obligatory mobile with LTE
Sturdiness
IPX6, 50 meters water resistance, Io-X glass for 2x scratch resistance
IPX6, 50 meters water resistance
Heath options
Hypertension notifications, ECG, blood oxygen, temperature sensing, sleep apnea alerts and sleep scoring
Hypertension notifications (through software program replace), ECG, blood oxygen, temperature sensing, sleep apnea alerts and sleep scoring
Battery life
As much as 24 hours, quick charging supported
As much as 18 hours, quick charging supported
