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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Key differences between Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 11
1. Bigger battery and battery life
a. Series 11 is rated for up to 24 hours of normal battery life, compared to 18 hours on Series 10.
b. This translates to a larger battery in Series 11 (about 1.245 to 1.403 Wh) compared to Series 10 (1.118 to 1.266 Wh), which is roughly 7–10% larger, depending on the case size.
c. Low Power Mode: Series 11 offers up to 38 hours of battery life, compared to 36 hours on Series 10 in Low Power Mode.
Note: Battery life can vary significantly depending on factors such as display usage, notifications, activity tracking, and the number of sensors running in the background.
2. Connectivity (cellular models)
Series 10 supports LTE only, whereas Series 11 supports 5G connectivity. This is especially useful for users who plan to use the watch as a standalone device (without an iPhone) for faster streaming, downloads, and app updates.
3. Scratch-resistant display
Series 10 uses a standard Ion-X display, whereas Series 11 features a 2× more scratch-resistant Ion-X display with a ceramic coating. If you want a tougher and more durable display, Series 11 is the better choice.
4. Processor and software experience
Although both series use the same processor and software, Series 11 benefits from an optimized S10 processor and watchOS 26 optimizations, resulting in smoother performance and better efficiency.
Key Similarities between Series 10 and Series 11
1. Charging speed
Although Series 11 has a larger battery, the charging speed remains the same. Both watches provide up to 8 hours of use with a 15-minute fast charge, which is usually enough to get through most of a typical day without a full charge.
2. Enhanced insights
In addition to the core features available on Series 10, Series 11 includes enhanced insights such as Sleep Score (a clearer and more actionable sleep quality metric). These features are also being rolled out to Series 10 and other compatible models via watchOS 26+.
3. Hypertension pattern alerts
This feature provides alerts for possible high blood pressure trends over time. It is also being rolled out to Series 10 and other supported models via watchOS 26+.
4. Size
Both Series 10 and Series 11 have the same size and slim design.
5. Water resistance
Both Series 10 and Series 11 offer the same water-resistance rating.
6. Software features
watchOS 26 is supported on both Series 10 and Series 11, bringing new features such as wrist-flick and one-hand gestures, an updated Smart Stack, Workout Buddy AI coaching, and enhanced health insights.
If you already own Series 10, here’s when upgrading makes sense
Good reasons to upgrade
Longer battery life
5G connectivity (cellular models only), especially if you plan to use the watch independently without your iPhone
Improved screen durability
Not worth upgrading if
You care only about core health metrics, as most are already available on Series 10
You do not plan to use cellular data on your watch
Pros:
Better battery life than previous Series watches
Tougher, scratch-resistant display
Enhanced gestures and 5G connectivity
Useful health insights, including Sleep Score and hypertension alerts
A good upgrade choice if you are using Apple Watch Series 7 or earlier
Cons:
If you already own Series 10 and only care about core health features or do not use cellular data, the upgrade may not be worthwhile, as the improvements are mostly incremental—primarily in battery life.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I really like this watch. It’s fast, smooth, and definitely better than my old one. The battery lasts longer, the screen is very clear, and everything works perfectly. I’m very happy with my purchase.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I moved from a iWatch 5 to the 11. The iWatch 11 has been great for me. Bigger screen, thinner, smoother. I was just replacing my old watch due to a broken screen (Thanks TSA). I didn't expect this watch to make such an impression on me for how it looks and feels. Yes it does more and has better battery life. That is a given, but to have the luxurious touch and feel to a device was not on my radar. I am also enjoining the new features like my phone automatically unlocking my watch. Thats great feature, as on my old watch, every time I wanted to ask Siri to do something my watch was locked. Plus I chose to purchase this from Best Buy over my phone carrier or the Apple store, as they had the best price (on sale for Christmas) and maybe some reward points.
I always pickup the cellular modal, as this is a work functional item. I wanted to be sure I was available for my team members at work, even if I in the middle of the water park or at the beach! :)
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This Apple Watch Series 11 in sleek Midnight Black is the perfect blend of style, speed, and smarts. The larger 46mm display is bright and crisp, making everything—from notifications to workouts—easy to read at a glance. With both GPS and Cellular, you can leave your phone behind and still stay connected on the go.
Battery life is solid, health tracking is incredibly detailed (heart rate, ECG, sleep, and even temperature sensing), and the fitness features keep you motivated without being naggy. Setup is effortless, and syncing with an iPhone is instant.
If you’re upgrading from an older model, you’ll immediately notice the faster performance, smoother animations, and improved sensors. Whether you’re a runner, a swimmer, or someone who just loves staying organized, this watch delivers.
⭐ Overall: 9.5/10 – A premium smartwatch that looks sharp, feels light, and performs like a champ.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is absolutely incredible. The speed difference is noticeable right away — everything opens instantly and feels smoother than any watch I’ve owned before. The display is bright, crisp, and super easy to see outdoors.
Battery life has been great too. I can get through a full day of work, a workout, and still have plenty left by bedtime. Health tracking feels more accurate, and the new sensors give way more helpful insights without being overwhelming.
I also love how comfortable it is. The design feels premium, lightweight, and the bands are easy to switch out. Pairing with my iPhone was instant, and features like calls, messages, Apple Pay, and fitness tracking all work flawlessly.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading, the Series 11 is absolutely worth it. Fast, reliable, and packed with useful features — easily a 10/10 smartwatch.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Upgraded from an Apple Watch 6 and love the slimmer case, the incredible battery life, and the new fast charger. Also love the new gestures capabilities that enable to do things like remote camera snaps with just the movement of my fingers without ever having to touch the watch itself. Cellular coverage is great and incredibly convenient.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I purchased the iPhone Watch Series 11 GPS + Cellular 46mm and I’m very impressed. The large display looks great, performance is smooth, and staying connected without my phone is extremely convenient. It fits comfortably and works perfectly for daily use, workouts, and calls.