The nature of accelerated obsolescence in tech, which suggests that a product is outdated or replaced by something much better soon after you get your hands on it, is a reality. But nowadays, tech brands are offering longer support for older products so they can be updated with at least some of the latest and greatest features. Such is the case with theApple Watch. The latest OS,watchOS 11is officially coming in September, but it’s available in beta now. It will work all the way down to Apple Watch Series 6 models. You won’t be able to leverage every feature and enjoy the full experience without the newest watch. But you won’t be left out in the cold, either.
Right now, the most current Apple Watch is theSeries 9along with the more premiumApple Watch Ultra 2for serious athletes and adventurers. But the Apple Watch Series 10 issuspected to launch in September, if history repeats itself when it comes to Apple’s usual upgrade cycle. So, for those pondering upgrading or buying their first Watch, it’s a weird time to buy. Should you bite the bullet and buy an Apple Watch Series 9 now, or wait for the Series 10?
7 things your Apple Watch can do that you probably didn’t know
From daily task items to some more tricks, your Apple Watch is even more powerful than you thought.
Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Series 10
The rumored improvements
While we don’t yet officially know what Apple will announce for the Apple Watch Series 10 beyond the updates that have already confirmed to be coming withwatchOS 11, there are already rumors of what wemightsee with the latest version of the smartwatch.
Some sources suspect that the new Apple Watch will feature a thinner casing, connect to watch bands magnetically, and be offered in a larger 49mm screen size variant for the standard Apple Watch version in addition to the Ultra. The rumors also posit the potential for a larger 2-inch screen compared to the current 1.7-inch one. That’s even bigger than the screen on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which is 1.91 inches in size.
The most significant rumored update is that of an improvement in battery life through the possible use of more LTPO thin-filament transistors (TFTs) for the screen. This would provide more control over light leaving the display, thus resulting in greater efficiency and, more importantly, better battery life. Some pundits believe the Apple Watch could have an entirely new type of battery altogether, which will be music to Apple Watch owners’ ears. Considering one of the weakest aspects of the Apple Watch is the necessity to charge it daily, this is a big deal if it’s true.
There are also rumors about additional health tracking features beyond the Vitals app that is part of watchOS 11. This might involve a blood pressure journal where you’re able to keep track of instances of elevated blood pressure, and respiration measurements during sleep to detect the possibility of sleep apnea.
On the safety end, another discussed feature is that of the ability for the watch to detect drowning, alerting others nearby of irregular behavior underwater. If this feature is added, and if it’s exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 10, it could be a dealbreaker to convince swimmers and parents with pools at home to wait for the new model.
What we know about Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 10 could feature a larger screen and new health tracking features when it arrives later this year.
Should you wait?
To buy or not to buy, to buy now or buy later
However, many of the updates that are rumored for the Apple Watch Series 10 pertain to the design and internals, like a new type of battery, larger screen, and new band design. If you want to take advantage of these rumored upgrades, you might be better off waiting to find out if there’s any truth to them. If you have thicker wrists, for example, or find the standard Apple Watch screen too small to read or manipulate, you’ll appreciate extra inches and a bigger size. That’s worth waiting for.
Possible improvements to battery life are worth the wait as well, seeing as that’s one of the biggest complaints about the Watch.
Possible improvements to battery life are worth the wait as well, seeing as that’s one of the biggest complaints about the Watch. Charging daily becomes part of your routine after owning an Apple Watch for some time. But there’s no denying how frustrating it is when you “miss out on steps” because the Watch died or you forgot it at home on the charger. Even if the improvement results in just an extra day or two of battery life, that makes a massive difference.
If there’s any truth to the drowning detection feature, and if it’s exclusive to Apple Watch Series 10, parents especially with find tremendous value in the feature. Having kids wear a Watch while swimming, knowing a caregiver will receive a crucial alert if anything seems amiss, could provide tremendous peace-of-mind.
When it comes to the decision, the hindrance of not knowing is the difficult part. But even if all these rumored updates are true, most people will find that the Apple Watch Series 9, which launched in September 2023, will still meet most users’ needs. In fact, even theApple Watch Series 8is still sufficient for most.
One last thing
Timing is everything
If youdodecide that the Apple Watch Series 9 is enough to meet your needs, sorry to burst your anxious bubble but it’s still best to wait for the Apple Watch Series 10 to launch now that we’re so close to launch date. Why? As most companies do, Apple historically reduces pricing on its previous-generation devices when a new one launches. Thus, once the Apple Watch Series 10 is officially in market, chances are you’ll be able to find some killer deals for the Apple Watch Series 9, and even better deals for the Apple Watch Series 8.
So, even if you’re aware that you’re getting a generation old device and you’re A-okay with that, wait to grab it once the newest option is launched. Your only reason to bite the bullet a month or two prior to a new version launch is if you happen to come across an amazing deal, have a gift card burning a hole in your pocket, or you’re considering a trade-in upgrade that is already pretty cheap. Otherwise, wait either way you go. The added advantage in doing so is that once the Apple Watch Series 10 is announced, you’ll get to see exactly what’s coming with it and can make a more informed decision at that time.
