Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Series 10: Very similar, but there are real differences
By Jeff Carlson | Published: 2025-11-03 12:00:00 | Source: CNET
I always look to the flagship Apple Watch to see what Apple has done to advance the cutting edge of technology Smart watches. And this year Apple Watch Series 11…much like Series 10. this time, Apple Watch C3 and Ultra 3 It got the most attention.
But there are still enough differences to make you look twice when moving up a level (especially if you’re coming from an older model). Let’s compare the models side by side and extract the nitty-gritty details.
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Apple Watch Series 11 price
Series 11 maintained Same price Same as the Series 10. It starts at $399 for the model with an aluminum body or $699 for the titanium model.
Add $30 for the larger 46mm aluminum case, or $50 for the titanium. Opting for a model with a cellular radio that connects independently to networks adds $100. And if you choose a bracelet made of something other than rubber or fabric — a stainless steel bracelet, for example — the price will rise even higher. Unfortunately, you can’t order just the watch case; You should select a new band, even if it ends up in your drawer in favor of one you already own and like.
There’s also a titanium Apple Watch Hermès model available in titanium silver in both sizes starting at $1,249.
Apple no longer sells the Series 10, with the Series 11 replacing it, but you can still find it It has been refurbished Series 10 models at a lower price from Apple, and new models from other retailers while supplies last.
Watch this: Apple Watch Series 11 review: Is it worth the upgrade?
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Series 10: Exterior design
The Series 11 and Series 10 share the same case design and materials. The larger model is 46mm long and 39mm wide, while the smaller model comes in dimensions of 42mm x 36mm. (Kudos to Apple for still offering two sizes to accommodate people with different wrist sizes.) They’re also both 1mm thinner than the Apple Watch models that came before, at 9.7mm thick.
The Apple Watch Series 11 looks exactly like the Series 10.
Despite being identical in dimensions, the Series 11 is slightly heavier than the Series 10. For example, the 46mm aluminum GPS 11 Series weighs 37.8 grams, up slightly from the Series 10’s 36.4 grams. The 42mm versions come in at 30.3 grams and 30.0 grams, respectively.
As for colours, the Series 11 adds space gray aluminum options to go with rose gold, silver and jet black. Both models are also available in titanium, gold, and natural finishes.
Titanium is the premium finish for both Apple Watch Series 11 and Series 10 (the latter shown here).
The physical controls haven’t changed: the dial that Apple calls the Digital Crown and the side button (which Apple cleverly calls the “side button”). Only the Apple Watch Ultra has a third physical control: the action button.
It’s also worth noting that the Titanium 11 Series is made from 100% recycled titanium, compared to the 95% recycled material in the Titanium 10 Series. The display glass is made from 40% recycled glass in the 11 Series; No amount is listed for the Series 10. The battery in the Series 11 uses 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium. (Only Series 10 lists 100% recycled cobalt.)
11 Series monitors vs. 10 Series monitors
The displays on both the Series 11 and Series 10 watches have a wide-angle LTPO 3 OLED display. This means it’s easier to see the contents from an angle, and the always-on display is updated once per second, allowing the seconds counter to move even when the watch is in inactive mode.
LTPO3 displays are also more energy efficient. Screens reach up to 2,000 nits for clear viewing in sunlight and dim to just 1 nits in the dark.
The main difference between the Series 11 and Series 10 displays is the glass cover. In the aluminum models of the 11 Series, Apple is using Ion-X glass, which it claims is twice as scratch-resistant as the glass found in previous aluminum versions. The Titanium 11 series uses a sapphire crystal screen.
The glass covering the screen on the Apple Watch Series 11 is more scratch resistant.
Apple Watch processor and chips
Normally we highlight how the new processor is better than its predecessor, but for 2025, Apple is sticking with the same S10 processor found in the 10 Series. This also means that the other chips stay the same as well: a W3 Apple Wireless chip, a second-generation ultra-wideband chip (for precise location tracking), a quad-core neural engine and 64GB of storage.
Battery power: Series 11 vs Series 10
Battery life is where the two models get really interesting. Apple hasn’t revealed the size or capacity of the built-in lithium-ion battery, but it claims up to 24 hours for the Series 11 compared to 18 hours for the Series 10. In low power mode, that’s up to 38 hours for the Series 11, compared to 36 hours for the Series 10.
It’s not entirely clear where Apple squeezed in six extra hours of battery life from what appears to be mostly identical hardware. Both phones use the same S10 processor, though there are potential software improvements in WatchOS 26. Apple, at least initially, may be underestimating battery performance, CNET lead writer Vanessa Hand Orellana found. Write in your review“With notifications turned on (extreme lounging and texting), at least 30-45 minutes of outdoor exercise a day, a full night’s sleep tracking and some light flashlight use, I was able to consistently squeeze 27-32 hours per charge.”
The Apple Watch Series 11 lasted about four hours after its 24-hour rating in our real-world tests.
As for charging the watches, both the Series 11 and Series 10 can be charged up to 80% in about 30 minutes. Apple says that using a 20W power adapter, a 15-minute quick charge provides up to 8 hours of regular use, while just five minutes is enough for eight hours of sleep tracking — thanks to the watch’s much lower power requirements while you’re sleeping. Apple Comparative information For the 10 Series, it doesn’t list those last two metrics, but this appears to be due to it being a marketing point last year versus a new capability in the 11 Series.
Comparison of Series 11 and Series 10 sensors
The Apple Watch’s sensors power health features ranging from heart rate monitoring to depth sensing to precise location tracking. He said that…
It’s identical on the Series 11 and Series 10. There are no changes here.
Another change: connectivity in Series 11 and Series 10
One of the most notable changes to the 11 Series cellular models is support for 5G networks, specifically the power-efficient type called low-capacity 5G (or 5G RedCap). This allows it to connect to both 5G and LTE networks without having to go through a connected iPhone, and 5G speeds should be better. In comparison, the 10 Series supports cellular LTE and UMTS (3G).
The cellular Apple Watch means you can go for a run without bringing your iPhone with you. Series 10 shown here.
Part of the 5G integration in the Series 11 models is a redesigned cellular antenna and an algorithm that “simultaneously turns on the system’s two antennas when needed, dramatically increasing signal strength,” according to Apple’s report. Series 11 press release. This algorithm is exclusive to the Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3, per Apple.
Both Apple Watch models support Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) at 2.5GHz and 5GHz speeds. (Apple’s comparison page only lists the 11 Series’ speeds, however Apple Watch Wi-Fi support page Notes: 5GHz has been supported since the 6 series watches.)
Both watches talk to iPhone and other peripherals using Bluetooth 5.3.
WatchOS 26 on Apple Watch Series 11 and Series 10
New features for WatchOS 26 are coming to both models, including high blood pressure notifications, sleep scores, and the Blood Oxygen app (which makes… Appear again In the United States amid an ongoing legal dispute). Apple’s comparison page lists the new Flick wrist gesture for the Series 11 but not the Series 10, but that must be a typo because I can confirm it works on my Series 10 watch.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Apple Watch Series 10
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch Series 10 | |
| Design and sizes | Rectangular, 42mm, 46mm | Rectangular, 42mm, 46mm |
| an offer | 42mm: 446 x 374 pixels, LTPO3 OLED Retina, Wide-angle OLED 46mm: 416 x 496 pixels, LTPO3 OLED Retina, Wide-angle OLED | LTPO3 OLED Retina display, 446 x 374 dpi, wide-angle OLED display |
| brightness | Between 1 and 2000 nits | 2000 nits |
| Thickness and weight | 46mm Size: 9.7mm; 37.8g (Aluminium), 36.9g (Aluminum GPS + Cellular), 43.1g (Titanium) 42mm size: 9.7mm; 30.3g (Aluminium), 29.7g (GPS+Cellular Aluminum), 34.6g (Titanium) | 9.7 mm; 30-41.7g (46mm titanium model) |
| Materials and finish | Aluminum: jet black, rose gold or silver finish; Titanium: slate, gold or natural finish | Aluminum: jet black, rose gold or silver finish; Titanium: slate, gold or natural finish |
| durability | 5ATM Waterproof + IP6X (Dust) | 5ATM Waterproof + IP6X (Dust) |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours, up to 38 hours Low power (always on) + Fast charging: 80% in 30 minutes, 100% in 60 minutes | 24-30 (always on) + fast charging: 80% in 30 minutes, 100% in 60 minutes |
| Sensors | ECG, 3rd generation optical heart rate sensor, skin temperature, dipstick, SpO2, noise monitoring, water temperature, compass | ECG, heart rate, skin temperature, dipstick, SpO2, noise monitoring |
| Emergency features | Satellite SOS, emergency SOS, fall detection, crash detection, check-in and tracking | Emergency SOS, fall detection, crash detection, log in and back out |
| Artificial intelligence and training | Siri (voice assistant); Workout buddy | Siri (voice assistant); Workout buddy |
| Processor | S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 Apple wireless chip | S10 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 Apple wireless chip |
| RAM/Storage | 64 GB (storage) | 64 GB (storage) |
| Payments | Apple Pay | Apple Pay |
| Price (US) | $399 – $750 (titanium) | $399 – $750 (titanium) |
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