Release Date Rumors
Price Expectations
Design
Features
Size
Battery Life
watchOS 11
Rumors
Q&A
The Apple Watch Series 10 is expected to debut in the usual Apple Watch release window later this year. However, such is the significance of the rumored update that early leaks are dubbing it the "Apple Watch X", a throwback to the iPhone X, Apple's remarkable iPhone overhaul from 2017.
According to the report, Apple is planning a similar tenth-anniversary special for Apple Watch. While it's technically only going to be 9 years since the Apple Watch first launched in 2015, this will be the tenth iteration of the Apple Watch, a prime candidate for that exciting X overhaul!
To that end, Apple is expected to make the new Apple Watch Series 10 much bigger than the current best Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 9. If that's the case, it'll be the perfect companion to watchOS 11, unveiled at WWDC 2024 in June.
Apple Watch X: Release Date Rumors
According to the earliest reports, Apple is planning the Watch X model as a marker of the device's 10-year anniversary. However, there are a couple of ways that could go. The Apple Watch was unveiled in 2014 but wasn't released until 2015. As such, a launch in either 2024 or 2025 could suitably be dubbed a 10-year anniversary release. As mentioned, Apple could also simply name its next device Apple Watch X by virtue that it is the tenth generation Apple Watch, after Series 9.
If 2024 is on the cards, we'd expect an unveiling in the usual Apple Watch windows alongside the new iPhone. That would mean a September launch alongside the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro. However, if Apple does go for the "true" launch anniversary, we might see Apple Watch X in 2025 instead.
"I love what Apple did with the iPhone X, so I'm really excited to see how the company celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch."
Apple Watch X: Price Expectations
For the last five years, Apple has stayed steadfast in launching its flagship watches at a base price of $399, with the ability to pay more for a bigger display, extra features, and different band types. For this reason, we imagine the Apple Watch X will come in at a similar price.
However, the Apple Watch X is being set up to be a big upgrade over the previous generation so there’s a chance it could bridge the gap between the standard Series watches and the Ultras in price.
Apple Watch X: Design
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg states that Apple designers are currently working on a thinner watch case and want to change how bands are attached. Apple is exploring a new magnetic band to free up more space which allows them to experiment with size a little more. A leak in December claimed that connectors of the next-generation Apple Watch have been "completely redesigned."
In July, Gurman reported the Series 10/Apple Watch X could get larger displays to bring it in line with the rumored Apple Watch Ultra 3.
Apple Watch X: Features
Top analyst Ross Young previously reported that the Apple Watch will get a microLED display in 2025 or even as late as 2026, skipping out on the Apple Watch Series 9 which launched a few months ago. Though consumers missed out this year, this does leave room for its integration into the Apple Watch X. But Apple may skip it entirely and opt to use it exclusively in the next generation of Apple Watch Ultra.
Though this has been a rumor for years, it seems possible we could finally get blood pressure monitoring as part of the suite of health features. This would sit alongside blood oxygen and heartbeat monitoring to give more accurate health readings. This would be reliant on FDA certification.
As reported by Mark Gurman, hypertension monitoring has been delayed due to inconsistent results, while work to detect sleep apnea has hit a roadblock because of its reliance on blood oxygen monitoring - something Apple is currently embroiled in a legal battle over.
Gurman also says that the next Apple Watch lineup could see a new SiP (system in package), potentially to "lay the groundwork for some AI enhancements down the road" - but Apple Intelligence isn't expected just yet.
Apple Watch X: Size
According to a report from Ming-Chi Kuo in June, the Apple Watch X will get a major size upgrade over the previous iterations of the Series line. Kuo reports that the Series 10 will increase in size from 45/41mm to about 49/45mm, adopting the larger form factor of the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Apple Watch X: Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8, Series 9, and SE all claim 18 hours of battery life, meaning that you should get a full day out of it if you charge it every night. The Ultra 2, on the other hand, manages to get 36 hours per charge — a step above the competition. With the rumored new size now reported, it seems likely that the vastly larger Apple Watch X will offer some battery life improvements over the current mainstream Apple Watch models.
A report in April revealed that the Apple Watch X could also feature LTPO technology across its entire display. Where existing Apple Watches use a combo of LTPO and LTPS, the new Apple Watch X will reportedly feature LTPO across the board, improving battery life and efficiency.
Why won't it be called the Apple Watch Series 10?
The X naming convention is something Apple originally adopted with the Apple iPhone X back in 2017 and hasn't hit the 10th generation of a device since. However, rumors have been floating around an Apple Watch X for over a year now and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a leading industry analyst, reported on the Apple Watch X being in development last August.
Calling it the Apple Watch X helps to establish its identity as a must-have watch, something Apple could benefit from given the controversies around the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9, the best Apple Watch right now.
watchOS 11
Unveiled at WWDC 2024, watchOS 11 will be the featured operating system of Apple Watch X if it's unveiled in 2024. The new OS doubles down on Apple's focus on the Apple Watch as a fitness device. It features a new Vitals app to monitor... your vitals... as well as new customization for Activity Rings. Notably, fitness tracking now includes the option to add rest days, and training load measurements ensure that you don't overtrain yourself, helping you to avoid injury. Live Activities also come to the Watch in watchOS 11. Notably, Apple Intelligence, Apple's new foray into AI, is reserved for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, so it doesn't feature. All of these updates would be available on Apple Watch X in the fall, if our release date predictions come to fruition.
Apple Watch X: Rumors
Apple has been working on blood glucose monitoring for Apple devices for a decade now. Though it seems unlikely it will be ready in time for the launch of the Apple Watch X, we still have some time until launch. Being in development for some time, this is likely part of a push for more health features in future Apple wearables.
With a push towards wireless charging over the last few years, the Apple Watch X could come with easier and more efficient wireless charging. It could work with other Apple wireless charging devices so you don’t have to bring more than one wire out with you. This could also be tied in with a better battery life. Though the Apple Watch has a decent battery life, the Watch X could be a little better alongside that new design.
Apple Watch X: Q&A
How big is the Apple Watch X?
Apple Watch X is expected to be 45mm and 49mm, the same size as the Apple Watch Ultra, and much bigger than the Apple Watch Series 9.
Is the Apple Watch X waterproof?
All recent Apple Watches are considered water-resistant, with particular attention paid to how far you can swim with them. For light swimming, showering, and walking in the rain, we anticipate the Apple Watch X will be absolutely fine. If you want to go very deep, you may be better off with a watch from the Ultra line.
Is the Apple Watch Series 10 the Apple Watch X?
Yes, the Apple Watch X will likely be the 10 and then, the year after that, Apple will release the Apple Watch Series 11.
