Best Apple Watch: Which Apple Watch to buy in 2024
Apple released only one new Apple Watch in 2024: the Apple Watch Series 10. It offers a refined design and a few modest upgrades over the Series 9. Apple did not update the Ultra 2, and instead just added a new color option. You can also still buy the Apple Watch SE from 2022.
In this guide, we will help you decide which Apple Watch is best for you. We’ll compare the features, specs and price as well as offer advice on choosing cases, colors, and straps in our Apple Watch comparison chart so you can be confident you are choosing the right Apple Watch.
Here’s what you need to know before buying an Apple Watch.
What does an Apple Watch do?
Practically every Apple Watch ever made has offered the same set of basic functions. Apple Watch can be used in conjunction with an iPhone (or separately if the user has a cellular contract) to:
Make or take phone calls
Read and send text messages
Read and send emails
Listen to music or podcasts
Receive notifications relating to iPhone and Apple Watch apps
Use apps, such as Maps for navigation, a calculator or a compass
Track fitness, including steps and calories burned
Monitor your health, including heart rate
Detect a fall or car crash
Tell the time – especially if your watch has an always-on display (they don’t all offer that)
Act as a flashlight (or torch)
Pay via Apple Pay
Track your sleep
The Apple Watch doesn’t need an iPhone to work, but it helps, and it is needed for initial setup. See: Does an Apple Watch work without an iPhone?
There’s another choice to be made. Do you need an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity or not? We examine GPS versus cellular in a separate article, read: Should I buy a cellular Apple Watch.
If you choose a cellular version of the Apple Watch you’ll be able to leave your iPhone at home and use your Watch for making calls, receiving texts, and streaming music. Apple Watch can also support Family Setup if you are looking for a Watch for someone who doesn’t have an iPhone.
Apple Watch comparison chart
Apple
Apple Watch SE 2Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Ultra 2Price from$249/£219$399/£399$799/£799Screen size44mm or 40mm46mm or 42mm49mmDisplay 1,000 nits2,000 nits3,000 nitsWeight40mm from 26.4g 44mm from 32.9g42mm from 30g 46mm from 36.4g61.4 gMaterials AluminiumAluminium or Stainless SteelTitaniumColorsMidnight, Starlight, SilverAluminium: Silver, Slate, Rose Gold, Jet Black. Titanium: Natural, GoldNaturalProcessorS8S10S9Battery lifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours, Faster chargingUp to 36 hours, Fast chargingExtra featuresSiri, Find iPhone, Always-on display, double tap gesture, Faster on-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone Always-on display, double tap gesture, Faster on-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, Customisable Action button, Depth gauge and water temperature sensor, Dual speakers and three-mic array with beamformingHealth features Heart rate, Heart rhythm, Cycle Tracking, Sleep stagesBlood Oxygen, ECG, Heart rate, Heart rhythm, Temperature sensing, Cycle Tracking with ovulation estimates, Sleep stagesBlood Oxygen, ECG, Heart rate, Heart rhythm, Temperature sensing, Cycle Tracking with ovulation estimates, Sleep stagesSafety features Emergency SOS, Fall Detection and Crash DetectionEmergency SOS, Fall Detection and Crash DetectionEmergency SOS, Fall Detection and Crash Detection, SirenWater resistance 50 meters, Swimproof 50 meters, Swimproof 100 meters, Swimproof, High-speed water sports, dive to 40m Connectivity L1 GPS, cellular optionL1 GPS, cellular optionPrecision dual-frequency GPS (L1 and L5 GPS), cellular only
Best Apple Watch
Right now Apple sells three different Apple Watches, although there are different combinations of case and wristband that can make it seem like a bit of a minefield. These are the newest Apple Watches: the Apple Watch Series 10, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the Apple Watch SE 2.
Generally, each Apple Watch offers a few more features than the one that came before it. Below we will run through the features available on each Apple Watch so you can see what you are getting for your money.
Apple isn’t the only place where you can buy an Apple Watch, and if you shop around you can still buy older models that Apple doesn’t sell. To get the best deal on an Apple Watch take note of the best prices shown below, you might also like to look at our roundup of the Best Apple Watch Deals.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Pros
1 to 3,000 nits brightness
Ultra-only capabilities for extreme sports
Double Tap
Tough exterior
Cons
No price drop in the U.S.
Only one size
Price When Reviewed:
$799 (base)
When it arrived in 2022 the Apple Watch Ultra was the ultimate Apple Watch. Designed for athletes and adventures it wasn’t the watch for everyone, but it went beyond the standard Apple Watch with features for divers (like depth gage, water temperature sensor, and water resistance to 100 meters) and features for hikers such as precision dual-frequency GPS. It is also constructed from tougher materials: a titanium case and a sapphire crystal cover for the screen.
The Ultra’s battery life is better than the standard series. For the 2022 models, it was up to 36 hours for the Ultra and 18 hours for the Series 8, and those figures are the same for the 2023 models. You can eke out even more battery life too, up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, but again this is the same as 2022.
As for what’s different in the second-gen Apple Watch Ultra, like the Apple Watch Series 9 the 2023 Ultra features the S9 chip which is superior to the previous generation with 60% more transistors than the S8, a four core Neural Engine that is twice as fast than the S8, and 30 percent faster graphics. You might wonder why you need this power but it allows for things like smoother animations, faster and more accurate dictation, Siri on device and the Double Tap feature.
In 2022 the Apple Watch Ultra screen offered 2,000 nits of brightness. This has now increased to 3,000 nits (while the Series 9 now gets 2,000 nits). This should make it easier to see the screen in bright light, perhaps on the ski slopes. The always-on screen can also turn down to 1 nit so as not to disturb others.
Like the Series 10 the Ultra 2 offers the new U2 Ultra-wideband chip that enables Precision Finding to make it easier to find your iPhone. Rather than just ping with iPhone, you will get navigation instructions on the watch.
The original Ultra has the Action Button, to make controlling the Watch a bit easier, but the second-gen model goes a step further. Thanks to the new Double-Tap gesture you won’t have to touch the screen to control the Watch, useful if your other hand isn’t free. Just tap your thumb and index finger together and the gesture is recognized by the watch (via sensors and algorithms) so that the primary action of what ever app is showing will be triggered. You will also be able to use on-device Siri to do – like ask Siri to open Watch apps or check or input data.
Read our full
Apple Watch Ultra 2 review
Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm)
Pros
Bigger, easier-to-read display
Faster charging
Refined design
Cons
Still only 18 hours battery life
Blood Oxygen unavailable in the U.S.
Price When Reviewed:
$399
The Series 10 is a modest set of improvements over the Series 9, but Apple hasn’t changed the price so it’s still a better buy. Notably, the watch is now a tiny bit thinner and larger, just enough to make the display slightly easier to read (it’s got wider viewing angles, too). Performance hasn’t changed and neither has battery life, still rated at 18 hours, but there’s a new water temperature sensor and the ability to sense depth up to 6 meters.
The premium model is now Titanium instead of Stainless Steel, which results in a big weight reduction. The titanium Series 10 is barely heavier than the aluminum model, while the stainless steel Series 9 was a lot heavier.
The Series 10 charges faster, too. It will go from 0-80% in 30 minutes instead of 45 minutes, which is enough of a change to make a real difference.
If you have a Series 8 or Series 9 this isn’t an upgrade you need, but it’s probably the best Apple Watch to get if it’s your first one or you’re coming from a much older model, unless you live the sort of life of adventure that necessitates the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Pros
Cheapest Apple Watch
Crash detection
Fall detection
Cons
Lacks many of the health sensors of the other Watches: no ECG, no O2
Smaller, cramped screen
Price When Reviewed:
$249 (GPS only)
The Apple Watch SE which arrived in 2022 is the second generation SE, with the first being introduced in 2020. The 2022 Apple Watch SE introduced new features and component improvements compared to the original. Like the Series 8 and subsequent Watches, it offers Crash Detection and an improved Compass app.
The heart sensor in the SE (old and new) is second-generation, while the Series 7 and above offer a third-generation heart sensor. The SE also lacks the temperature sensor for cycle monitoring. You also don’t get Blood Oxygen monitoring or the ability to perform an ECG.
Like the Apple Watch Series 9 the SE comes in two sizes, but the screen is slightly smaller than the screen on the Series 9 (and the Series 8) at 44mm and 40mm, rather than 45mm and 41mm. This means the screen is a little bit more cramped, especially when compared to the Ultra’s 49mm screen. Speaking of the screen, the SE doesn’t offer an always-on display like the other watches, so if that is likely to be a point of frustration for you it’s a good reason to upgrade.
Battery life is the same 18 hours as the Series 9 (and Series 8).
Read our full
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) review
How the new Apple watches compare
That’s an overview, but in a little more detail here’s how the features of each Apple Watch compare.
Size
When it arrived in 2022 the Apple Watch Ultra was the biggest Apple Watch Apple had ever sold. The 2023 model has the same 49mm case with a screen that is capable of displaying six lines of text, so you can see more information at a glance than you can on the other Apple Watches. The 49mm case allows for a 410 by 502 pixels screen.
Apple
But the new Series 10 is actually slightly larger in the 46mm model, with 1220 square millimeters of display area compared to the Ultra 2’s 1185 square mm.
Prior to the Series 7, the Series 6 had a 44mm case that had been introduced with the Apple Watch Series 4. It is this case that features on the Apple Watch SE. The 44mm screen means there are 368 by 448 pixels on the display, for a size of 977 sq mm.
Not everyone wants a big watch though. If you have slim wrists you might prefer a smaller case, in which case Apple offers a smaller variant of each watch (aside from the Ultra, which only has a 49mm case).
There is a 42mm case option available for the Series 10 with 374 by 446 pixels and an area of 989 sq mm. The Apple Watch SE offers a 40mm case with 324 by 394 pixels screen of 759 sq mm. The difference between the screen size in the 46mm model and the 44mm model, and the 42mm model and the 40mm model is a lot larger than the 2mm difference would suggest.
Design
There may be three variants of the Apple Watch in 2023, but there are a number of combinations that mean that there are more design differences than you might expect.
As we explained above, there are five sizes to choose from if you consider all models: 49mm, 46mm, 44mm, 42mm and 40mm.
In addition to the sizes, Apple uses two different materials for the cases: aluminum for the Watch SE; aluminum or titanium for the Series 10; and titanium for the Ultra 2. For each case there is a choice of colors:
Aluminium comes in midnight, starlight, rose gold, and silver.
Titanium is available in gold or natural on the Series 10, or natural and black on Ultra 2.
As well as a choice of case color, you also have a vast choice of straps or bands to go with the Apple Watch, some are only compatible with certain Watch sizes (see: Do Apple Watch straps fit all models? Some add a considerable expense to the cost of the Apple Watch.
The Apple Watch Ultra has a choice of three straps designed to be rugged and suitable for extreme sports enthusiasts, these new straps can be used with the larger Apple Watches as well. Take a look at all the watch straps on offer on Apple’s site.
We discuss the best Apple Watch straps and Apple Watch straps: how to find the perfect size separately.
Durability
Various elements of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 design help it withstand altitudes, high temperatures, low temperatures, immersion, freeze/thaw, shock, and vibration. So if you want a watch that can be worn at a depth of 40 meters (it’s certified for scuba diving) the Ultra 2 will be the one for you.
Also making the Ultra a little better able to withstand knocks is a sapphire front crystal display, around which raised edges of the case provide protection. The Apple Watch Series 9 (and 8) also features strong sapphire glass on the Stainless Steel models. There’s Ion-X screen glass on the aluminium models.
Apple
All three watches are “Swimproof” according to Apple, but they are not equal in this respect. The Apple Watch 10 and SE have a water resistance rating of 100 meters and Apple suggests that they can be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. The Apple Watch Ultra has a water resistance rating of 50 meters and includes a Depth gauge and water temperature sensor. With these feature it’s no surprise that Apple states that the Ultra can be used for recreational scuba diving, however Apple adds that “Apple Watch Ultra should not be used for diving below 40 meters” and also points out that “water resistance can diminish over time”.
The Ultra offers the same IP6X dust resistance as the Series 10. The SE does’t offer this certification.
Display
When Apple describes the Apple Watch as being, for example, 44mm, that’s the case size, not the display size. The display area is as follows:
Apple Watch Ultra 2: 49mm, 1164 sq mm display area, 3,000 nits brightness
Apple Watch Series 10: 46mm, 1220 sq mm display area, 2,000 nits brightness
Apple Watch SE, 44mm, 977 sq mm display area, 1,000 nits brightness
Apple Watch Series 19: 42mm, 989 sq mm display area, 2,000 nits brightness
Apple Watch SE, 40mm, 759 sq mm display area, 1,000 nits brightness
Both the Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 10 offer an Always-On display, a feature that was also shared by the Apple Watch Series 5 and later. The Apple Watch SE doesn’t offer an Always-On display.
The 2023 Ultra display offers up to 3,000 nits brightness, up from 2,000 in the previous generation. This beats the Series 10, which now has 2,000 nits, and SE which offers 1,000 nits brightness. This should make the Ultra easier to read in particularly bright light, for example, when skiing.
Health and Safety features
Apple
Cycle Tracking: Just like the Series 10, the Ultra offers temperature sensing for Cycle Tracking, which was a new feature introduced with the 2022 Watches that should help women trying to get pregnant identify when they have ovulated.
Blood Oxygen: You’ll also find the Blood Oxygen app (which arrived with the Series 6) in the Ultra and Series 10 Watches. Measuring blood oxygen can alert the wearer to any reduction of oxygen in their bloodstream and can help with management of conditions like asthma. This isn’t available in the SE. Due to a patent battle, this feature is disabled in watches sold and used in the United States, though it may return via a software update in the future.
ECG: The Apple Watch 10 and Ultra offer the ECG app (introduced with the Series 4). The 2022 SE can’t perform an ECG (electrocardiogram), but it can notify you of high and low heart rate and irregular heart rhythm, as can the other Watches.
Crash Detection: In 2022 Apple Watches gained the ability to detect a car crash. This feature means that if you are in a severe car crash while wearing any Apple Watch from 2022 or above, the Watch will detect the impact and dial emergency services if you are unresponsive (you’ll get a 10-second warning).
Fall Detection: Another safety features that is shared by all the Apple Watches is Fall Detection (the feature arrived with the Apple Watch Series 4). If the watch identifies that you have fallen it will sound an alarm and display an alert so you can confirm if you are ok. If you aren’t ok the watch can call the emergency services. If you don’t have a cellular plan for your Apple Watch you will need your connected iPhone to be nearby for the call to be placed.
Siren: This safety feature is unique to the Ultra (1 and 2). That model can play a 86-decibel siren that is audible up to 600 feet (182 meters), handy if you get lost on a mountain.
Compass & Backtrack: Speaking of mountaineering, the new 2022 Watches gained an improved Compass app with and Backtrack feature that should help you avoid getting lost. The Apple Watch Ultra 9 and 2) could be better at this job though because it features a new dual-frequency GPS that should make it better at positioning you because it won’t be affected by tall trees and buildings. If you are frustrated that your Watch can’t pinpoint your exact location when you are trying to use it for directions amid tall buildings this is a feature for you.
Sleep Tracking: The Apple Watches can also track your sleep and wake you up. Since watchOS 8 the Apple Watch has been able to track your breathing rate, notifying you of possible health issues.
Specs
Chip: The 2023 Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the S9 chip and the Series 10 has the S10 chip, but they appear to be identical in performance The S8 chip in the SE (as well as in 2022’s Series 8 Apple Watch and the original Ultra) didn’t offer a significant power boost over the S7, which itself wasn’t a lot better than the S6. While the S6 delivered just a 20 percent boost in performance over the Series 5, which launched in 2019.
GPS: Both the Apple Watch Series 10 and SE have L1 GPS, while the Apple Watch Ultra (1 and 2) offer Precision dual-frequency (L1 and L5) GPS. L1 GPS is the standard GPS, but it can be blocked by tall buildings and other obstacles. L5 GPS is more advanced and should cope better with buildings blocking the satellite signal.
U2: The Apple Watch Series 10 and Ultra 2 both offer an upgraded ultra-wideband chip that will improve their ability to track the location of an object, such as the iPhone 15. This improves on the U1 chip in the Series 8 and Ultra 1. Note the Apple Watch SE is the only Apple Watch that doesn’t even include the U1 chip.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi connectivity is better in the Series 10 and Ultra: the SE offers only 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n, while the Apple Watch 8 and Ultra both added 5GHz Wi-Fi to that, as do the 2023 Watches.
Apple
Battery life
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers 36 hour battery life (as did the original Ultra). This is much more than the other Watches’ 18 hours. The Series 10 offers faster charging (0-80% in 30 minutes), an improvement over prior models’ fast charging (0-80% in 45 minutes).
That 36-hour figure for the Ultra can be even higher though if you use the Low Power Mode you should be able to get up to 72 hours, according to Apple. This same Low Power Mode brings the Watch 9 battery life to 36 hours.
That’s battery life measured in typical use, but athletes and other users might not be quite so typical. Apple says that there’ll be enough battery power to get users through a triathlon (that’s a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon of 26.2 miles). The problem for other Apple Watch users is that the battery would probably run down if you were tracking such extensive exercise.
Check out our roundup of the best Apple Watch chargers and docks.
Which Apple Watch to buy
As you can see from the above, it’s not a simple case of being able to say a particular Apple Watch is the winner. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 clearly has the best features, but it’s big, perhaps too big, and it has a big price attached to it.
The Apple Watch Series 10 offers some enticing new features, and is probably the best choice for most users that don’t have specific need of the rugged outdoor qualities of the Ultra.
The Apple Watch SE is Apple’s cheapest Apple Watch, starting at $249/£219, which will be a big point in its favor, but it’s not the cheapest Apple Watch ever sold. Apple used to sell the Apple Watch Series 3 for just $199/£179 for the 38mm version. The 2022 SE is cheaper than the 2020 generation though, which started at $279/£269. Along with a lower price, the SE also offers features such as Car Crash detection, but it lacks some of the health-related features that people are looking for.
It’s the health-related features that will probably stand out as the main differentiator between the SE and the Series 10, and this hasn’t changed from the previous generation. If the ability to check blood oxygen, take an ECG, and temperature monitoring, are important to you then it has to be the Series 10. If those aren’t something that you think you need then the SE will be quite sufficient.
And if you are off up a mountain, diving in the ocean, or heading out for a marathon, then the Ultra is the way to go.
Older Apple Watches
These Apple Watches were still being sold by Apple prior to September 2023. They have now been discontinued but you will possibly be able to buy a refurbished model from Apple’s Refurbished Store, or from one of the resellers below.
Apple Watch Ultra
The original Apple Watch Ultra was sold for $799/£849 when Apple launched it in 2022. The new model has a lower price outside the U.S. so do be aware that if the price isn’t lower than the new model it’s not a good deal!
This was the ultimate Apple Watch, but is it the watch for you? Apple designed it for athletes and adventures, so if that isn’t you maybe it would be overkill, or maybe you need the new features that the other Watches don’t offer, such as the better GPS and the larger screen.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 9 is the successor to the Apple Watch Series 8. But the Series 8 could still be a good choice if you find it at a good price. It offers the ability to track temperature and detect car crashes.
The Series 8 cost $399/£419 for the 41mm version and $429/£449 for the 45mm version when Apple still sold it–which, if you are outside the U.S., is more than the Series 9 costs now. If you want a cellular Apple Watch it costs an extra $100/£100.
