The latest Apple Watch Series 11 arrives as part of a crowded smartwatch market, with many consumers already weighing whether to upgrade from older models or stick with the existing devices. This year’s refresh includes the cheaper Apple Watch SE 3 and rugged Ultra 3, making the decision even more complex. While the SE 3 offers welcome improvements, the Series 11 maintains a solid position with longer battery life, better durability, and advanced health tracking. But is it enough to justify an upgrade? Let’s break down the key differences.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Series 10: Incremental Improvements
The Series 10 received significant upgrades last year, including a faster processor, thinner design, larger display, and improved battery life. The Series 11 builds on this foundation with more modest changes, yet noticeable improvements. Both watches share the same basic design, materials (aluminum or titanium), and size options (42mm or 46mm). The Series 11 is slightly heavier at 30.3 grams (42mm) compared to the Series 10’s 30 grams, but features a display twice as scratch-resistant.
Both watches use an LTPO 3 display, which allows the refresh rate to drop to 1Hz, making the second hand tick even when inactive. They both reach up to 2,000 nits in brightness and dim to 1 nit in darkness. Internally, they share the same S10 processor, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, and 64GB of storage. However, the Series 11 boasts up to 6 hours more battery life on a single charge. Apple claims 24 hours for the Series 11 versus 18 hours for the Series 10, with Low Power Mode extending this to 38 vs. 36 hours. Real-world testing confirms these gains, with users reporting 27–32 hours of use on a single charge. Ultra-fast charging adds another edge, delivering an 8-hour boost in just 15 minutes, compared to the Series 10’s unlisted charging times.
The Takeaway: If you already have a Series 10 and it meets your needs, upgrading may not be essential. However, the Series 11 is a worthwhile upgrade for users prioritizing battery life, durability, or faster charging.
Apple Watch Series 11 vs. Older Models (Series 9, 8, 7): Significant Gains
Compared to older models, the Series 11 delivers more substantial improvements. The slimmer, lighter design (9.7mm thick vs. 10.7mm on the Series 9) feels immediately noticeable. The larger, brighter display with slimmer bezels provides a better viewing experience, while the LTPO 3 panel enables a ticking second hand in always-on mode.
The Series 11’s S10 processor offers efficiency gains over the S9 chip in the Series 9. It also includes features like a water temperature sensor and depth gauge, missing from the Series 9, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Battery life sees a major jump: up to 24 hours for the Series 11 versus 18 for the Series 9. Fast charging is another benefit, with an 80% charge in 30 minutes compared to 45 minutes on the Series 9.
The differences become even more pronounced when comparing to the Series 8 and Series 7. The Series 11 features a significantly improved display, a faster processor, crash detection, wrist flick and double-tap gestures, and enhanced health tracking (sleep apnea and hypertension notifications). The older models lack these features and offer inferior battery life and charging speeds.
The Verdict: Upgrading from a Series 9, 8, or 7 to the Series 11 is a worthwhile investment. The new model delivers a superior user experience with noticeable improvements in performance, health features, and battery life. The older models simply cannot compete with the latest technology.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The Series 11 introduces 5G Reduced Capacity (5G RedCap), enabling standalone 5G and LTE connectivity without an iPhone. Older models rely on LTE and UMTS (3G). Both watches support Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 4, but the Series 11 also supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands, while older models lack this specification.
WatchOS 26 brings new health features to both the Series 11 and Series 10, including hypertension notifications and Sleep Score. However, the Series 11’s superior battery life and connectivity make it the more practical choice for users who rely on these features.
Final Thoughts: The Apple Watch Series 11 is an iterative upgrade that delivers meaningful improvements over its predecessors. If you prioritize battery life, durability, or 5G connectivity, the Series 11 is a solid investment. For those with older models, upgrading offers a substantial leap forward in performance and functionality.
