A September 6, 2024 report outlined six rumored Apple Watch Series 10 features just three days before Apple announced the watch. Several predictions were right in broad strokes, but the leaked 44mm and 48mm sizes were not the final 42mm and 46mm models, and Apple did not confirm the promised next-generation ECG. Here is how each claim compares with the Series 10 that went on sale September 20, 2024.
The six leaked features, compared with the final watch
The original BGR report described six predictions, drawing primarily on reporting by 9to5Mac and Bloomberg. Apple’s September 9, 2024 announcement established what Series 10 actually included.
| Leak claim | What shipped | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Larger display; possible 44mm and 48mm cases | 42mm and 46mm cases, with Apple’s largest Apple Watch display at launch | Broadly confirmed; rumored sizes were wrong |
| A “next-generation ECG,” potentially more reliable across skin tones | ECG app and electrical heart sensor are listed, but Apple did not confirm a new-generation ECG or the specific performance claim | Unverified as an improvement |
| Improved water resistance | 50-meter water-resistance rating, swim support, and shallow-water sensing; not intended for scuba diving or high-velocity water | Partly confirmed |
| Depth app on all Series 10 models | Depth gauge and water-temperature sensor, with depth measurement up to 6 meters | Confirmed, with a shallow-depth limit |
| New watch faces | watchOS 11 brought new and updated faces, including a redesigned Photos face; the leak did not establish which would be Series 10-exclusive | Broadly confirmed; exclusivity unproven |
| More Hermès integration, including Ultra faces and a tide complication | This remained a leak-era accessory and software report, not a defining Series 10 hardware feature | Not established as a Series 10 feature |
How the display prediction compared with the final sizes
The leak’s 44mm and 48mm possibilities did not become retail case sizes. Series 10 launched in 42mm and 46mm. Apple’s specifications give the 42mm model a 374 × 446-pixel display with 989 square millimeters of area, and the 46mm model a 416 × 496-pixel display with 1,220 square millimeters of area. Both use an LTPO3 OLED Always-On Retina display with wide-angle OLED and up to 2,000 nits maximum brightness. Apple said the display can appear up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle. The case is 9.7mm thick. Apple’s technical specifications list these figures.
The practical gain is a larger viewing area in a slimmer case, rather than the exact size jump the rumor suggested. Apple described Series 10 as its thinnest watch at launch and emphasized the larger display.
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#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/416RQ0rtsUL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
What “next-generation ECG” did—and did not—mean
The leak suggested an ECG improvement, including potentially better reliability across skin tones. Apple’s published Series 10 specifications confirm an electrical heart sensor and the ECG app, alongside a third-generation optical heart sensor and heart-rate and irregular-rhythm notifications. They do not identify the ECG as a new generation or substantiate the specific skin-tone performance claim. The reliable conclusion is that ECG capability is present; the alleged improvement was not confirmed in Apple’s launch specifications.
Water resistance and the Depth app have clear limits
Series 10 is rated water resistant to 50 meters under ISO 22810:2010 and is suitable for swimming. Its built-in depth gauge and water-temperature sensor support the Depth app, which measures to a maximum of 6 meters. Water-temperature data is also available in pool-swim and open-water-swim workouts. Those additions confirm the leak’s water-related direction, but they do not turn the standard watch into a dive computer.
Rank #2
![Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 42mm] Smartwatch with Rose Gold Aluminum Case with Light Blush Sport Band - S/M. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31caPPnRysL._SL160_.jpg)
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Apple Watch Series 11 gives you invaluable insights about your body, right from your wrist. Take an ECG anytime* and get alerts for a high and low heart rate or an irregular rhythm*—so you can stay closer to your heart. You can also view your overnight health tracking metrics with the Vitals app* and be notified of possible sleep apnea.*
- KNOW YOUR SLEEP SCORE—With advanced sleep tracking, Series 11 gives you a daily sleep score. It’s an easy way to help measure and understand the quality of your sleep, so you can make it more restorative.
- GET HYPERTENSION NOTIFICATIONS—Did you know that Series 11 can spot signs of chronic high blood pressure? By analyzing how your blood vessels respond to beats of the heart, it can notify you of possible hypertension.*
- SAFETY FEATURES—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 11 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.* Check In can automatically notify a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, training load, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone*—Series 11 is made to help everyone stay active, from runners and hikers to strength-training enthusiasts.
Apple says not to use Series 10 for scuba diving, waterskiing, or activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth. The 50-meter rating is not permission for every water activity. Apple Watch Ultra is the more appropriate line to consider for deeper recreational diving and high-speed water sports. Apple’s specifications and its Series 10 announcement describe the distinction.
New faces were a software story; the Hermès claim needs separation
New and redesigned faces arrived with watchOS 11, including the redesigned Photos face. That supports the broad prediction that new faces were coming, but does not show that every face was exclusive to Series 10. watchOS 11 also introduced features such as the updated Smart Stack and Translate app; it supports Apple Watch Series 6 and later when paired with an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18, with feature availability varying by model and region.
Rank #3
![Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS 46mm case] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, ECG App, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31Cud2WnszL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 10 — Bigger display with up to 30 percent more screen area.* A thinner, lighter, and more comfortable design.* Advanced health and fitness features provide invaluable insights.* Safety features connect you to help when you need it.* Faster charging gives you 80 percent battery in about 30 minutes.*
- ADVANCED HEALTH INSIGHTS — Take an ECG anytime.* Get notifications if you have high or low heart rate or an irregular heart rhythm.* Understand your menstrual cycle and get retrospective ovulation estimates.* See overnight health metrics like heart rate, respiratory rate, and more with the Vitals app.* Track sleep and get notifications if Apple Watch detects signs of sleep apnea.*
- A POWERFUL FITNESS PARTNER — Measure all the ways you move with Activity Rings, which are customizable to match your lifestyle. Get advanced metrics for a range of workouts with the Workout app. Track the intensity of your workouts with training load. Use depth and water temperature sensors for your aquatic adventures. And Apple Watch comes with three months of Apple Fitness+ free.*
- STAY CONNECTED — Send a text, take a call, listen to music and podcasts, use Siri, and get notifications on the go. Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) works with your iPhone or Wi-Fi to keep you connected.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Fall Detection and Crash Detection can connect you with emergency services in the event of a hard fall or a severe car crash. Emergency SOS lets you call for help with the press of a button.* Check In automatically notifies a loved one when you’ve arrived at your destination.*
The Hermès report was different: it concerned branded faces and a tide complication for Ultra, plus possible bands. It should not be counted as a confirmed Series 10 hardware upgrade. The pre-launch report is the source for that claim; Apple’s Series 10 specifications do not establish it as a Series 10 feature.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Important Series 10 features beyond the six claims
Sleep-apnea notifications
One of the watch’s most consequential health features was not among the six central leak claims: sleep-apnea notifications. Apple says the feature looks for signs associated with possible sleep apnea, then can provide a notification and educational information. It can generate a PDF of three months of breathing-disturbance data to discuss with a healthcare professional. These notifications are not a diagnosis and do not replace medical evaluation.
Rank #4
![Apple Watch Series 10 [GPS, 46mm] - Silver Aluminum Case with Denim Sport Band, S/M (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41QK6T8A0yL._SL160_.jpg)
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
Apple announced availability on October 24, 2024, after initially saying the feature was pending regulatory authorization. It also supports Series 9 and Ultra 2, so it is not exclusive to Series 10. Availability varies by region. See Apple’s availability announcement and health-feature details.
Charging, materials, and processing
Series 10 charges up to 80% in approximately 30 minutes, according to Apple’s specifications. It comes in aluminum or titanium, with Jet Black, Rose Gold, and Silver aluminum finishes and Slate, Gold, and Natural titanium finishes. The S10 SiP has a 64-bit dual-core processor and a 4-core Neural Engine; storage is 64GB. Apple rates battery life at up to 18 hours of normal use or up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode. These are Apple’s stated figures, not a guarantee of runtime for every user.
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- STAY CLOSER TO YOUR HEART HEALTH—The most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable,* Series 12 now measures HRV as often as every five minutes for insights on stress and recovery, and takes background heart rate readings every five seconds.
- A FULL-FEATURED HEALTH TRACKER—Better understand your body with invaluable health insights. View your overnight health metrics with the Vitals app and get a daily sleep score,* track your menstrual cycle,5 and take readings of your blood oxygen.*
- CHECK YOUR READINESS FOR THE DAY—Know when to rest or put yourself to the test. The readiness experience can help you determine your capacity to take on the day by analyzing your recent activity, vitals, and sleep.
- A POWERFUL FITNESS TRACKER—With advanced metrics and motivating features like Pacer, Heart Rate Zones, and Workout Buddy powered by Apple Intelligence from your nearby iPhone8—Series 12 helps you stay active, from running to hiking to strength training.
- KEEP HELP CLOSE AT HAND—A smartwatch that puts your safety first. Series 12 can detect a hard fall or severe car crash, automatically help connect you with emergency services, and notify your emergency contacts.*
Should an older Apple Watch owner consider Series 10?
The upgrade makes the clearest case for people who want the bigger display in a thin everyday watch, faster charging, or built-in shallow-water depth and temperature sensing. It can also be a meaningful move from an older watch for users interested in sleep tracking and sleep-apnea notifications, provided the feature is available in their region.
- Coming from Series 9: The display, thinner case, charging, and water-sensing additions are the main differences to weigh. Sleep-apnea notifications and many watchOS 11 features are not Series 10-exclusive.
- Coming from Series 8 or newer: The decision depends more on whether the display, charging, shallow-water sensors, or supported health features matter to you than on an entirely new processor experience.
- Need a dive-oriented or rugged watch: Series 10’s 6-meter depth measurement and activity restrictions make it a poor substitute for Ultra.
- Checking compatibility: Series 10 requires an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18 or later. Health features and some software functions vary by region and model.
For a lower-cost purchase, a discounted Series 9 may suit someone who does not need Series 10’s display, depth sensing, or faster charging. Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the more relevant alternative for deeper recreational diving, high-velocity water sports, or buyers prioritizing a rugged design and longer battery life; its price and current availability can change. Apple’s comparison and buying page lists Ultra 2 from $799, while Series 10 launched in the United States from $399. Those are not like-for-like configurations, and the Series 10 figure is its U.S. launch starting price.
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