A guide to the Apple Watch generations

Welcome to our guide to the Apple Watch generations. In April 2025, the Apple Watch will be a decade old, and the concept has gone through several generations as Apple has refined it. The most recent is the Apple Watch Series 10, though we've also seen the hardy Apple Watch Ultra 2, and before that, the lightweight Apple Watch SE.

If you're not sure which to choose, this guide is for you. We've sifted through all current models of Apple Watch, new and old, to demonstrate the key differences and help you decide which is worth your money. We've reviewed many of these watches, and have incorporated insights from our testing team.

For the best deals on Apple Watches, click the links associated to your preferred Apple Watch below. We also, have an iPad generations list if you’re interested to see which of Apple’s tablets is right for you.

The Apple Watch generations available now

Apple Watch 10

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With the latest generation of smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10, the manufacturer has made some small but welcome changes that make it definitely the best Apple Watch you can buy, if not exactly a compelling reason to upgrade from the Series 9. The most visible upgrade is the display, which is now slightly larger and sports wide-angle OLED technology, making it much brighter when viewed from an angle. Useful for a wrist-mounted device.

It's also supposedly more power-efficient, though the battery rating of the Series 10 is unchanged from the Series 9 – up to 18 hours use, or up to 36 hours on low-power mode. However, a new battery coil does at least improve charging speeds. Internally, the Series 10 uses the new S10 chip, though there isn't really any improvement to speak of in terms of actual processing speeds.

No wheels have been reinvented here, that's for sure. But the Apple Watch Series 10 is hard to fault as a refinement of a formula. With the same launch price as the Series 9, it's unquestionably the better buy of the two, though if you already own the Series 9, there's little reason to upgrade.

Apple Watch 9

The Apple Watch Series 9 has some rather nice upgraded features over the Series 8. There's nothing terribly groundbreaking but it does have a 30% faster chip, and a 4-core neural engine that's twice as quick. The display is brighter – twice as bright, in fact, with 2,000 nits rather than the previous 1,000.

There's also Double Tap gesture (so you can tap your index finger and thumb to complete certain tasks), Precision Finding for your iPhone, extra dimming functionality and HomePod integration. But most every other feature is the same as the Series 8, including Crash Detection, heart rate monitoring etc.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is one of the most sophisticated Apple Watches on the market, perfect for those who want the rugged build and adventure-supporting features. The standout new features are that the new chip and processor makes it up to 50% faster, and Siri is available on the Watch itself. There's also the new double tap gesture (as found on the Series 9), which allows you to tap your finger and thumb together as a sort of button.

What was on the Ultra already was a host of brilliant features for adventurers, like a water temperature sensor, a depth gauge and depth app, a compass, an ambient light sensor – and all the health features found on the basic app.

The Ultra 2 is certainly worth it for adventurers who don't yet have an Apple Watch, but is probably not a flashy enough update on the original Ultra to upgrade if you already have the first one (especially since there will likely be some standout offers on the original Ultra).

As of September 2024, the Ultra 2 has also received a minor cosmetic update in the form of a new black titanium finish option. Released alongside the Apple Watch Series 10, it's designed to be scratch-resistant and ultra-durable, and can also be purchased with a Titanium Milanese Loop band that's designed for water-based activities.

Apple Watch 8

The Series 8 is 2022's Apple Watch, and it still encapsulates the excellent experience the Watch has come to epitomise. It has an always-on display that stretches close to the edges of the screen, the latest Apple S8 chip, and a range of attractive colours and straps. To be honest, it doesn't do much less than the Series 9 – and with some excellent prices available right now we do recommend this model if price is a key consideration.

The Series 8 was a small upgrade over the Series 7, with crash detection, temperature sensing and ovulation cycle tracking being the main new features. If you’re new to the Apple Watch then it’s a great purchase – Apple makes the best smartwatches on the market, after all.

Apple Watch Ultra

The Apple Watch Ultra was the most high-end device in the Watch line-up the Ultra 2's release, and it was Apple’s attempt to go all-out for explorers and extreme sports enthusiasts. But it also offers plenty for people who just want an Apple Watch that does it all.

It has a large and bright display, a super-tough chassis, 36 hours of battery life, and an Action button with a range of uses. For rugged adventurers, there’s more accurate GPS, a location alert siren, and double the water resistance (down to 100m). It’s expensive, but much less so now the Ultra 2 is out – it’s the Apple Watch to buy if you don’t want any compromises on performance but don't want to spend top dollar.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) is a great way to get an Apple Watch without breaking the bank. It contains many of the features found in the Apple Watch Series 8, including an S8 chip, the same 50m water resistance, and the new crash detection and cycle tracking features.

It misses out on a few things, such as the always-on display and fast charging, but in return it can be picked up for $249. If you’re not bothered by what it lacks, it’s the perfect way into the Apple Watch ecosystem without having to cut back on much.

Apple Watch 7

The Apple Watch Series 7 has been superseded by a couple of Series now, and the deals on it aren't much better than those on the 8 now that the 9 has been released. Before this we would have said that the Series 7 was still worth your time but the most recent developments don't leave much room for it.

However, it was the first Apple Watch to adopt the larger, more expansive display, and it also introduced fast charging and a much more crack-resistant metal chassis, helping it last longer than ever. So if you find a good deal on a renewed model, or a surprising price on a new one, it could be worth it.

Older Apple Watch models

• Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
• Apple Watch SE (1st generation) (2020)
• Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)

How we test Apple Watches

When we review tech wearables such as Apple Watches, our reviewers spend as much time with them as possible in order to test them the same way you, the consumer, are likely to use them. We look at how easy the Watch is to use, how bright and responsive its display is, how well apps and other functions work, and how long the battery lasts both with intense use and intermittent use. For guides such as this one, we also use reviews from the Future family of websites such as Tech Radar to inform our comments on the latest tech that our in-house team may not have tested yet. Learn more about how we test and review at Creative Bloq.

FAQs

Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch?

Buying a refurbished Apple Watch can be a great way to save money, but there are some things you need to be aware of.

You’ll need to check the reputation of the company doing the refurbishment. The renewal process should mean you get an Apple Watch that looks and feels brand new, otherwise you’re just getting a used device and not a refurbished one. Check reviews and find out what the company says it does to renew the Apple Watch, then make sure it’s what you want.

Apple offers refurbished Watches on its website, and here the quality is second to none. The company uses genuine new parts and includes fresh cables and packaging. Its prices can be a little higher than third-party repair companies, although that’s not always the case. And you end up with a Watch that feels just like a new product, but without the hefty price tag.

Why is the Apple Watch SE so cheap?

If you're browsing Apple Watches, you'll likely notice that the Apple Watch SE is significantly cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Why is that so? While it has the same processor as the comparatively expensive Apple Watch Series 8, it lacks certain features like ECG technology, which is what the more expensive Apple Watches use to monitor your heart rate. Its display also isn't up to par with the main Series Watches.

Want to delve deeper into Apple's tech? See our iPad generations list.