Which Apple Watch is Right for You in 2024?
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by
Kirk McElhearn
The Apple Watch has been around for ten years, and is, as Apple likes to say, their “most personal device ever.” After a few years of finding its direction, the Apple Watch now focuses on three core feature sets. It helps wearers with fitness, health, and information.
If you want an Apple Watch, there are three models to choose from, with a couple of variants. Here’s how to pick which model is right for you.
In this article:
If you want the best all-around Apple Watch
The Series 10 Apple Watch isn’t a huge upgrade from its recent predecessors, but it’s the first change to the overall design of the watch in several years. With case sizes now at 42mm and 46mm, the 10th Apple Watch has a larger display and is thinner. The total screen size of the Series 10 is actually a bit larger than the Apple Watch Ultra, which has a 49mm case. (416×496 pixels for the 46mm Series 10, and 410×502 pixels for the Ultra, for a total screen area of 1,220 sq mm vs. 1,185 sq mm.) It’s not a lot, but if you’ve been tempted by the larger display of the Apple Watch Ultra, but don’t like the bulk, the Series 10 might be for you. The Series 10 is also thinner than previous Apple Watch models; 9.7mm compared to 10.7mm for older watches. And this is much thinner than the Apple Watch Ultra at 14.4mm.
In terms of features, the Series 10 adds what Apple calls a wide-angle OLED display, which is more visible when you’re not looking straight at the screen; a new feature to detect sleep apnea (which is also available on the Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2). It has the ability to sense water depth and temperature, if you’re into snorkeling, and it offers faster charging, going to 80% in just 30 minutes.
The Series 10 comes in a number of styles and colors. The aluminum model comes in three colors: silver, rose gold, and a glossy jet black. Apple has abandoned their stainless steel models, and now offers an Apple Watch with a titanium case, in natural, gold, and slate colors. Both models are available in two sizes, 42 mm and 46mm, and the aluminum model offers GPS or GPS/cellular options, the latter of which is the only version in the titanium model. One advantage of the titanium model is that it’s about 20% lighter than stainless steel.
As always, you have a plethora of bands to choose from, and while Apple’s page for the Apple Watch shows a several examples, you can make any combination of case material, color, and band that you want on the Apple Watch Studio page.
Pricing for the Apple Watch Series 10 starts at $399 and $429, for the 42mm and 46mm aluminum models with GPS, and adding cellular costs an additional $100. The titanium models start at $699 and $749 for the 42mm and 46 mm respectively. Add another $50 for certain bands, though some are even more expensive than that. (See the luxury Apple Watch below.) Both versions come with 64 GB storage.
If you want a luxury Apple Watch
When the first Apple Watch was launched, there was a solid gold Apple Watch Edition that started at $10,000. It was obvious that this was a non-starter, and it had a short lifespan. However, Apple has been partnering with Hermès for several years, offering an Apple Watch Hermès model for those who want a fancier model.
This year’s models feature a polished titanium case, different from that of the Series 10, and include exclusive watch faces. What makes it fancier and more expensive is the chic bands available. Priced from $1,249 to $1,949, this is the Apple Watch you buy if you want to show off. There’s even a special Hermès edition of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, with a unique band, that costs $1,399.
Apple also sells a number of Hermès watch bands, costing from $349 to $999. Apple stopped selling the brand’s leather watch bands in late 2023, but Hermès sells the Apple Watch with a variety of bands, including leather bands, at their stores and online.
If you’re an athlete or adventurer
In 2022, for the first time, Apple released a watch with a totally new form factor. In 2023, Apple released the second version of this model, the Apple Watch Ultra 2. There was no upgrade to this model in 2024 other than a new color, so the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is now available in natural and black titanium.
This model is designed for those who need a rugged watch, and has features not available on the other models. Inside its bulky titanium case are additional sensors and hardware for those who need extra features. These include dual-frequency GPS, an enhanced Compass app, and a depth sensor for divers.
With an extra bright display, which also offers a night mode, the Apple Watch Ultra boasts 36-hour battery life, extendable to 60 hours in low-power mode. An Action button, and a larger side button and digital crown, make the watch’s features available when you’re wearing gloves, and three new active bands are designed for the toughest conditions.
It’s a big watch, however, at 49 mm, and is 14.4 mm thick, which is nearly 40% thicker than the Series 10. While there are two sizes for the other current models, the Apple Watch Series 10 and the Apple Watch SE, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in only one size, so people with small wrists may find it too bulky. But if you want an Apple Watch for rugged activities (or just for the bling factor), this is the one for you. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 costs $799.
If you want a budget Apple Watch or a watch for kids
Apple positions the Apple Watch SE as the inexpensive watch — one you can even give your child, since a child doesn’t need to have their own iPhone to set it up. You can use Family Setup so “your family member who doesn’t have their own iPhone can use their Apple Watch to do things like make phone calls, send messages, and share their location with you.”
Priced at $249 and $279, for the 40mm or 44mm model, the Apple Watch SE is great for someone who is new to the Apple Watch, and who wants to find out whether it’s right for them. It’s also ideal for someone who wants to use one occasionally when working out, swimming, or cycling, but won’t be wearing it all the time. And it’s great as a starter device for children, so you can keep track of where they are, and message them when they’re on Wi-Fi. (Cellular models are also available, for an additional $50.)
Available in midnight, starlight, and silver, it is compatible with most bands. While it’s not as feature-rich as the Series 10, it does include the emergency SOS feature, crash detection, and more.
How to choose the right Apple Watch bands for you
Don’t forget that you can buy additional Apple Watch bands if you want to change your look. Most of these bands are compatible with older watches, and you can choose from sport loops, solo loops, stainless steel, and more. If you’re a big spender, you can even buy luxury Hermès bands for any Apple Watch model.
For more details, see our related article, The Complete Guide to Apple Watch Bands: sizing, styles, and more.
The Complete Guide to Apple Watch Bands in 2024: Sizing, Styles, and More
Which Apple Watch should you choose?
The Apple Watch is one of Apple’s simplest product lines. You don’t have to choose which processor the watch contains, how much storage it has, or how much memory like with a computer. Nevertheless, there are many variations of size, case material, and band, meaning that there is an Apple Watch for everyone. You can visit the Apple Watch Studio page on Apple’s website to see how the watch looks with different cases and bands to find the perfect combination.
How can I learn more?
Each week on the Intego Mac Podcast, Intego’s Mac security experts discuss the latest Apple news, security and privacy stories, and offer practical advice on getting the most out of your Apple devices. Be sure to follow the podcast to make sure you don’t miss any episodes.
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