Apple Watch Series 11 evaluate: The similar, however higher

The Apple Watch Series 11 is probably the best evaluate I’ve ever had. The new Apple smartwatch is basically the identical as final 12 months’s Series 10 (which I additionally reviewed). It seems the identical, performs equally, and has virtually the identical performance (with a couple of unique additions; extra on that later).

But it has one extraordinarily essential enchancment: Longer battery life.

And for those who’ve ever used an Apple Watch, you know the way big that’s.

Apple Watch Series 11: Price and specs

The specs for the Series 11 are eerily just like the specs of the earlier mannequin, the Apple Watch Series 10. The dimensions, chip, storage, show — all the pieces is identical aside from minute variations in weight (the brand new mannequin is ever so barely heavier). The solely actual distinction you’ll discover is the addition of a brand new shade (for the Aluminum case), Space Gray.

Here are the highlights:

• Display measurement: 42/46mm

• Chip: S10

• Storage: 64GB

• Display decision: 416×496 pixels

• Colors: Rose Gold, Silver, Space Gray, Jet Black (Aluminum), Gold, Natural, Slate (Titanium)

• Water resistance: 50m

• Dust resistance: IP6X

Apple Watch Series 11: Design and show

The show is precisely the identical measurement as earlier than, as is the design. The Watch Series 11 remains to be extremely cozy, virtually disappearing as quickly as you set it on. The added weight (which is minute) makes no distinction. The solely manner I’d be capable to inform the Series 11 from my previous Series 10 Watch is the colour. Apple despatched me the evaluate unit within the new Space Gray Aluminum end. I’ve all the time been a sucker for Apple’s Space Gray shade, and the distinction between the case and the black show is sweet, although I reckon not vastly totally different from the beforehand out there Silver end.

To go together with the brand new Watch, Apple despatched me a Space Black Sport Band. It’s alright, however I want the less-rubbery really feel of Apple’s Sport Loop. Apple makes sufficient totally different wristbands (to not point out the hundreds of third-party choices) that everybody will certainly discover one thing they like.

Apple says the brand new show is 2 occasions extra scratch-resistant than the earlier one, because of one thing Apple calls Ion-X glass. While that’s onerous to check with out damaging the watch, it’s a pleasant enchancment, particularly since I do are likely to hit varied objects (akin to partitions and closets) with my hand, together with with the brand new Series 11.

Even although the show isn’t significantly new, it’s nonetheless extremely sharp and vibrant, even when seen from an angle. It’s the perfect show I’ve ever seen on a smartwatch, and one of many key the explanation why I’d have a tough time switching to a non-Apple smartwatch just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8.

Apple Watch Series 11: Performance

Don’t fear, the Apple Watch remains to be snappy, because of the S10 chip inside. I’ve by no means needed to fear about reminiscence on an Apple Watch (64GB is included). Various measurements, akin to blood oxygen monitoring and coronary heart price measurements, nonetheless work pretty precisely, so far as I can inform.

However, there are a few fully new options, akin to hypertension notifications and Sleep Score, however these are additionally out there on a number of older fashions now with watchOS 26. I didn’t obtain any hypertension notifications whereas carrying the watch, which is an efficient factor for me personally, however maybe not so good for this evaluate. As for the brand new Sleep Score, I loved having an in depth overview of simply how abysmally poorly I slept, because of the tiny individual (my son) waking me up each hour or two through the night time.

Workout Buddy is one other new characteristic, an AI-powered, digital exercise coach and companion. It would not actually work for my exercises, which contain calisthenics and energy coaching; in actual fact, I could not get it to say something of curiosity in any respect. Apple’s promotional supplies largely deal with actions like working, and the Workout Buddy is likely to be a greater match for these.

As far as new watch faces go, Apple’s watchOS 26 brings two new ones: the colourful Flow and the Exactograph. I did not like Flow a lot at first because it made time barely legible, however enjoying with the settings (strive eradicating the background, for instance) could make it loads nicer. The Exactograph is a geeky triple chronograph, with separate dials for hours, minutes, and seconds. Tap on it a couple of times to “explode” the minutes and the seconds dial — it is actually cool.

Apple Watch Series 11: Battery life

Last 12 months’s Apple Watch had 18 hours of battery life. Apple says the Series 11 has 24 hours of battery life. For a tool that’s with you (on you) more often than not, it is a massive step up in efficiency. But how do Apple’s figures translate into actual life use?

I’m completely happy to report that Apple wasn’t mendacity in regards to the elevated battery life. When I obtained my unit, I charged it to one hundred pc and began carrying it at about 4 p.m. I wore it through the night time (my sleep rating was 81, which sounds loads higher than it felt), and the following day at 4 p.m. it was nonetheless at 38 p.c. That day, I charged it to full energy late within the night, and I solely needed to cost it once more two days later. After practically a full week of use, I can say that the Apple Watch Series 11 is definitely a one-and-a-half-day smartwatch now, and it is attainable to increase that to a full weekend for those who fastidiously use Low Power mode.

My previous Apple Watch Series 10 would generally final a full 24 hours, however largely not. Often, it will change to power-saving mode simply earlier than I went to mattress — goodbye, exact sleep monitoring. Most annoying have been brief weekend journeys, which I do fairly often. I’d should convey a charger each single time, even when I used to be cautious to make use of the Low Power setting typically.

The Series 11 is a major improve on this regard. My sleep was tracked each night time, and even a weekend away from a charger appeared attainable (although, not if I used GPS loads). Honestly, I’d nonetheless want if Apple by some means discovered a method to make this stuff final every week, however no less than now the corporate’s claims of a full-day battery life aren’t ridiculous anymore.

Is the Apple Watch Series 11 value it?

Yes. Even if you have already got a Series 10, which has practically all the identical options, the brand new Apple Watch Series 11 doesn’t require you to cost it mid-day as a way to hold it going by the night time. With the brand new Sleep Score characteristic, that is extra essential than ever. And in my testing, the battery life enhancements have been completely actual. It’s easy: Trade your previous Watch in, and get the brand new one, particularly for those who use your Apple Watch as a sleep tracker or health tracker.

There is one exception, nonetheless. If you’re into sports activities akin to long-distance working, swimming, or diving, you also needs to think about Apple’s new Ultra 3 over the Series 11. It, too, has even longer battery life this 12 months, and also you’ll really feel the distinction. It’s additionally loads heavier and bulkier than the Series 11, which can or might not be a tradeoff.

You can purchase the brand new Apple Watch (beginning at $399) at Amazon, the Apple Store, or anyplace Apple Watches are offered.