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Apple Watch Series 4 vs Series 10 – Which Should You Buy?

As an Amazon Associate, I Earn from Qualifying Purchases. Read Disclaimer

Apple Watch Series 4 & Series 10 have some important differences, both models are popular for their health tracking, smart features, and daily utility. The Apple Watch Series 10 is the newer, more advanced model with premium health sensors, a larger Always-On display, and faster performance. The Apple Watch 4 is more affordable and still provides core fitness tracking. Let’s explore their differences and similarities to find your perfect fit!

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 has the all-new S10 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core CPU and improved neural engine for faster performance and better battery efficiency.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has the older S4 chip, which is slower with modern apps and updates.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Display:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 features a 2.0-inch Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display with thinner bezels to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has a 1.7-inch LTPO OLED display.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Brightness:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 features an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display with up to 2000 nits brightness to ensure better visibility in bright environments.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has LTPO OLED display with only reaches 1000 nits brightness.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

RAM:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 includes 2GB of RAM, which helps deliver smoother multitasking, faster app switching, and more efficient background processes.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 comes with 1GB of RAM.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Internal Storage:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 comes with 64GB of internal storage, which allows for extensive app installations, playlists, and offline data.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 includes 16GB of storage.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Watch OS:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 comes with WatchOS 11 and supports newer features like Double Tap.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 runs watchOS 10 and is no longer eligible for major OS upgrades.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Sleep Apnea Notification:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 introduces sleep apnea detection using advanced sensors and on-device machine learning to monitor respiratory patterns during sleep.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not include any sleep apnea detection capability.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Battery Life:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 provides up to 36 hours of battery life in Low Power Mode to ensure extended usage time.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 lasts up to 18 hours on a full charge, which may require daily charging for heavy users.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Third-Generation Optical Heart Sensor:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 includes the third-generation optical heart sensor for ECG, high and low heart rate notifications, and irregular rhythm alerts.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 features a 1st-gen heart sensor with less precision.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Wi-Fi 6E:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless speeds and more stable connectivity for quicker data transfers and improved responsiveness especially in crowded areas.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 is limited to standard Wi-Fi and lacks the enhanced range of Wi-Fi 6E.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Depth Gauge and Water Temperature Sensor:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 has a depth gauge and water temperature sensor for better underwater activity tracking like diving and advanced water sports.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not include these features.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Oceanic+ App Support:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 is fully compatible with the Oceanic+ app for snorkeling with enhanced depth tracking, dive logs, and safety features.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not support Oceanic+ app.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Higher Resolution:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 delivers 416 x 496 resolution for sharper display with increased pixel density, text and graphics.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has lower 368 x 448 resolution.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Noise Suppression:
  • The Apple Watch Series 10 has enhanced noise suppression for calls, ensuring clearer voice communication
  • Apple Watch Series 4 lacks this improved audio processing feature.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Second-Generation Ultra Wideband Chip:
  • Apple Watch Series 10 features the second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip for improving Precision Finding and device integration.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not support UWB features.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Double Tap Gesture:
  • The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces the double tap gesture to control the watch with a quick finger movement for added convenience.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not support the Double Tap feature.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Bluetooth:

  • The Apple Watch Series 10 supports Bluetooth 5.3 for better range and efficiency.
  • The Apple Watch Series 4 supports Bluetooth 5.0.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10

 

Fast Charging:

  • Apple Watch Series 10 supports fast charging, getting to 80% in under 35 minutes.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not support fast charging.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 10
Check Apple Watch Series 10 Best Price
Check Apple Watch Series 4 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature Apple Watch Series 10 Apple Watch Series 4
Case Size 46mm 44mm
Case Material Jet Black Aluminum Space Black Stainless Steel
Display Type Always-On Retina LTPO OLED LTPO OLED (No Always-On)
Display Brightness Up to 2000 nits Up to 1000 nits
Resolution Higher pixel density with slimmer bezels Standard pixel density
Processor S10 SiP with Neural Engine S4 SiP
RAM Likely 1GB or more 768MB RAM
Storage 64GB 16GB
Battery Life Up to 18 hours Up to 18 hours
Fast Charging Yes No
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz support 2.4GHz only
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.0
Crash Detection Yes No
UWB Support Yes (UWB Gen 2) No
On-device Siri Yes No
Double Tap Gesture Yes No
Microphone Improved ambient noise suppression Basic microphone

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 10 if you:

  • Want the fastest chip and smoothest performance for daily tasks and apps.
  • Need the latest health features like temperature tracking and crash detection.
  • Prefer a lightweight, larger watch with a brighter display.
  • Use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth more than LTE and want fast charging.
  • Appreciate new controls like double tap and on-device Siri.

Check Apple Watch Series 10 Best Price

Buy the Apple Watch Series 4 if you:

  • Need standalone LTE connectivity without relying on your iPhone.
  • Prefer a premium stainless steel design with a luxury Milanese band.
  • Want a budget-friendly upgrade that still includes ECG.
  • Do not mind missing newer features like UWB and fast charging.
  • Like the feel and visual appeal of polished metal over matte aluminum.

Check Apple Watch Series 4 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category Winner
Processor Apple Watch Series 10
Display Apple Watch Series 10
Display Size Apple Watch Series 10
Higher Resolution Apple Watch Series 10
Display Brightness Apple Watch Series 10
Dual Speaker System Apple Watch Series 10
Internal Storage Apple Watch Series 10
Battery Life Draw
Fast Charging Apple Watch Series 10
Wi-Fi Apple Watch Series 10
Health & Fitness Apple Watch Series 10
UWB Apple Watch Series 10
Crash Detection Apple Watch Series 10
On-device Siri Apple Watch Series 10
Double Tap Gesture Apple Watch Series 10

FAQ

Is the Apple Watch Series 10 compatible with older watch bands?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 10 is compatible with 45mm bands, which also fit earlier 44mm models like the Series 4.

Does the Apple Watch Series 4 support the latest watchOS updates?
No, the Apple Watch Series 4 does not support watchOS 11 and is no longer eligible for major future software updates.

Can I use the Apple Watch Series 10 without an iPhone?
You can set up the Apple Watch Series 10 with a family member’s iPhone, but it requires an iPhone for initial setup and ongoing syncing.

Does the Apple Watch Series 10 have LTE connectivity?
No, the Series 10 model listed is GPS-only and does not support standalone cellular connectivity.

Is the Apple Watch Series 4 still good for fitness tracking?
Yes, the Series 4 still performs basic fitness tracking and ECG but lacks newer health sensors like temperature and blood oxygen.

How long does the battery last on both models?
Both the Apple Watch Series 10 and Series 4 offer up to 18 hours of battery life under typical usage.

Which watch is better for outdoor use in bright sunlight?
The Apple Watch Series 10 is better for outdoor visibility because it supports up to 2000 nits of brightness, compared to 1000 nits on the Series 4.

Can I make phone calls with both watches?
Only the Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular) can make calls without an iPhone nearby. The Series 10 (GPS-only) requires a nearby iPhone or Wi-Fi connection.

Does the Apple Watch Series 10 have faster charging?
Yes, the Series 10 supports fast charging, allowing it to reach 80 percent in about 45 minutes. The Series 4 does not have this feature.

Which model is better for future-proofing?
The Apple Watch Series 10 is better for future-proofing due to its newer chip, extended software support, and modern features like crash detection and on-device Siri.

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