6 Reasons to Wait for Apple Watch 10 & 5 Reasons Not To

Apple’s reportedly working on a new Apple Watch 10 for 2024. The Apple Watch 10 release date is getting closer which means you might want to hold of on an upgrade and wait for the new model.

Last year, Apple released the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Both are solid additions to the company’s Watch lineup, but they will likely be replaced later this year.

Reports have outlined three new models: A new Apple Watch SE 3, an Apple Watch Ultra 3, and a new Apple Watch 10.

We’ve already seen quite a bit of back and forth regarding the 2024 models.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a primary source of these rumors, claims Apple’s working on a major overhaul and that it could come in the form of a new Apple Watch X.

Apple’s original Apple Watch was announced back in 2014 and launched in 2015 so Gurman isn’t sure if the device will launch in 2024 or in 2025. The latter is now more likely.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is another source talking about this year’s Apple Watch lineup and he claims the devices are “unlikely” to offer “significant innovative experiences.”

It’s a bit confusing right now, as it typically is before Apple releases a new product, and that might have some of you on edge.

Apple Watch 10 rumors put those of you searching for a new smartwatch in a tough position: Buy now or wait and see what Apple’s got up its sleeve in 2024. If that question is rattling around in your brain, allow us to help.

In this guide we’ll take you through the best reasons to consider waiting for the Apple Watch 10 and the best reasons to go with another device before it arrives.

Wait Because the Launch is Getting Close

If you’re in a hurry to buy a new watch, you’ll have to look elsewhere. However, if you can hold out for a few more days, we advise you to do so.

As of right now, we expect the new Apple Watch to arrive in September alongside the iPhone 16 series.

Apple’s iPhone 16 event is set for September 9th.

Wait for Blood Pressure Monitoring

Gurman believes Apple is targeting 2024 for a blood pressure monitor on the Apple Watch.

He’s outlined three health features Apple’s working on: glucose and blood sugar monitoring, the ability to take blood pressure, and the ability to measure body temperature. Of these, it looks like the blood pressure tool is the closest to launch.

The Apple Watch 10 would be able to detect a user’s blood pressure from the wrist using infrared light. Apple’s watchOS 11 software is expected to deliver this upgrade.

If you have blood pressure issues, or simply want a quick way to check, this feature alone might be worth the wait.

Wait for Sleep Apnea Detection

In addition to blood pressure monitoring, the next Apple Watch is expected to gain sleep apnea detection.

Mark Gurman’s outlined the change in a lengthy piece about Apple’s focus on health and he says “it will use sleep and breathing patterns to estimate whether someone has the condition.”

Gurman also says the Watch will then direct users to see a physician if necessary.

This is the first time we’ve heard this rumor and if the feature is indeed coming in 2024, we expect to hear a lot more about it in the coming months.

Wait for Design Tweaks

One of the biggest changes from Gurman’s report about the Apple Watch 10 is a new design.

Since its inception, the Apple Watch design has remained largely the same, save for incremental improvements the company’s made over the years.

According to Gurman, Apple’s designers are working on a thinner watch case. He hasn’t elaborated on the exact dimensions.

Obviously this would be a huge change as it would cut down on the device’s bulk and probably help the device feel lighter on the wrist.

The report also notes that we could also see Apple change the way bands are attached to the Watch.

As it stands, Apple Watch bands have slid into the sides of the device’s chassis and are kept in place with a locking mechanism.

Gurman says the company is exploring a new magnetic band attachment system, but it’s unclear if the change will be ready in time for the these models.

In a follow-up report about Apple’s plans for 2024, Gurman says the company is planning “at least one model with a new look.”

Leaker Kosutami, who has been accurate in the past, backs this up and says the new design will break compatibility with existing Apple Watch bands.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also expects a thinner design.

Wait for Larger Displays

In addition, Kuo believes the Apple Watch 10 models will have bigger screens.

Kuo says the devices will move from from 45mm/41mm to about 49mm/45mm giving users a lot more real estate.

Wait for Performance Improvements

The change to this new magnetic locking mechanism could come with added benefits.

Gurman says that while keeping the Apple Watch design the same allows the bands stay compatible with old and new Watch models, it’s not ideal.

He says people “involved in the development of new Apple Watches say the system takes up a considerable amount of space that could be better filled with a bigger battery or other components.”

Obviously, this is a bit vague, but the design changes could lead to performance improvements in key areas like battery life. And who doesn’t love having more juice?

It’s unclear if Apple will swap a new processor in, given that it just put a new chip into the latest Apple Watch models.

A supply chain report from South Korean outlet The Elec claims the Apple Watch 10 will utilize an improved OLED display with low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) technology.

This change should help lower power consumption which means enhanced battery life for users.

Don’t Wait for the Apple Watch X

In a report on Medium, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the 2024 Apple Watch will “unlikely have significant innovative experiences” and that the “highly anticipated blood glucose monitoring feature won’t happen in 2024 and possibly not in 2025.”

Mark Gurman, the source of the Apple Watch X rumors, says “this year’s third-generation Apple Watch Ultra will have roughly the same look as the original, and the other watch models still resemble the Series 4 launched in 2018.”

And alleged schematics depicting the Apple Watch 10 show off a very familiar design.

If Apple plans to release a new high-end Apple Watch X, it probably won’t happen in 2024.

Don’t Wait for a MicroLED Display

Last year, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the Apple Watch might gain a microLED display in the future. It would replace the OLED display and allow the device to display brighter and more vibrant colors.

The change would also provide improved viewing angles and, according to Gurman, the new display would “make content appear like it’s painted on top of the glass.”

Unfortunately, plans have changed and it looks like an Apple Watch with microLED display is many years away, if it comes at all.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple “has canceled the Micro LED Apple Watch projects because Apple thinks that Micro LED can’t add significant value to this product, and the production costs are too high to make it economically viable.”

This has been corroborated by Gurman who now says Apple’s cancelled plans to develop a MicroLED displays for the Apple Watch.

Gurman believes Apple will stick with OLED displays for the foreseeable future.

In February, South Korean publication The Elec said supply chain issues may delay the change beyond 2026.

This was seemingly confirmed by supplier ams OSRAM who says it will now “re-assess its microLED strategy” now that a “cornerstone project” was “unexpectedly cancelled.”

The microLED Apple Watch lost another potential supplier. Kulicke & Soffa says one of its “strategic customers” has cancelled its project. Analyst Ross Young believes that customer is Apple.

While the project may not be completely cancelled, don’t expect a microLED Apple Watch for a long time.

Don’t Wait for Blood Glucose Monitoring

While we could see blood pressure monitoring make its way to the Apple Watch 10, don’t expect blood glucose monitoring, that feature is further out.

Apple’s long been interested in releasing a device with these capabilities, but as of right now we’re probably looking at a launch on another Apple Watch model.

According to Korean outlet ETNews, the Apple Watch will feature blood glucose monitoring by way of a non-invasive optical sensor.

A Bloomberg report states that “blood-sugar sensor, which would help diabetics monitor their glucose levels, is unlikely to be ready for commercial launch for several more years.”

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the feature is currently in a “proof-of-concept” stage which means a release to the general public is still years away.

Gurman says the feature could take “another three to seven years at least.”

Don’t Wait If You Find a Good Fit

If you’re shopping for a new smartwatch and you see something that you like, be it an Apple Watch model or an alternative like the Samsung Galaxy Watch or the Fitbit Versa 4, don’t let Apple Watch 10 rumors hold you back.

If you find a good deal and or if you’re able to cheaply upgrade from an older model, it might make more sense to get the upgrade you want right now and enjoy the device for the next year or more.

You can always sell an Apple Watch for a decent amount on the resale market to pay for part of your Apple Watch 10 upgrade later on.

Don’t Wait for Deals

You don’t have to wait for the Apple Watch 10 release to save money on Apple’s current, or older, Apple Watch models.

We’ve seen a lot of Apple Watch deals including some discounts on the company’s flagship Apple Watch 9, high-end Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the budget Apple Watch SE 2. We’ll continue to see retailers offer discounts throughout the year.

If you stay on top of these deals, you can save a bunch of money. Keep your eyes on sites like Amazon for deals on these and devices like the Apple Watch 8, Apple Watch 7, Apple Watch 6, and Apple Watch SE.

If you don’t find any deals that fit your budget, we’ll also see Apple Watch deals near Back to School and during Black Friday in November.