Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up

Date: 2025-09-24 17:54:23

The Apple Watch has received some incremental updates in recent years, with significant upgrades becoming fewer and farther between as the device has progressed. Since the Apple Watch's generation-over-generation enhancements are relatively small, it is all the more important to consider when an upgrade is justified and whether an older model could suffice for your needs.The Apple Watch Series 11 is one of the smallest refreshes in the device's history, but it can still form a good upgrade if coming from an older device where the changes stack up. While all previous Apple Watch models from before the Series 11 have been discontinued, older models may still be found for lower prices from third-party retailers or second-hand.Read on to see the breakdown below for each new feature, change, and improvement that was added with each Apple Watch model compared to its direct predecessor. Viewing each generation's changes in this way helps weigh up the accumulative upgrades one receives by skipping multiple generations when buying a new device, as well as get a sense of which generations offered the biggest overall upgrades.Apple Watch Series 11 (2025)2x more scratch-resistant Ion-X glass (aluminum models only)5G connectivity (cellular models only)7–10% larger batterySpace Gray aluminum option introducedApple Watch Series 10 (2024)Refined design with a thinner casing, display with more rounded edges and a wider aspect ratio, and front glass that extends further over the sides for a higher screen-to-body ratio42mm and 46mm case sizesLarger displaysLTPO3 display for faster refresh rate in always-on mode, enabling a live ticking seconds hand on select watch facesWide-angle OLED (up to 40% brighter when viewed at an angle)S10 chip (same CPU as S9, but more compact)Water temperature sensor Depth app and Depth gauge to 6mMicrophone with voice isolationRedesigned speaker with media playbackMetal back with larger charging coil and integrated antennaFaster charging (0–80% in about 30 minutes)Titanium casing replaces stainless steel option, now in Silver (matches previous stainless steel casing, Apple Watch Hermès only), Gold, Slate, and NaturalStarlight, Midnight, Pink, and (PRODUCT)RED finishes discontinued, replaced with Silver, Rose Gold, and polished Jet Black finishesApple Watch Series 9 (2023)Retina display with up to 2,000 nits of brightnessDisplay can get dimmer in dark rooms and at night (down to 1 nit of brightness)Double tap gestureWrist flick gestureSleep apnea detectionHypertension detectionS9 chip (based on A15 Bionic)4-core Neural Engine (2x faster than Series 8)Siri‌ processed on-device for requests that do not need information from the internet‌‌Siri‌‌ can access health and fitness data25% more accurate dictationSecond-generation Ultra Wideband chipPrecision Finding for iPhone 15 modelsHomePod proximity integration64GB storagePink aluminum casing introducedApple Watch Series 8 (2022)S8 chip (same CPU as S6)More powerful gyroscope and high dynamic range accelerometer‌Crash DetectionBody temperature sensorWrist temperature sensing during sleepCycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimatesBlue and Green aluminum casings discontinued, Silver aluminum reintroducedApple Watch Edition discontinuedApple Watch Series 7 (2021)41mm and 45mm case sizes1.7mm display borders for almost 20% more screen area than Series 6QWERTY keyboardUp to 70% brighter display than Series 6 indoors when wrist is downS7 chip (Same CPU as S6)Crack-resistant front crystal (50% thicker)IP6X dust resistanceFast charging for up to 80% charge in about 45 minutes (33% faster than Series 6)Silver and Space Gray aluminum casings discontinued, Midnight, Starlight, and Green introducedApple Watch Series 6 (2020)Up to 2.5x brighter always-on displayAccess Notification Center, Control Center, and Complications when display is asleepS6 chip (based on A13 Bionic, 20% faster than S5)Always-on altimeterFirst-generation Ultra Wideband chip2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-FiBlood oxygen sensorFaster charging for a full charge in under 1.5 hoursImproved battery life for tracking certain workouts, such as indoor and outdoor runsBlue and (PRODUCT)RED aluminum casing options introducedSpace Black stainless steel casing available with Apple Watch Hermès only, Graphite option introducedCeramic Apple Watch Edition discontinuedApple Watch Series 5 (2019)Always-on Retina displayForce Touch removedS5 chipCompass32GB storageApple Watch Edition reintroduced with White Ceramic, Natural Titanium, and Space Black Titanium casing optionsApple Watch Series 4 (2018)40mm and 44mm case sizesOver 30% larger display with curved corners3.0mm display bordersS4 chip (2x faster than S3)Gyroscope and accelerometerBarometric altimeterFall detection2.4GHz Wi-FiOptical heart sensor and electrical heart sensor for ECG16GB storageDigital Crown with haptic feedback50% louder speakerRelocated microphone for reduced echo and better sound qualityFaster charging for a full charge in 1.5 hoursGold stainless steel casing introducedApple Watch Edition discontinuedApple Watch Series 3 (2017)S3 chip (70% faster than S2)Barometric altimeterBluetooth 4.2‌Siri‌ able to speak through the onboard speakerLTE cellular model available with red Digital CrownRose Gold aluminum casing discontinuedGray Ceramic Apple Watch Edition model introducedApple Watch Series 2 (2016)Retina display with up to 1,000 nits of brightness (2x brighter than previous generation)S2 chip (dual‑core)GPS and GLONASS receiver Water resistant up to 50 metersGold and Rose Gold aluminum casing options added18K Gold and Rose Gold Apple Watch Edition discontinued, Ceramic model introduced in WhiteApple Watch Nike+ variant introducedThe Apple Watch Series 11 does not provide a meaningful upgrade over the Series 10, and it is barely worth it for Series 9 users either. While it has an older design, the Series 9 offers a brighter display, wrist flick and double tap features, sleep apnea detection, and hypertension detection, as well as the same chip technology, as the subsequent two generations. Upgrading to the Series 11 starts to be more worth it when coming from a Series 8 or older. However, these users may be better off buying a Series 10 model to save money – the Series 11 is a very minor upgrade over the Series 10. Series 7 users stand to benefit more, gaining features like Crash Detection, and body and water temperature sensing, but the biggest differences will be felt by those with a Series 6 or older. watchOS 26 is not supported by the Series 5 or older, so anyone with one of these devices should definitely consider upgrading soon.Looking to the future, it looks like next year's Apple Watch Series 12 could offer some major upgrades including a redesign, a more powerful chip, new sensors, and Touch ID. This could make it a great upgrade for those with a Series 9 or older. Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)This article, "Upgrading From an Older Apple Watch? Here's How the New Features Stack Up" first appeared on MacRumors.comDiscuss this article in our forums

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