Putting on theApple Watch Series 10made me realize Apple has made a watch . Not just a smartwatch , but awatch , and there ’s a clear-cut and important difference between the two words .
To understand how this has come about , we need to go back in time to theApple Watch Series 3and compare it to the latest version . After doing so , I reckon you ’ll start to appreciate how much the Apple Watch has evolved since those early daysand how it ’s now set to devise a new path forward .
What’s the difference between a watch and a smartwatch?
The remainder between a watch and a smartwatch is both obvious and unfixed . A smartwatch has a level of high - technical school functionality unavailable on a mechanically skillful sentry that requires it to connect to your smartphone , but I do n’t think it take to have a touchscreen to be considered a smartwatch . WatchmakersFrederique ConstantandAlpinahave made smartwatches without a touchscreen in the past , while Casiocontinues to do so todaywith its G - Shock watches , but they still have a connected component that have them “ smarter ” than an unconnected watch .
A scout say the time and engagement without a connection to your speech sound . It ’s not a piece of technology but is alternatively regarded as a mechanical piece of precision applied science . Any layer of additional functionality beyond the meter is usually further down the inclination of intellect to buy it than with a smartwatch . Most watches have form and form that make them aesthetically pleasing , and many follow brands have an enticing account . We mostly buy them because of how they make us find rather than what they do .
Despite each case of watch being worn on our wrists , they ’re quite different . Regardless of howsmarta watch is , sizing and soma thing , as do comfortableness and design because we get into them on our bodies — sometimes 24 hours a day .
Apple Watch Series 3 (left) and the Apple Watch Series 10Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
When we go back to the Apple Watch Series 3 , it was very far take out from scout of the day in these esteem . To me , it ’s very plainly a smartwatch . But with the Apple Watch Series 10 , thing have changed to such a degree it now blurs the seam like never before .
An icon
It ’s easygoing to intend Apple has not changed the shape of the Apple Watch over the long time and that it ’s still “ hearty ” and not rotund , therefore “ not a literal watch . ” In realism , the Apple Watch is commonplace and accepted . By steady refining its bod , Apple has taken it from oddball to picture . When the Series 10 is place alongside the Series 3 , those old preconceptions are shown up as misguided , and it ’s here the Apple Watch ’s transmutation from smartwatch to watch is best illustrated .
Just look at the mat and squared - off corner of the Series 3 compared to the rounded , curved Series 10 . Observe how the touch screen sit on top of the Series 3 ’s case while it coalesce into the body of the Series 10 , and the show is visible from the side rather than only from the front . The Series 10 shows the time forever and even features a move 2d paw on some scout faces . The useable watch faces are varied and interesting , shifting aside from the nidus on expert , info - heavy dashboards and more toward graceful and stylish dial - similar designs .
The Apple Watch has grown in size of it but reduced in thickness , the Digital Crown has become daintier and less obvious , while the button beneath it is now flush with the case . The practical isthmus affixation scheme has n’t commute , and rather , the alterations to the case ’s proportion de - emphasize it in the overall designing . Despite all the blueprint and internal updates and improvements over the year , the Series 10 with a Sport Loop isthmus is just a single gram heavier than the equivalent Series 3 , but the way the shape flows and curves makes it almost unnoticeable on your articulatio radiocarpea .
Apple Watch Series 3 (left) and the Apple Watch Series 10Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
Everything coming together
Ten years ago , the Apple Watch looked like a piece of engineering science on your carpus . People were shock at the almost substantial shape and chunky dimension and irked by the fact it did n’t always show the time . The Series 3 framework in our exposure shows how valid these arguments against it were , and it ( like so many other smartwatches of the sentence ) was little more than a companion to your sound built within the constraints of what was technically possible , rather than taking on a traditional picket you ’d choose to wear down and enjoy , despite designer Jony I ve ’s understanding and appreciation of mechanical watch .
It has taken time , technical advances , and gradual changes to the bod and design — along with a subtle shifting in the thinking behind what the Apple Watch could represent — for it to evolve . When looked at in context with where it all start , the old remonstration fade away . To me , it ’s no longer a “ square ” watch , and although it ’s certainly not circular , it ’s so much more constituent and natural , suiting its position on our organic structure more . This applies to the underside of the watch , too , making it supremely well-to-do . There ’s not even aneed to always touch the screenanymore , divide it further from its technical roots and law of similarity with our smartphone .
The Al feels in high spirits lineament , the glass has a deeper shine , and the cover ’s larger size and high resolving power make the lookout man face sharper and more realistic looking at . geminate the watch with the metal Milanese Loop band and the full - screen Reflections watch face , and the Apple Watch becomes elegant and stylish , all without really alter the shape of the case .
Apple Watch Series 10 (left) and the Apple Watch Series 3Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
No other smartwatch can overstretch off this put-on , and no round smartwatch comes close to the delectation of seeing the Series 10 ’s filmdom cascade over the side of the glass either . opt the titanium manikin , and it ’s not really the metal that elevates it beyond the aluminum rendering , but the beautiful sheen from the azure crystal over the screen . Does it weigh that it does n’t have a mechanical movement indoors ? Not as much as it once did .
This really is the Apple Watch X
forrader of the Series 10 ’s launch , many bear Apple to celebrate the10th anniversary of the Apple Watchby overhauling the design and introducing feature like a magnetic band fastening system , along with an even turgid projection screen and thinner case . Disappointment spread when the Series 10 was n’t go through as a substantive enoughchange over the Series 9 , but in realism , the belittled alterations have made a monumental deviation to the look , feel , and possession of the Apple Watch — which is far more welcome than any flashy - but - unnecessary headline - bothering tech changes .
Moving beyond being only look at a smartwatch is a more fitting 10th - anniversary gift , and 10 year is a not insignificant amount of story when it come to making this kind of merchandise either . Current sentry branddu jourChristopher Wardhas only been making watches for 20 years , for instance .
I ’ve possess and wear every Apple Watch since the very first modelling , but the Series 10 , when equalise with a metal circle , is the first that has really captured what it ’s like to own and wear a non - wise scout . It ’s attractively made from high - lineament materials , the organic fertilizer , flowing shape feel like part of you when it is worn , it ’s never wakeless or awkward on your wrist , and the technology fades into the screen background through clever utilization of gesture controls , the curving always - on screen , and expertly design watch face . The Milanese Loop banding go the supreme comfort and adjustability of the Sport Loop with an intricate trend comfortably associated with a spell of jewelry than a smartwatch .
Apple Watch Series 10 (left) and the Apple Watch Series 3Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
I desire to fatigue the Apple Watch Series 10 not only because of its health features , notifications , and apps but also because it no longer feels like or appear toonlybe a smartwatch . It ’s sentence to stop labeling it as such and for it to be considered just as much of a “ lookout man ” as any non - smartwatch , regardless of what ’s inside or whether it unite to your phone or not .
Just like how crystal alter vigil in 1969 , the Apple Watch Series 10 should change how we call up about connected watches from 2024 onward .
Apple Watch Series 10 (left) and the Apple Watch Series 3Andy Boxall / Digital Trends
