I upgraded from series 7 silver SS to a series 10 slate titanium and Im not really loving the new series 10 in the looks department. I like the features. It’s thinner, lighter, the screen is a little brighter and it charges quicker but I just don’t think it looks as nice as my series 7. The thicker glass bezels and more square shape make it feel like a step backwards design wise. Just curious if people are feeling the new 10 design more than the 7-9.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Series 10 vs 7/8/9 - which looks better?
- Thread starter mjpearce023
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
FWIW, I agree. It's a personal preference issue, but to me the slightly larger size and more square shape of the AW10 make the AW10 less attractive than the AW S7/8/9. It looks too big, but I think it's more the length:width ratio, because to me the Ultra looks better on a wrist than the S10.
I think it depends on the color. I initially wasn't a fan of the thicker bezels based on pictures from Apple's site, but then I saw the Jet Black watch in a store and it really does look a lot nicer than I was expecting. I only looked at it briefly, but I could hardly tell where the glass met the frame since the whole thing is dark and shiny...so the bezel basically becomes invisible and can't see it anyway (if you have the black watch). The Jet Black images on Apple's site make the glass and bezel look much more pronounced for some reason.
I just got the black ultra 2 yesterday. Right now I’m leaning toward keeping it and returning my 10. I would still have my SS 7 for fancier occasions.
That’s one reason I got the slate titanium was the bezels blend in better. After seeing the natural titanium in the store I think that’s my favorite color this year but it would make the larger bezels more obvious unless you only use black background faces.
I spent ages trying them all on today in the Apple store
Ultra 2 black does look cool, better than the other Series 10 models, but it’s too damn big and heavy for my slim wrists.
I wanted to upgrade from S6 and wear my Watch ‘everywhere’ and all the time, so the Ultra isn’t really the solution for me.
Got the Jet Black with a darker band and it really does look and feel very nice. Better than my silver S6 which now looks cheap.
I think for comfort, the S10 wins hands down now. It’s so light and slim.
The ultra is a big watch for sure. To me, it doesn’t really feel much more heavy that my SS 7 while wearing it. My complaint is just the thickness. I know it’s a requirement for the better battery life but the ultra would look a lot better if it was 20-25% thinner. It also feels weird buying a watch that’s already been out for a year just because it’s a new color. I typically keep my watch for 2 years but If the ultra 3 is thinner or has a larger screen I will have to upgrade again next year.
I think I kind of agree - the main issue is that the Series 10 is a bit more square. I picked up a Series 10 as a potential replacement to my Series 7 aluminum - but I am leaning towards returning it. To me the second watch looks better
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the bezels irl on the S10! My guess is that the S11 will keep the same enclosure but reduze the bezels again- that‘s gonna be the watch to get! Sticking with my 7 until then and enjoying a free battery replacement thanks to EU user rights 
I will say I am very glad I got a Series 9 SS gold with blood oxygen - that watch basically has all of the latest features and will get five years or more of WatchOS updates, in a metal that is no longer available. I actually think the Series 9 is an excellent buy today for many.
I have been thinking that the S10 looks like it is bigger top to bottom and covers more of the wrist. it is and it does, but only by 1mm, and I have some difficulty believing I'm really seeing that 1mm. (The S10 footprint is 46x39mm vs. 45x38mm for the S7/8/9.) Nevertheless, even though I have trouble believing I'm seeing that 1mm (top-bottom and side to side), the S10 does look bigger...
Initially when I saw the renders I thought the larger black bezel of the 10 was a downgrade from the series 7 I had previously
How having worn it for a week it’s a non factor. The watch still looks minimal modern and clean. I like it
Still tempted by that black ultra 2.. wondering if I should splurge on both 😭
How having worn it for a week it’s a non factor. The watch still looks minimal modern and clean. I like it
Still tempted by that black ultra 2.. wondering if I should splurge on both 😭
I know they have been sticking with the same design for 3 years recently but I don’t think they will be able to do that with the 10. I think you’re right about the 11.I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the bezels irl on the S10! My guess is that the S11 will keep the same enclosure but reduze the bezels again- that‘s gonna be the watch to get! Sticking with my 7 until then and enjoying a free battery replacement thanks to EU user rights
After a week (and a day) I can’t say I even notice the bezels on my S10 slate titanium. It’s definitely a nice upgrade from my S7 graphite and a better fit for me than my old AWU 2. It looks great with my leather link bands.
And as much as I am disappointed that there wasn’t a version of Modular Ultra included with the 46mm S10, the new Photos watch face coupled with a few widgets is working better for me than I expected.
And as much as I am disappointed that there wasn’t a version of Modular Ultra included with the 46mm S10, the new Photos watch face coupled with a few widgets is working better for me than I expected.
I couldn’t believe it when I was watching the keynote. With how big of a deal they made during the 7 keynote about pushing the screen further to the edges I couldn’t believe they would go backwards. I thought about just keeping my 7 till next year too but I’m really liking the black ultra right now.I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the bezels irl on the S10! My guess is that the S11 will keep the same enclosure but reduze the bezels again- that‘s gonna be the watch to get! Sticking with my 7 until then and enjoying a free battery replacement thanks to EU user rights
As you said so yourself, this design is very, very probably what you will get in the S11 and S12 as well. Apple have never changed anything, design-wise, between the major re-designs.
It’s probably wishful thinking but I just can’t see this design lasting 3 years. I could totally be wrong but I feel like there is a bigger redesign in the works for next year.
Well Apple is predictable right until they aren‘t, so we can never be sure. But I would assume next year we‘ll rather get the first Ultra re-design.
Do they replace the unit with a s8/9? Is that still valid in the UK?I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the bezels irl on the S10! My guess is that the S11 will keep the same enclosure but reduze the bezels again- that‘s gonna be the watch to get! Sticking with my 7 until then and enjoying a free battery replacement thanks to EU user rights
I don’t see a dramatic Ultra redesign. I see a lot of people asking for a thinner Ultra, but not sure you really need it to be much thinner when you have the AW10. And you need to preserve the battery life advantage of the Ultra as well.
I don‘t think it will be dramatic, either. A refinement, just like the Series re-designs. Smaller black bezels would be nice. 😊
No I think you get your watch back. I was really surprised when they told me it would be free- my battery is at 83% and it said 0€ for battery service because of EU customer rights.
I like the flat screen and raised ridges of the Ultra, but it's a bit too thick and heavy for me, so I would love to have a thinner, lighter Ultra, and I would prefer that over the S10.
There isn't a great deal of difference aesthetically, its a millimetre in each direction and a slimmer case. I think this is another topic where it is being over-thought to justify either buying or not.