Overview

• Testing finds the 46mm model lasts roughly two days with sleep tracking, with batteries up 9% (42mm) and 11% (46mm) and a full charge taking about 66 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter.
• The watch retains the S10 chip and Series 10 design while adding cover glass Apple rates as twice as scratch resistant, with sapphire still reserved for pricier titanium versions.
• watchOS 26 brings the new wrist‑flick gesture, Liquid Glass visuals, and Flow and Exactograph faces, and it runs on Apple Watch Series 6 and newer.
• Health additions include hypertension alerts that analyze trends over 30 days, a simplified Sleep Score, and the AI Workout Buddy coach, which requires carrying an iPhone 15 Pro or later for supported activities.
• Optional 5G requires an eSIM and carrier plan, pricing starts at £369/€449/$399 with 5G about £100 more, and the model slots above the Watch SE 3 and below the Ultra 3.