The Apple Watch Sequence 11 is a strong smartwatch with minor upgrades

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 sits within the considerably awkward center of Apple’s smartwatch lineup now.

On one aspect, there’s the extra reasonably priced $250 Apple Watch SE 3, which boasts a brand new always-on show and a barely much less glossy design, making it the go-to Apple smartwatch for most individuals. Then above it’s the expensive $800 Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple’s cumbersome however sturdy smartwatch that provides wonderful battery life and many of the identical options because the Sequence 11 (satellite tv for pc connectivity is the foremost exception).

The place does this go away the $400 Apple Watch Sequence 11? In comparison with the Series 10, the Sequence 11’s solely notable upgrades are a extra sturdy show, improved battery life, and 5G. Which means that in case you have a Sequence 10 (or arguably the Sequence 8 or Sequence 9), there isn’t any motive to improve this yr, particularly since all of watchOS 26’s main upgrades can be found on the Sequence 9 and up. These with earlier Apple Watches may discover loads to love in regards to the Sequence 11, although, particularly if, like me, you are not a fan of the Apple Watch Extremely’s measurement, weight, and value.

The Apple Watch lineup’s checklist of options is extra blurred now than ever, leaving the Apple Watch Sequence 11 squarely within the center floor. This does not make it a nasty smartwatch (in truth, it is nonetheless nice regardless of the minor upgrades), it simply signifies that its viewers is extra restricted than it was a number of years in the past.

4/5

Model

Apple

Coronary heart Fee Monitor

Sure

Notification Assist

Hypertension

Working System

watchOS 26

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 is Apple’s thinnest, most comfy smartwatch but. With as much as 24 hours of battery life, the Sequence 11 helps 5G mobile, hypertension notifications, Sleep Rating capabilities, and extra. 

Professionals & Cons

• Nice-looking design
• Tremendous mild
• A number of health-tracking sensors
• Welcome battery life upgrades

• A bizarre middleground in Apple’s lineup
• Not that totally different from the Sequence 10

Improved battery life is the principle draw this yr

Apple lastly ditches the long-running 18-hour battery life estimate

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 appears to be like similar to the Sequence 10. This implies it nonetheless options the identical rectangular design and expansive show with minimized bezels. Final yr with the Sequence 10, Apple pushed the display screen measurement thus far that it virtually feels just like the Apple Watch Extremely’s show, and that is still true right here.

The LTPO display screen nonetheless is available in at 2,000 nits of brightness in comparison with the Apple Watch Extremely 3’s upgraded 3,000 nits display screen. This makes the show barely tougher to view in direct daylight, however the visibility change is not substantial. What’s upgraded over the Sequence 10 by way of display screen know-how is the brand new Ion-X glass, which Apple says is twice as scratch-resistant because the aluminum model (the dearer titanium Apple Watch Sequence 11 nonetheless incorporates a extra sturdy sapphire crystal show).

Given how simply I’ve scratched my Apple Watch’s display screen through the years, this can be a nice transfer by Apple. I am concerned about how the Apple Watch Sequence 11’s show holds up over the following few months. The Sequence 11 additionally incorporates a seen second hand, similar to the Extremely 3. Is that this a must have characteristic? Undoubtedly not, nevertheless it nonetheless appears to be like very cool when the watch face is lit up.

The Apple Watch Sequence 11 options the Sequence 10’s S10 processor and W3 wi-fi chip, providing the identical clean efficiency as final yr’s smartwatch. All of the health-focused sensors from the Sequence 10 are again, too, together with coronary heart fee monitoring, depth, pores and skin temperature, noise monitoring, and extra. What’s new are FDA-cleared hypertension notifications, although the characteristic can be obtainable on the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and later. These numerous well being monitoring options are the Sequence 11’s key benefit over the Apple Watch SE 3, on condition that the cheaper smartwatch solely affords a wrist temperature sensor and optical coronary heart sensor. If health-tracking is essential to you, the Sequence 11 is the Apple Watch you need.

The Sequence 11’s most important draw this yr is its battery life improve. For years, Apple caught to the “all-day” 18-hour battery life estimate for the Apple Watch Sequence line. Now for the primary time, the tech large has elevated that declare to 24 hours on a single cost. Six hours won’t look like a lot on paper, however in my expertise — with the always-on show, a number of notifications, and roughly a 45-minute run — I used to be capable of push the Apple Watch Sequence 11’s battery properly into the night, with my day beginning at roughly 6am.

In one other state of affairs, I left my Apple Watch Sequence 11 on my desk in a single day, solely to seek out it nonetheless had roughly 25% battery life the following day. Once I’ve performed this with the Sequence 10 I have been utilizing for the previous yr, it will doubtless be lifeless or all the way down to roughly 5%. I’ve solely been testing the Sequence 11 for a few week and a half, however I am impressed with the battery life enhancements thus far. So far as new options go, the additional few hours you may get out of the Apple Watch Sequence 11 is by far the principle motive to improve.

Every little thing else

5G and new watchOS 26 options are right here

I’ve by no means been large on utilizing information with my smartwatch, so the improve to 5G (the Apple Watch Extremely 3 additionally now options 5G), is not a giant deal to me. However, in the event you’re a smartwatch information consumer, quicker downloads are doubtless a welcome addition to the Apple Watch Sequence 11. It is price noting that 5G smartwatch plans aren’t obtainable in Canada but, although most U.S. carriers supply them. There’s not satellite tv for pc connectivity with the Sequence 11, sadly — that characteristic is just obtainable on the Apple Watch Extremely 3.

The opposite notable improve this yr is watchOS 26. Just like years previous, Apple’s refreshed wearable working system features a slew of options. There is a Sleep Rating, providing you with a concrete quantity connected to the Apple Watch’s sleep monitoring, third-party apps within the Management Heart, wrist-flicking to dismiss notifications, the great-looking redesigned Exercise app, a brand new Notes app, and extra. The brand new wrist-flick gesture is cool, however I have not used it as usually as I assumed I might (it is the form of factor you could deliberately combine into your life). On a aspect be aware, I in a short time turned off the urged Good Stack characteristic that takes over your Watch Face as a result of I discovered it stored taking up the Sequence 11’s display screen. This characteristic may work for some folks, nevertheless it’s computerized ideas do not match into my life.

There are new Watch Faces, just like the very simple Circulate that I’ve grown to essentially like. In fact, Liquid Glass has additionally made its technique to the Apple Watch Sequence 11. I perceive the complaints surrounding the brand new clear UI, however I prefer it, significantly on the Sequence 11. The smartwatch’s sprawling display screen makes the unique-looking, see-through UI actually work.

To be clear, all of those new watchOS 26 options are additionally obtainable on the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and above, so similar to in years previous, they are not distinctive to Apple’s newest smartwatch and are not a motive to improve, relying on what Apple Watch you at the moment personal, in fact (some options can be found on even earlier Apple Watches).

Who’s the Apple Watch Sequence 11 for?

This middle-ground wearable has a really particular viewers in thoughts

It is a powerful one. Now that the Apple Watch SE 3 options an always-on display screen, it is my go-to suggestion for Apple customers that desire a smartwatch. However, I’ve advised family and friends to go for the Apple Watch Extremely 2 or 3 if battery life and sturdiness is a priority, or they’re within the peace-of-mind satellite tv for pc connetivity affords. The Sequence 11 is a tougher suggestion.

Are you actually into monitoring health metrics and utilizing an older Apple Watch 6, 7, or 8? Upgrading to the Sequence 11 is perhaps price it then. Nonetheless, anybody nonetheless rocking an Apple Watch Sequence 9 or 10 positively is not lacking a lot. Possibly you are like me and don’t love how cumbersome the Apple Watch Extremely 3 is, however you continue to need all the flowery health tracking features it affords? I’ve very skinny wrists, and typically it seems like I am carrying a brick round my arm once I’m sporting Apple’s heftiest wearable.

If this sounds such as you, then the Apple Watch Sequence 11 may very well be the right steadiness between options, consolation, and efficiency — It is simply not a really thrilling improve over the Sequence 10.

This gadget was offered to Pocket-lint by Apple.

4/5

Model

Apple

Coronary heart Fee Monitor

Sure

Notification Assist

Hypertension

Working System

watchOS 26