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

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

On one facet, there’s the extra inexpensive $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 Extremely 3, Apple’s cumbersome however sturdy smartwatch that provides glorious battery life and a lot of the similar options because the Sequence 11 (satellite tv for pc connectivity is the key exception).

The place does this go away the $400 Apple Watch Sequence 11? In comparison with the Sequence 10, the Sequence 11’s solely notable upgrades are a extra sturdy show, improved battery life, and 5G. Which means you probably have a Sequence 10 (or arguably the Sequence 8 or Sequence 9), there is no cause 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 would possibly discover lots to love concerning the Sequence 11, although, particularly if, like me, you are not a fan of the Apple Watch Extremely’s dimension, weight, and value.

The Apple Watch lineup’s listing 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 (the truth is, it is nonetheless nice regardless of the minor upgrades), it simply signifies that its viewers is extra restricted than it was just a few years in the past.

4/5

Model

Apple

Coronary heart Fee Monitor

Sure

Notification Help

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. 

Execs & 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 seems 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 dimension up to now that it virtually feels just like the Apple Watch Extremely’s show, and that is still true right here.

The LTPO display nonetheless is available in at 2,000 nits of brightness in comparison with the Apple Watch Extremely 3’s upgraded 3,000 nits display. This makes the show barely harder to view in direct daylight, however the visibility change is not substantial. What’s upgraded over the Sequence 10 by way of display expertise 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 includes a extra sturdy sapphire crystal show).

Given how simply I’ve scratched my Apple Watch’s display through the years, this can be a nice transfer by Apple. I am fascinated by how the Apple Watch Sequence 11’s show holds up over the subsequent few months. The Sequence 11 additionally includes a seen second hand, similar to the Extremely 3. Is that this vital function? Positively not, however it nonetheless seems 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 easy 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 function can also be accessible on the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and later. These varied well being monitoring options are the Sequence 11’s key benefit over the Apple Watch SE 3, provided that the cheaper smartwatch solely provides a wrist temperature sensor and optical coronary heart sensor. If health-tracking is vital to you, the Sequence 11 is the Apple Watch you need.

The Sequence 11’s major 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 big has elevated that declare to 24 hours on a single cost. Six hours won’t seem to be a lot on paper, however in my expertise — with the always-on show, just a few 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 scenario, 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 subsequent day. After I’ve completed this with the Sequence 10 I have been utilizing for the previous yr, it will probably be lifeless or all the way down to roughly 5%. I’ve solely been testing the Sequence 11 for a couple of week and a half, however I am impressed with the battery life enhancements up to now. So far as new options go, the additional few hours you will get out of the Apple Watch Sequence 11 is by far the principle cause to improve.

Every part else

5G and new watchOS 26 options are right here

I’ve by no means been massive on utilizing knowledge with my smartwatch, so the improve to 5G (the Apple Watch Extremely 3 additionally now options 5G), is not a giant deal to me. Alternatively, if you happen to’re a smartwatch knowledge consumer, sooner downloads are probably a welcome addition to the Apple Watch Sequence 11. It is value noting that 5G smartwatch plans aren’t accessible in Canada but, although most U.S. carriers provide them. There’s not satellite tv for pc connectivity with the Sequence 11, sadly — that function is barely accessible on the Apple Watch Extremely 3.

The opposite notable improve this yr is watchOS 26. Much like years previous, Apple’s refreshed wearable working system features a slew of options. There is a Sleep Rating, supplying 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’d (it is the kind of factor you could deliberately combine into your life). On a facet be aware, I in a short time turned off the recommended Good Stack function that takes over your Watch Face as a result of I discovered it saved taking on the Sequence 11’s display. This function would possibly work for some individuals, however it’s computerized strategies do not match into my life.

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

To be clear, all of those new watchOS 26 options are additionally accessible on the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and above, so similar to in years previous, they don’t seem to be distinctive to Apple’s newest smartwatch and are not a cause to improve, relying on what Apple Watch you at present personal, after all (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

This can be a powerful one. Now that the Apple Watch SE 3 options an always-on display, it is my go-to advice for Apple customers that desire a smartwatch. Alternatively, 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 provides. The Sequence 11 is a harder advice.

Are you actually into monitoring health metrics and utilizing an older Apple Watch 6, 7, or 8? Upgrading to the Sequence 11 is likely to be value it then. Nevertheless, anybody nonetheless rocking an Apple Watch Sequence 9 or 10 undoubtedly is not lacking a lot. Perhaps you are like me and don’t love how cumbersome the Apple Watch Extremely 3 is, however you continue to need all the flowery well being monitoring options it provides? I’ve very skinny wrists, and typically it seems like I am carrying a brick round my arm after 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 stability between options, consolation, and efficiency — It is simply not a really thrilling improve over the Sequence 10.

This system was offered to Pocket-lint by Apple.

4/5

Model

Apple

Coronary heart Fee Monitor

Sure

Notification Help

Hypertension

Working System

watchOS 26