Apple Watch Series 11 Review: A Quietly Capable Health and Fitness Companion The tenth generation of the Apple Watch came and went without much fanfare last year, and the arrival of the Series 11 is similarly subdued. Not much appears to have changed with Apple’s smartwatch, with no redesign to be seen. Still, that isn’t to say the Apple Watch Series 11 is unimpressive. It has new health-related features, improved durability, 5G connectivity, support for a wrist-flick gesture and, for the first time in years, the promise of longer battery life. The most noteworthy new feature is Apple’s new hypertension alerts system, which received FDA clearance just last week. This feature is designed to notify users of potential high blood pressure trends. Setting it up involves a simple process in the Health app, confirming your age and hypertension history. While it doesn’t provide on-demand blood pressure readings like a cuff, it represents an important step in passive health monitoring. Of all the new additions, the ones most people will encounter daily are the sleep score, the wrist flick gesture, and the improved battery life. A Very Apple Approach to the Sleep Score Sleep scores are far from new in the wearable world, but Apple is introducing its own take with the Series 11. Instead of a single number or an animal avatar, Apple presents your score in a ring with three colored segments representing duration, interruptions, and bedtime consistency. In testing, the scores felt accurate. A late, disrupted night resulted in a score of 82, while a consistent, full night’s sleep yielded a near-perfect 97. A jet-lagged night with only a couple of hours of sleep plummeted the score to 53, which matched the feeling of exhaustion. The ring interface makes it easy to see which area needs improvement, much like the Activity rings. However, navigating the Health app to find detailed sleep data, like exact wake-up times, can be less intuitive than on competitors like Fitbit. The Series 11s Hardier Design is a Subtle Refinement The watch’s dimensions are identical to the Series 10, measuring 9.7mm thin. Its slight weight increase is likely due to a new IonX glass coating that Apple says is twice as scratch resistant. Through everyday bumps and even intentional contact with other devices, the review unit remained pristine. The thin, light design also made overnight sleep tracking less intrusive than with bulkier watches. Workout Tracking, Gestures and watchOS 26 Many of the new feelings come from the watchOS 26 software. The new Liquid Glass style offers slick-looking fonts, and larger buttons with translucent cards refresh the interface. A new wrist flick gesture allows you to dismiss notifications or end calls by quickly twisting your wrist away from you after raising it. It worked reliably for silencing alarms. Battery That Lasts Longer Than a Day Apple promises up to 24 hours of battery life, a notable improvement over the Series 10’s 18-hour estimate. This is thanks to a larger battery and a new, efficient 5G modem. In real-world use, the Series 11 consistently lasted a full day and a half with sleep tracking, workouts, and general use. The low power mode can extend this to around 38 hours by disabling the always-on display and limiting background sensors. Charging is also speedy, reaching a full charge in just over 30 minutes with a fast charger. Which Apple Watch Is Right For You? For owners of an Apple Watch Series 9 or older, the Series 11 is a solid upgrade, especially for the battery life gains. The decision is trickier this year because the new Apple Watch SE 3 now includes an always-on display and fast charging. At $250, it offers most of the core Series 11 experience, minus advanced health sensors like ECG and the new hypertension alerts, in a slightly bulkier case. For many, the SE 3 will be a compelling, budget-friendly option. Wrap-up The Apple Watch Series 11 is a refinement of a winning formula. It’s a capable, reliable device that quietly monitors your health, provides insightful sleep data, and offers peace of mind with safety features. The meaningful boost in battery life is the standout upgrade, making it an even more dependable companion. Nifty software touches and 5G connectivity are welcome additions to an already rich package.
