Apple Watch 10 vs 9 health features: What’s new and different?

An important part of Apple Watch is the wearable’s health features. So what’s changed between the latest release and the older models? Join along for Apple Watch Series 10 vs 9 health features (and earlier models too) for what’s new.

For specifics on how the new S10 SiP, latest display, faster charging, slimmer design, and other aspects of the Series 10 compare to Series 9 and earlier or Series 10 vs Ultra 2, check out our full comparisons:

• Apple Watch Series 10 vs 9 and earlier: What’s new and improved?
• Apple Watch Series 10 vs Ultra 2: No-brainer or tough call?

Apple Watch 10 vs 9 health features

There’s one major addition this year for health features with the Series 10 hardware that set the new Apple Watch apart from older ones – Sleep Apnea detection. However, Series 9 and Ultra 2 have also gained this capability.

But as usual, more new health and fitness features come with watchOS 11 which runs on Series 6 and later.

Keep in mind there is also the loss of blood oxygen readings for Series 10 and Ultra 2 Apple Watch (along with Series 9 sold after 1/18/24 in the US).

Series 10, 9, and Ultra 2 owners can ask Siri for updates on their personal health data along with securely logging new health data by voice like weight, whether a medication was taken, and more.

If you already have a Series 8, that’s the only health feature you’ll be missing out on, but if you have a Series 7 or earlier, you’ll gain more health capabilities with Series 10 or 9.

Here’s a detailed look at Series 10 vs 9 health features and more:

Apple Watch model/health and fitness features	Series 10	Series 9	Series 8	Series 7	SE 2
Sleep apnea notifications	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
On-device Siri Health access	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
ECG app	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Blood Oxygen app	❌	✅/❌Not included w/ US purchases from 1/18/24	✅	✅	❌
Third-generation optical heart sensor	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
High/low heart rate notifications	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Irregular rhythm notifications	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Low cardio fitness notifications	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Water resistant to 50m	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Water depth gauge	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Water temp sensor	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Sleep tracking with sleep stages	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Mental wellbeing	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Crash detection	✅	✅	✅	❌	✅
Fall detection	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Advanced cycle tracking with temp sensing	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Cycle tracking without temp sensing	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Emergency SOS	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
International emergency calling	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

New health features for all watchOS 11 compatible Apple Watches

For Series 6 and later, watchOS 11 brings these new health and fitness features:

• Vitals for sleep and health insights
• Training Load
• Effort rating
• Custom Workouts for Pool Swims
• New views for pregnancy
• Turn-by-turn and topographic hiking navigation
• Tides app to view coastline data

Price

• Series 10 starts from $399/$429 and up (Apple, Amazon, more)
• Series 10 in titanium goes from $699/$749 (Apple, Amazon, more)
• Series 9 or 8 and older usually sell at a discount (Amazon and more)
• Apple Watch SE 2nd gen goes from $249 (Apple, Amazon, more)

Apple Watch Series 10 vs 9 health features wrap-up

Apple Watch Series 10 doesn’t include big health and fitness changes but there are a number of upgrades beyond Sleep Apnea detection and on-device Siri + Health like a thinner design, faster charging, a brighter screen at angles, double tap gesture control, 64GB of storage, and an improved S10 SiP.

What do you think? Worth an upgrade or are you keeping your current watch? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Thanks for reading our guide on Apple Watch Series 10 vs 9 health features!

Images via Apple