The Apple Watch Series 10: What’s New?
Apple has made some significant changes with the Apple Watch Series 10. The most notable updates are its redesigned internal components, improved charging, and display technology. According to the teardown, the device is built with a focus on longevity and durability—important qualities for users who rely on their smartwatches for fitness tracking, notifications, and health monitoring.
A Closer Look at the Display and Charging
One of the most eye-catching upgrades in the Series 10 is its display. The device features a brighter and more energy-efficient display, improving both visibility and battery life. This update enhances the user experience, particularly for outdoor use, where glare can be an issue. Apple has equipped the Series 10 with an LTPO OLED Retina display, which dynamically adjusts its refresh rate, allowing for more power-efficient performance.
The teardown also revealed an improvement in charging technology. Series 10 introduces faster charging speeds, which is a key advantage for users who rely on their watch throughout the day for fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, and general notifications. Apple’s commitment to optimizing battery life continues to make the Apple Watch one of the most reliable wearables on the market.
The Apple Watch Series 10 Teardown: Progress in Durability, Limited Repairability
While the Apple Watch Series 10 has seen remarkable internal improvements, its teardown also highlights a critical issue that has persisted over the years: repairability. Despite Apple’s progress in hardware design, disassembling the watch is a complex task, mainly due to the glued-in components and tightly packed interior. Repair technicians pointed out that removing the display or battery is particularly difficult, a concern for anyone wanting to replace these parts.
The battery is an area of focus during the teardown, as it is still one of the most challenging components to replace. Smartwatches are worn daily and subjected to regular charging cycles, so battery replacement becomes an essential service for long-term users. Unfortunately, the Series 10 doesn’t make this process easy, requiring specialized tools and expertise to navigate the internal layout without causing damage.
The Redesigned Internals: A Double-Edged Sword
Apple has significantly reworked the internals of the Series 10 to improve durability and water resistance, which is a boon for users who lead active lifestyles. The watch is designed to withstand more rugged conditions, and this is particularly evident in the reorganization of its internal components. The layout has been compacted to allow for the improved haptic feedback motor, better sensors, and enhanced speakers.
However, this redesigned structure is part of the reason repairability remains challenging. While excellent for durability, the compact design leaves little room for easy disassembly. While Apple prioritizes seamlessness and longevity, this tight construction makes in-house or third-party repairs increasingly difficult.
Apple’s Approach to Sustainability and Repairs
Apple has long promoted its commitment to sustainability, and the company has tried to incorporate recyclable materials into its devices. However, the teardown raises questions about whether repairability should be part of Apple’s sustainability narrative. Repairability can play a crucial role in extending the lifespan of a product, reducing e-waste, and providing consumers with more options when their devices encounter issues.
While Apple’s products are generally built to last, making parts more accessible for repair could align better with sustainability goals. The company’s Self Service Repair program, which was introduced to allow customers to repair their own devices, currently doesn’t extend to Apple Watch models, further complicating the repair situation for this product.
Battery Replacement and Longevity
Battery longevity and replacement options are key to overall usability for any wearable device. The Apple Watch Series 10 offers fast charging and extended battery life, which is crucial for users who track their health and fitness throughout the day. However, the teardown showed that battery replacements remain highly complex, requiring specialized tools to access the tightly packed battery.
Since battery health naturally declines after years of usage, making battery replacement more user-friendly could significantly extend the product’s lifecycle. Unfortunately, for now, Apple seems to prioritize sealed, highly integrated designs over modularity or ease of repair.
Impressive Innovation, but Room for Improvement
The Apple Watch Series 10 demonstrates Apple’s continued drive for innovation, with substantial upgrades to display quality, charging speed, and internal durability. However, the device’s teardown reveals that Apple still faces challenges regarding repairability. As users become more concerned with product longevity and sustainability, offering easier access to repairs—especially for common wear-and-tear issues like battery degradation—could benefit both the company and its consumers.
As Apple continues to refine its wearables, whether the company will address repairability concerns in future iterations remains to be seen. For now, users of the Series 10 can enjoy a beautifully crafted, highly functional smartwatch, but they may need to rely heavily on Apple’s service network when the time comes for repairs.
