No one’s going to rave about the Apple Watch Series 11. It’s not bad—it’s genuinely a good watch. But this time, it doesn’t stand out. Priced at $399, it feels like the unremarkable middle child of Apple’s lineup.
The Series 11 faces tough competition. The entry-level Apple Watch SE 3 has been upgraded significantly, and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 boasts extra features like satellite connectivity. Essentially, you’re paying more for a few extra tweaks, like a slicker design.
In terms of hardware, the Series 11 is similar to its predecessor, except for a few reliable improvements like a dual antennae for 5G, a larger battery, and a tougher display. The real enhancements come with watchOS 26, which isn’t exclusive to this watch.
But there’s something to be said for reliability. For many users, the Series 11 might still be the best option based on three factors: battery life, health features, and comfort.
Significant Battery Life Changes
Since the first Apple Watch debuted in 2015, Apple has touted an “18-hour” battery life. This year, for the first time, it claims up to 24 hours. For many users, this could be a game-changer.
Garmin fans will certainly scoff; their watches often last weeks or months between charges. However, Apple has typically been conservative with battery estimates, so a boost to 24 hours is noteworthy. The 42mm model sees about a 9% increase in battery capacity, while the 46mm model has an 11% bump. While the watch hasn’t miraculously extended its life to 36 or 40 hours, it still feels more reliable than previous models.
On my first two days with the Series 11, I took it off the charger with 100% battery. After a busy day of notifications and using the always-on display, I still had 8% left after 28 hours. Charging it for about 25 minutes brought me back to 62%. After another run, I went to bed with around 12% remaining.
These numbers are consistent with the Series 10. But that added confidence is important—no one wants to wake up to a dead watch and lost health data.
The Series 11 caters mainly to health tracking. While it offers promising features like FDA-cleared hypertension notifications and will eventually introduce a sleep score, it still struggles with sleep tracking compared to some competitors. Apple’s reputation for health-focused technology makes these improvements worthwhile.
Health Features: A Closer Look
The Series 11 has comprehensive health monitoring tools. However, many of these features—like hypertension tracking—won’t be exclusive to this watch. Watches that support watchOS 26 will also receive these features, including the SE 3.
Recently, the FDA cleared the hypertension notifications feature, which uses heart rate data to flag potential high blood pressure. This could be a significant development, as Apple anticipates identifying one million cases within a year.
The new sleep score system is available now. It measures your sleep based on total time and regularity, providing useful insights. While it may not be groundbreaking compared to existing offerings from Fitbit or Garmin, it’s easy to understand.
WatchOS 26 Updates and Usability Enhancements
The software updates with watchOS 26 are pretty handy. Improvements like the Smart Stack for widgets provide timely information based on your usage. The new wrist-flick gesture even lets you dismiss notifications easily.
Other updates include:
- A Notes app for jotting down quick thoughts.
- New call features that help with managing calls.
- Better options for customizing workouts directly from your phone, without struggling on the small screen.
A Tough Decision: Series 11 or SE 3?
The Series 11 finds itself in a tough spot. Most of its strengths overlap with other models, which makes it less appealing for upgrades, especially for users of newer models like the Series 9 and 10. It’s ideal for first-time smartwatch buyers or those hesitant about smartwatches, but for anyone looking for the best features, the Ultra is the clear winner.
In a nutshell, it’s not a bad watch—just a default one. If you’re already enjoying a Series 7 or later, you might want to spend your upgrade cash elsewhere. If you’re coming from an older model, you’ll appreciate the incremental improvements. But for many buyers, this year, the Series 11 may not be worth a second look.
For a comprehensive look at health notifications, you can check the validation paper here.
While the Series 11 might lack the thrill of novelty, it remains a solid choice for those valuing functionality and comfort in their smartwatch experience.
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