The Apple Watch landscape in 2025 has reached a compelling inflection point, marked by blood oxygen sensing finally returning via a software update in August 2025 after a prolonged legal battle. With three distinct tiers now serving different user needs and Apple's ecosystem more integrated than ever, here's what you need to know about choosing the best Apple Watch in 2025: the Apple Watch most people will likely get if they plan to purchase one right now is the Series 10, which stands out as among the best watches out there for health and sports tracking.
Why the Series 10 stands out from the crowd
Let's break it down: the Apple Watch Series 10 is the Apple Watch most people will likely get if they're planning to purchase one right now. And honestly, that makes perfect sense when you look at what Apple has accomplished with this model.
The Series 10 represents the biggest visual refresh we've seen in years. The Apple Watch Series 10 has the biggest screen on any Apple Watch to date while simultaneously being the thinnest Apple Watch to date at 9.7mm. This engineering achievement means you get more screen real estate without added bulk – something that seemed impossible just a few years ago. Apple pulled it off through clever internal redesign, and the build of the watch features an improved and bigger display (42mm and 46mm sizes) thanks to the wide-angle OLED display that offers up to 40% brighter viewing angle compared to the Series 9.
This larger, brighter display directly enhances the Series 10's health capabilities by making vital information easier to read during workouts and daily monitoring. The Series 10's standout health feature, Breathing Disturbances, uses the accelerometer to notify you if you have sleep apnea – a potentially life-saving feature that benefits from the improved display's clarity for reviewing sleep data and health insights.
For water enthusiasts, Apple has finally addressed some long-standing limitations with features that complement the enhanced display. There is also a new water depth gauge, which measures almost 20 feet (up to six meters) beneath the water's surface, and a water temperature sensor to benefit swimmers, surfers, and snorkelers. The larger screen makes it easier to read these new metrics even in challenging underwater conditions.
What about the Ultra 2 for serious adventurers?
Now here's where things get interesting for outdoor enthusiasts and tech maximalists who need specialized functionality beyond what the Series 10 offers. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers more exclusive features than any other Apple Watch model so far, but it's clearly designed for users who demand extreme durability and advanced capabilities.
The Ultra 2 isn't just about having the biggest Apple Watch – though the most notable difference between the Ultra and other Apple Watch models is its larger, brighter, and flatter screen. What sets it apart is specialized functionality for serious adventures. We're talking about dual-frequency GPS that can overcome interference from mountains and skyscrapers, and louder dual-integrated speakers for taking phone calls, playing music, or interacting with Siri. This dual-frequency GPS becomes crucial when you're hiking in areas where traditional GPS signals struggle with interference from terrain or urban structures.
The emergency capabilities showcase where the Ultra 2 truly excels for adventurers. Beyond that, the Ultra offers one key addition to the Apple Watch Series 9 lineup: an emergency siren (activated by holding down the Action Button), which belts out an 86-decibel sound pattern that can be heard up to 600 feet (180 meters) away. If you're venturing into remote areas where cellular service is unreliable, this emergency siren could be the difference between being found quickly and being stranded.
The market validation speaks volumes about the Ultra 2's positioning. Many Amazon reviewers say that this is the best Apple Watch model they have ever used, particularly noting the watch's quality and large 49mm screen with 3,000 nits of brightness. That brightness level means you can read the display even in direct sunlight without squinting – a practical advantage during extended outdoor activities.
From a value perspective, there's an interesting pricing consideration: I advise you skip the tougher titanium finish on the Series 10 that starts at $699 and go for the Ultra at only $100 more, which offers lots of extra features -- unless you have a smaller wrist. This pricing insight makes the Ultra 2 surprisingly compelling if you're already considering premium materials.
Budget-friendly SE: still worth considering?
Don't overlook the Apple Watch SE if budget is your primary concern. The Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) has many of the same health and safety features from the Series 8 and the Ultra for only $249. That's genuinely impressive value when you consider the core Apple Watch experience you're getting.
Yes, there are compromises worth understanding. The SE doesn't track blood oxygen, do ECG heart checks, or check your temperature. Additionally, while the face looks just like the Series 8, the screen is actually about 20% smaller and doesn't have an always-on display. But for many users, these limitations won't significantly impact daily functionality.
What makes the SE particularly appealing is its connectivity value proposition. It includes nearly everything else, and the cellular connectivity is only a $50 add-on for the SE (compared to a $100 add-on for the Series 8). This pricing structure makes it an excellent choice for families, especially since you can even set up this smartwatch from your iPhone as long as the wearer is in your Apple family group – perfect for keeping connected with family members who need basic smartwatch functionality.
Performance and software: what really matters
Here's something that might surprise you about Apple Watch performance across the lineup: The Apple Watch Series 10 performs more or less the same as the Series 6. This speaks to how well Apple's hardware has aged and how efficiently watchOS runs across different generations, meaning your investment in any current model will deliver consistent performance.
The real advantage lies in software longevity and feature access. Many new features also come to older Apple Watches, meaning that older models are still very good. Apple's commitment to backward compatibility means you're not completely left behind if you don't upgrade every year – a crucial consideration for long-term value.
Looking ahead, exciting developments are coming that will enhance the entire lineup. Apple Inc. has announced the upcoming release of watchOS 26, which will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 and later models, including the second-generation Apple Watch SE and all Apple Watch Ultra models.
The standout feature coming to watchOS 26 looks genuinely transformative: A key highlight of watchOS 26 is the introduction of Workout Buddy, a feature that uses Apple Intelligence to deliver personalized motivational insights during exercise sessions. This AI-powered coaching could revolutionize how we approach fitness, providing real-time encouragement and insights that adapt to your specific workout patterns and goals.
Regarding battery life, the story remains consistent but improved in key ways. Battery life is still rated for 18 hours although you can push it to a day and a half with lighter use. However, the Series 10 offers a significant practical advantage: even faster charging though, which makes up for the battery life somewhat, able to charge to 80% in 30 minutes. This fast charging capability means you can quickly top up your watch before workouts or important meetings.
Making the right choice for your needs
Bottom line: If you don't own an Apple Watch yet and you use an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a very solid choice. The combination of the larger display, advanced health features, and refined design makes it the sweet spot for most users. In terms of features and usability, it's one of the most solid and well-integrated devices out there.
But here's where your decision gets interesting based on your priorities. If you want to get a good deal, it might be worth looking into the Series 9, which is very similar to the Series 10 and has similar tracking performance. The Series 9 remains an excellent watch with most of the same core functionality, and you might find significant savings if having the absolute latest design isn't crucial to you.
Conversely, if you care about having the latest and greatest, don't mind paying full price, and want an extra year of updates, the Series 10 is the way to go. That extra year of software support could prove valuable for long-term functionality and feature access.
Now, let's address some areas where Apple could still improve, which affects your buying decision. Apple still hasn't developed a good app that helps you summarize and interpret your health data, and compared to competitors like Whoop and Oura, Apple is still lagging behind quite a bit in comprehensive health analytics.
Fortunately, the third-party ecosystem addresses these gaps effectively. There are third-party apps, like Athlytic and Bevel, but it would be nice if this were natively supported. These apps can transform your Apple Watch data into actionable insights, making your health tracking significantly more valuable for fitness improvement and wellness monitoring.
Your Apple Watch decision simplified
Let's wrap this up with practical guidance tailored to your needs. The Apple Watch is a great choice, but it has its limitations. The key is understanding what you need and matching it to the right model.
The best Apple Watch to buy in 2025 is the Apple Watch Series 10 for the majority of users. It offers a plethora of useful health and fitness features, a bigger display than before and potentially life-improving sleep apnea alerts.
The Series 10 hits that sweet spot where you get meaningful improvements over older models without paying Ultra prices. The larger, brighter display enhances daily interactions, the health features could genuinely impact your well-being, and the refined design represents a significant step forward from previous generations.
For adventure seekers and those who demand maximum capabilities, the Ultra 2 remains compelling despite its higher price. The specialized features, extreme durability, and enhanced emergency capabilities justify the cost if you actually need what it offers – particularly the dual-frequency GPS, emergency siren, and superior brightness for extreme outdoor conditions.
The SE continues to be an excellent entry point, especially for families or those who want core Apple Watch functionality without premium features they might not use. At $249, it provides solid value for basic fitness tracking, notifications, and app functionality.
With the return of blood oxygen sensing and upcoming software improvements like the AI-powered Workout Buddy, whichever model you choose will continue to get better over time through software updates. The Apple Watch ecosystem is mature, well-integrated with iPhone, and genuinely useful for health monitoring, fitness tracking, and daily convenience. The main decision is simply finding the right balance of features, durability, and price for your specific lifestyle and needs.
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