The upgrades to Apple Watch Series 11 mean the best smartwatch for iPhone users just got even better
Apple Watch Series 11(Image: Mark Kavanagh)
Apple Watch Series 11 builds on the strengths of its many predecessors which have become the world’s best-selling watch.
You get smarter health and fitness features, improved battery life, a tougher display and the familiar rectangular Apple Watch design.
You can choose between 42mm and 46mm sizes, in aluminium or titanium finishes. I’ve been testing the space grey 46mm aluminium model with the black sport band, which is priced from €449. The more durable titanium version starts at €799, which is just €100 less than the cost of Apple Watch Ultra 3. The aluminum version also comes in jet black, rose gold or silver, while the titanium version comes in gold, natural or slate. You can choose from a wide variety of band materials and colours.
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Apple Watch Series 11 in everyday use
New smart features include Sleep Score and Hypertension Alerts(Image: Apple)
It looks and feels exactly like Watch Series 10 which is no bad thing as that was the best everyday smartwatch you could buy. Navigation is fast and fluid using the touchscreen or the two side buttons including the digital crown. The wearable’s slim 9.7mm thin profile and 37g weight mean it is comfortable to wear around the clock. The crisp and colourful wide-angle OLED Retina display has the same 2,000 nits of peak brightness. Even the S10 chip is the same as last year’s – although it now includes support for 5G.
As per last year, sensors on board include heart rate, ECG, spO2, temp, depth gauge, microphone, speaker, NFC, GNSS, ambient light sensor, water temperature sensor, compass and altimeter. It’s water-resistant for swimming and snorkelling but not diving.
Aside from the 11 percent larger battery inside (on the 46mm version, at least), and the more scratch-resistant ceramic-coated glass on the outside, almost all of the changes this year are in the software.
Apple Watch Series works by pairing with with iPhone 17 Pro, left, and other Apple handsets(Image: Mark Kavanagh)
Watch Series 11 runs the watchOS 26 operating system, which adds Apple’s new Liquid Glass design, which makes many elements semi-translucent. We also get two new watch faces. There’s a large digital face called Flow that I love which responds to movement and an analogue face called Exactograph, which breaks out hours, minutes and seconds into their own dials.
New features include the wrist-flick gesture, where you quickly twist your wrist away from you and then back to dismiss things and return to your watch face. It works even without raising your wrist to look at the watch
Another new feature is alerts for Hypertension. Your watch will notify you of signs of high blood pressure over a 30-day period, advising you to get yourself checked out if your heart rate data suggests you may have a hidden problem.
Another new feature is Sleep Score which is similar to the metric available on wearables from the likes of Google and Samsung. Each morning your watch displays a score out of 100 that is broken down into three categories: duration, bedtime and interruptions.
Apple Watch Series 11 has 64GB of built-in storage so you can download and listen to music on the likes of AirPods Max(Image: Mark Kavanagh)
Apple Watch Series 11 can automatically raise and lower the volume of notifications based on the level of background noise. In the Phone app, you can initiate Call Screening for unknown numbers, Hold Assist for customer service calls and Live Listen for real-time captions. Additionally, Live Translation is available in the Messages app, so incoming texts can be viewed in your preferred language.
Smart Stack now shows hints on the watch face to highlight contextual suggestions, like enabling Do Not Disturb when a meeting on your calendar is due to start.
Health data collected by the wearable is logged in the Apple Health app on your iPhone and encrypted end-to-end when backed up to your iCloud account. I love the Vitals app, introduced last year, which provides a clear overview of key health metrics.
The Workout app has been given a revamp on watchOS 26 to make it easier to customise workouts(Image: Apple)
Watch Series 11 automatically starts tracking an activity after five to ten minutes, or you can manually start tracking dozens of different types of workouts such as walking, running, biking, basketball, elliptical workouts, high-intensity interval training, pilates and yoga. The Workout app has been refreshed allowing for a more refined and personalised experience.
If you carry an iPhone 15 Pro or later with you when you exercise, Workout Buddy is available on your Watch Series 11. It’s an AI coach that uses your previous workout data to give you pep talks before and after workouts, and provides audible notifications when you reach certain milestones during your exercise, such as a particular pace, heart rate, distance, time or other metrics.
One of the most welcome improvements on Watch Series 11 is the battery stamina boost. The endurance still falls way short of the likes of OnePlus, Garmin and Huawei but you can get close to two full days and nights from a single charge with the always-on display enabled, depending on usage factors such as GPS tracking and the number of notifications enabled. With continuous GPS tracking, the battery lasts for eight hours. The fast charging gives you an 80 percent refuel in 30 minutes, while 15 minutes delivers enough power to track an eight-hour sleep.
Apple Watch Series 11 other features
Each morning your Watch Series 11 displays your Sleep Score(Image: Mark Kavanagh)
Other convenient uses of Apple Watch are the ability to unlock an iPhone, the ability to unlock your Mac computer and Apple Pay. I use my Watch to pay for everything when I am out so I can’t leave home without it ever. It is a quick and secure method of contactless payment – just double tap the side button and it’s ready.
Watch Series 11 has a second-gen UWB chip for precision location tracking.
The Watch app on iPhone enables you to configure settings for any of your apps, customise your Smart Stack, check for updates and manage notifications.
Like with the firm’s phones and tablets, you get at least six years of software support from Apple.
Compatibility with straps and charging pucks from all previous Apple Watches is a nice bonus for anyone considering an upgrade.
Watch Series 11 has 64GB of built-in storage which is useful for offline music and podcasts playback.
Apple Watch Series 11 verdict
The best smartwatch for Apple iPhone users just got even better.
Apple Watch Series 11 pricing and availability
Apple Watch Series 11 costs from €449 for the 42mm aluminium model, from €469 for the 46mm aluminium model, from €799 for the 42mm titanium model and from €849 for the 46mm titanium model. All are available from Apple.com/ie
You can also buy from Currys and from Very.
At the time of publication, there were modest discounts available on Amazon for all the Watch Series 11 models.
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