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Last year, marking the tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch, the Cupertino-based company revamped its design, slimmed down the casing, and expanded the screen to be more edge-to-edge.
The new Apple Watch Series 11 builds on the same foundation, but introduces a few updates in terms of the durability of its smartwatch and its connectivity. Here is a complete review.
Apple Watch Series 11Technical Specifications
| Model | Apple Watch Series 11 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42 mm x 36 mm x 9.7 mm |
| Screen Resolution | 374 x 446 pixels, 416 x 496 pixels |
| Panel | OLED |
| Internal Memory | 64 GB |
| Weight | 29.7 g |
| Heart Rate Sensor | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Ambient Light Sensor | Yes |
| Product Sheet |
The watch for this review was provided by the manufacturer.
Apple Watch Series 11Sleek Design, No Surprises
With its Apple Watch Series 11, the Cupertino company offers a design very similar to its previous generation of smartwatches. As with all models in the Series range, the watch is available in two sizes and two materials:
- Apple Watch Series 11 42 mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7 mm, 30 g (aluminum) or 35 g (titanium)
- Apple Watch Series 11 46 mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7 mm, 37 g (aluminum) or 43 g (titanium)
In my case, I had the opportunity to test the Apple Watch Series 11 in the 46 mm aluminum version with GPS connectivity.
Essentially, we have a watch similar in format to the Apple Watch Series 10. Recall that it was with last year’s model that Apple introduced its latest design, featuring a thinner casing and narrower borders around the screen.
Otherwise, we are on familiar ground for all Apple Watch enthusiasts. The Apple Watch Series 11 incorporates a side crown on the right side, alongside a home button. Between the two, a gap accommodates the microphone used for phone calls, voice dictation, or Siri. Finally, on the left side of the casing, Apple has placed two grilles for the speaker.
Overall, we have a rather slim watch with its 9.7 mm thickness, and it’s comfortable to wear. However, the Apple Watch Series 11 clearly does not reinvent the wheel.
The only difference in design is actually in the material used for the screen protection of the aluminum version. While it is still Apple’s “Ion-X” glass, the manufacturer claims it is twice as resistant to scratches compared to the Apple Watch Series 10. For the titanium model, the same sapphire glass as the 2024 version is used.
Regarding durability, the Apple Watch Series 11 is announced as water-resistant up to 5 ATM and can therefore be used for both swimming and snorkeling up to 6 meters. However, it is not suitable for deep scuba diving. Also, the watch benefits from an IP6X certification for dust resistance.
Finally, concerning the straps, we find the same classic attachment system as on all Apple watches, with a sliding system and buttons on the back of the casing to remove the strap. Note that Apple offers a number of compatible straps, and it is also possible to obtain them from third-party manufacturers.
Apple Watch Series 11Screen Identical to the Previous Version
For the screen as well, Apple has reused the same characteristics as on the Apple Watch Series 10. The new Apple Watch Series 11 is thus equipped with a screen with different specifications depending on the size of the casing chosen:
- Apple Watch Series 11 42 mm: 374 x 446 pixels, 989 cd/m², 1.79 inches, 326 pixels per inch
- Apple Watch Series 11 46 mm: 416 x 496 pixels, 1220 cd/m², 1.99 inches, 326 pixels per inch
In both cases, the American brand has integrated a panel using OLED technology compatible with LTPO3. This allows for a refresh rate that can drop to as low as 1 Hz, particularly in the case of using the always-on display.
For brightness as well, the screen of the Apple Watch Series 11 matches that of its predecessor. The watch can thus reach a peak brightness announced at 2000 cd/m². For comparison, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 can reach 3000 cd/m², as can Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 8. The watch obviously benefits from a brightness sensor to automatically adjust the screen lighting to the ambient brightness. At its lowest, the panel can drop to 1 cd/m² for comfortable use even in the middle of the night, where the Apple Watch SE 3 is limited to 2 cd/m².
Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 11 retains the so-called “wide-angle” display to ensure good screen readability even without looking directly at the watch. A good point that, combined with the always-on display mode, allows you to quickly check the time without ostentatiously raising your arm.
Note that the always-on display mode can be automatically disabled by setting the Sleep mode at night, for example from 11 pm to 9 am. A good way to avoid turning on the screen when you simply move your arm during your sleep.
Finally, in terms of dials, the Apple Watch Series 11 benefits from numerous models developed by Apple and available for download. Among the novelties, we will notably remember the new “Exactograph” dial used in the context of this test, with its ribbon-shaped animations for hours, minutes, and seconds.
The Huawei Watch GT 6 Pro will appeal to cyclists: up to 21 days of battery life, highly accurate GPS, and an estimate of power based on speed, altitude, slope, weight, and bike, even without a power sensor.
Apple Watch Series 11A Simple and Uncomplicated Interface
For the first time in years, Apple communicates on an identical chip in its Apple Watch Series 11 as in the previous generation, namely the Apple S10 chip. It is accompanied here by 64 GB of storage for music or applications.
The watch also benefits from the latest version of Apple’s operating system for connected watches, watchOS 26. As a reminder, like all watches from the brand, the Apple Watch Series 11 can only be used in combination with an iPhone and is therefore not managed by Android smartphones.
To navigate through the watch’s interface, we find the same gestures as on all Apple watches:
- Swipe down: access to notifications
- Swipe up: smart scrolling
- Simple press on the crown: list of apps / return to the dial
- Double press on the crown: access to multitasking
- Long press on the crown: Siri
- Simple press on the side button: access to quick settings
- Double press on the side button: Apple Wallet
- Long press on the side button: power off
Moreover, as has been the case for two years now, the Apple Watch Series 11 can manage gesture controls with the double pinch to validate an option—or open smart scrolling—and wrist rotation to reject it—or go back. These controls are quite intuitive to use and quite practical when your other hand is occupied.
It should also be noted that the Apple Watch Series 11 will allow the installation of numerous third-party applications. To name a few, we can mention Spotify, Citymapper, Strava, Runna, Calm, or Audible.
The watch will also allow you to respond to messages received on your iPhone, make phone calls, listen to music through the built-in speaker, or use contactless payment thanks to Apple Pay.
Last point on the iPhone side this time, it’s regrettable that Apple persists in requiring juggling between three applications to manage the watch and the collected data: Health, Fitness, and Watch. Too bad, it’s not always easy to know which one to consult for what type of data, especially since some, like the number of steps, are found both in Fitness and in Health.
Apple Watch Series 11A Watch That Focuses Heavily on Health Tracking
Unsurprisingly, in terms of the various sensors integrated for sports tracking and health, the Apple Watch Series 11 uses the same equipment as the previous version. We thus have an electrocardiogram, an optical heart rate monitor, a pulse oximeter, a temperature sensor, a barometric altimeter, a compass, and a gyroscope.
The GPS Accuracy of the Apple Watch Series 11
For GPS tracking during exercise, the Apple Watch Series 11 again relies on single-frequency GPS tracking, the L1 band. It must be said that dual-frequency GPS tracking is reserved, at Apple, for the “Ultra” models.
However, historically, Apple Watches, even with single-band GPS, offer some of the best GPS tracking on the market alongside sports watches.
To assess the GPS accuracy of the Apple Watch Series 11, I wore it on several occasions during outdoor running sessions. I then compared the measurements made with those of Garmin sports watches used here as a reference, the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the Garmin Fenix 8.
| Runs | Reference | Apple Watch Series 11 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Run 1 (park) | 18.013 km | 18.020 km | +0.04 % |
| Run 2 (city) | 13.013 km | 12.830 km | -1.41 % |
| Total | 31.026 km | 30.850 km | -0.57 % |
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 11 offers tracking very close to that of Garmin watches in an open environment like a park. However, as can be seen in the measured distance or the track, the values are somewhat different in an urban environment.
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Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.
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