Apple Watch Series 11 review: Familiar design, smarter features and better battery life
Familiar yet refined, the Series 11 proves Apple’s formula still works and the subtle upgrades make a great smartwatch even better. Picture: Noel Campion.
Apple’s Watch Series 11 doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Still, it makes key refinements where it counts with improved durability, smarter health features and better battery life, all wrapped in the same sleek, familiar design.
There’s no getting away from the fact that the Apple Watch Series 11 appears nearly identical to the Series 10. The iconic rectangular design with rounded corners and two side buttons, including the rotating Digital Crown, remains unchanged, which is a good thing, thanks to its sleek and recognisable design.
You can choose between 42mm and 46mm sizes, in aluminium or titanium. I’ve been testing the 46mm aluminium model with the black sport band, which is priced from €449. The titanium version retails from €799, placing it close to the Ultra 3’s price tag.
Build quality feels premium, but the Series 11 is not as rugged as the Ultra. It’s water-resistant for swimming and snorkelling, but not designed for diving. The most meaningful material upgrade is the new ceramic-coated display glass, which Apple claims is twice as scratch-resistant. This is a significant improvement, as previous Apple Watches were often prone to microscratches. After nearly a month of daily wear and the occasional accidental knock, mine still looks pristine, which is a welcome improvement in durability.
Weighing between 30g and 43g depending on the version, and measuring just 9.7mm thick, it’s slim and light enough to wear comfortably day and night. That’s a crucial factor if you rely on it for sleep tracking, which I do.
The Series 11 features the same OLED Retina display as the Series 10, offering a 516 x 496 resolution in the larger model and achieving brightness levels of up to 2,000 nits. It’s vibrant, sharp and highly legible in every situation, from bright sunlight to dimly lit bedrooms.
Animations are smooth, colours pop, and the always-on display remains one of my favourite features. Combined with the ceramic coating, it’s a durable and good-looking panel. However, it’s also a reminder of Apple’s incremental approach: this is essentially the same display hardware as last year, just more durable.
One of the biggest frustrations with Apple Watches over the years has been limited battery life. The Series 11 makes progress, with Apple quoting up to 24 hours of normal use and 38 hours in low-power mode. In my testing, I consistently achieved approximately 36–40 hours of battery life with GPS workouts, notifications, and sleep tracking enabled. That’s an improvement over the Series 10, though it still lags behind rivals like Garmin or Huawei.
Fast charging partly makes up for it: 30 minutes gets you to 80%, and 15 minutes provides enough juice to last through a whole night’s sleep. I often topped it up while showering or having coffee in the morning, and never found myself stuck with a dead watch.
The major connectivity upgrade this year is 5G support, which enables faster downloads of apps, streaming of music, and syncing of data when using the cellular version. That said, support depends on your network.
Health monitoring remains a major strength. The ECG function is certified for detecting irregular rhythms, and there’s a new notification for potential high blood pressure. These are complemented by existing features, such as SpO2, skin temperature, and the Vitals app, which provides a clear overview of key health metrics.
Fitness tracking remains best-in-class on the Watch Series 11. The familiar activity rings keep me motivated, and I appreciate being able to pause them when injured or resting. Workout modes are extensive, ranging from triathlon training to open-water swimming, with advanced metrics such as ground contact time, vertical oscillation, and running power.
I found the GPS accuracy to be excellent, even though the Series 11 doesn’t support dual-band GNSS like the Ultra 3. Whether I was walking, hiking, or cycling, I found the tracking to be almost indistinguishable from the Watch Ultra 2. Route loading works well, though I wish Apple would integrate maps more fully into workout mode, rather than forcing you to jump between apps.
The new Sleep Score rates your rest from 0 to 100 based on duration, consistency, and the frequency of interruptions. While it’s handy to get a quick number, I found it too simplistic. For example, a short but uninterrupted night scored surprisingly high, despite feeling groggy the next morning. Metrics like resting heart rate or HRV, which really affect recovery, aren’t factored in.
On the smartwatch side, watchOS 26 feels polished and fast. Notifications, calls, and apps are seamlessly handled on the wrist. Apple Pay is still my favourite way to pay for just about anything because it’s quick, reliable, and just works every time. The seamless integration with the Watch means I can double-tap the side button and pay in seconds, eliminating the need for fumbling with a phone or wallet.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is an excellent smartwatch, featuring a tougher display, smoother software, reliable fitness tracking, and slightly longer battery life. It won’t justify an upgrade from the Series 10, but for owners of older models, it’s the most refined Apple Watch yet.
From €449 apple.ie
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