Apple Watch Series 11 Review Roundup: Battery Life and Health Are Key Upgrades [Video]

The first reviews for the new Apple Watch Series 11 are out, and the consensus is clear: it's a solid, refined update with one game-changing improvement — battery life. While the design remains unchanged from last year, reviewers agree that the boost in longevity, coupled with new health features, makes it a compelling upgrade for many, even as the new SE 3 challenges its position in the lineup.

After years of an 18-hour battery rating, Apple officially promises 24 hours of normal use, a figure that reviewers found conservative. Wired was particularly impressed, noting, "After wearing the new Apple Watch Series 11 for a full afternoon and wearing it to sleep, I woke up in the morning and discovered that I still had 58 percent battery left." CNET reported getting between 27 and 32 hours per charge, calling the upgrade a "welcome breathing room" for users who track their sleep. The Verge noted the improvement is more modest compared to the Series 10, but still meaningful.




Apple also announced several new health features, including FDA-cleared hypertension notifications and a new Sleep Score. While these are software-based and coming to other models via watchOS 26, support will vary — for example, SE models won't get hypertension notifications. Engadget praised the Sleep Score's ring-based visual, saying it "makes trying to hit a target a little easier to visualize." Apple has also restored the Blood Oxygen app in the U.S. after resolving regulatory issues, another win for health tracking.

While the design is identical to the Series 10, reviewers highlighted the improved durability of the display. TechRadar notes the Ion-X glass on the aluminum models is now "twice as scratch-resistant," a welcome improvement for a device worn every day. The watch is also now equipped with 5G for faster cellular connectivity, and Apple has slightly improved charging speeds — going from 0 to 80 percent in about 45 minutes.



The biggest challenge for the Series 11, according to nearly every review, is the value proposition of the new Apple Watch SE 3. With its Always-On display, S10 chip, and many of the same core health and fitness features, the SE 3 makes the Series 11 a tougher sell. However, it lacks ECG, Blood Oxygen, and Hypertension Notifications, keeping the Series 11 as the more complete health device. As The Verge puts it, "There's little to mask the fact that this watch doesn't offer much more than the entry-level SE 3. You're mostly paying extra for a bit of polish."


For those coming from an older model like a Series 8 or earlier, reviewers agree the Series 11 is a solid upgrade. Tom's Guide concludes that "for first-time buyers or those overdue for a refresh, the Series 11 hits a sweet spot of design, performance, and longevity that keeps Apple ahead in the smartwatch game for another year." PCMag echoed this, calling it a "smart, reliable choice" for most buyers.

The Apple Watch Series 11 is available to pre-order now from Amazon starting at $399, alongside the new Apple Watch SE 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.