After Cyber ​​Monday, save $50 on my favorite smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10

I’ve put dozens of great smartwatches on my wrist to test them for CNET – and dozens of not-so-great watches – but I love going bare-wristed for a few days after finishing a review to give myself a break. to award. However, after I finished my review of the Apple Watch Series 10, something unexpected happened: I didn’t want to take the gadget off.

I’ve always been looking for a hybrid watch that strikes the right balance between a traditional wristwatch and a smartwatch. Many wearables over the years have promised just that, such as the Withings Scanwatch range. The Series 10 strikes the ideal balance for me as it doesn’t compromise on connectivity, fitness tracking features or overall appearance.

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That’s thanks to LTPO 3 technology that refreshes the screen at 1Hz and gives the Series 10 a ticking second hand on a few watch faces even when the screen is not actively in use. It makes Apple’s device feel like a regular watch when I’m not actively using it, which is unlike any other smartwatch I’ve tested, and you can get it after Cyber ​​Monday for $50 off. For more Apple deals, here are the bargains on MacBooks and other Apple devices that are still available.

This watch meets the requirements for me

I like being able to change the look by switching between the Reflections dial, with its sweeping “analog” seconds hand, and Activity Digital, with its digital seconds counter. I wish there were more watch faces that supported this ticking second hand. There is Fluxbut I sided with myself Redditors who think it’s a bit nonsense. (If you’ve found a color combination that makes it feel less comical, let me know!)

The ticking second hand isn’t just an aesthetic choice, or for those moments when I’m anxiously checking to make sure I’m not early for my next meeting. It is also practical for people in various professions, such as healthcare workers who need a second-hand device even after the display has failed.

More than the ticking second hand, it is the display itself

I was skeptical that the Series 10’s wide-angle OLED screen would make that much of a difference to the viewing experience. Apple says it’s up to 40% brighter than previous watch screens when you look at it off-axis. So of course I had to compare it to every other Apple Watch in my review cabinet, including last year’s Series 9.

Using just my eyes, I can’t quantify how much brighter it appears as a percentage. There’s no doubt that the Series 10 is easier to see and looks brighter than other Apple Watch models with the same watch face.

The Series 10 doesn’t have the same battery life or rugged build, but I’ll miss the display if I have to step up to the $799 Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Why the Series 10 makes a great gift

It’s not just the screen that made it difficult for me to remove the Series 10 from my wrist. There’s almost every health and fitness tracking feature I could want, from a range of cycling aids to sleep apnea notifications, which is part of the reason why this watch tops our list of the best smartwatches for 2024.

Then there’s WatchOS 11, which brings useful safety tools like Check In to my wrist so I no longer have to manually click the “I’m home!” message to friends and family. If only it worked with receivers that not use iMessage: I really hope Apple will add RCS messaging compatibility for this indispensable security tool, just like FaceTime on Android works via a web link.

I now understand what people mean when they say they feel naked when they leave their house without a phone. Except me, it’s a watch.

The Apple Watch Series 10 normally costs $499, but that’s about it Now $50 off after Cyber ​​Monday.

Check this out: Apple Watch Series 10 is bigger and better than ever

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