The Apple Watch Series 10 is Apple's thinnest smartwatch yet and brings with it some notable innovations. But what is behind the slim design? The well-known repair site iFixit has carried out a teardown of the 46 mm version of the Apple Watch Series 10 and revealed interesting details about the internal components and repairability.
With the release of the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple is setting new standards in terms of design and functionality. But apart from the obvious improvements, the question is how the technical details under the hood have changed. iFixit has taken the Apple Watch Series 10 apart to answer this question. The teardown showshow closely the components work together, what repair options are available and which components have actually been reworked.
The design and case of the Apple Watch Series 10
A key feature of the Apple Watch Series 10 is its thinner case. To achieve this sleek design, Apple used a closed case. This allowed the watch to be made thinner without compromising the sensors or their functionality. The case has very tight tolerances, which makes accessing the internal components much more difficult. This is especially important to know in case you or a technician wants to open the watch for a repair.
The battery of the Apple Watch Series 10
Inside the watch is a 327 mAh battery with a capacity of 1,266 Wh. Interestingly, Apple used the same adhesive on the Series 10 as on previous models. Although the company used a new adhesive for the iPhone 16, it remained unchanged on the Apple Watch Series 10. The battery itself is embedded in a soft case, which is the same design as previous Apple Watch models.
The display of the Apple Watch Series 10
At first glance, the OLED display of the Series 10 does not differ significantly from that of the Series 9. iFixit could not find any visible difference during the teardown either. Nevertheless, Apple has optimized the display to allow a larger viewing angle. This improvement is not immediately visible from the inside, but offers the user a noticeable improvement in everyday life, especially when looking at the display from more oblique angles.
Repairability of the Apple Watch Series 10
In terms of repairability, the Apple Watch Series 10 received a rather disappointing rating from iFixit. With a score of just 3 out of 10, it is at the lower end of the scale. The main problem is access to the battery, which is difficult due to the tight construction and the adhesive used. In addition, replacing the glass on the back is extremely complicated, which could significantly increase the cost of repairs in the event of a defect. These factors make it virtually impossible for most users to repair the watch themselves without seeking professional help.
Apple Watch Series 10: Elegant design meets limited repairability
The iFixit teardown of the Apple Watch Series 10 shows that Apple has focused on a sleek design and new display optimizations for this model. The internal components, such as the battery and the display, do not show any dramatic differences from the previous Series 9. However, repairability remains a major problem, as access to the internal components is difficult and the adhesive complicates the repair process. If you have the Apple Watch Series 10 considering, you should keep in mind the potential difficulties with repairs. Overall, however, it remains an impressive development in the smartwatch series with a particularly slim design and improved viewing angles of the display. (Image: Apple)
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