Apple Watch 11 review: a spec bump in the right direction

Meet the Apple Watch Series 11

✨The Apple Watch 11 keeps the same design as last year's model but adds tougher Ion-X glass and new case and band colours. Improved software efficiency and increased battery capacity now deliver all-day use, with up to 38 hours in low power mode. Fast 5G connectivity with dual cellular bands ensures a strong connection, even in areas with spotty service. New health features include hypertension alerts based on a 30-day optical heart rate reading and the Sleep Score, which tracks and grades your sleep while offering tips to improve it. The watch ships with watchOS 26, featuring the sleek Liquid Glass UI, AI-powered features, two new watch faces, and new gestures.

Why you can trust this Apple Watch 11 review

At Back Market, we live and breathe tech, and that's why we've brought you this Apple Watch 11 review. Why should you trust this review? Our review is based on thorough research, expert analysis, and verified details about the device's features and performance. In this review, we cut through the noise to highlight what truly matters, so you can confidently decide if the Apple Watch 11 is the right fit for your needs. With a focus on affordability and sustainability, our goal is to provide you with honest, reliable insights, and hopefully make choosing your next device a little easier.

How we test

For reviews, we test our smartwatches in the same way you would: by wearing them. First, we review how well the watches fit on the wrist and how easily the displays can be read, especially in bright sunlight. Depending on capabilities, we'll also check out the watches' sensors, including GPS and heart rate monitors. Other factors we consider include the number of apps available and supported, battery life, and ecosystem compatibility. In addition to all this, we also consider the price of the smartwatch alongside its refurbishability.

The Apple Watch 11 specifications

Design: Same looks, tougher build

"With Apple Watch Series 11, the best upgrade for most people will likely be the new Ceramic Shield display coating, which Apple claims will offer double the scratch resistance." – 9To5Mac

The Apple Watch 11 looks identical to the Series 10 that launched last year. When it launched, the Series 10 brought what was then the "thinnest Apple Watch yet" with a bigger and brighter display. The Series 11 maintains this design with similar dimensions and weight across the board. I guess we'll have to wait a few more generations before we see a complete redesign of the Apple Watch. Some news is that we have new colours. The base Series 11 will be available in Rose Gold, Silver, Jet Black, and the new Space Grey. The base model is made from 100% recycled aluminium. The premium model boasts a titanium build and will be available in muted Slate, Gold, and Natural titanium cases.

The Series 11 maintains the 42mm and 46mm sizes, but the bands showcase new colour options, including Purple Fog, Neon yellow, Forest Green, and Anchor Blue. The Nike bands also feature new colours,and so do the luxury Hermes bands, which also have new finishes. The most significant upgrade to the Apple Watch 11 design is the new Ion-X glass, which Apple says is two times more scratch-resistant than the glass on the Series 10.

✨The Apple Watch 11 keeps the same design as last year's model but with tougher Ion-X glass and new colour options for the cases and bands.

Battery life: A day or more

"The new battery gives Apple Watch Series 11 a 24-hour battery on a single charge. Get 8 hours of use with 15 minutes on a fast charger." - Appleinsider

Apple is arguably the biggest tech company in the world. We still don't understand why it took a whole decade for the Apple Watch battery life to crack the 24-hour mark. Well, 10 years later, the Apple Watch 11 now boasts a 24-hour battery life. This is an improvement from the Series 10's 18-hour battery life, and this is when using the always-on display. In low power mode, the Series 11 is rated 38 hours per charge, which is a two-hour increase over the Series 10's 36-hour rating. The Series 11 is powered by the same S10 chip as the Series 10, but the improved battery life can be attributed to enhanced software efficiency and increased battery capacity.

Additionally, the Series 11 is fast-charge capable, achieving up to 80% in just 30 minutes, or providing up to eight hours of normal use from a 15-minute charge. For sleep tracking, you need to charge it for 5 minutes, and it will provide up to eight hours of service.

✨Thanks to improved software efficiency and increased battery capacity, the Apple Watch 11 now provides all-day battery life, with up to 38 hours of use in low power mode.

5G: Faster, seamless connectivity

"The Series 11 is the first Apple Watch with 5G connectivity and has a redesigned cellular antenna that will provide better coverage in areas with weak signal." – The Verge

The cellular models of the Apple Watch 11 will now offer faster, seamless connections thanks to the added 5G network connectivity. And the best part is that the watch will not only be faster but also more efficient at conserving battery life when in use. The Apple Watch 11 will utilise a technology called 5G RedCap or 5G Reduced Capacity, which consumes less power than the 5G on your phone, allowing the Series 11 cellular models to maintain consistent battery life comparable to the GPS-only variants.

Additionally, the watch features dual cellular bands, which can combine to boost signal strength and provide a usable connection, even in areas with limited service.

✨The Apple Watch 11 boasts fast and efficient 5G connectivity with dual cellular bands that can provide a strong connection, even in areas with spotty service.

Hypertension alerts: A significant health upgrade

"Apple did reveal two new health features, but they are coming to other Apple Watches." – Appleinsider

One of the most significant upgrades to the Apple Watch is the hypertension alerts. This feature will ship with watchOS 26, meaning it's software-based and not exclusive to the new watch. Let's be clear to avoid any mixed messaging. The Apple Watch 11 is not a blood pressure monitor. Instead, it can alert you to possible hypertension based on an algorithm and the optical heart rate sensor. This will be done over a period of time, meaning you'll have to wear the watch consistently for a period of 30 days.

If you have high blood pressure, a notification will appear, recommending that you seek further medical attention. The notification itself is not a diagnosis, but Apple notes that a large number of those suffering from hypertension are undiagnosed. This feature will help you obtain the necessary information to seek medical attention before any serious damage occurs. In addition to the watch notification, a similar notification appears on your connected iPhone, which you can share with your doctor for treatment.

✨The Apple Watch 11, using a complex algorithm and 30-day readings from the optical heart rate sensor, can alert you to a possible risk of hypertension so you can seek medical attention.

Sleep score: A holistic assessment of your rest

Sleep score is another new feature added to the Apple Watch. Like hypertension alerts, it's software-based and not exclusive to the new watch. Sleep Score will be part of the sleep tracking features of the Apple Watch 11. The watch will grade the quality of your sleep and provide a score between 0 and 100. But the Sleep Score isn't just a single number. The total grade is based on three main factors: duration of sleep will provide 50 of the possible 100 points, while interruptions and consistency provide 25 points each. You'll get to see the overall score and more information on the contributing factors, providing you with room for improvement.

✨The Sleep Score feature on the Apple Watch 11 is a new sleep tracking feature that tracks and grades the quality and duration of your sleep, providing you with information on the contributing factors and ways to improve the quality of your sleep.

watchOS 26: Simply futuristic

The Apple Watch 11 will ship with the latest watchOS 26. Beyond the features we've already mentioned, the newest OS for the Apple Watch offers numerous great features. watchOS 26 will add two fresh watch faces to the lineup, a Liquid Glass UI, a wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications, and an AI-powered, personalised fitness coach called Workout Buddy. The new OS allows the Series 11 to offer live translations on text messages, but as with Workout Buddy, you'll need an Apple Intelligence-compatible phone connected.

✨Apple Watch 11 will ship with watchOS 26, a futuristic operating system featuring the new Liquid Glass UI, AI-powered features, two fresh watch faces, and new gestures.

The Apple Watch 11 pros and cons

✨ When it comes to the Apple Watch 11, there's a lot to like, from new health features and tougher durability to the jump to 5G. But it's not perfect, and some upgrades may feel minor if you already own a recent model.

How to buy an affordable Apple Watch

You have several options for scoring a budget-friendly Apple Watch. Now that the Apple Watch 11 is out, most of the older generations will be available at an all-time low price. Your best bet? Comparing prices between retailers and opting for the lowest among them. The other option is looking out for deals. There are two types of deals you can take advantage of. First, the bundle deals. Some retailers will offer you a discount when you purchase an iPhone or iPad with the Apple Watch. These are called bundle deals. The other types are sales events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. November is just around the corner, and if you're patient enough, you can snag an Apple Watch at a massive discount.

But why wait? At Back Market, we have promotion codes and deals running every day of the year. We sell Verified Refurbished devices, and you can get a like-new Apple Watch at 20-50% off any day of the year. And the best part, you get free standard shipping, a 30-day return period, and a 1-year warranty so you can shop with confidence. Sounds too good to be true? Here's what one of our customers had to say about their experience with us:

"What a great experience! Your website is easy to navigate, the selection of refurbished watches is pretty impressive, your prices are lower than most places I checked, delivery was really fast, and best of all, I love my new Apple Watch! It's exactly as described and works perfectly. Thank you for a great overall experience!" - Teri R. Purchased on July 31, 2025

✨Back Market is the best place to shop for a discounted Apple Watch, with deals available every day of the year on like-new, refurbished devices sold at 20-50% off.

Why buy refurbished

For us, buying refurbished devices is a no-brainer. Why? Refurbished devices simply have so many advantages that new ones can't match. At Back Market, we sell Verified Refurbished devices. These are expertly restored devices that work like new and cost far less than the original price (usually 20-50% off). They provide like-new quality, having gone through a thorough refurbishment process that includes an up to 100-point quality inspection, repair or replacement, cleaning, testing, and cosmetic enhancements to ensure top-notch quality. All our devices come with at least 80% battery health and include a 1-year warranty with a 30-day return period. You can shop with confidence, knowing that you're getting a great deal and a high-quality device.

The benefits don't stop there, as refurbished devices are suitable for the planet too. They play a significant role in reducing the need for new manufacturing, which in turn cuts down on carbon emissions, as well as fighting the e-waste plague caused by the tech revolution. A true win-win scenario for your wallet and the planet. But don't take it from us, here's what the users on Reddit are saying about us:

"I love Back Market! TLDR: I've purchased 3 iPhones in good (1) and fair (2) condition, "gently used "Samsung earphones, and an iPad Air in fair condition. They offer fair, good, excellent, and premium conditions, but I've only purchased good and fair and can't tell the difference (imo they are all excellent), so now I always choose fair condition. My first purchase was in 2021 when there weren't a whole lot of reviews, but now they are established, and almost all the reviews are 5 stars." – Reddit comment

Trade in your old tech for cash

Don't let your old gadgets collect dust. With Back Market's Trade-in program, you can quickly turn your old phone, tablet, or laptop into cash. The process is fast and straightforward. Just share a few details about your device, get an instant offer, and ship it to us for free. Once everything is verified, you get paid. It's a simple way to earn extra cash while reducing e-waste and supporting a more sustainable tech cycle.

Price and availability

The Apple Watch 11 was just announced on September 9th and will be available for purchase starting the 19th. Apple updated the Series 11 but maintained last year's price, with the 42mm GPS model starting at £369, increasing to £469 for the 5G cellular model. The 46mm Apple Watch 11 titatium starts at £649 for the GPS model and £699 for the cellular model. More affordable Apple Watches are available on Back Market. These are Verified Refurbished Apple Watches, and they don't compromise on quality. The following are some of our best picks.

*Back Market prices taken at the date of publication – these are subject to change.

Final Thoughts: A step in the right direction

The Apple Watch 11 may not look dramatically different from the Series 10, but Apple has refined the essentials: health, battery, and connectivity. Hypertension detection and the new sleep analysis score are truly standout features that can offer life-changing insights and a clearer view of overall wellness. The tougher Ion-X glass and a choice between aluminium or titanium builds add durability and style, while 5G brings better range and seamless connectivity. With watchOS 26 introducing new faces, a sleek Liquid Glass UI (user interface), live translation, and an AI-powered Workout Buddy, there's plenty of polish.Battery life finally reaches 24 hours, a solid step forward, though still behind the multi-day battery life of some competitors.