S10 owners: How are we feeling about the bezels?

[mrat93]

I received mine (46mm) today — upgrading from S7 (45mm).

Gotta say: I’m not a fan. It feels like I’m downgrading from a Pro to a Plus model. I can’t say I was looking forward to the larger screen in general, but I don’t really see the benefit. I feel like this is encroaching on “too big”, for me at least.

At this point, I’m glad my S7 Titanium still has AC+. I might hang onto it and get it replaced once the battery dips below 80%. But I would also consider the S9 SS model.

Edit: Another complaint — an mrat93 original: The light reflection off of the crown is very different from my S7. No matter what angle I look at it from, or light coming from any direction, the reflection off of the crown looks like an asymmetrical scratch.

 

[iToph]

Just got my s10. It is an absolute shame to deliver a watch with these thick bezels. s9 had way slimmer bezels. What on earth is apple thinking with these updates? One step forward and two backwards?? for 899€ i have only one question: WHY.

 

[the future]

Total bezel is unchanged. Glass bezel bigger, metal bezel smaller.

 

[profets]

I feel like this bezel issue is a bit overblown after using my Series 10 for a few hours today. If anything I feel like we're getting too much display and wouldn't mind seeing more of the case. (Maybe in a way I am complaining about the bezel, but more than the casing has been reduced and more glass is present). With the thinness and reduced case, I feel like when I glance at my wrist I just see a display sitting there (if that makes sense).

 

[luckylisp]

I looked at them at Apple store today and I'm really not bothered by the bezels. Super excited to pick up my watch later. I'm sorry you're disappointed. My main worry was the size being too big as I have small wrists, but I found the 42mm to be ok.

 

[dmccombs]

Total bezel is unchanged. Glass bezel bigger, metal bezel smaller.

View attachment 2423486

I agree with your post, but I think the thing folks are complaining about is the total amount of black area surrounding the surrounding the screen image.

I personally dislike a big black area around the screen image when it is surrounded by a light watch bezel. To me it distracts from the screen image and the nice metal hardware bezel. For this reason, I kept my S9 SS. The S7-S9 SS models appeals to me more with the smaller black area around the screen. I can still see the metal SS bezel. LOL In short, in your picture, I prefer the S9 image to the S10.

I did "upgrade" to the S10 Jet Black, from my previous black alum watch. The big black area bugs me less since there is no disappearing light colored bezel. The s10 black watch goes from screen image to a black border, a simple to color setup. I do prefer the smaller black bezel area on black s9 watches, to the larger Jet Black S10 bezel area, but it's tolerable, IMO.

In short, I think the big S10 bezel looks tolerable on a black watch, but annoying on any lighter colored watch.

 

[mrat93]

Total bezel is unchanged. Glass bezel bigger, metal bezel smaller.

View attachment 2423486

Ok… I really don’t like the thicker glass bezel. I think the left half looks better than the right.

 

[the future]

I agree with your post, but I think the thing folks are complaining about is the total amount of black area surrounding the surrounding the screen image. I personally dislike a big black area around the screen image when it is surrounded by a light watch bezel.

Ok… I really don’t like the thicker glass bezel. I think the left half looks better than the right.

It is a different look for sure! I can totally see preferences being split on this.

 

[profets]

Not an ideal comparison (9 v 10 would be more interesting), but for myself, something odd about the way the Series 10 sits and looks. Tried to get pics at as similar angle as possible.

And of course, its very subjective and personal preference.

 

[Simmias]

Just received my S10 Natural Titanium 46mm. Beautiful watch. Love the bigger screen. Don’t even notice the bezels. In every Apple launch, people pick something meaningless to harp on and complain about. “Omg the bezels! Did you see that one marketing photo?” “Omg the heat issue! People online say it gets warm.”

They even mentioned in the keynote that the glass curves down onto the sides - this does not equal bigger bezels. Enjoy your thinner, lighter, bigger screen watch and don’t listen to the predictable online “whatever gate”.

 

[dmccombs]

Just received my S10 Natural Titanium 46mm. Beautiful watch. Love the bigger screen. Don’t even notice the bezels. In every Apple launch, people pick something meaningless to harp on and complain about. “Omg the bezels! Did you see that one marketing photo?” “Omg the heat issue! People online say it gets warm.”

They even mentioned in the keynote that the glass curves down onto the sides - this does not equal bigger bezels. Enjoy your thinner, lighter, bigger screen watch and don’t listen to the predictable online “whatever gate”.

If you are ok with the new bezels, that's great, but to crap on other folks opinion that the bezels look too big/fat now is extremely arrogant.

Regardless of weather the bezels are actually wider, or round the corners, or Apple said... The bezels do LOOK bigger, than on the recent AW models. Some people will like the change, other won't care, and others won't like. It's pretty messed up to tell people its "predictable online whatever gate", and to just enjoy other aspects orf the watch. The black area size change is real and its ok for people to like/dislike as they see fit.

BTW, I have a S9 and S10 to compare, so I'm not reading someone else's thoughts on the bezel change. I am looking at it for myself.

 

[Simmias]

If you are ok with the new bezels, that's great, but to crap on other folks opinion that the bezels look too big/fat now is extremely arrogant.

Regardless of weather the bezels are actually wider, or round the corners, or Apple said... The bezels do LOOK bigger, than on the recent AW models. Some people will like the change, other won't care, and others won't like. It's pretty messed up to tell people its "predictable online whatever gate", and to just enjoy other aspects orf the watch. The black area size change is real and its ok for people to like/dislike as they see fit.

It’s not their opinion. It something they they read online and then repeated as if was their own opinion. That’s how social media works - an echo chamber of “the thing we all hate today”. But just wait a few weeks and it will be something else, like tinted icons.

 

[deeddawg]

And of course, its very subjective and personal preference.

Yes, very much so. Looking at your pictures I find the silver screen edge casing of the Ultra to be distractive as compared to the (IMHO) cleaner flow of the S10 - but I also never much liked the looks of the Ultra though I know many love the design.

 

[deeddawg]

It’s not their opinion. It something they they read online and then repeated as if was their own opinion. That’s how social media works - an echo chamber of “the thing we all hate today”. But just wait a few weeks and it will be something else, like tinted icons.

Battery drain. Always battery drain.

 

[dmccombs]

It’s not their opinion. It something they they read online and then repeated as if was their own opinion.

Seriously? The people that posted their opinions are just repeating reviews comments? I just told you that I have both watches. Does my opinion count, or only yours (that the bezels shouldn't bug anyone)?

For years, I, and others, have asked for smaller bezels, and for a couple generations of AW, Apple did make smaller bezels. The desire for smaller bezels did not originate with S10 Reviewers.

Again, if you are ok with the new bezels that's great. To post here that everyone else has been brainwashed by reviewers and basically say that everyone should just like their watch, and like their bezels is beyond arrogant, now that you've doubled down here.

I won't comment any further. I will be deploying the big "I" button...

 

[Spankey]

Favorite Apple Watch by far! There was a bevel issue? I dunno, I got mine and didn't notice bevels at all. I guess if you blow something up on paper, you can blow it out of proportion in real life.

 

[jz0309]

I received mine (46mm) today — upgrading from S7 (45mm).

Gotta say: I’m not a fan. It feels like I’m downgrading from a Pro to a Plus model. I can’t say I was looking forward to the larger screen in general, but I don’t really see the benefit. I feel like this is encroaching on “too big”, for me at least.

At this point, I’m glad my S7 Titanium still has AC+. I might hang onto it and get it replaced once the battery dips below 80%. But I would also consider the S9 SS model.

how about side by side photos?

 

[mrat93]

It’s not their opinion. It something they they read online and then repeated as if was their own opinion. That’s how social media works - an echo chamber of “the thing we all hate today”. But just wait a few weeks and it will be something else, like tinted icons.

Yes — I didn’t actually upgrade from S5 to S7 because I wanted the slimmer bezels and better design. I did it because somebody else told me the bezels were thinner.

 

[Boardiesboi]

Can someone please post a side by side comparison of the S10 against a S7/8/9 with a white watch face so we can actually visually see the difference?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I didn't even notice the bezels until I saw this post.

 

[mrat93]

Can someone please post a side by side comparison of the S10 against a S7/8/9 with a white watch face so we can actually visually see the difference?

Without ideal lighting, it’s kind of difficult to fully judge the bezels, especially with a black casing.

(S7 space black titanium 45mm on the left, S10 slate titanium 46mm on the right)

 

[Sirious]

I didn't even notice the bezels until I saw this post.

Agreed.

It's a very very minor thing honestly!

 

[mjpearce023]

Seriously? The people that posted their opinions are just repeating reviews comments? I just told you that I have both watches. Does my opinion count, or only yours (that the bezels shouldn't bug anyone)?

For years, I, and others, have asked for smaller bezels, and for a couple generations of AW, Apple did make smaller bezels. The desire for smaller bezels did not originate with S10 Reviewers.

Again, if you are ok with the new bezels that's great. To post here that everyone else has been brainwashed by reviewers and basically say that everyone should just like their watch, and like their bezels is beyond arrogant, now that you've doubled down here.

I won't comment any further. I will be deploying the big "I" button...

Totally agree with this. The main point of the Apple Watch 7 launch was look how thin the bezels are! We pushed the screen out almost to the casing. We even made a new watch face to show off the curved almost bezel-less screen. iPhone 15pro - we made the bezels smaller! iPhone 16 pro - we made the bezels smaller!!! Apple Watch 10 they went backwards, why? I’m guessing the screen would have been close to the edge if micro led had panned out but when they had to switch back to oled this was the best they could get in the thinner casing. The series 10 looks like a design compromise.
Hopefully the slate titanium is dark enough to hide the increased bezels but if not I’ll definitely be returning mine. I’m not paying this much for a step backwards in looks.

 

[the future]

I’m guessing the screen would have been close to the edge if micro led had panned out but when they had to switch back to oled this was the best they could get in the thinner casing.

Nope. The microLED rumour was always about Ultra getting it first. So it was definitely not planned for the S10.

The change of the glass/metal bezel ratio with the S10 was a deliberate design decision, maybe forced by the new thinness. Doesn‘t mean you have to like it, though.

 

[dmccombs]

Totally agree with this. The main point of the Apple Watch 7 launch was look how thin the bezels are! We pushed the screen out almost to the casing. We even made a new watch face to show off the curved almost bezel-less screen. iPhone 15pro - we made the bezels smaller! iPhone 16 pro - we made the bezels smaller!!! Apple Watch 10 they went backwards, why? I’m guessing the screen would have been close to the edge if micro led had panned out but when they had to switch back to oled this was the best they could get in the thinner casing. The series 10 looks like a design compromise.
Hopefully the slate titanium is dark enough to hide the increased bezels but if not I’ll definitely be returning mine. I’m not paying this much for a step backwards in looks.

I did see the Slate Ti in the store and I think the Slate is dark enough that the digital bezel and Ti bezel blend pretty close. I think the Slate Ti looks ok with the newer/wider digital bezel.

I snapped a quick picture, but it's not very good. I hope it's useful anyway.