The headline: 24 hours of real use with always-on display and mixed workouts. That’s the battery bump we’ve wanted for years. Throw in the new S11 chip and the UI feels snappier, especially when launching workouts or maps.
Fitness tracking is still top-tier—GPS locks fast, heart-rate accuracy is excellent, and recovery metrics now give practical guidance instead of vague numbers. Safety features (crash detection, SOS) remain class-leading for travelers and cyclists.
Still missing? Open-platform flexibility and broader phone support. If you’re not in the iPhone world, this isn’t for you. If you are, the Series 11 is the sweet spot over the Ultra unless you need extreme battery or a siren.
Pros
- All-day battery with always-on display
- Fast, fluid UI on S11 chip
- Accurate fitness + safety features
- Great screen brightness outdoors
Cons
- iPhone only
- Still pricey at $499
- Battery is better, but not multi-day
Should you buy it?
If you own an iPhone and want the best mix of fitness, safety, and smart features without going Ultra, this is the move. If you need true multi-day battery, look at Garmin; if you need platform flexibility, consider Pixel Watch 3. For most iPhone users, Series 11 is the right balance.