During Apple’s highly-anticipated Wonderlust event, the tech giant introduced the all-new Apple Watch Series 9. This latest addition to the smartwatch lineup succeeds the Apple Watch Series 8, which had previously held the title of the best smartwatch in 2023. While maintaining a familiar design, the Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a range of exciting new features, such as the swift Apple S9 System in Package (SiP), intuitive gesture controls, and the cutting-edge watchOS 10. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the new Apple Watch Series 9.
Read: Everything Meta announced at Connect 2023
Design
In terms of design, the Apple Watch Series 9 retains the familiar aesthetics. The last notable design update was introduced with the Series 7, which expanded the display by 20%, but with the Series 9, the design remains largely unchanged. It continues to feature a rectangular smartwatch form factor with an edge-to-edge OLED screen, and the signature Digital Crown positioned on the side.
Consumers can still select from two size options, either 41mm or 45mm, and choose between two casing materials: lightweight aluminium or robust stainless steel, with pricing varying accordingly, as previously mentioned. The Digital Crown and side button retain their familiar configurations, and there’s no introduction of a new Action Button, as seen on the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Furthermore, the durability ratings have remained consistent. The Apple Watch Series 9 maintains the same IP6X and WR50 ratings as its predecessors. The “6” in IP6X signifies its excellent dust resistance, while the WR50 rating indicates its capability to withstand submersion in water up to 50 meters deep. In terms of colour options, there’s a fresh addition of a pink hue for the aluminium variant, while the other colour choices remain unchanged.
Display
While the overall design remains largely consistent, Apple has made significant enhancements to the display of the Watch Series 9. The new display boasts an impressive peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, marking a twofold increase compared to the previous year’s Apple Watch Series 8. This heightened peak brightness ensures improved readability of text and content even under bright daylight conditions. Moreover, for individuals who prefer a less intense display in low-light environments, the Watch Series 9 now offers the capability to dim down to a mere 1 nit, providing a subtler and less glaring screen experience.
Internal Hardware
One of the standout features of the Apple Watch Series 9 is its all-new Apple S9 chip. This cutting-edge chipset, as per Apple’s claims, ushers in a significant leap in performance and capabilities for the Watch. It incorporates a CPU with an impressive 5.6 billion transistors, representing a remarkable 60% increase compared to the Series 8. Additionally, the GPU now delivers a 30% boost in speed. Furthermore, the Series 9 introduces a brand-new 4-core Neural Engine, doubling the processing speed for on-device machine learning tasks.
Thanks to the enhanced Neural Engine, the Apple Watch Series 9 is now capable of handling the most commonly used Siri commands directly on the device. For instance, you can simply instruct Siri to log your medication, and it will efficiently execute this command without the need for cloud-based processing. Another noteworthy addition is the integration of the new Ultra Wide Band chip, further elevating the precision and accuracy of the device’s location tracking capabilities.
Control Inputs
Apple is introducing a convenient and intuitive gesture control feature in the Apple Watch Series 9, enabling users to execute tasks without the need for direct screen interaction. This innovative feature, known as the double-tap gesture, allows users to answer calls, pause timers, snooze alarms, and perform other functions by simply tapping their index finger and thumb together.
While a similar capability was accessible on previous Apple Watch models via accessibility settings, Apple has enhanced this feature in the Series 9, thanks to the faster Neural Engine. Apple explains that this Neural Engine now employs a novel algorithm to process data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor, significantly improving its responsiveness and functionality.
Battery
The Apple Watch Series 9 continues Apple’s commitment to providing up to 18 hours of usage on a single charge, consistent with previous models. For those times when extended usage is required, the Series 9 includes the Low Power mode, which can extend functionality to 36 hours. Moreover, the Series 9 boasts faster charging capabilities, enabling it to reach an impressive 80% charge from 0% in just 45 minutes.
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 represents a modest yet meaningful enhancement over its predecessor, the Series 8. For iPhone users seeking a new smartwatch, this remains the top choice. With its upgraded chipset and brighter display, the Apple Watch Series 9 delivers an even better user experience.
