Apple has officially unveiled the new Apple Watch Series 9 at its Wonderlust event. While it may look similar to the Apple Watch Series 8, there are some notable upgrades under the hood.
In terms of design, there aren’t many changes compared to the previous model. If you were expecting a thinner or bulkier body, a different button layout, or other design modifications, you might be disappointed. However, if you were hoping for improved performance and processing power, the Series 9 might impress you.
The highlight of the Apple Watch Series 9 is its new S9 chip. The GPU on this chip is 30% faster than the one on the Series 8, resulting in smoother animations. Moreover, the new four-core neural engine can process machine learning tasks up to twice as fast. This enhancement enables Siri requests to be handled entirely on the device, making them faster to process. You can even start an outdoor workout without a connection, thanks to on-device Siri processing.
With the improved on-device processing comes enhanced security. Users can now ask Siri to access their health data and provide details on sleep duration, average running heart rate, and other gathered metrics.
The Apple Watch Series 9 also introduces some new software features. It includes an ultra-wide band shift, which makes finding your iPhone easier by providing the exact distance and direction of your phone, even if it’s in another room. The watch will vibrate and produce an audible signal when you’re close to it. Additionally, a double tap gesture has been added, allowing users to interact with the watch using one hand. This feature can perform various tasks such as picking up and ending calls, controlling the smart stack watch face, and navigating through different widgets.
The display on the Apple Watch Series 9 has been improved as well. It offers double the maximum brightness of the Series 8, reaching 2000 nits. Furthermore, it can dim down to just 1 nit of brightness, preventing discomfort in low-light situations.
The Apple Watch Series 9 comes in a variety of colors and finishes. The aluminum version is available in Pink, Starlight, Silver, Midnight, and ProductRED. There are also stainless steel options in Gold, Silver, and Graphite.
Starting Friday, September 22, the Apple Watch Series 9 will be available in stores, with prices starting at $399 for the base model.
Overall, while the Apple Watch Series 9 may not have undergone a significant design overhaul, it packs powerful upgrades that enhance performance, processing power, and usability. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a capable smartwatch, the Series 9 is worth considering.
