The Apple Watch Series 9 is here, and while it may not be a revolutionary leap forward, it’s a well-rounded refinement of an already fantastic smartwatch.
Design and Display:
At first glance, you might not notice much difference between the Series 9 and its predecessor, the Series 8. The same sleek, square design with rounded edges remains. However, Apple has made some subtle improvements, like a slightly thinner bezel and a more scratch-resistant display.
The display is now twice as bright, making it even easier to see in direct sunlight. This is a welcome improvement, especially for outdoor enthusiasts or those who frequently use their watches in bright environments.
Performance and Features:
Under the hood, the Series 9 boasts the new S9 SiP chip, which Apple claims is up to 20% faster than the S8 chip in the Series 8. This translates to smoother performance, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience.
One of the most exciting new features is the blood oxygen app, which can now track your blood oxygen levels continuously throughout the day and night. This can be helpful for those with sleep apnea or other conditions that affect blood oxygen levels.
Another noteworthy addition is the temperature sensor, which can be used to track your body temperature during sleep or to monitor for ovulation. This data is still in its early stages of development, but it has the potential to be very useful for health tracking in the future.
Battery Life and Durability:
The battery life of the Series 9 remains largely unchanged from the Series 8, which is to say, it’s good but not great. You can expect to get around 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is enough to get you through most days, but you’ll likely need to charge it every night.
Apple has made some improvements to the durability of the Series 9, with a new crack-resistant front crystal and a more water-resistant design. This makes it even more suitable for wearing during workouts, outdoor activities, and even in the shower.
Software and Apps:
The Series 9 comes with the latest version of watchOS, which includes a number of new features and improvements. One of the most notable is the new date input gesture, which allows you to quickly and easily enter dates on your watch using a swiping motion.
There are also a number of new health and fitness features, such as advanced sleep tracking and new workout metrics. The watch can now also track your elevation gain and descent during outdoor workouts, which is great for hikers and cyclists.
Verdict:
The Apple Watch Series 9 is an excellent smartwatch that builds on the strengths of its predecessors. It’s faster, brighter, and has more features than ever before, making it a great choice for anyone looking for the best possible smartwatch experience. However, if you already own a Series 7 or 8, there’s no urgent need to upgrade.
Pros:
- Faster S9 SiP chip
- Brighter display
- Blood oxygen app
- Temperature sensor
- Crack-resistant front crystal
- Water-resistant design
- New software features
- Improved health and fitness tracking
Cons:
- Not a major design change
- Battery life remains unchanged
- Some features are still in early stages of development
- Expensive
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a worthy successor to the Series 8. It’s a refined and improved smartwatch that offers the best possible Apple Watch experience. However, it’s not a revolutionary upgrade, so if you’re already happy with your Series 7 or 8, there’s no need to rush to upgrade.
I hope this detailed review with pictures helps you decide whether the Apple Watch Series 9 is right for you.