The Apple Watch Series 9, released alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 2, brings several exciting new features and enhancements. It features the new S9 SiP with a 4-core Neural Engine, enabling on-device Siri without needing an internet connection for inquiries. Both watches offer brighter screens, improved Ultra Wideband capabilities, and increased storage.
A significant addition is the “Double Tap” feature, allowing users to activate functions by tapping their thumb and index finger together twice instead of touching the screen. This gesture controls the primary button in apps, facilitating actions like launching the smart stack and scrolling through widgets.
Here’s a summary of key details:
Release Dates:
- Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 were available for pre-order on September 12 and went on sale on September 22.
Prices:
- Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399, maintaining the same price as the Series 8.
- Apple Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799, a slight reduction in price for U.K. shoppers compared to its predecessor.
Specifications:
- Both watches feature the S9 SiP, offering a significant boost in performance compared to previous generations.
- A new 4-core Neural Engine processes machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the Series 8, enabling features like Double Tap and on-device Siri.
- Battery life remains at 18 hours for Series 9 and 36 hours for Ultra 2.
- Screen brightness has been improved, with Series 9 doubling from 1,000 nits to 2,000 nits and Ultra 2 reaching 3,000 nits.
- An upgraded ultra-wideband chip enhances location tracking capabilities, including Precision Finding for locating a misplaced iPhone.
New Features:
- The standout feature is “Double Tap,” allowing users to perform actions without touching the screen.
- On-device Siri and health queries are now possible, eliminating the need for an internet connection.
- Siri Health Queries will be available later in the year.
- Software updates, including Double Tap functionality, will be released in October 2023.
Design:
- Series 9 retains the same design with 41mm and 45mm size options and various color choices.
- Ultra 2 is only available in a 49mm size and features a titanium case for durability and lightness.
Software:
- Both watches will ship with watchOS 10, bringing new features, apps, watch faces, and health-related functions.
- watchOS 10 will be available for download on September 18 and compatible with Series 4 and newer.
Upgrade Considerations:
- Owners of Series 8 or Series 7 may not need to upgrade immediately, but those with older models could benefit from the new chip and watchOS 10 support.
