Summary
Apple Watch Series 9 review .. Not only does the Apple Watch Series 9 adhere to the successful formula of past models, but it also brings a fun new gesture control that has a great deal of promise for the future. This makes it the ideal accessory for those who are just beginning their journey into the realm of Apple’s exceptional wristwatch innovations.
You have made a very good observation if something looks to be extremely well crafted. Before you go out and get the Apple Watch Series 9, there are a few key words that provide hints about some extremely crucial things you should know about it. What you need to know is explained here.
With regard to our evaluation of the Apple Watch Series 9 ?
Digital Trends released their review of the Apple Watch Series 9 on September 29, 2023. I, Andy Boxall, then revised it in the beginning of November after returning to the wristwatch, this time with watchOS 10.1 loaded and the Double Tap functionality available. The review was published on September 29th.
During that time period, the score was increased from an 8/10 to a 9/10 since the introduction of Double Tap eliminated one of the drawbacks, and it is a feature that is both dependable and enjoyable to use. Listed below, you will discover a new section that has been introduced to discuss the Double Tap gesture function. A new section titled “Apple Watch Series 9: Eight Months Later” has been added just below. During the month of April 2024, I had the opportunity to revisit the Apple Watch Series 9 in order to determine whether or not it is still the wristwatch that you should purchase for your iPhone.
The Apple Watch Series 9: eight months after its release?
We have been using the Apple Watch Series 9 for the last several weeks, and despite the fact that it has been eight months since it was released, it continues to be an outstanding product. I cannot stress enough that not only is it a fantastic acquisition, but it is also still among the very finest smartwatches that have ever been manufactured. When compared to many other smartwatches, Apple’s software and ownership experience have been polished to the point that they seem simple. Additionally, in contrast to many other smartwatches, it seldom irritates and never pushes you to think around obnoxious default configuration settings that are intended just to extend battery life.
This laid-back approach to the majority of things does, however, cause me to forget about Double Tap since it does not remind you to utilize the function at the appropriate times whenever it is available. Due to the fact that I am so used to tapping the screen or twisting the digital crown, I had forgotten that Double Tap even exists. In order to recall where it may be utilized, I have had to consciously familiarize myself with the function. The second issue with Double Tap is that it seems to be underused, and this brings up another concern. We can only hope that this will change in the future since, if it does not, the gesture runs the danger of being completely forgotten.
Although it is possible to purchase various smartwatches that are compatible with the Apple iPhone, whether it be an off-brand oddity from Amazon, a Fitbit Charge 6, or a decent new model such as the Xiaomi Watch S3, you are losing out on the greatest and most comprehensive wearable experience that is currently available. The Apple Watch is by far the simplest wristwatch to set up and operate, from the time you switch it on to the moment you update the software or monitor an exercise. I have used and set up a number of smartwatches over the course of the last year.
The last thing I’ll mention is that I have a hard time finding a watch face that I like on a lot of other smartwatches, but I never have that difficulty with the Apple Watch. Despite the fact that I typically have a choice, I have not yet moved away from the joyful, ever-changing, and great Snoopy watch face. The selection is so excellent that it is well designed, mature, watch-like, and useful. Considering that I would feel foolish if I were to state that it is just as big of a cause to purchase as Double Tap, I won’t. However, if you want to take it that way, I won’t attempt to do anything to change your mind.
Apple Watch Series 9: a design that is both familiar and brilliant?
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the Apple Watch Series 9 is available in case sizes of 45mm and 41mm, and you can choose between aluminum and stainless steel for the material. In addition to having a thickness of 10.7 millimeters, it is equipped with an IP6X dust resistance certification and a water resistance rating of 50 meters. It weighs anywhere between 32 and 39 grams, depending on the model, and it is compatible with a wide variety of bands. In other words, it is almost identical to the Apple Watch Series 8 in terms of both its appearance and its sensation.
This is not a horrible thing since the Series 8 is one of the most comfortable, best-designed, and most identifiable smartwatches that has ever been produced; thus, the fact that the successor is the same is not a crime. At times, people may express their dissatisfaction with the “lack of innovation,” but what they are actually asking is, “Why doesn’t it look different?”The fact that Apple recognizes the importance of maintaining a design that is so successful rather than implementing a change for the sake of change is cause for celebration.
The fact that the Apple Watch Series 9 follows the same concept as the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Series 7 signifies two things: if you loved any of the previous smartwatches, you will like the Apple Watch Series 9 as well.
will like the Series 9 series. In the event that you are not a fan of any of those smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 9 will not convince you otherwise. If, on the other hand, you dislike it because of its appearance, you are being adamantly contrarian, since the Apple Watch is virtually ideal in terms of its fit, form, and weight. A great number of conventional timepieces that are not smartwatches are not nearly as pleasant to wear for extended periods of time as this particular wristwatch is. It is also the most wearable smartwatch available.
Even though the rectangular form is not going to appeal to everyone, it is hard to deny that it has not achieved the position of an iconic shape. A number of well-known brands that are recognized for their unique designs, such as Casio, which manufactures watches for everyone, and H.Moser & Cie, which does not, have attempted to imitate the appearance of the Apple Watch. Due to the fact that it is not required to do so, Apple is not forging new ground with the design of the Series 9 device. If you are looking for a wristwatch that you can wear throughout the day and night without it being a nuisance and that is still fashionable regardless of what you are wearing, then the Apple Watch is the perfect option for you. An additional noteworthy feature of the Apple Watch Series 9 is that it is the company’s first carbon-neutral product, assuming that you purchase the aluminum version with a Sport Loop band configuration.
There is a greater selection of colors available for the Apple Watch Series 9, beginning with the Midnight version that we have in our photographs and progressing to the more vibrant Starlight, silver, gold, graphite, Product Red, or pink edition. Apple’s new FineWoven material, which can be seen on the Modern Buckle and Magnetic Link bands, has replaced the leather bands that were previously used by the company instead. For the last several days, I have been wearing the Series 9 with the new Nike Sport Band in Desert Stone. It is really pliable and comfortable to wear. Not only is it perfect for day-to-day, all-day wear, but it also adds a little flair to the otherwise plain Midnight case color.
In the event that you have never worn an Apple Watch previously, I believe this is the most important item to comprehend regarding the Apple Watch Series 9. When you put it on, there will never be a need to take it off due to comfort difficulties, and when you consider all of the advantages that come from wearing it, this is a very significant achievement. What makes you want to wear it is the fact that it is available in two different sizes, a wide range of colors and finishes, and a multitude of bands that allow you to completely tailor it to your own preferences. The Apple Watch is actually distinguished from a great number of its rivals by virtue of its overall good design, which is superior in terms of both comfort and elegance.
What about the Double Tap feature on the Apple Watch Series 9?
When Apple originally introduced the Series 9 to the public, the company spent a lot of time discussing Double Tap. However, the function did not become accessible on the wristwatch until the release of watchOS 10.1, which occurred at the end of October 2023. What was the value of the wait? On the other hand, despite the fact that it functions very well, you shouldn’t count on it being something you use on a regular basis or the only reason you should get the Apple Watch Series 9.
It is tied to a proven and useful accessibility feature known as AssistiveTouch that has been available for some time. Double Tap is one of the most notable distinctions between the Series 8 and the Series 9 and is one of the primary variances between the two. The good news is that Double Tap is actually a bit of fun to use, in addition to being very precise and completely dependable. It is necessary to make a significant double tap with both your thumb and your forefinger in order to activate it, but to my knowledge, it has been successful each and every time. I like the fact that it does not need any settings and that it also functions instantly.
On the other hand, its functionality is fairly restricted. There are just a few functions, such as answering calls and dismissing alerts, scrolling through the Smart Stack widgets, and playing or stopping music. These are the only operations that are available. The fact that it is functioning is indicated by the appearance of a charming Double Tap symbol at the top of the screen, and the acts that it performs are accompanied by a discernible haptic effect. On the other hand, it is not a main way of controlling and is intended to serve as a hands-free option in situations where you are unable to physically touch the screen.
At the very least, during the first phase of curiosity, it indicates that you will not be utilizing it on a regular basis, despite the fact that it is entertaining and unique enough to make you want to use it. In addition, it is technically outstanding since it makes use of the sensor array and software algorithms in order to detect the gesture, which it is able to accomplish practically without fail. Having a feature that is both refined and useful is something that will surely come in handy in the appropriate situations. Since you should not go out and get the Apple Watch Series 9, it is possible that you will not use it at all for many weeks. However, when you do use it, you should anticipate that it will bring a grin to your face.
Which software is the Apple Watch Series 9?
The watchOS 10 operating system is pre-installed on the Apple Watch Series 9, and it is also available for the Apple Watch Series 8, Series 7, and a number of other Apple Watch models. Twisting the Digital Crown and hitting the button both do different actions than they did in the past, and even swiping up on the screen performs a new action. This is the most significant design and operational shift that we have seen in a while. This indicates that anybody who is acquainted with watchOS will very probably discover that controls have been relocated and that this will require retraining of muscle memory.
Adjusting to the new system has taken some time for me, and I am not certain that it is superior to the previous one; rather, it is just different. The modification seems to have been made mostly for the purpose of making room for the Smart Stack, which is a multi-widget option that is similar to the one found in iOS. When you twist the digital crown, a number of cards that are rather instructive show up. A double press of the Digital Crown is now required in order to switch between open applications. This is a bit of a hassle since the Digital Crown often prioritizes displaying the app menu. This is because the Control Center is now located behind a single press of the bottom button.
These modifications, coupled with others like the fact that the applications may now be browsed through vertically rather than from a 360-degree perspective, all contribute to the fact that watchOS 10 feels quite different from previous versions.
I am unable to say that I found the Smart Stack function, which is responsible for this new method of navigating and operating the Apple Watch, to be very useful at the time. On the other hand, watchOS maintains its remarkable speed and fluidity, which is what makes it such a pleasurable experience to use. The directions are easy to understand, and the typefaces and icons are always created and scaled in a manner that is sensible. Additionally, it is well suited to be worn on the wrist since all of the buttons are simple to interact with or tap.
I was not expecting Siri to be one of the features that I discovered. As a result of Apple’s ambivalence regarding its virtual assistant, I have, for the most part, forgotten about it over the years. However, now that Siri processes a significant portion of its instructions on the Apple Watch itself (with the assistance of the new S9 processor and its quicker neural engine), it replies and acts nearly instantly.
My needs for a virtual assistant are rather simple; yet, I have discovered that Siri is more dependable and operates more quickly than Google Assistant on my Google Pixel Tablet when it comes to chores such as setting timers and turning on lights. This is not the first time that it has failed to acknowledge what I have stated. For those of you who, like me, have been ignoring Siri for some time, it is time to become familiar with it once more on the Apple Watch Series 9.
An additional point to take into consideration is that I have experienced a difference between the haptic alerts on the Series 9 and the Series 8; the Series 9 alerts have a more “clicky” and less “full” feeling than the soft-yet-deep alerts that I was used to.
Increasing the alert strength from its default setting to “prominent” is something that I’ve discovered is required in order to more accurately imitate the Series 8’s beautifully tactile haptics. Despite the fact that it is not a fault, I became aware of it the moment I put on the Apple Watch Series 9 for the first time. Considering that Apple has not announced any hardware modifications that may bring about this, it is possible that it is tied to watchOS 10. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t let it deter you.
What about the screen and Snoopy Apple Watch Series 9?
Although the OLED screen on the Apple Watch Series 9 is the same size as the one on the Series 8, it has a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits and the potential to decrease to one nit on the display that is always on. I have been testing the Series 9 in the United Kingdom, which is mostly cloudy, and the screen has not felt the need to increase the brightness outdoors. However, I have not had any difficulties seeing the screen at any time, regardless of the weather.
The Snoopy watch faces that Apple has created are happy designs.
Having said that, let’s move on to Snoopy. It’s possible that you didn’t pay much attention to Snoopy on the Apple Watch since you thought it was simply another conventionally adorable watch face like the ones for Toy Story or Mickey Mouse. Nevertheless, it is much more than that. Because the animation undergoes a dramatic transformation each time you lift your wrist, the watch face is not just one watch face; rather, it is hundreds of watch faces. Each one has been meticulously crafted and is in keeping with the Peanuts motif, even down to the names that have been given to the watch face hues, which include Doghouse Red, Blanket Blue, and Woodstock Yellow.
Apple’s Snoopy watch faces are joyful creations, and what’s more, the character (along with many others from the world of Peanuts) has a long horological history, with Timex, Seiko, Swatch, Bamford, and Omega all adopting the famous beagle for use on a watch. Smartwatches aren’t very fun, and the watch faces are disappointing. However, Apple’s Snoopy watch faces are a triumph. The fact that Apple has acknowledged this, the fact that the characters are ageless, and the fact that the delightful animations are able to make me grin even on a gloomy day all contribute to the fact that Snoopy is a brilliant addition to the Apple Watch.
Because the Snoopy watch face is included in watchOS 10, it may be used on any Apple Watch that is capable of running the software; it is not limited to the Series 9 on the Apple Watch. As a result of the fact that I have written two paragraphs about Snoopy, you should already be aware of what to anticipate from the screen of the new Apple Watch: it is essentially the same as the screen of the previous Apple Watch, and the feature that gets me the most thrilled is a watch face that is accessible on almost all of the most recent Apple Watches.
Keeping track of your health and fitness with the Apple Watch Series 9?
Due to the fact that the sensor array on the rear of the Apple Watch Series 9 is identical to the one found on the Series 8, it will continue to monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen levels, as well as take an electrocardiogram and measure your skin temperature for the purpose of tracking your sleep phases and cycles. Using the Apple Watch, you can keep track of hundreds of different exercises, and the data will display on the screen automatically. A Live Activity will also appear on your iPhone while you are doing certain types of exercises, such as cycling.
Apple has improved its cycling mode with Power Zones and made it compatible with Bluetooth devices. These new capabilities are not included in the Apple Watch Series 9 hardware but rather are included in watchOS 10, which is installed on the Apple Watch.
Compass is an app that may be used by hikers to monitor changes in elevation, and select places now have topographic maps available. Additionally, WatchOS 10 and the Apple Watch Series 9 come equipped with an impressive collection of health and safety features.
These features include the ability to detect accidents and falls, hearing protection, information on the amount of time spent outside in the sun, and emergency SOS calls. Additionally, the Apple Watch Series 9 also includes medication reminders and new mindfulness sessions. Despite the fact that I do not intend to make use of any of them, I am delighted that they are available.
Wearing the Apple Watch Series 9 throughout the night (which is not at all difficult to accomplish) will allow it to monitor your sleep schedule. It is quite comparable to the findings that I receive from the Oura Ring in terms of the data that it provides, but it does not provide a great deal of information on the state of your sleep or how to enhance it. Although I will discuss battery life in a moment, the trade-off of monitoring sleep and the influence it has on battery life is probably not something that should be considered feasible. In order to alleviate worries about privacy, Siri is able to transmit health data when you ask for it. This operation is carried out on the watch itself, rather than in the cloud.
With all of this information, it is clear that monitoring your health and fitness with the Apple Watch Series 9 is quite similar to how it was done with the Series 8 and the Series 7. Apple is attempting to make the platform more powerful, beginning with its cycling improvements; nonetheless, the Apple Watch continues to be perfect for the regular exerciser who is interested in fitness rather than the fitness enthusiast who is obsessed with it. It is also fantastic for those who exercise just sometimes, which is the category that I belong to.
How come? Everything is so simple. I find the straightforward, appealing, and entertaining “Rings” system for daily objectives to be a source of inspiration. It just takes a few seconds to begin monitoring, the auto-tracking feature is dependable, and the layout is informative and logical, which means that you will never be hunting for controls or data.
Your iPhone’s Health app, in particular, is quite thick and annoying to go through, and the fact that data is divided between the Health app and the Fitness app is a bothersome aspect of the device. On the other hand, whether you want to keep track of a few walks, runs, high-intensity interval training sessions, or a round of golf, it is quite simple to do so, and the transparent display of the Rings ensures that you are always aware of your progress.
There is a bit more depth to the fitness system that comes with the Apple Watch Series 9, if you want it, but you shouldn’t expect it to provide any advice on how to improve other than urging that you subscribe to Apple’s Fitness+. It is possible that the Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2 will provide you with the battery life, activity-specific functionality, and additional durability that you may need if the Series 9 is not quite sufficient for your needs. If you are interested in engaging in strenuous activities like running, cycling, swimming, or anything that is comparable to a triathlon, then you should consider purchasing one of the smartwatches offered by Garmin, such as the Garmin Forerunner 265 or the Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2.
What about the performance and battery life of the Apple Watch Series 9?
Apple’s new S9 dual-core System-in-Package (SiP) is used in the Apple Watch Series 9. This SiP is derived from the A16 Bionic processor and has been enhanced specifically for the Apple Watch. The new neural engine makes it possible for Siri to do processing on the device itself and, when it is released, double tap. The assertion made by Apple that the Series 9 is thirty percent quicker than the Series 8 seems to be true, as I was able to observe that the Series 9 was noticeably more responsive and snappier when I wore it one after the other. The Apple Watch Series 8 is not sluggish by any stretch of the imagination; hence, I cannot conceive of a scenario in which this would significantly alter the way you use it in the real world.
The new U2 Ultra Wideband technology is located within the Apple Watch Series 9, and it is responsible for bringing smart, location-based HomePod control as well as the Precision Finding function, which allows you to precisely find a lost iPhone 15 model without any difficulty. When you force the Apple Watch to ring your missing phone, you will find that the Precision Finding feature is not included in the Find My app on the Apple Watch. Instead, it is located in the Control Panel of the Apple Watch. The process of using it is fairly simple once you have worked out where to look for it, and it has consistently located my iPhone in a reliable manner.
The battery life range of the Apple Watch Series 9 is similar to that of the Series 8. If you do not keep track of any exercises or sleep, it is feasible to go two whole days without missing a single day. If you add them, or if you use applications that use a lot of energy, such as Maps, the Apple Watch will run out of battery by the late afternoon or early evening of the second day.
A typical day of usage with the Apple Watch Series 9, which includes a single 30-minute exercise with GPS (which consumes around 5% of the battery life on its own), results in the battery being at approximately 50% by the time I go to bed. The Apple Watch will lose between 15 and 20 percent of its battery life if you wear it overnight. This will leave you with no alternative but to recharge it before the end of the following work day or first thing in the morning (whichever comes first). According to Apple, the battery life of the Series 9 will be 36 hours when the device is set to Low Power Mode.
Placement of the Apple Watch on a specialized magnetic puck is required in order to recharge it; however, the MagSafe puck that is used to recharge your iPhone is not compatible with the Apple Watch. It takes around forty-five minutes for it to reach eighty percent, and it can be completely charged in a little under an hour. In the event that you do choose to wear and use the Series 9 around the clock, the rapid charging feature will help to reduce the negative effect that this has on the battery life. It is possible to quickly charge it every morning in a manner that is comparable to how I use the Oura Ring, and you will discover that it is not required to make time to completely charge it very often.
What are the costs and availability of the Apple Watch Series 9?
There is a price increase of $100 if you want to incorporate a cellular connection with the 41mm Apple Watch Series 9 with Wi-Fi and GPS. The pricing begins at $399 for the 41mm model and $429 for the 45mm variant. If you choose a band that is not the Sport Band or the Sport Loop, you will be charged an additional fee. Prices also change depending on the band that you choose. Six hundred ninety-nine dollars is the starting price for the stainless steel variant, which is otherwise similar to the aluminum version.
Both the 41mm Wi-Fi and GPS editions of the Apple Watch Series 9 and the 45mm Wi-Fi/GPS model are available in the United Kingdom, with a starting price of 399 British points and 429 pounds, respectively. If you need a cellphone connection, the costs shown above will increase by one hundred pounds. There is a starting price of 699 pounds for the stainless steel Apple Watch Series 9.
Other options are available to you in the event that you do not choose to utilize an Apple Watch in conjunction with your iPhone, for whatever reason. It is not possible to use iOS with Samsung’s Galaxy smartwatches; however, there are alternative Wear OS smartwatches that are compatible with iOS. One of them is the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 line, although the price tag for one of these watches is around $2,000 dollars. These smartwatches from Huawei, such as the recently released Watch GT 4, are more affordable at less than $300 and have a surprisingly strong connection with iOS. However, you will need to be willing to accept that many functions, such as support for messages and interactive alerts, will not function properly.
On the other hand, those who are more concerned with their health and exercise will find that specialist fitness watches like the Garmin Forerunner 265 and the Garmin Vivomove Trend are suitable. Anyone who does not want to be inundated with alerts or cope with a full touchscreen will find the hybrid design of the Withings ScanWatch 2 to be appealing. This design moves in a new direction. In addition, if you are interested in a more conventional watch that has linked capabilities, we would recommend that you consider purchasing a Casio G-Shock GBD-200, DW-H5600, or GBD-H2000.
Where does the Apple Watch Series 9 stand?
It seems as if I have said this quite a few times before, but if you have an iPhone and are interested in purchasing a wristwatch, you should go for the Apple Watch. It is without a doubt the most superior wristwatch for your phone. Your first Apple Watch is going to be the Series 9, and you are going to really enjoy it. On the other hand, as of right now, you are able to purchase an Apple Watch Series 8 and enjoy an experience that is almost comparable to that of the Series 9, with the exception of Double Tap.
Despite the fact that Double Tap is a wonderful feature, it is not capable of transforming the Apple Watch Series 9 into an improvement that consumers absolutely must have in comparison to the Series 8. Hold on to the Apple Watch Series 7 or the Apple Watch from the previous year if you already have one of them. The Apple Watch Series 9 is an outstanding wristwatch; nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that a significant portion of its brilliance is derived from watchOS 10, which is available on all Apple Watch models that are released after the Apple Watch Series 4.
Rather than being a crucial update for everyone who has previously purchased an Apple Watch over the last three or four years, the Apple Watch Series 9 is best suited for those who are new to Apple’s smartwatches. This may be the case more than ever before. I would want to reiterate how wonderful the Apple Watch is, how well it integrates into my life, and how strongly I suggest that you get one. On the other hand, I would want to make it very apparent that I had the exact same feelings about the Series 8 when I wore it once again prior to the debut of the Series 9.
After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that you should purchase the Apple Watch Series 9 immediately, given that you have never worn an Apple Watch before. However, if you currently possess an Apple Watch Series 5 or later, you should give this a lot of serious consideration before proceeding.
