The Apple Watch Series 9 is officially here! The Cupertino tech giant officially announced the latest flagship smartwatch at the Apple Event last September 12. While we have not seen significant upgrades to the health and fitness features, the Apple Watch Series 9 looks like a promising wearable still. From specs to new features to pricing to availability, here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Watch Series 9.
Apple Watch Series 9 Specs
One of the major upgrades of the device is the addition of the S9 SiP (system in package), Apple’s most powerful watch chip to date. This new custom silicon dual-core chip has 5.6 billion transistors, which is 60% more than the predecessor. What this means is that you get a more intuitive and faster performance from the Apple Watch Series 9. This also helps in power efficiency, allowing the smartwatch to survive up to 18 hours per charge.
The 1.9-inch touchscreen Retina OLED display has up to 2,000 nits, making it two times brighter than the Apple Watch Series 8. Meanwhile, the battery can last up to 18 hours for all-day use and up to 36 hours in low-power mode. In terms of water protection, the Apple Watch Series 9 is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
Sensors inside the Apple Watch Series 9 remain the same, including an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a heart rate sensor, a barometer, an always-on altimeter, a compass, a blood oxygen level sensor, a VO2 max sensor, and a body temperature sensor.
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Apple Watch Series 9 Features
In terms of functionalities, the Apple Watch Series 9 does not have a lot to give. Here are some new upgrades you can get from it:
Double Tap Gesture
Users can now tap the index finger and thumb together twice to do desired actions on the Apple Watch Series 9. It controls the primary button in an app, so you can use it to stop a timer, snooze an alarm, control music, accept or end a phone call, or even take a photo with the Camera Remote. Double tap can also trigger Smart Stack from the watch face and another double tap will scroll through widgets in the stack.
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On-Device Siri with Ability to Access and Log Health Data
You can now pull up Siri from your watch without relying on the internet. Whether you want to start a workout or set an alarm, you can do so as the Apple Watch Serie 9 works independently. Thanks to Neural Engine, Siri dictation is now up to 25% more accurate than the Apple Watch Series 8.
In addition, you can now ask Siri to access your data from the Health app. For instance, you can ask Siri how many hours you slept last night or your blood glucose level (given you have a connected monitor). You can also ask Siri to log your health data such as weight, period, and medications taken.
Also Read: 5 Best Garmin Smartwatches
Precision Finding and HomePod Integration
If you use the iPhone 15 family, finding a misplaced phone is much easier with the Apple Watch Series 9. Precision Finding is able to locate your misplaced iPhone, thanks to the S9 chip’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip.
This chip is also responsible for the ability of your watch to control your HomePod. If your watch gets within 4 meters of your playing HomePod, it will launch Now Playing to enable you to control it. If nothing is played, your watch will pull up media suggestions right at the top of the Smart Stack.
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More Environment-friendly Straps
Apple has also moved away from leather straps for the Watch Series 9, Watch SE, and Watch Ultra 2. It’s now using carbon-neutral microtwill straps (which they call FineWoven) made of 68% recycled materials. The sport loop band is now also made from 82% recycled yarn.
Also Read: Also Read: Fitbit Charge 5 vs. Oura Ring 3: Which Is More Advanced Health and Fitness Tracker?
Apple Watch Series 9 Pricing and Availability
The Apple Watch Series 9 is now available for pre-order in more than 50 countries. Shipping and store sales will commence on Friday, September 22, 2023. The price starts at $399.
Get the Apple Watch Series 9 here!
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