Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9 during its traditional September 2023 iPhone event. These latest iterations of Apple smartwatches bring a host of enhancements compared to their predecessors, featuring the new S9 chip and running watchOS 10, set to be accessible to all users starting from September 18. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what you need to be aware of.
Apple Watch Series 9: Specifications and Features
The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a significantly upgraded S9 chip, delivering a remarkable 30% increase in GPU performance compared to its predecessor, the Watch Series 8. This enhancement results in notably smoother animations and transitions.
Apple has harnessed the power of the S9 chip to introduce innovative functionalities to the Apple Watch Series 9. Notably, it supports NameDrop, one of the most exciting new additions is the Double Tap gesture. Leveraging the gyroscope and accelerometer, the Apple Watch Series 9 can interpret finger movements. Simply by joining your thumb and index finger, you can activate actions on the watch without physically touching it.
During the demonstration, the Apple Watch Series 9 showcased its capabilities in various everyday tasks. It was used to answer incoming calls, end ongoing calls, set and manage timers, silence alarms, navigate through screens, resume playback on an Apple TV, and much more. This new feature proves to be not only impressive but also highly convenient for daily use.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is equipped with a second-generation UWB chip, greatly enhancing its ability to locate your iPhone. It provides directional guidance to your iPhone’s location, accompanied by vibration patterns that indicate proximity. Additionally, existing features such as Siri, battery life, and display quality have seen improvements. The display can reach an impressive brightness of up to 2000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in outdoor conditions, and it can also dim down to 1 nit for subtler settings.
Siri now processes all requests directly on the device itself, enhancing privacy and responsiveness. The Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to offer up to 18 hours of battery life. Apple has also taken a step towards environmental responsibility by introducing carbon-neutral Apple Watch bands, including the Sport Loop and new Nike and Hermès bands. These bands incorporate recycled materials and contribute to a carbon-neutral footprint. Products meeting these environmental standards will feature a “Carbon neutral” logo, signifying their eco-friendly nature.
Apple Watch Ultra 2: Specifications and Features
The second-generation Apple Watch Ultra (Ultra 2) also boasts the new S9 chip, offering the same Double Tap feature for convenient actions. In terms of battery life, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can last up to 36 hours on a single charge. When using the low-power setting, Apple claims it can extend to an impressive 72 hours.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 introduces several enhancements, including an expanded altitude range of up to 9000 meters. Its display is the brightest ever seen on an Apple Watch, reaching up to 3000 nits. It now offers compatibility with a wider range of Bluetooth-based cycling accessories, enabling you to measure aspects of your activities such as cadence, speed, and power. Live activity data can be viewed on iPhones.
Like its predecessor, the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra maintains a MIL-STD-810H rating for rugged durability. It also has a water resistance rating of WR100, allowing it to withstand depths of up to 100 meters, making it ideal for adventurous individuals.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a mappable action button, and it sports a larger side button and digital crown compared to other variants. Its bands are designed to withstand intense outdoor activities, offering options such as the Trail Loop for runners and athletes, the Alpine Loop with high-strength yarn, and the Ocean Band suited for diving enthusiasts.
Pricing and Availability
The Apple Watch Series 9 begins at $399, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced at $799. You can now pre-order these watches from the Apple Store. The Series 9 Apple Watch is set to be released on September 22.
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