Apple maintains its lead in the smartwatch market with improved specifications, including a faster Siri and new hands-free gestures
For the first time in years, Apple’s smartwatches receive a notable speed boost, in addition to featuring brighter screens and innovative hands-free gestures. This advancement keeps Apple firmly in the lead in the market.
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers a range of sizes and materials, starting at £399 (€449/$399/A$649) with a £20 price reduction in the UK. Simultaneously, the Ultra 2, priced at £799 (€899/$799/A$1,399), is £50 cheaper than its predecessor.
Both watches maintain the same external design as their previous versions. The Series 9 boasts a sleek, pillow-shaped profile available in 41mm or 45mm sizes, while the 49mm Ultra 2 embraces a more robust appearance with its solid titanium casing and oversized buttons.
A notable enhancement for this year is the substantially brighter screens. The Series 9 now offers double the brightness of the previous Series 8, peaking at 2,000 nits, matching the brightness of Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 and the maximum brightness of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This increased brightness greatly enhances visibility in direct sunlight, a crucial factor for a smartwatch.
Taking things to the next level, the Ultra 2 features a screen that can reach an astonishing peak brightness of 3,000 nits, which is 50% brighter than the previous year’s model. This ultra-bright display may seem like a bit of overkill unless you find yourself trekking through a desert. However, this full brightness can be put to good use in the built-in torch mode, effectively illuminating your path.
New, faster chip
The S9 chip, featured in both watches, marks the first significant speed boost since the S6 chip introduced in 2020. While the 30% increase in performance may not bring radical changes to day-to-day activities, it notably improves Siri interactions, many of which are now handled directly on the watch. Tasks like setting timers, making calls, and other basic interactions are swift and function without the need for an iPhone or data connection. Additionally, dictation for messages and notes sees a 25% boost in accuracy, enabling quicker responses without relying on a smartphone.
As for battery life, the Series 9 offers approximately 36 hours of usage, while the Ultra 2 provides closer to 70 hours. This means you can comfortably use the Series 9 for a full day and night, and the Ultra 2 can go for almost three days before requiring a recharge.
Double-tap coming soon
Apple is introducing a new hands-free gesture called “double-tap” for the watch, which detects when you pinch your finger and thumb together twice. This gesture is a simplified version of one of Apple’s existing AssistiveTouch accessibility functions for the watch but is quicker and has become a standard part of the user interface for all.
With this double-pinch action, you can perform tasks such as silencing alarms, timers, initiating or ending calls, and other essential actions. It only functions when the screen is active, ensuring that it is facing you, thus preventing unintentional activations. To access this feature, users will need to install the watchOS 10.1 update, which is currently in public beta testing and has proven to work effectively. The full rollout of this update is expected to occur before the end of October.
Sustainability
Apple does not specify the anticipated battery lifespan, but it is designed to endure over 500 complete charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its initial capacity. If necessary, the battery can be replaced for a fee of £95. Repair costs range from £309 to £509, contingent on the specific model.
These watches incorporate recycled materials like aluminum or titanium, as well as cobalt, copper, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tin, and tungsten. Apple facilitates trade-in options and provides free recycling services for devices, diligently outlining the environmental footprint of each watch in its reports.
Price
The Series 9 is available in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, offering a selection of materials and the option of 4G connectivity, which necessitates an e-SIM and a compatible phone plan add-on. Its base price starts at £399 ($399/A$649), while the 4G models come at an additional cost of £100 ($100/A$160). The Ultra 2 is priced at £799 ($799/A$1,399).
For reference, the Apple Watch SE is available at £259, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is priced at £289, the Google Pixel Watch 2 costs £349, the Garmin Venu 3 is offered at £449, and the Garmin Epix Pro is available at £829.
Verdict
Maintaining Apple’s smartwatches at the forefront of the market hasn’t required much effort, but both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 introduce subtle yet impactful updates that will be a tough act to follow, even if their external appearances remain unchanged.
The significantly enhanced screen brightness truly transforms the experience of quickly checking the time, notifications, and exercise data when outdoors. The faster chip ensures the watch’s continued responsiveness for the years to come, even enabling swift interactions with Siri when your phone is out of reach.
The upcoming addition of the double-tap gesture is a valuable enhancement, making tasks like checking train schedules while juggling bags a more seamless experience.
For those seeking the ultimate smartwatch to pair with an iPhone, the Apple Watch, in either variant, remains unrivaled.
