At its September 2023 Keynote, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Both Apple Watches are powered by the new S9 SiP (System in Package) chip, which according to Apple offers better performance and helps add new capabilities on the latest Apple Watch Series 9. If you’re planning to upgrade your current wearable, continue reading to find out more about the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
What’s New in Apple Watch Series 9
Spec-wise, Series 9 has a lot of new things to offer. The Apple Watch Series 9 features a CPU with 5.6 billion translators, a GPU that is 30 percent faster than the Series 8, and a 4-core neural engine.
The new S9 chipset with improved performance characteristics has helped Apple add new features to the Apple Watch Series 9. It includes the new double tap gesture, brighter display, and faster on-device Siri which is capable of accessing and logging a user’s health data.
What is the Double Tap Gesture
Aside from the powerful S9 chip, Apple also boasts of the new double tap gesture. What this simply means is that you can now control the Apple Watch Series using just one hand. And you don’t even have to touch the display to do this. With double-tap, you can stop the timer, play and pause music, snooze an alarm, answer and end phone calls, and take a photo using the remote on the Apple Watch to trigger the paired iPhone’s camera and more.
The New Double-Tap Gesture
Apple explains that the neural engine in the Apple Watch Series 9 made it possible for the double tap gesture to materialize. This Neural engine processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor. You can control multiple features with snap of your finger(or rather a pinching gesture).
Brighter Display of Apple Watch Series 9
The S9 SiP chip together with advanced display architecture made the Apple Watch Series 9 display way better than that of the Series 8. Its display now has a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. This would be a welcome improvement, especially for those who had difficulty reading text in bright sunlight.
Other Features
When it comes to notable features, the latest iteration of Apple Watch features on-device SiRi which incidentally now has the ability to access and log health data. It also features HomePod integration and precision finding. And of course, the Apple Watch Series runs on watchOS 10, making it even better.
What’s New with Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2’s features include SiP chip, on-device Siri, double-tap gesture, and more. Aside from those though, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 sports a better, ruggedized look that is perfect for people with an active lifestyle.
Pricing and Availability
The Apple Watch Series 9 is available now for pre-order and shipment will commence by September 22. When it comes to pricing, well the Series 9 price starts at $399.
Conclusion
With all the new features of the Apple Watch Ultra 2, those who have the means to purchase it will not be disappointed. Whether you own the previous model or not, you will surely not be short-handed by what you can do with the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
For those who are using a regular Apple Watch model and looking to upgrade to a more ruggedized wearable that is suited for people with an active lifestyle, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 fits the bill. What do you think of the new Apple Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2? Let us know in the comments below.