Apple Watch Series 9 - Redefining smartwatch excellence
Apple Watch Series 9. Pictures: Apple.
Apple has once again pushed the boundaries of what a smartwatch can offer with the latest addition to its lineup, the Apple Watch Series 9. Rather than rush out a review, I wanted to take my time with this long-term review, and I also wanted to wait for some of the key features to arrive via software updates.
The Series 9 shares a remarkable resemblance with the Series 8 in its appearance. However, based on a highly efficient four-nanometer process similar to Apple's iPhone lineup, its core architecture significantly boosts performance. This advancement results in a faster CPU, an enhanced neural engine, and a notable 25% increase in power efficiency compared to its predecessor, ensuring smoother interactions and quicker app responsiveness.
A standout innovation is "Double Tap," exclusive to Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, an inventive gesture allowing users to navigate the watch functions single-handedly without touching the screen, enhancing convenience and ease of use.
The Double Tap utilises the watch's accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart rate sensor, powered by a machine learning algorithm within the neural engine. Once turned on, this gesture is the primary action within most applications and can interact with notifications, simplifying tasks such as managing calls and dismissing timers. I have found it incredibly useful when my hands are wet, or my other hand is occupied.
The Series 9 also introduces an on-device Siri, leveraging enhanced processing power and faster memory within the S9 SiP. This allows for speech recognition and language processing directly on the watch, reducing the dependency on an internet connection for specific tasks, like locating a misplaced iPhone.
In everyday use, I could see a noticeable improvement in how fast and smooth everything worked compared to Series 8. If you’re coming from Series 6 or older, you’ll notice a bigger difference in performance.
More training and measurement options, a fully redesigned compass app, a new medicine monitoring app, more robust sleep tracking with sleep stages, and improved heart health insights and support, if you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, are all available on Series 9.
The Series 9 elevates its display capabilities, achieving a remarkable doubled maximum screen brightness of 2,000 nits, perfect for outdoor usage, even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the minimum brightness has been reduced to just one nit, catering to low-light conditions, ensuring the display remains visible and legible across varied lighting environments. The display usually looks the same, but there’s a slight improvement on those rare sunny days outside.
Apple's iconic watch faces continue in the Series 9. The new Solar analogue watch face boasts classic hour marks, a luminous dial, and a dynamic second hand that adjusts its brightness according to the time of day, adding an extra layer of dynamism to the watch face.
My favourite is the new cute and playful Snoopy watch face, which introduces an interaction between Snoopy and the watch hands, bringing an engaging and whimsical element to daily interactions. The new Palette watch face offers a visual treat by employing three overlapping colours that shift dynamically as time progresses.
Environmental sustainability is a mission which Apple embraces. Its goal is to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire business by 2030. With the latest Apple Watch models, Apple has successfully introduced its first carbon-neutral products, achieving this milestone seven years ahead of the 2030 target.
To reduce the carbon footprint of the Series 9, Apple focused on three primary areas. Firstly, they use materials that incorporate a minimum of 30% recycled content, including the watch and its straps, significantly reducing the product's carbon footprint.
Secondly, Apple emphasised using 100% clean energy in the manufacturing processes and daily operation of the Series 9, effectively reducing carbon emissions. This shift towards clean energy significantly contributes to the mission of achieving carbon neutrality.
Thirdly, Apple invests in carbon offset initiatives, especially nature-based projects like wetlands restoration, actively working to remove carbon from the atmosphere. These combined strategies have led to an impressive 78% reduction in the carbon footprint of the Apple Watch Series 9, equivalent to approximately 8 kilograms.
Apple ensures that customers have the choice to contribute to environmental sustainability. Whichever Apple Watch variant is chosen, a carbon-neutral version is available.
Despite the increased power efficiency, the Series 9 still delivers 18 hours of battery life, ensuring reliable use throughout a typical day without frequent recharging. While it’s great to see Apple improve performance while maintaining battery life, extending it to three or more days would be even better. However, If you need to extend the battery life, you can use the low-power mode, which will give you up to 36 hours, accommodating various situations, from workouts to daily activities.
Apple keeps expanding its selection of watch bands, providing choices to accommodate different tastes. The Nike Sport Bands, available in six vibrant colours, offer a stylish appearance and feature unique and random patterns. They also incorporate increased recycled content in the material.
The Modern Buckle watch band, known for its elegance, now integrates fine woven material and comes in different colours.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is an iterative update with a robust hardware foundation, innovative gestures, improved display brightness, and captivating watch faces; the Series 9 sets a new benchmark for smartwatches.
Apple Watch Series 9 from €449
