Although Apple launched the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2023, it is still marking a significant step in the evolution of its smartwatch lineup, which began in April 2015. So, to unveil the hidden features and to tell people that the Apple Watch Series 9 is still a great choice, RNB brings to you this detailed article right after the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10, so that you can save some money.
Should You Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2024?
Released in September 2023, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a solid choice for those looking for a balance of features and price. This model maintains the sleek design of its predecessors while introducing a brighter display for improved visibility. The Series 9 is packed with essential health features, including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and ECG capabilities, making it perfect for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious users.
While it may not have the advanced features of the Series 10, such as a titanium option or a new sensor, the Series 9 still delivers great performance with its S9 chip, ensuring smooth operation and quick app launches. Its starting price is more budget-friendly, starting at ₹42,499, which positions it well for those looking for quality without the latest bells and whistles.
For users who want a more economical option, the Apple Watch SE remains a great choice. On the other hand, if you need special features for diving or outdoor activities, consider the Apple Watch Ultra. Whether you’re not sure which model will suit your needs or you’re looking for the best deal, our buyer’s guide and deals page can help you make an informed decision.
Apple Watch Series 9 in Detailed
Table of Contents
Although Apple has launched the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2023, it is still marking a significant step in the evolution of its smartwatch lineup, which began in April 2015. The Series 9 serves as a refined update to the previous Series 8, bringing both new and improved performance & characteristics. The design of the Apple Watch Series 9 remains familiar, featuring a sleek square-shaped casing with rounded edges. However, it introduces a brighter display, increasing visibility in different lighting conditions.
Under the hood, the Series 9 is powered by the new S9 chip, which delivers faster performance and improved battery life.nAvailable in aluminum and a new pink aluminum finish, the Series 9 continues to use sapphire crystal for display protection. Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 strikes a balance between style, functionality and health monitoring. The aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 is offered in a variety of colors and each color has a smooth, brushed aluminum finish that adds to its modern aesthetic. Apple Watch Series 9 features an advanced LTPO OLED display that delivers impressive brightness.
In terms of durability, the Series 9 features crack-resistant front glass, and a WR50 water resistance rating, making it waterproof for various water activities. While it doesn’t include the advanced water temperature sensor found on the Apple Watch Series 10, it still offers reliable tracking for health and fitness. The Series 9 is equipped with all the essential health features, ensuring users have the tools they need to monitor their well-being, from heart rate tracking to sleep analysis. Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 combines style, functionality and durability, making it a versatile choice for everyday wear.
Now, let’s uncover the details of Apple Watch Series 9 with more detailed way:
Design
The Apple Watch Series 9 retains the classic rounded square design that has characterized the Apple Watch lineup, but it introduces some refinements to enhance the overall user experience. While it retains the 41mm and 45mm size options, the Series 9 is slightly thicker than its predecessor, providing a sturdier feel.
Apple continues to use aluminum for the base model, with a polished stainless steel version available for those looking for a more premium look. Weighing from 26.4 grams to 39.5 grams, the Series 9 is light and comfortable for all-day wear. Equipped with a digital crown for easy scrolling and navigation, the Series 9 also features aesthetic feel when interfacing with the interface. The side button allows quick access to frequently used apps and emergency services.
Notably, the Series 9 continues to use a ceramic back casing, which houses advanced health sensors that enable features like heart rate detection and ECG monitoring. Overall, while the Apple Watch Series 9 may not offer the radical design updates of the Series 10, it remains a reliable and stylish option, blending function and form for users seeking a solid smartwatch experience.
Color and Materials
The Apple Watch Series 9 is available in aluminum and stainless steel and a variety of styles and budgets. Aluminum options include midnight, starlight, (product) red and silver, while stainless steel comes in silver, graphite and gold. Lightweight aluminum models made from 100% recycled 7000 series aluminum are ideal for fitness, while stainless steel models offer a polished look for everyday wear.
Durability & Water Resistance
The aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 models use Ion-X glass to protect the display, while the stainless steel models have sapphire crystal glass. All Apple Watch Series 9 models come with IP6X dust resistance, making them suitable for sandy or dusty environments. They also offer WR50 water resistance, rated for submersion up to 50 meters. Along with the WR50, the Series 9 is ideal for pool and ocean swimming.
Speaker
The Apple Watch Series 9 also has a single speaker, but unlike the Series 10, it doesn’t support standalone audio playback without connected headphones because it is primarily designed for calls. Users still need to connect Bluetooth headphones or use AirPods to listen to music.
Display
The Apple Watch Series 9 has a vibrant display with a resolution of 396×484 for the 41mm model and 410×502 for the 45mm model. With a maximum brightness of 2000 nits, it provides excellent visibility in various lighting conditions. The always-on display keeps key information visible while dimming to save battery when the clock is down. Apple has also optimized watch faces and implemented a variable refresh rate, dropping from 60Hz to 1Hz during inactivity to increase battery life.
S9 Chip
Apple Watch Series 9 features a 64-bit dual-core processor and S9 system-in-package (SiP) with 5.0 billion transistors and a quad-core neural engine for machine learning. While the performance upgrades over the previous model are modest, the S9 chip boosts efficiency and provides a smoother user experience.
Double Tap Gesture
The Apple Watch Series 9 features a double tap gesture that allows users to control the watch by tapping their index finger and thumb together. This motion enables functions such as answering calls, playing music, and opening notifications, allowing for easy interaction without touching the display. It also works with third-party apps for added convenience.
Storage: The Apple Watch Series 9 has a 64GB of storage.
Features
The Apple Watch Series 10 includes a third-generation optical heart rate sensor that tracks important health metrics like calorie burn, resting heart rate, and alerts for abnormally high heart rates.
ECGs
Apple Watch Series 9 captures ECGs by placing users’ fingers on the Digital Crown, detecting normal sinus rhythms, abnormal results, or irregular readings. It can detect atrial fibrillation at heart rates over 100 beats per minute, helping users monitor their heart health.
Sleep Tracking
Apple Watch Series 9 tracks sleep by monitoring when you’re awake and asleep, providing insight into the time spent in REM, core and deep sleep stages. It also shows how often you wake up during the night, helping to better understand your sleep patterns.
Sleep Apnea Detection
The Apple Watch Series 9 uses its accelerometer to detect small wrist movements associated with breathing interruptions to detect possible signs of sleep apnea. This data helps provide insights into sleep quality and disruption, allowing users to better understand their sleep patterns and overall rest.
Crash Detection
The Apple Watch Series 9 features updated motion sensors and an improved sensor-fusion algorithm that can detect serious car accidents. After detecting a crash, the watch checks in with the user, and if there is no response after 10 seconds, it automatically dials emergency services and alerts emergency contacts, ensuring timely assistance in critical situations.
Temperature Measurements
The Apple Watch Series 9 has a wrist temperature sensor designed for women’s health, taking readings every five seconds during sleep and compiling the data into the Health app. This information helps in fertility planning and improves earlier ovulation estimation, cycle tracking and period prediction for those who menstruate.
Blood Oxygen Monitoring
The Apple Watch Series 9 includes a blood oxygen monitoring feature, but it has been disabled in the US due to a patent dispute. Although the sensor is likely present on US models, users in other countries can track levels, which should be between 95 and 100 percent; Low levels may signal health problems.
Battery Life
Apple advertises an “all-day” battery life of 18 hours for the Apple Watch Series 9, like the Series 10, with the option to extend it to 36 hours using Low Power Mode. For LTE models, Apple assumes four hours of LTE connectivity and 14 hours with an iPhone connected. Users may experience rapid battery drain during phone calls or intense workouts.
The Series 9 supports fast charging via Apple’s Magnetic Fast Charger USB-C cable and requires a 20W or higher power adapter, reaching full charge in about an hour. With a quick 15-minute charge, the watch can provide up to eight hours of standard use, and an eight-minute charge allows up to eight hours of sleep tracking. This feature ensures that users can easily recharge their devices throughout the day, increasing usability.
Connectivity
The Apple Watch Series 9 models are powered by the Apple-designed W3 chip and come in GPS and GPS + Cellular variants. GPS + Cellular models have a built-in LTE chip, allowing them to connect to LTE independently of an iPhone, while GPS models are Wi-Fi only. LTE connectivity is available from the Series 3, enabling the watch to work without an iPhone or known Wi-Fi nearby.
Ultra Wideband Chip
Series 9 includes a first-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, enabling precise short-range communications. This allows the watch to act as a car key and track AirTags as well as use Precision Search to locate a misplaced iPhone. When near the HomePod, it shows a Now Playing interface at the top of the Smart Stack for media control or suggestions.
Emergency SOS
Along with LTE, the Series 9 supports the International Emergency SOS feature, which allows emergency calls to be made worldwide regardless of the watch’s purchase location or cellular plan status.
Apple Watch Series 9 supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi with Bluetooth 5.3, which provides improved range, faster speed, and better compatibility with other wireless devices. Like the Series 10, the Series 9 has a built-in GPS chip that enables accurate positioning without the need for an iPhone, allowing users to track speed, distance, and routes during activities such as walking, running, hiking or biking. The watch is compatible with multiple positioning systems including GPS and QZSS, ensuring reliable navigation in different regions.
Apple Watch Series 9: Reviews
Apple Watch Series 9 leaves both positively and negatively. After wearing the Series 9 as a regular watch for three months (with occasional breaks to test other smartwatches), the Users reportedly appreciate the new features like double tap and Siri’s improved health response. However, these updates aren’t essential enough to make the Series 9 feel significantly different from its predecessor.
Although, it’s the best smartwatch for iPhone users—and probably the best smartwatch overall. Its user-friendly interface, extensive health monitoring options, and seamless integration with Apple products set it apart. The main reason to choose the Series 9 over the more affordable Apple Watch SE is its advanced health features, including ECG monitoring, blood oxygen readings, and temperature sensing. If health tracking is your main focus, the Series 9 is the ideal choice.
Apple Watch Series 9: Pricing with Comparisons
| Apple Series | FlipKart | Amazon | Apple site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 9 | ₹29,999 | ₹63,999 | ₹44,900 |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | ₹47,900 | ₹47,900 | ₹46,900 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | ₹89,900 | ₹73,299 | ₹89,900 |
| Apple Watch Ultra | ₹82,999 | ₹73,299 | ₹89,900 |
| Apple Watch Series 8 | ₹38,999 | ₹54,999 | ₹55,900 |
| Apple Watch Series 6 | ₹69,900 | ₹52,900 | ₹69,900 |
| Apple Watch Series 7 | ₹44,900 | ₹50,900 | ₹69,900 |
At a Glance
The Apple Watch Series 9 has received a design update with larger casings and displays but a thinner overall design, along with special features and technologies.
Features
- Two sizes: 41mm and 45mm
- Always-On Retina LPTO OLED Display
- Water resistance
- LTE and GPS-only options
- S9 Chip with 64-bit dual-core processor
