Arguably the best in its class, the Apple Watch Series 9 brings all-new capabilities and innovations to the Apple Watch lineup. With watchOS 10, one of the biggest updates since the genesis of Apple Watch, everything is faster, better, and more convenient. If you’re looking for reasons to upgrade, here are 10 solid reasons why you should consider getting the Apple Watch Series 9.
Boost in Performance with the all-new S9 SiP
The revolutionary Apple silicon in the all-new S9 SiP (System in Package) takes your Apple Watch experience to a whole new level, all thanks to the integration of hardware and software. The most powerful Apple Watch chip to date powers the Apple Watch Series 9 to be 30% faster, and supports the unbelievably smooth animations and effects in apps redesigned for watchOS 10 and other powerful features.
Coming in hot with 25% more power efficiency than the SiP in Series 8, the S9 SiP now boosts your Apple Watch Series 9 with an all-day 18-hour battery life. This is a super welcome upgrade, given that I’m sometimes out for more than 10 hours and rely on my Apple Watch heavily to quickly read texts or get alerts. With Low Power Mode, you can now get up to 36 hours of battery life on a single charge – perfect for when you’re on long flights and need more than 18 hours to get to your next destination.
Source: Apple
Even Brighter Always-On Retina Display
The large edge-to-edge Always-On Retina display now goes up to 2,000 nits (double the maximum brightness of Series 8), making it easier to read texts or see your Apple Watch Series 9 screen even in the bright (and blazing hot) sunlight. Super useful especially when you’re out buying lunch in the noon and an important email / text comes in when your hands are full. The display also dims to a minimum brightness of 1 nit when in Sleep Focus, making it convenient to tend to urgent texts or alerts without disturbing others in a dark cinema, or while your partner is asleep next to you.
Source: Apple
Added Convenience with Double Tap
This is one feature that I was extremely excited about especially after trying it out at the Wonderlust event in Cupertino last week. I was initially apprehensive about the efficacy of this gesture, and after trying it out for myself, I was sold. This will be available in October.
Double tap leverages data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor to detect when you double tap your thumb and index finger. With a new sensor-fusion machine learning algorithm, double tap is powered by the unique signature of your micro wrist movements, and changes in your blood flow when you perform the gesture.
Tap your thumb and index finger together twice to take a call and end it, stop a timer, snooze an alarm, play or pause your favourite music, take a photo with Camera Remote, reply to Messages hands-free, and more. No more fussing about when your hands are dirty in the kitchen preparing dinner, or when you’re walking your furkid in the park, or even holding a cup of piping hot coffee. Just remember, your Apple Watch Series 9’s display must be on before you can use double tap. Raise your wrist to wake it up and use double tap with ease. This truly takes hands-free to a whole new level and I know I’m going to be addicted to using this new gesture everyday.
Quick rundown on what you can use the double tap gesture for:
- Phone: Answer / end calls
- Messages: Reply using dictation
- Smart Stack: Scroll through widgets
- Timer: Pause / resume / end
- Stopwatch: Stop / resume
- Alarm: Snooze (perfect for people with 127938721837 alarms)
- Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks: Play / pause
- Compass: Toggle to Elevation dial
- Flashlight: Toggle between 3 modes
- Notifications: Perform primary action
Hands-Free with On-device Siri
With the latest Apple Watch Series 9, the powerful Neural Engine now allows you to access requests that don’t require network, such as setting a timer or starting a workout much faster with Siri. You can ask Siri burning questions you always wanted to know whenever, such as how long you slept, how you’re doing on your Move ring, or what your average walking heart rate is. Coming later this year in a watchOS 10 update, you can even use Siri to log health data like your weight, period, or medications.
Source: Apple
Never Lose Your iPhone Again with Precision Finding
I’m usually never without my phone, but I tend to place my iPhone anywhere I go at home and it gets quite frustrating when I can’t find it. I spend too much time retracing my steps, trying to remember where I last placed my iPhone. Trust me, even in the smallest places, you’d be surprised at how difficult it is to locate my iPhone. Series 9 is now outfitted with a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip that enables Precision Finding for iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro. You can easily see both the distance AND direction to your iPhone, and as you get closer (a little bit like a hide and seek with your iPhone), haptic and audible feedback will guide you right to its location – even if it’s in a different room in the house.
Source: Apple
Up the Ante in Home Entertainment with HomePod Media Control
With the same second generation Ultra Wideband chip comes a whole new integration between Apple Watch and HomePod. When you’re in near proximity to your HomePod (roughly around 4m), media suggestions based on your recent listening habits will automatically appear right at the top of the Smart Stack – so you can start playing those tunes on HomePod – right from your watch. This is available on all Apple Watch Ultra models, Apple Watch Series 6 and later (excluding SE), HomePod mini, and HomePod (2nd generation).
Unlock Insightful Data (and New Experiences) with watchOS 10
Almost every app has went through a major overhaul to maximise the entire display on Apple Watch Series 9, allowing you to simply turn the Digital Crown (or use double tap) to unveil the Smart Stack and browse your apps more efficiently.
New Watch faces such as Palette, depicts time in a wide variety of colours using overlapping layers, and Solar Analog, where the light and shadow shift throughout the day in sync with the position of the sun, Snoopy, featuring the well loved comic strip boos Snoopy and Woodstock coming to live on your wrist in so many new animations, and Modular Ultra, where information is accessible at a glance – are bound to make your Watch interface so much more interactive and insightful. Many other features are available – for you to explore!
Source: Apple
Brand New Case and Finishes
Apple Watch Series 9 is now available in a new Pink aluminium case, in addition to Midnight, Silver, Starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. Stainless steel cases are available in Silver, Gold, and Graphite, plus Space Black for Apple Watch Hermès.
Source: Apple
Complement Your Apple Watch with FineWoven Bands
Apple has made the commendable move to remove leather from all Apple products starting this fall, and in its place, they developed a new textile called FineWoven – a durable microtwill with the softest suede-like material.
Source: Apple
FineWoven comes with a new Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle, with the Magnetic Link available in Pacific Blue, and Evergreen, and the Modern Buckle available in Tan, Mulberry, and Lavender Blue.
Live Sustainably with the First-Ever Carbon Neutral Apple Watch Series 9
Apple achieved their goal to be carbon neutral across the entire ecosystem, Apple 2030, a whopping seven years ahead of the deadline with the first-ever Carbon Neutral Apple Watch Series 9. By tapping on recycled and renewable materials and clean electricity, Apple has also shifted from air shipping to lower-carbon modes such as ocean freight, which emits 95% less carbon pound-for-pound.
Where to Purchase
Apple Watch Series 9 starts at S$599 here.
Apple Watch bands, Apple Watch Nike bands, and Apple Watch Hermès bands will be available to order today here, with availability in stores starting 22 September, Friday.
There’s definitely one Apple Watch Series 9 for everyone – from the brand new case and finishes to the huge array of bands to pick from – get yours today.
