As Apple announced its Apple Watch Series 9, here are the main differences this new watch brings compared to previous models.
This Tuesday, September 12, Apple presented its new range of smartphones, the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but also its new connected watches, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9 .
The day after the announcement, we can see that apart from a few features, to which we will return, the new Apple watches lacked arguments to differentiate them from previous generations. But is this really the case? To find out, we will take stock of the main differences between the Apple Watch Series 7, 8 and 9.
A brighter screen on the Apple Watch Series 9
On the screen side, Apple has apparently not changed the situation with its new Apple Watch Series 9. It must be said that the design of the watches has changed very little in recent years.
Apple Watch Series 7 and 8: an edge-to-edge screen
The latest big advance in terms of the Apple Watch screen concerns the Apple Watch Series 7. At the time, it was the company’s first connected watch to offer an edge-to-edge screen, with a glass 2.5D.
For last year’s Apple Watch Series 8, Apple did not change anything in its formula, offering the same panel with the same definition:
- 41 mm version: diagonal of 1.69 inches, definition of 430 x 352 pixels, 326 pixels per inch, up to 1000 cd/m²;
- 45 mm version: diagonal of 1.9 inches, definition of 484 x 396 pixels, 326 pixels per inch, up to 1000 cd/m².
Apple Watch Series 9: a brighter screen
Apple has not drastically changed things with its Apple Watch Series 9, but the company has still announced a little new thing in terms of brightness:
- 41 mm version: diagonal of 1.69 inches, definition of 430 x 352 pixels, 326 pixels per inch, up to 2000 cd/m²;
- 45 mm version: diagonal of 1.9 inches, definition of 484 x 396 pixels, 326 pixels per inch, up to 2000 cd/m².
Concretely, the new Apple Watch Series 9 can increase the brightness more than previous models. In this respect, it is catching up with the previous Apple Watch Ultra, but also Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic in the race for brightness. For its part, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will allow you to benefit from a brightness of 3000 cd/m².
Higher brightness will be especially useful if you wear your watch outside, in direct sunlight, during a hike or trail run for example. From then on, you will not have to squint or concentrate to view your data, since it will appear more clearly to your eyes, without you being bothered by the sky or the sun.
Finally a new processor for the Apple Watch Series 9
The last major evolution of the Apple Watch processor dated from the Apple Watch Series 6, in 2020. Its Apple S6 chip was in fact based on the A13 Bionic processor from the iPhone 11.
Apple Watch Series 7 and 8: similar processors
Since then, Apple has kept an identical architecture for its Apple S7 and S8 chips, equipping the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8. If the model numbers changed the chips – or SiP (system in package) — remained based on the same Apple A13 Bionic processor from the iPhone 11. We therefore had more or less similar performance on these two watches as on the Apple Watch Series 8.
Apple Watch Series 9: a truly new generation chip
One of the main new features of the Apple Watch Series 9 is its Apple S9 chip. Unlike its three predecessors, this time it is based on the Apple A15 Bionic chip of the iPhone 13. Enough to promise a real gain both in terms of performance and fluidity as well as for the measurements carried out and the functionalities offered, as we will see it later.
The chip benefits in particular from four cores dedicated to AI, but also better performance, as Apple indicates: “ The custom Apple chip in the Apple Watch Series 9 gives it wings in terms of performance, intuitiveness and speed. The new dual-core CPU has 5.6 billion transistors, 60% more than that of the S8 chip. »
The same watchOS 10 software for all watches
Apparently, Apple’s three connected watches will benefit from the same functionalities. It must be said that the Apple Watch Series 9 will be launched directly under watchOS 10 when the Apple Watch Series 7 and 8 will be able to benefit from it from September 18 thanks to an update, in the same way as the Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5 , SE and Series 6.
Among the new features brought to watchOS 10, we can cite the new intelligent scrolling system on the home dial, inspired by the “ smart battery » from the iPhone. We can also note the arrival of new dials, more advanced functions for cycling or hiking, as well as data related to mental health.
Apple Watch Series 9: different functions to interact with the screen, Siri and to find your iPhone
If the three watches will benefit from the same operating system at the launch of the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple’s new connected watch will however benefit from some features that it will only share with the Apple Watch Ultra 2. It It must be said that these functions are linked to the new Apple S9 processor and the gain that it will allow in AI-related tasks.
This is particularly the case of “ double tap », that is to say the new interaction offered on Apple Watch which will consist of pinching the index finger and thumb of the hand wearing the watch to validate options. Concretely, this function should allow you to automatically interact with the main button of the application launched on the screen – for example to pick up or hang up a call – even if your second hand is taken.
Another function exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Find Your iPhone function and simple connection to a HomePod. It must be said that, unlike previous Apple Watches, these two new models are equipped with a second generation ultra wide band chip. Enough to allow you to locate your iPhone more effectively, other than by simply making it ring as is the case with previous Apple Watches.
Finally, the last new feature exclusive to the new Apple Watches concerns Siri. Thanks to the Apple S9 chip, the latest two watches will allow you to interact locally with Siri, even if you don’t have your iPhone with you, no Internet connection or no 4G connection. This function will allow you to ask your watch for certain health information such as the amount of time you slept last night or the number of steps taken during the day.
Sports and health data
Speaking of sports and health, the last three generations of Apple allow similar measurements. They all offer heart rate measurements with a third-generation Apple sensor, blood oxygen measurement, electrocardiogram and a single L1 frequency GPS chip.
A temperature sensor on the Apple Watch Series 8 and 9
The Apple Watch Series 9, however, includes one of the rare new features of the Apple Watch Series 8 in terms of health data with the measurement of temperature, or rather of the evolution of the temperature during sleep.
This functionality, since taken over by Samsung, will make it possible in particular to estimate the periods during which periods may occur for menstruating people.
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