APPLE WATCH SERIES 9: Release Date, Specs, Price, Features & More

apple watch series 9
Image Credit: Android Authority

Apple’s success with the Apple Watch has been phenomenal, allowing the corporation to corner the market on wearables in its first effort. Now that the year 2023 has begun, everyone is curious about Apple’s plans for the next iteration of its digital watch. Here, therefore, is everything we know about the Apple Watch Series 9 Ultra, including features, price, and release date.

Apple Watch Series 9 Release Date and Price

Although Apple’s release schedule has been rather predictable over the years, the exact day on which the Apple Watch Series 9 releases remains a hot topic of conversation. While the original Apple Watch debuted in April and the Series 7 debuted in the middle of October, every subsequent Apple Watch debuted in the middle of September at the company’s autumn presentation. As a result, these tendencies will likely be carried over into the Series 9 Apple Watch.

When it comes to a specific day, Apple usually holds events on Wednesdays or Tuesdays. History suggests the 2023 event will occur on Tuesday, September 12, or Wednesday, September 13. But hold off on the permanent marker for now. A release date for the series 9 watch has not been confirmed by Apple as of yet.

The asking price of Apple’s new Series 9 Watch has also raised some eyebrows. Starting at $399, the Series 3 Apple Watch was only $30 more than the Series 2 model it succeeded. Wow, that’s a dedication to uniformity. Apple released two new Apple Watch models last year to supplement its flagship product: the $799 Apple Watch Ultra and the $249 Apple Watch SE. If the past is prologue, I wouldn’t worry too much about an Apple Watch Series 9 price hike. Any price hikes would likely be minimal anyway.

Apple Watch Series 9 new features

The Series 9 Apple Watch is not anticipated to significantly improve upon the 2022 generation. In April 2023, Apple Watch Series 9 updates will be “anything but major,” based on a tweet from Mark Gurman. The refreshed version is “poised for a more modest year.” However, even without radical revisions, the Apple Watch Series 9 might still have a number of useful new additions.

#1. Design

The design of the Apple Watch Series 9 is not likely to alter, but the Apple Watch Series 9 Ultra may.

The size of the display on the Apple Watch Series 9 Ultra may increase in a future update. In February, DigiTimes reported that thinner bezels could raise the Ultra’s screen size from 1.9 inches to 2.1 inches. Furthermore, Gurman stated in July that the Apple Watch Ultra might get a new “dark titanium” color that was originally intended for the first-generation device.

A Webo post from July 2023 suggested that the Apple Watch Series 9 Ultra would have a lighter build than the present model. It’s unknown if the Series 9 watches will be reduced in weight as well.

#2. 3D printing

The usage of 3D-printed components in the production process is another potential alteration for the 2023 watch family. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has speculated that “some of the titanium mechanical parts” of the next-generation Apple Watch Ultra will be produced using 3D printing technology. It’s unknown how much of this we will use for Series 9 components other than the Ultra.

If the transition to 3D printing is successful, Apple will be able to reduce production times and costs, and the corporation may consider using the method for additional products in the future, as predicted by Kuo.

#3. S9 chip

Every iteration of the Apple Watch Series 9 features an updated processor, as detailed in the product specifications. There’s a S8 processor in the Series 8, a S7 in the Series 7, and an S6 in the Series 6. The only unusual feature is that each chip has a different name. According to a July study by Gurman, the S9 processor will provide “significant speed improvements.”

Teardowns and Apple’s lack of performance increases show that the S7 and S8 are repackaged copies of the same CPU, while the S6 delivered a 20% performance boost over the Series 5. However, the S9 is said to have a new A15 design that improves performance and battery life and perhaps includes a Neural Computer.

#4. New health sensors

Apple has finally developed a non-invasive glucose monitoring method. Series 9 watch features are supposedly in the “proof of concept” stage after a report in February said a hidden team within Apple had hit several “major milestones” in the project. Although it’s possible it could be some years away, it’s not likely to show up on this year’s watch.

Sensors for monitoring stress by electrodermal activity (EDA) and body composition via bioimpedance are two other possibilities.

#5. MicroLED display

Over the past few years, microLED display rumors have centered on the Apple Watch. Since Apple’s OLED screen debuted on the Apple Watch years before the iPhone, it seems plausible that Apple will also introduce its MicroLED screen on the Apple Watch. Micro-LEDs have many advantages over their incandescent predecessors, including slimmer, brighter, higher-resolution, more power-efficient, and faster-responding screens.

Although the Apple Watch Ultra will be the first watch to use microLEDs, it may take some time to become widely available.

#6. Action button

Is the Apple Watch Series 9 going to include the Action Button?

Apple unveiled its brand-new Apple Watch Series 9 Ultra, packed with an overwhelming number of features and components, last year. The newest member of the Apple Watch family surprised everyone by including an unexpected new feature: the Action button, in addition to its ruggedized build, flat edges, and somewhat larger display (49mm vs. 45mm on the Apple Watch Series 8).

The Apple Watch Series 9 has plenty of room for the Action button, which is situated on the other side of the Digital Crown. The Ultra’s ability to initiate a stopwatch, workout, or flashlight is an enhancement over the Apple Watch.

#7. Dual-Frequency GPS 

The Apple Watch Ultra, like the iPhone 14 Pro, supports the L5 band for faster and more accurate GPS. Even if you aren’t going to be hiking in particularly difficult terrain, having an additional band for your Watch could come in handy in congested urban areas. We expect Apple to introduce new features on its more costly iPhones first, as usual.

#8. 5G

The Apple Watch Ultra, the most costly model, only supports 4G LTE, not 5G. As the Apple Watch nears its goal of true autonomy, it makes sense to provide it with the most robust connection possible. We anticipate a few hurdles, but we know from Apple’s track record that they can easily be cleared.

Apple Watch Series 9 Colors

The Apple Watch Series 9 could be available in a wide range of hues. Color possibilities exist for the current models that are made in aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. Silver, gold, midnight (dark blue), starlight (light gold), red, and green are only some of the colors available for the aluminum variants. There are three color options for the stainless steel designs: silver, graphite (dark gray), and gold. Both natural titanium and space black are available for the titanium variants. So, Apple may add to or remove parts of the current palette of available hues. For instance, Apple may bring back the ceramic and rose gold finishes that were previously phased out. To complement the new watch hues, Apple may release additional band options.

Apple Watch Series 9 Battery

Some have said that the Apple Watch’s battery life is its most glaring shortcoming. We’d still rather have a wristwatch with a longer battery life, even though Apple frequently exaggerates the power of its batteries.

Instead of just adding extra capacity, Apple typically optimizes existing applications. Thus, we do not anticipate significant increases in capacity with Series 9. However, significant efficiency benefits are expected with the introduction of a new processor based on the A15 Bionic in the Apple Watch.

While testing the Apple Watch Series 8, we found that the official battery life estimates were, at best, cautious. During our testing, we were able to use the Series 8 for a full day, far longer than the manufacturer’s stated 18 hours.

Will the Apple Watch Series 9 be Worth it?

It would take a major event to knock the Apple Watch off our best list. The Series 8’s lack of noticeable upgrades from the Series 7 was one of our primary complaints about it. There is little need to upgrade now that Apple has significantly strengthened the gadget and incorporated a temperature sensor.

Those looking for a dependable fitness tracker who are interested in joining the Apple ecosystem may find the Series 9 to be the best option, if the Apple Watch Series 9 maintains its asking price of $399. A higher price, though, makes the (perhaps discounted) Series 8 a more appealing option.

When Does the Next Apple Watch Come Out?

We anticipate that Apple will announce the Apple Watch Series 9 at an event in September 2023. A deviation from Apple’s usual release schedule this year seems quite unlikely.

What to Expect From WatchOS 9

The next WatchOS 9 was previewed during the June 2022 WWDC.

Updates to health and fitness features stand out among watchOS 9’s aesthetic tweaks, fresh watch faces, and new apps.

There are now four additional watch faces to choose from. Lunar compares different lunar calendars to the Gregorian calendar, and Playtime, with artist Joi Fulton, features animated and anthropomorphized numbers. As the digital crown is twisted, the look of the classic type-driven watch face Metropolitan changes, and the updated astronomical watch face features a remastered design and fresh star map and cloud information.

Is the Fitbit or Apple Watch Better?

Fitbits are cheaper, last longer, and measure health and fitness more accurately than Apple Watches. The Apple Watch is superior to the Fitbit in terms of precision, usability, and added functions, but it may be out of reach for certain consumers due to its high price.

Will the Apple Watch 9 Have Blood Pressure?

The Series 9 Apple Watch allows for continuous blood pressure and heart rate monitoring. Smartwatches don’t automatically measure blood pressure, but you can use them in conjunction with other tools and gadgets.

How Long Do Apple Watches Last?

Apple Watch Series 1 and 2 will no longer receive updates after 2021, joining the original Apple Watch, which ceased receiving upgrades in 2018. watchOS 10 is coming to the 2018-released Apple Watch 4. After Apple stops supporting it, the gadget may still function and be associated with an iPhone, but without upgrades, it poses a security risk. Thus, even if the Apple Watch is in perfect condition, its functional lifespan is likely to be three to five years. Given that the wrist isn’t exactly the safest place for electronics, the fact that a wearable has survived that long is nothing short of miraculous.

Is an Apple Watch Really Worth It?

The Apple Watch is fantastic for fitness tracking for everybody, from serious athletes to those merely curious about their own activity levels. It’s useful for mundane things like finding your way, communicating via text, email, and phone, and even purchasing a cup of coffee in the morning. In a way, it’s like wearing a miniature version of your Mac or iPhone on your wrist.

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