In addition to the new iPhone models announced by Apple this week, Apple also introduced two new Apple Watch models: the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Apple is also continuing to sell the Apple Watch SE (second generation), which was introduced one year ago—the same time as the Series 8 and the first generation of the Ultra. I think the best way to understand the two new models is to understand the entire lineup, so I'm actually going to begin by addressing the Apple Watch SE.
Apple Watch SE (second generation model, released 2022)
The Apple Watch SE is the cheapest model. It starts at only $249 (for the 40mm size for smaller wrists) or $279 (for the 44mm size for larger wrists). It comes with an aluminum case in the colors Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. You can get a Wi-Fi model or a model with cellular connectivity for an extra $50 (plus you need to pay for a cellular plan, which can cost around $10/month).
The SE uses the S8, a chip released last year with the Series 8, so it is a fairly modern processor, although not the new top-of-the-line S9 discussed below.
The SE includes the main sensors that you would want: fall detection, crash detection, noise monitoring, high and low heart rate notifications, irregular rhythm notifications, and low cardio fitness notification.
Like the earlier models of the Apple Watch, the display on the SE is normally turned off. When you raise your wrist, the screen display turns on, with brightness up to 1,000 nits.
Apple Watch Series 9
The new Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399 (for the 41mm model for smaller wrists) and at $429 (for the 45mm model for larger wrists). Here is what you get for the additional $150 over the Apple Watch SE.
Let's start with the advantages over the SE that are new with the Series 9.
First, you get the brand new S9 processor. This new chip has 60% more transistors than the S8 chip used in the SE and last year's Series 8, which should make the watch seem more responsive. The GPU is 30% faster, so animations and other visual effects should be faster. And a new 4-core neural engine doubles the speed of machine learning tasks.
Second, the Series 9 supports a new gesture for controlling the screen: the double tap. If you pinch your fingers twice on the hand next to the wrist where you are wearing your Apple Watch Series 9, the watch will detect that you have done a double tap and click the default button that is being displayed on your watch screen. For example, if you receive a phone call, the double tap answers the phone. If you receive a notification, the double tap opens the notification. If you are listening to music or a podcast, the double tap will play or pause. The Series 9 uses the new S9 processor to make this gesture work.
Third, you get a faster Siri. The Series 9 watch can process your commands locally, so you don't have to wait for your watch to send a command to a server to interpret what you said before acting upon your command. The modern versions of the iPhone have a similar feature, and it makes Siri much more responsive.
Fourth, you get a brighter—or in some cases, darker—screen. The SE, like last year's Series 8, has a display with a brightness of 1,000 nits. The Series 9 doubles that to a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. Thus, if you are outside in the sun, the screen will be brighter and easier to read. The new screen also works better in a low-light situation, such as a dark room, because it can dim to just 1 nit.
Fifth, the Series 9 adds a new U2 chip (Ultra Wideband). This means that your Apple Watch can do a better job of sensing other Apple products around it and a better job helping you find a lost iPhone by putting arrows on the screen to point you to specific directions. If you have a HomePod (I'm not sure if this works with the HomePod mini), the new U2 makes the watch aware of your HomePod so that when you get near it, the Now Playing screen opens on the watch so that you can quickly control the music playing on the HomePod.
In addition to those five new features, the Series 9 is better than the SE because of the following features that were also available in last year's Series 8.
First, you get a slightly larger screen than the SE, a feature that debuted with the Apple Watch Series 7 (and which I discussed more extensively in my review of that model). The 1mm increase doesn't sound like much, but it does make a real difference when you are using the watch. Many on-screen buttons are noticeably larger and easier to tap. And you sometimes see more information on the screen, which is nice.
Second, the larger screen can be on all the time. This is a huge difference, and I love it. With the Apple Watch SE and many older models, you need to move or raise your wrist to activate the screen. With the Series 9 (like the Series 5, 6, 7, and 8), you can just glance at your wrist without moving it to see the time or to look at a notification. When you are in a meeting or with other people, this allows you to be much more discrete, potentially avoiding the embarrassment of a client or someone else thinking that you are getting bored with what they have to say because you are fiddling with your watch just to turn on the screen to see a notification or the time.
Third, the Series 9 has many more sensors than the SE, providing you with even more useful information. No new sensors were added to the Series 9 this year, but you do get the sensor added last year in the Series 8 that tracks your temperature while you are sleeping to help track your cycle if you are ovulating, which can help you make decisions for family planning and which provides a more detailed view of a menstrual cycle. The Series 9 also has a blood oxygen sensor (first introduced with the Series 6), which you can use to monitor your breathing and blood circulation, and thus your overall cardiac health. The Series 9 also has an ECG (also called an EKG) (first introduced with the Series 4 in 2018). The Series 9 also has a more advanced heart sensor than the SE (first introduced with the Series 6). Apple is careful to say that this is not a medical device, but these sensors can give you a warning that it might be a good time to go see a doctor.
Fourth, the Series 9 is more resistant to the outside world than the SE. Both the SE and the Series 9 are water resistant, so it is OK to swim with them or get them wet. But the Series 9 is also dust resistant (IP6X) (a feature introduced with the Series 7).
Fifth, you can charge a Series 9 more quickly than an SE. This is something that Apple first introduced with the Series 7, and I like it. I usually have no trouble with my Apple Watch lasting all day long. But on days when I push it to the limit, it is nice to give the battery a little boost at some point during the day, and it is noticeably faster to do so with an Apple Watch that supports a USB-C charger with fast charging.
Finally, with the Series 9 you can choose to pay more for a stainless steel case. I prefer the shiny look of the stainless steel case, and I've been using this version of the Apple Watch since 2015 when the Apple Watch was first introduced. The stainless steel case is a little tougher, and when you get that model you also get an improved screen that uses sapphire crystal instead of Ion-X glass to be more resistant to scratches. You have to pay an additional $300 for the stainless steel model so it is definitely a premium purchase, but if you think of an Apple Watch as jewelry that you wear all the time, that price increase may seem more reasonable.
Even if you don't opt for the stainless steel model, you can see that the Series 9 offers ten solid advantages for the additional $150. If you just want a simple Apple Watch, you can live without all of them. But you are missing out on quite a bit with the SE. Just to pick one example, I think that for many professionals, the always-on, larger screen alone is worth the $150.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is available with an aluminum body in the same colors as the Apple Watch SE—Midnight, Starlight, and Silver—plus two additional colors: pink and PRODUCT(RED).
With the stainless steel body, the color choices are Graphite, Silver, and Gold.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The other new Apple Watch announced this week is the Ultra 2. The Apple Watch Ultra was announced last year, and it has been a big hit. I know many people who own one, and they all love them. I personally find them to be a little chunky so don't think that one of these models is in my future, but I am jealous of the larger screen.
This second generation version of the Ultra adds most of the new features that were added to the Series 9. You get the new S9 processor, the new double tap gesture, the new faster Siri because your commands are processed on the watch itself, and the new U2 Ultra Wideband chip.
While the Series 9 chip added the feature to go up to 2,000 nit brightness, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 now goes up to 3,000 nit brightness (up from 2,000 nits on the original Ultra). That's pretty crazy, and I look forward to seeing what it looks like in real life. If you are outdoors and in the sun, having the brightest screen possible is a fantastic advantage.
The other key features of the Ultra remain the same as last year.
First, as mentioned above, you get the largest display available on any Apple Watch: 49mm, versus 45/41 on the Series 9 and 44/40 on the SE.
Second, you get the most durable Apple Watch ever made. It features the same sapphire crystal on the front that you get with the stainless steel version of the Series 9, but on the Ultra that crystal is completely flat with protection on the edges to give it additional protection. It features a case made of Titanium, so that it is both rugged and light, and there are raised guards around the digital crown for more protection. (There are no color choices with the Apple Watch Ultra 2; it only comes in what Apple calls the natural color of Titanium.) It is strong enough to be water resistant up to 100m (versus 50m on the Series 9 and SE) with EN13319 certification, so it can be used for scuba diving.
Third, speaking of scuba diving, the Ultra has a depth gauge with a temperature sensor. It also comes with an Oceanic+ app to use as a dive computer.
Fourth, the Ultra has an 86-decibel siren that you can activate to attract attention from up to 600 feet away. If you are lost in the woods and want someone else to find you, that siren can help. I suppose this could also be useful in a city if you are trying to attract attention because you are in an unsafe situation.
Fifth, the battery lasts up to 36 hours, which is twice as long as the 18-hour battery on the Series 9 and SE. Apple says it can also last up to 72 hours with low power settings enabled.
Seventh, the Ultra 2 features a button on the left side of the Apple Watch called the Action button. Unlike the button on the right side of the Apple Watch, which performs system functions and thus cannot be used with apps, the Action button on the left can be used by apps to allow for input without touching the screen. If you are underwater, this is especially useful because you cannot touch an Apple Watch screen when it is in water. In a workout, you can use the Action button to begin the workout and to move to the next interval of a custom workout or the next leg of a multisport workout. If you are running on a track, you can also use the Action button to mark each segment.
Eighth, the Ultra 2 features better GPS than the normal Apple Watch. (In addition to using the L1 frequency, which is the oldest and most-used version of GPS, it adds support for the new L5 frequency, which can provide less interference.)
Ninth, the Ultra has much louder speakers (Apple says 40% louder than the Series 9 or SE) and a much improved microphone. Thus, if you are in extreme weather conditions, it should be far easier to have a phone conversation using just your watch.
Apple sells three bands designed for the Ultra: an Ocean Band for swimming, an Alpine Loop for rough outdoor use, and a Trail Loop for long runs.
Conclusion
The upgrades to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 make both watches much nicer to use. Brighter screens, a faster processor that makes the watch more responsible and that supports new features such as double tap and a faster Siri, and the new U2 chip all add up to some nice improvements. And with these improvements, the gap between the Apple SE (which hasn't changed since last year) and the Series 9 is larger than ever, even though the price difference is the same as last year's Series 8 versus the SE.
As for the Apple Watch Ultra, if you have been on the fence about getting this largest and most capable watch, perhaps these extra features will entice you.
Overall, Apple's Apple Watch latest collection is excellent and provides buyers with lots of great options.
