The Apple Watch Series 9 is the perfect institution to the worldly concern of Apple ’s superb smartwatches , as not only does it follow the winning formula of previous example but it also introduces a fun new gesture control with masses of potential difference for the future .

If this appears very carefully articulate , then well - spotted . Some central set phrase hint at several very important thing to understand about the Apple Watch Series 9 before you buy it . Here ’s what you demand to know .

About our Apple Watch Series 9 review

Digital Trends publish its critique of the Apple Watch Series 9 on September 29 , 2023 , and then I ( Andy Boxall ) updated it at the beginning of November after returning to the smartwatch , this time with watchOS 10.1 install and the twofold Tap lineament available .

At that clock time , the score was raised from an 8/10 to a 9/10 , as Double Tap ’s arrival polish off one of the downsides , and it is a true , fun lineament to apply . You will bump a new section on the Double pat motion feature of speech has been added below . Throughout April 2024 , I returned to the Apple Watch Series 9 to see if it ’s still the smartwatch to buy for your iPhone , and a new section , “ Apple Watch Series 9 : eight months later , ” has been added aright below .

Apple Watch Series 9: eight months later

We ’re eight month into the Apple Watch Series 9 ’s life-time , and having used it again for the last several weeks , it ’s still splendid . I can only reiterate that it ’s not only an first-class purchase but also still one of the in effect smartwatches made . Apple has refined the software and ownership experience to the point where it all feels effortless , and equate to many other smartwatches , it rarely frustrates and never forces you to conceive around annoying default setting selection made only to extend battery biography .

This relaxed posture to most thing does meanI bury about Double Tap , though , as it never prompts you to use the characteristic at opportune moments . I ’m so used to tap the screen or turning the Digital Crown that the very existence of Double Tap luxate my mind , and I ’ve had to deliberately reacquaint myself with the feature so I remember where it can be used . This brings up the other job with Double Tap , in that it feels underutilized . This will hopefully modify in the time to come , as otherwise , the gesturerisks being forgotten entirely .

Although you’re able to buy other smartwatches that work with the Apple iPhone , whether it ’s anoff - steel oddityfrom Amazon , aFitbit cathexis 6 , or a competent new mannikin like theXiaomi Watch S3 , you ’re escape out on the unspoilt , most sodding wearable experience out there . I ’ve set up and used a lot of smartwatches over the preceding year , and the Apple Watch is by far the easiest , from the moment you turn it on to the moment you update the software or track a workout .

DT Editors' Choice

The final thing I ’ll say is how I contend to see a scout face I like on so many smartwatches , but I never have that problem with the Apple Watch . The selection is so good — well design , fledged , lookout - like , and functional — I commonly have achoice , but I have n’t switched from the delightful , ever - changing , fantastic Snoopy watch face . I feel silly saying it ’s as much of a ground to purchase as Double Tap , so I wo n’t , but if you settle to take it that fashion , I wo n’t seek to convince you otherwise .

Apple Watch Series 9: familiar brilliant design

Stop me if you ’ve heard this before : the Apple Watch Series 9 comes in 45 mm or 41 millimeter typesetter’s case sizes , and there ’s a choice of aluminum or stainless brand . It is 10.7 mm slurred and has an IP6X junk resistance military rank plus 50 m H2O electrical resistance , weigh somewhere around 32 and 39 grams depending on the good example , and is compatible with a innkeeper of unlike circle . That ’s right , it count and find almost precisely the same as theApple Watch Series 8 .

This is n’t frightful , as the Series 8 is one of the most comfortable , best - plan , and most recognizable smartwatches ever made , so the fact the sequel is the same is n’t a law-breaking . Some will deplore the “ lack of innovation , ” but often what they really entail is , “ Why does n’t it look dissimilar ? ” gratefully , Apple understands the value of remain with a figure that works so well instead of adopt a change - for - change’s - sake .

The fact the Apple Watch Series 9 iterate the Series 8 andApple Watch Series 7’sformula signify two thing : if you like either of those smartwatches , you ’ll like the Series 9 . If you hate either of those smartwatches , the Apple Watch Series 9 wo n’t change your judgment . But to detest it establish on flavor is to be willfully contrary , as the Apple Watch is almost perfect in its fit , shape , and system of weights . It ’s the most wearable smartwatch there is , and it ’s also a whole lot more comfortable for long period of time than many traditional non - smartwatches .

Notifications on the Apple Watch Series 9

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The rectangular shape wo n’t be for everyone , but it ’s impossible to refuse that it has n’t risen to iconic status . Brands known for creative figure ( include Casio , which makes scout for everyone , to H.Moser & Cie , which does not ) have emulated the Apple Watch ’s look . Apple is n’t breaking Modern ground with the Series 9 ’s design because it does n’t have to . If you want a smartwatch you may wear all day and night without it becoming bothersome yet still satisfactory in mode no matter of what you ’re fag out , then the Apple Watch is for you . The Apple Watch Series 9 is also notable for being Apple ’s first carbon - neutral product , provided you grease one’s palms the Al adaptation with a Sport Loop band .

There is a wider alternative of colors for the Apple Watch Series 9 , start with the Midnight version in our photograph and incite on to the brighter Starlight , silver , atomic number 79 , Graphite , Product Red , or pink version . Apple has bin its leather band in favor of its new FineWoven textile , which is base on the Modern Buckle and Magnetic Link bands . I ’ve been fag the Series 9 with the raw Nike Sport Band in Desert Stone , and it ’s wonderfully soft and flexible . It ’s ideal for all - day , everyday wear and suitably jazzes up the simple Midnight lawsuit colouring material .

I think this is the biggest affair to realise about the Apple Watch Series 9 if you ’ve never endure one before . When you put it on , there will never be a grounds to take it off due to puff issue , and turn over all the benefits that come from tire it , this is averybig batch . The fact it comes in two sizes , various colors and finishes , and a riches of band to truly customize it to your own liking means youwantto endure it too . The Apple Watch ’s all - around excellent design , from both a comfort and style viewpoint , is what truly fix it apart from so many of its competitors .

Notifications on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Apple Watch Series 9: what about Double Tap?

Apple peach extensively about dual Tap when it first showed the Series 9 to the populace , but the feature only became uncommitted on the smartwatch when watchOS 10.1 go far at the terminal of October 2023 . Was it deserving the wait ? Well , it sure mold really well , but do n’t expect it to be something you use all the prison term or a lonesome reason to grease one’s palms the Apple Watch Series 9 .

twofold Tap is one of the primedifferences between the Series 8 and Series 9and is relate toan established and efficacious handiness featurecalled AssistiveTouch that has been available for a while . The good news is that Double Tap is shockingly accurate , absolutely dependable , and really quite good fun to use . It take quite a prominent twofold - water tap of your thumb and forefinger to activate , but for me , it has mould every time without fail . I love that it does n’t need any constellation and works straight off too .

However , functionally , it ’s quite limited . There are only a handful of operations — from suffice calls and dismissing notifications to scroll through the Smart Stack widgets and play or break medicine . A cute Double Tap picture appears at the top of the screen to tell you it ’s working , and its actions are accompanied by noticeable haptics . But it ’s not a chief dominance method and is design as a custody - detached option when you ca n’t physically tap the screen .

Exercise ring closed alert on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It means you wo n’t be using it all the clip , despite it being fun and dissimilar enough that you ’ll want to , at least during the initial period of fascination . It ’s technically telling , too , as it uses the sensor array and software algorithmic program to recognize the gesture , which it manages to do almost without fail . It ’s a polished , helpful feature that will undoubtedly fare in handy in the good circumstances . Do n’t go and buy the Apple Watch Series 9 because of Double Tap , as calendar week may pass without you using it at all . But when you do employ it , expect it to make you smile .

Apple Watch Series 9: software

Out of the box , the Apple Watch Series 9 runswatchOS 10 , which is also available for the Apple Watch Series 8 , Series 7 , andvarious other Apple Watch models . It include the most meaningful design and operational change we ’ve seen for a while , as twisting the Digital Crown and pressing the button do different things than before , and even swiping up on the screen does something young too . It mean anyone conversant with watchOS will almost certainly find control have moved , and muscle store will need retraining .

It has pack me a while to adjust to the new scheme , and I ’m not certain it ’s better than before , just unlike . The reason for the alteration seems to primarily be to make way for the Smart Stack , which repeats the multi - widget option of the same name in iOS , and various somewhat informative circuit card appear when you sophisticate the Digital Crown . To switch between receptive apps now needs a three-fold press of the Digital Crown , which is a fleck of a pain in the ass as it often prioritizes showing the app card , as the Control Center is now behind a individual press of the lower release .

These change , along with alteration like the apps being scrolled through vertically instead of a 360 - degree view , all make watchOS 10 feel quite unlike from before . At the moment , I ca n’t say I ’ve found much usage for the Smart Stack feature , which instigate this raw elbow room of sail and controlling the Apple Watch . However , the bang-up velocity and fluidity of watchOS persist , and that makes it so pleasant to use . It ’s also dead tailor-make to use on your wrist , as all the buttons are easy to interact with or water tap , education are absolved , and fonts and icon are always sanely design and sized .

Activating Siri on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

One feature article that has have me by surprise is Siri . I ’ve mostly bury about Apple ’s virtual supporter over the age , propel by Apple ’s ambivalence towards it , but now that it processes a mess of its commands on the Apple Watch itself ( aided by the newfangled S9 chip and its fast Neural Engine ) , Siri respond and acts almost instantaneously . My practical assistant requirements are canonical , but I ’ve set up Siri quicker and more reliable than Google Assistant on myGoogle Pixel Tabletfor tasks like setting timekeeper and turn on lights . It has n’t fail to greet what I ’ve said yet , either .   If , like me , you ’ve dismiss Siri for a while , it ’s metre to get reacquaint with it on the Apple Watch Series 9 .

One other thing to observe is I ’ve feel adifference between the haptic alertson the Series 9 and the Series 8 , with a more “ clicky ” and less “ full ” sensation than the soft - yet - mysterious alerting I was used to . I ’ve find oneself it necessary to increase the alert intensity to “ prominent ” from the default to better replicate the Series 8 ’s wonderfully tactile haptics . It ’s not a negative variety , but I noticed the instant I put the Apple Watch Series 9 on . Apple has not mentioned any ironware changes that would bring this about , so it may be watchOS 10 - bear on . Do n’t allow it put you off , though .

Apple Watch Series 9: screen and Snoopy

The sizing of the Apple Watch Series 9 ’s OLED filmdom is the same as the Series 8 , but it has a maximal brightness of 2,000 nits and the power to drop to one nit on the always - on display . In the mostly overcast U.K. , where I ’ve been test the Series 9 , the covert has not felt it necessary to boost the brightness out of doors , but I ’ve had no problem seeing the screenland at all times , regardless .

Apple ’s Snoopy take in faces are joyous innovation .

Now , let ’s talk about Snoopy . You may have passed Snoopy on the Apple Watch by , thinking it ’s just another basic cute watch cheek like theToy Storyor Mickey Mouse ones . But it ’s way more than that . The ticker face is n’t just one vigil face ; it ’s dozens , as the animation dramatically modify every clip you call down your wrist . Each has been fondly created and jibe the Peanuts idea , right down to the names given to the sentinel aspect colors , which include Blanket Blue , Woodstock Yellow , and Doghouse Red .

Exercise data showing on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

So often smartwatches are n’t much fun , and the watch faces unsatisfying , butApple ’s Snoopy watch facesare joyous creations , and what ’s more , the case ( along with many others from the Earth of Peanuts ) have a long horological history , with Timex , Seiko , Swatch , Bamford , and Omega all adopting the famous beagle for use on a spotter . Apple ’s nod to this , the timeless nature of the characters , and how the fun animations wangle to make me smile even on a dreary 24-hour interval means Snoopy is a wonderful addition to the Apple Watch .

The Snoopy look out face is part of watchOS 10 , so it ’s useable on any Apple Watch that runs the software program , not just the Series 9 . The fact I ’ve write two paragraphs about Snoopy should evidence you what to expect from the new Apple Watch ’s concealment : it ’s fundamentally the same as the last one , and the facet that got me most excited is a sentinel nerve available on pretty much any recent Apple Watch .

Apple Watch Series 9: health and fitness tracking

The sensing element array on the back of the Apple Watch Series 9 is the same one chance on the Series 8 , so it will still measure out your heart rate and blood atomic number 8 levels , take an ECG , and measure hide temperature for sleep and round trailing . There are twelve of workouts to go after using the Apple Watch , and data appears on the cover . And with some exercise , such as cycling , you also see a alive natural action on your iPhone .

New features come with watchOS 10 rather than the Apple Watch Series 9 itself , with Apple enhancing its cycling mood with Power Zones and compatibility with Bluetooth accessories . tramper can use the Compass app to see elevation change , and sure realm now have topographic maps . WatchOS 10 and the Apple Watch Series 9 also have an unbelievable suite of health and rubber feature — admit wreck and free fall detection , hearing protection , selective information on the amount of prison term you spend outside in the sun , and emergency SOS call , along with medicament reminder and new heedfulness sessions . I don’twantto use any of them , but I love that they are there .

get into the Apple Watch Series 9 overnight ( which is no job to do at all ) , and it will track your eternal rest . Data - wise , it ’s fairly skinny to the results I get from theOura Ring , but it does not go into much detail about the res publica of your sleep or how to amend it . I ’ll speak about battery life in a while , but the swop - off of tracking sleep and its impact on battery life-time is perhaps not deserving it . Siri can relay health data when you ask for it , an action at law performed on the vigil and not in the cloud to ease privateness concerns .

Screenshots taken from the Apple Fitness app.

Apple Fitness appAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

All this means go after your wellness and fitness with the Apple Watch Series 9 is very much like doing so on the Series 8 and the Series 7 . Apple is working to make the platform more herculean , pop with its cycling updates , but the Apple Watch remains ideally suited to the even exerciser concerned in fitness rather than the hard-core fiend . It ’s also brilliant for the occasional exerciser , the camp into which I diminish .

Why ? It ’s all so wanton . It take second to commence trailing , auto - tracking is reliable , the layout is informative and logical , so you ’re never looking for control or data , and I find the mere , attractive , and fun “ ring ” system for daily end motivational . data point is split up between the Health and Fitness apps on your iPhone , which is thwarting , and the Health app , in finicky , is very dense and irritating to sift through . But if you require to cover a few walk , run , HIIT session , or a one shot of golf , it ’s all very well-heeled to do , and the clear Rings video display makes sure you ’re always aware of your progress .

Apple Watch Series 9: performance and battery life

The Apple Watch Series 9 practice Apple ’s new S9 treble - core System - in - Package ( SiP ) , which is based on the A16 Bionic mainframe and then optimized for the Apple Watch . The new Neural Engine enable Siri ’s on - gimmick processing and , when it arrives , twofold Tap . orchard apple tree ’s title of the Series 9 being 30 % faster than the Series 8 seems accurate , as when I wore them back - to - back , it wasjustthat bit snappier and faster to oppose . However , the Apple Watch Series 8 is n’t slow by any means , so in the real world , I ca n’t conceive of this changing your consumption in any meaningful way .

Inside the Apple Watch Series 9 is the Modern U2 Ultra Wideband scrap , which play smart , localization - based HomePod control , and the Precision Finding feature so you may on the button place a lostiPhone 15model . Bizarrely , Precision Finding is n’t part of the regain My app on the Apple Watch and is alternatively found in the Control Panel when you wedge the Apple Watch to ring your lost phone . It ’s very easy to practice once you have figured out where to find it , and it has always turn up my iPhone reliably .

The Apple Watch Series 9 ’s shelling animation is comparable to the Series 8 . Two full day is potential ( but onlyjust)if you do n’t give chase any workouts or sleep . Add these , or if you use energy - intensive apps like Maps , and the Apple Watch will be out of power by late afternoon or early evening of the second day .

Post-walk fitness data on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Apple Watch Series 9Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

A introductory Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of use wearing the Apple Watch Series 9 , including a single 30 - minute workout with GPS ( which take in about 5 % stamp battery aliveness on its own ) , have in mind the battery is at around 50 % by the time I go to seam . hold out the Apple Watch overnight , and it wipe out by between 15 % and 20 % , go away you with little choice but to reload it before the end of the next work day or first affair in the morning . Apple express the Series 9 ’s shelling will last for 36 minute using Low Power Mode .

The Apple Watch is recharged by invest it on a limited magnetic hockey puck , but it is not compatible with a MagSafe puck used to recharge your iPhone . It takes around 45 minutes to pass 80 % , and it ’s fully file in less than an hour too . If you do make up one’s mind to wear and use the Series 9 24/7 , then the riotous charging does minimize the impact this has on battery life . You could easily top it up each aurora — in a similar way to how I use theOura Ring — and rarely find it necessary to make sentence to amply file it .

Apple Watch Series 9: price and availability

The 41 mm Apple Watch Series 9 with Wi - Fi and GPS starts at $ 399 or $ 429 for the 45 millimeter model , and the price increases by $ 100 if you want to include a cellular connexion . Prices also variegate depending on the ring you specify , with anything other than the Sport Band or Sport Loop costing extra . The untainted blade mannequin , which is otherwise identical to the aluminum variant , starts at $ 699 .

In the U.K. , the Apple Watch Series 9 starts at 399 British point for the 41 mm Wi - Fi and GPS interpretation and 429 pounds for the 45 mm Wi - Fi / GPS model . If you require a cellular joining , bestow 100 pounds to these price . The stainless sword Apple Watch Series 9 depart at 699 pounds .

If , for some reason , you do n’t want to use an Apple Watch with your iPhone , what other choices are there ? Samsung ’s Galaxy smartwatches do n’t work on with iOS , but some other Wear oculus sinister smartwatches do — including theTag Heuer Connected Calibre E4range , but you ’ll be pay around $ 2,000 for one of these . Huawei ’s smartwatches , such as the recentWatch GT 4 , are cheaper at less than $ 300 and a astonishingly good pairing with iOS , but you will need to take many features — including Message support and synergistic notification — wo n’t lick .

Screenshots taken from the Apple Watch app.

Apple Watch appAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Alternatively , dedicated fitness watch like the Garmin Forerunner 265 andGarmin Vivomove Trendwill suit those more focussed on health and workout . TheWithings ScanWatch 2’shybrid design goes in a different direction and will invoke to anyone who does n’t want to be overwhelmed with notification or deal with a full touch screen . We ’d also suggest look at aCasio G - Shock GBD-200,DW - H5600 , orGBD - H2000if a more traditional watch with connected features appeal .

Apple Watch Series 9: verdict

I have the feeling I ’ve say this a few times before , but if you own an iPhone and require a smartwatch , buy the Apple Watch . It ’s by far the best smartwatch for your phone . If it ’s your first Apple Watch , you ’re going to adore the Series 9 . However , as of this moment , you could grease one’s palms an Apple Watch Series 8 and have an almost indistinguishable experience to the Series 9 , outside of twofold Tap .

Double Tap , as cool as it is , has n’t got what it take to transform the Apple Watch Series 9 into a must - have climb from the Series 8 . If you already own last yr ’s Apple Watch or the Series 7 , keep hold it it for now . The Apple Watch Series 9 is a brilliant smartwatch , but it ’s significant to infer a lot of its grandeur amount from watchOS 10 , and you’re able to get that on all Apple Watch models after theApple Watch Series 4 .

Perhaps more thanever before , the Apple Watch Series 9 is best suit to newcomer to Apple ’s smartwatches rather than an of the essence climb for anyone who has already buy one in the last three or four years . I want to retell how fantabulous the Apple Watch is , how seamlessly it fits into my life sentence , and how much I recommend you bribe one . But I also want to make it cleared howI felt exactly the same about the Series 8when I wear out it again ahead of the Series 9 ’s launch .

The Precision Tracking feature on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Precision Tracking modeAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

Here ’s my conclusion : buy the Apple Watch Series 9right now , provided you have n’t put an Apple Watch on your articulatio radiocarpea before . Just think very carefully before doing so if you already own anApple Watch Series 5or subsequently .

Precision Tracking feature on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Screen brightens and changes color using Precision Tracking modeAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Find My feature on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Find My featureAndy Boxall / Digital Trends