Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I ’m just going to fall out and say it : I know theApple Watch Series 9 . A couplet of workweek ago , I retrovert to put on it every day after an lengthy time period of not doing so . And you do it what ? I was surprised by how much I ’d missed it .

But one thing has gravel me this metre around : There ’s a feature I have n’t been using . Not because it ’s bad , but because I run to forget it ’s there .

The Apple Watch Series 9, seen from above.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Effortless to own and wear

Everything about the Apple Watch Series 9 is so simple that it ’s an absolute pleasance to own and employ . My needs are moderately basic — primarily notifications , medium control , wellness and workout trailing , and email . As such , the battery hold up two days if I do n’t track sleep , and will just about get to the closing of the 2d day even with an hourlong physical exercise track . When I went to put the Apple Watch back on again , there was a software package update to use , which happen in the background and was solely effortless , with no need for me to even stir the smartwatch at all .

This uncomplicated nature extends to exercise trailing , too . It film a few tap to pop a physical exercise session and a swipe and tap to end one , with all the correct information usher on the screen door while I exercise . I do n’t require to correspond to this or that , long - closet dissimilar buttons , pause before ending the physical exertion , or get word needlessly complex procedures . It ’s the same for understand my progress toward day-by-day goals , and the animations when I close up a ring are particular enough that I pay care .

While my closeness with watchOS — I ’ve used it since the very beginning — serve the Apple Watch Series 9 experience so welcoming and easy to use , I still firmly think it ’s the simplest for newcomers to learn for one reason : It does n’t bother you , or require tailoring to sour as you ’d trust . I last used theXiaomi Watch S3 , and it ( like so many others ) was set up out of the box for maximum barrage fire life with various features disenable . Even when I useda Xiaomi telephone , various presentment and power scene had to be change and activated by fag through menus with little guidance .

A person checking the fitness data on an Apple Watch Series 9.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This just is n’t a matter on the Apple Watch . All its function work as ask , without much need to immeduately customize the setting at all . Oddly , though , follow the watchOS 10.4 update , the automatic handwashing timer was disabled despite my not doing so . This is a sign of the metre , rather than an efficiency decision , I assume . But thanks to the logical layout of the configurations menu , it only make a moment to spark off it again .

My new favorite Apple Watch band

Due to the superb software program , the Apple Watch Series 9 is very easy to subsist with , and the same rule applies to the unlike bands that are uncommitted for it . Until now , I ’ve been tire a silicone Solo Loop band , which is a fantastic 24 - hour - a - twenty-four hours ring . But now I have a fresh favourite , and it came as a piece of a surprise .

I ’ve recently write aboutusing a case on my iPhone 15 Pro Max , a decision that was help by Casetify ’s quislingism with the K - pop group Le Sserafim . I was already familiar with the brand ’s case , but had never expend much time with its Apple Watch strap before . As part of the Le Sserafim assembling , it release a especial edition of the Impact Band , and I ’ve been wearing it for the last few week . I ’m very well-chosen to say it ’s first-class .

The name Impact Band did put me off a chip , as it suggested it was a rough - and - fall banding , but it is not like that at all . It ’s sure hardwearing , but it ’s immensely well-situated at the same meter . The end of the shoulder strap tuck into the warp like Apple ’s Sport Band , keeping it neat and out of the way , and the metallic element pin holding it in spot is solid and trustworthy . This is all great , but the fabric is the achiever here as it has just the proper amount of pliantness ; it does n’t get red-hot and sweaty , is easily cleaned if it mystify mucky , and wraps perfectly around my wrist for a great looking at .

A person wearing the Apple Watch Series 9, seen from the side.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If the Le Sserafim reading is n’t for you , there are dozens of different designs and colors , and at about $ 50 , it ’s skilful value , too . I am very picky when it comes tobands for the Apple Watch , as they ask to be easy for all - day , everyday article of clothing , and there are quite a few out there that break down to fill this comparatively canonic criteria . I ’m extremely proud of I can proudly wear the Casetify x Le Sserafim Apple Watch band , as it easy surpass my expectation .

What don’t I use enough?

After all this positiveness , are there any negative about the Apple Watch Series 9 ? There is one , and it ’s quite surprising as the feature operate really well ; I just do n’t use it at all . I ’m talking aboutDouble Tap , the gesture where you tap your thumb and forefinger together to aerate sure function on the Apple Watch .

Double Tap itself is a superb example of how gesture control should work on . It ’s simple to learn and utilize , metronomically dependable , and the package responds almost instantaneously to your input . The trouble is , it just does n’t reallydo much . At least , it does n’t dramatically impact my daily use anyway . That imply I forget about it and on occasion commend it only after I ’ve interacted with the watch using the screen or Digital Crown .

It ’s a commonproblem with gesture controls , as we ’re so used to spur , twisting , and swiping on the screen that we forget other options that may be available . Plus , Apple has n’t found a way to inspire us to employ Double rap , something that may aid jog my memory when there ’s the chance to use it .

A person using the Double Tap feature on the Apple Watch Series 9.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However , when the only literal minus I can find about the Apple Watch Series 9 is that I do n’t utilize a well - engineered featureenough , then that should tell you all you need to know about whether the smartwatch is worth buying or not — and just how much I care it .