Apple has launched its latest smartwatches, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. We’ve compiled here 21 things you need to know about these new watches. Additionally, we’ve recently shared our fourth teaser for our upcoming big announcement, with only one teaser left until everything is revealed. Feel free to share your guesses in the comments below – if you guess correctly, you might even win a special prize! Lastly, it’s worth noting that the Series 9 and Ultra 2 are equipped with Apple’s brand-new S9 chip.

Apple’s first new chip since the S6 from 2020, as the S7 and the S8, was just a rebranded S6, and Apple packed many upgrades here. First, the S9 is based on Apple’s a15 chip inside the iPhone 13 rather than the a13 inside the iPhone 11 like before, so we get a much more modern ship architecture. Plus, the manufacturing process is now five nanometers down from Seven, which makes it more power efficient. It enables many extra features, which we’ll talk about in just a bit, and then the GPU is 30 faster.

We also get eight twice as fast neural engines, which gives us several Siri improvements. Siri on the series nine and Ultra 2 now gets processed on the device rather than on Apple servers, so responses will be faster. You won’t need an internet connection to talk to Siri anymore, at least not for the more General requests. Siri dictation is also now 25 more accurate. However, It has been OK with both English and Romanian. The S9 Chip’s neural engine also enables something.

Apple Watch Series 9 & Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 mark the dawn of a new era in smartwatches, combining sleek design with powerful capabilities. Powered by the A15 Bionic chip, these watches offer lightning-fast performance, while their customizable bands and watch faces allow for personal expression. With advanced health tracking features like ECG and blood pressure monitoring and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 empower users to prioritize their well-being and stay connected wherever they go. With an extensive library of apps and a focus on user experience, these watches redefine what it means to have a computer on your wrist.

Called double tap, a feature that lets you control your watch to answer calls, scroll through your widgets, and more by simply double-tapping your index and your thumb together. Apple called this feature something revolutionary that genuinely needs the s9’s power to work. Still, it turns out that this feature had already existed for several years, hidden in the accessibility settings.

Apple Watch Series 9 & Ultra 2: S9 Chip

The S9 chip, nestled within the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, exemplifies the advancements in chip technology that power these smartwatches. As the watch’s brain, this chip ensures smooth and speedy operations, like a high-performance engine propelling a fast car. Through its cutting-edge features and energy efficiency, the S9 chip enables seamless navigation, quick app loading times, and responsive interactions, enhancing the overall user experience. Moreover, integrating advanced sensors and seamless synchronization with other Apple devices, the S9 chip maximizes health monitoring capabilities and fosters a cohesive ecosystem. These advancements solidify the S9 chip’s role as a driving force behind these smartwatches’ exceptional performance, speed, and functionality, enabling users to stay connected effortlessly in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

We even did a short on this last year, so why is Apple acting like this feature is entirely new when it isn’t? The S9 chip may make it more accurate and faster, but this feature is already on the current and past Apple watch models. We also get the brand new YouTube chip that replaces the previous U1 introduced with a series 6. This enables the ability to have Precision finding between your series nine or Ultra 2 and the latest iPhone 15, which also has the U2 chip, which is cool, but what a weird find here is that we did not have any precision finding before with you want iPhones and the U1 Apple watches.

In contrast, we did have Precision findings with you on iPhones and the Yuan Air Attack, so that we will find out. You want chips inside the previous Apple watches that were never really utilized. I guess the home pod integration further proves my point, so now, with the YouTube Apple watches, you can hold your watch close to your homepod to pass the song over to it, which you could already do with the you want iPhones but not with E1 Apple watches so if anything the YouTube chip seems to enable U1 functionality.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Brighter, Clearer Displays

That Apple already had on the iPhone now, one change that I’m thrilled to see is a much brighter display. Apple Watch Series 9 gets bumped to a 2000 nits display from 1000, whereas the Apple Watch Ultra 2 gets bumped to a 3000 nits display from 2000. this is a massive increase on both, so if you find yourself out adventuring on a bright sunny day, this will make a big difference. And thanks to the super bright 3000 to display on the ultra, the flashlight is now even more brilliant, with Apple mentioning this as a flashlight boost feature, which seems like it would be some toggle in the flashlight app that will max out the screen’s brightness.

What’s cool about this display is that it can now go to as low as one unit of rhinos if you’re woken up in the middle of the night. You’re trying to see what time it is, and you won’t get blinded anymore. Also pretty cool is that both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 now get 64 gigabytes of storage, up from 32. Having more storage means that you can store more apps and download more music and podcasts for offline listening, which is something.

Battery Life

18 hours of continuous use or 36 with low power mode. However, the app watch Ultra 2 gets a longer battery life, which, weirdly enough, Apple didn’t mention at all in any event, so by default, it lasts for 36 hours. Still, when you put it in low power mode, it lasts up to 72 compared to 60. That is 12 hours more, which is a massive upgrade. I’m honestly surprised that Apple hasn’t said a word about this. I’m also shocked we did not get a black Apple Watch Ultra 2.

The Apple Watch lineup offers a range of options, each with its own impressive battery life and features to cater to different user needs. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is designed with endurance athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and water sports aficionados in mind. During tests conducted by Apple, it demonstrated remarkable battery metrics, lasting up to 36 hours with general use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. It also supports up to 35 hours of outdoor workouts with GPS and LTE in Low Power Mode. Charging is efficient, with an hour to reach 80% and 1.5 hours for a full charge. Additionally, the Ultra 2 provides up to 20 hours of audio playback.

Apple Watch Series 9 balances functionality with battery efficiency. It offers around 18 hours of battery life on a single charge, accommodating activities like time checks, notifications, app usage, and a 60-minute workout. In Low Power Mode, the battery life can extend up to 36 hours. It provides up to 11 hours of audio playback and up to 7 hours of outdoor workouts with GPS. Charging is streamlined, with 80% reached in about 45 minutes and 100% in approximately 75 minutes.

Not only has this been leaked and reported extensively by reputable sources like Mark German, but black was a color Apple had initially tested for the first-gen Ultra. Yeah, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 still only comes in that same color for whatever reason.

Apple did introduce multiple colors for the new titanium iPhone 15 Pros, so it makes no sense why we didn’t get those colors too on the ultra plus; they’re even calling this natural titanium now the same as the 15 Pro’s color, which seems that Apple will either be launching a dark titanium version during spring which is usually when they introduce new iPhone colors.

Carbon Neutral

Since the Apple Watch Ultra is meant to be this rugged sports watch that you would know bumps into things, they’ll never really give it any other colors than natural titanium to avoid those ugly scuffs that would then reveal the natural titanium color underneath now we did get a new color for the Apple Watch Series 9 which is this pink which looks fine very similar to the iPhone 15 as in it is very very pastel now one of the most significant changes is that the series 9 Apple’s first product to be 100 carbon neutral.

This means that even the manufacturing is carbon neutral, and the batteries are made from 100 recycled Cobalt. Yeah, this is pretty impressive, and as part of the move for Apple to be fully carbon-neutral by 2030, all leather bands have now been replaced by this new fine-woven material. Some could argue that a letter is biodegradable.

In contrast, a fine woman is likely not, but whatever Apple says, fine woven is a soft suede-like material, so it should feel quite nice, although I believe that letter still has a better feeling. Oh, all fine moving bands are the same price as the old leather ones.

Apple Watch Nike & Hermes

Apple’s collaborations with luxury brand Hermès and sportswear giant Nike have resulted in the creation of Apple Watch editions that go beyond mere functionality; they are fashion statements. The Apple Watch Hermès blends the timeless luxury of Hermès with Apple’s innovative technology, resulting in a watch that is not only technologically advanced but also exudes elegance and craftsmanship. From the intricate watch faces to the carefully crafted bands inspired by Hermès’ textile heritage, each element tells a story of meticulous design and attention to detail.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch Nike caters to the needs of active individuals, particularly runners. It combines style, function, and sustainability in a seamless way. The bands of the Apple Watch Nike are crafted from recycled materials, demonstrating both Apple and Nike’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Paired with the Nike Run Club app, this collaboration provides a fusion of performance tracking, stylish design, and eco-consciousness. With these collaborations, Apple showcases that technology can be both fashionable and socially responsible, redefining what it means to wear a smartwatch and elevating them to fashion accessories that make a statement about personal style and values.

The Apple Watch Ultra’s International Orange action button. The good news is that the prices have dropped outside the US, at least in the UK. The series 9 starts from 400 pounds rather than 420, whereas the Apple Watch ultra 2 now costs 800, down from 850.

FAQs

Q: What are the main features of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2?

A: The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 offer several notable features. They come equipped with the new S9 chip, providing enhanced performance and power efficiency. Siri functionality has improved, allowing faster responses and more accurate dictation. The “double tap” feature also enables intuitive watch control, including answering calls and scrolling through widgets. The displays have also seen improvements, with the Series 9 featuring a brighter 2000-nit display and the Ultra 2 showcasing an even more brilliant 3000-nit display, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.

Q: How does the new S9 chip differ from previous chips?

A: The new S9 chip is based on Apple’s A15 chip, which is utilized in the iPhone 13. It introduces a modern architecture and uses a 5-nanometer manufacturing process, resulting in improved power efficiency and better GPU performance than previous chip generations.

Q: What improvements does the new S9 chip bring to Siri on the Apple Watch Series 9?

A: With the new S9 chip, Siri can now process requests directly on the Apple Watch, leading to faster response times. Additionally, Siri dictation has been enhanced, achieving a 25% increase in accuracy.

Q: What is the “double tap” feature on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2?

A: The “double tap” feature allows users to control the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 by simply double-tapping their index finger and thumb together. This gesture enables convenient interactions, such as answering calls and effortlessly scrolling through widgets, enhancing usability.

Q: How have the displays improved on the new Apple Watches?

A: The Apple Watch Series 9 now boasts a 2000-nit display, doubling the brightness of its predecessor, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 takes it even further with a 3000-nit display. These brighter displays make the watches more visible and readable, even under direct sunlight, offering an improved viewing experience for users.

Conclusion

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 represent a significant leap forward in smartwatch technology, driven by introducing the S9 chip and other notable features. With advancements like on-device Siri processing and brighter displays, Apple continues to push the boundaries of what wearables can do. Including features such as “double tap” and improved Siri functionality, even offline, highlights the company’s dedication to user convenience. While some features may have been present in previous models, the refinement and innovation showcased in the Series 9 and Ultra 2 embody Apple’s commitment to shaping the future of wearable technology.

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 share common ground with their utilization of the S9 chip, ensuring a similar level of performance across both devices. Additionally, software enhancements related to Siri and gesture controls will also be shared, providing users with a consistent experience. However, it’s worth noting that the Ultra 2 caters to a niche market that prioritizes premium materials and enhanced display technology, and is willing to pay a higher price for these premium features. Ultimately, both watches offer impressive features and functionality, but the Ultra 2 provides an elevated experience for those seeking additional luxury and high-end specifications.