At its annual Fall event, Apple introduced the new Apple Watch Series 9. The watch is equipped with a new S9 SiP that includes a CPU with 5.6 billion transistors, a GPU that’s 30% faster, and a four-core neural engine.
These enhancements enable Siri requests to be processed directly on the device and promise a battery life of 18 hours. The Series 9 also features a second-generation ultra-wideband chip for precise location tracking with your iPhone and a brighter display that can reach up to 2,000 nits, twice as bright as the maximum brightness of the Series 8.
The software has also undergone significant updates with watchOS 10, expected to be the most substantial user interface overhaul in Apple Watch history. It introduces a renewed focus on widgets and numerous updates to apps and input methods.
The Apple Watch Series 9 introduces a new “double-tap” feature, which allows users to perform various functions by simply tapping their index finger and thumb together. This innovative feature, similar to the tapping feature demonstrated with the Apple Vision Pro, enables actions such as answering phone calls without touching the screen.
It activates the primary button in an app, allowing users to take a photo with the Camera Remote, answer and end calls, play and pause music, stop a timer, among other basic actions. Initially available through AssistiveTouch on the Apple Watch, the double-tap feature will be rolled out in a software update in October.
The Apple Watch Series 9, available for pre-order from Tuesday and set to be released on September 22nd, comes in a variety of colors and materials. The aluminum versions are available in pink, starlight, silver, midnight, and Product Red, while the stainless steel versions come in gold, silver, and graphite. The watch is available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm.
In addition to its impressive technical features, Apple is also making strides on the environmental front with the Series 9. When paired with a new Sport Loop band, it’s Apple’s first carbon-neutral product. This is part of the company’s broader goal to be carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.
The smaller packaging of the watch allows for more efficient shipping, as more devices can be transported at once. The starting price for the Apple Watch Series 9 is $399.
