Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, all the news. September is the month of new devices and also this year, with iPhone 15, Apple presented the new Apple Watch. We are talking about Apple Watch 9 supported by Apple Watch Ultra 2023 which Apple has defined as Apple Watch 2
A17 Pro is the new 3nm chip in iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Very little had been said about these two products compared to the iPhone, but some news has leaked out and all of it has proven to be extremely precise. In practice the profile of the new models would have been almost entirely outlined simply by following the rumours.
The Apple Watch, together with the iPhone, has for years become one of the most anticipated products by the public, with annual updates. Over recent times, however, the innovation process has slowed down very evidently, so much so that we can say that the last model capable of introducing important innovations was Apple Watch 6.
The dilemma
However, according to some internal sources, the problems in inventing something truly new had pushed Apple to ponder the possibility of cancellation, following the path of the iPad world which does not have a 12-month update cycle. As with the iPad, for the Apple Watch the choice would have been the consequence of the maturation process of the device by virtue of which it becomes difficult to apply new features at the same pace as in the first years of its debut.
Moreover, already in 2022, Apple has focused its attention and research on the Apple Watch Ultra, a substantially new and different product from the Apple Watch we know today, different in form factor and size.
In any case, Apple Watch 9 has finally arrived. There are very few new features, perhaps the least in the history of a new launch.
Apple Watch 9
Let’s start with what doesn’t change. The number of Apple Watches. The devices known with the codes N207, N208, are the classic Apple Watches, in the case of the year 2023 the Apple Watch 9, 41 and 45 mm. A third Apple Watch, called, N210 turned out to be Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The two Apple Watch 9s are completely identical with the only difference being the dimensions which should not change, we will have the classic 41 and 45 mm variants.
They are also aesthetically identical to the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7. One thing new from a style point of view are the colors. Alongside the galaxy, midnight, silver, (PRODUCT)RED colors, as expected, a new pink aluminum case is also available, in addition to the gold, silver and graphite stainless steel versions.
Rose gold has long been used for the aluminum back of the iPhone as well as devices like the iPad mini and iPad Air.
The hardware news
We said above that Apple has long pondered the possibility of no longer introducing a new Apple Watch per year due to the impossibility of making substantial progress in the hardware in such a short time frame. Although in the end this idea was set aside mainly to avoid being uncompetitive with the competition (especially Fitbit and Samsung) who present new products every year, the update from a hardware point of view focuses solely on the processor.
Processor improvements
We say processor but in reality we should talk about a processor system: the SIP S9. This is not a recent update if you consider that the Apple smart watch has basically not changed in this component since the launch of Apple Watch 6.
The SIP (System on a Package) of the Apple Watch 6 was the S6. Apple introduced the Apple Watch 7 with the SIP S7, and then the S8 with the Apple Watch 8. But all three of these processors were based on the A13 used in the iPhone 11 with 7-nanometer circuitry. Their CPU (this is different for other components, such as the gyroscope and accelerometer) is the same and it is therefore not surprising that Apple has always compared the performance to that of the Apple Watch 5 which the SIP S5 had.
With the SIP S9, Apple Watch 9 is able to make a leap forward thanks to the fact that it changes the CPU based on A15, the iPhone 13 processor which was not only very fast but particularly economical in consumption.
Based on what was learned shortly before the launch of the new models, Apple Watch 9 will use the new SIP to take advantage of power and energy savings to offer some functional innovations.
Apple lists among the improvements made possible by the SIP S9
- Siri on-device to access health data without using the Internet
- new 4-core Neural Engine, which multiplies the speed by two compared to Apple Watch Series 8
- A new double tap gesture (which we talk about below)
The brightest screen
The lower consumption of the S9 processor may have been used to increase the screen brightness. Apple Watch Series 9 now reaches 2000 nits, doubling that of the Series 8, for greater readability even in high brightness conditions. In dark rooms or early in the morning, the display can dim down to a single nit, so you don’t disturb the people next to you.
New Ultrawideband chip
Apple Watch 9 uses a new second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip that allows you to use the Precise Location feature and more easily find an iPhone 15, equipped with the same UWB chip. Precise Location tells you distance and direction, and provides visual, haptic, and audio guidance to help you find your iPhone when you lose sight of it, even if it’s in the next room.
Apple explains that the new UWB chip also allows for deeper integration between Apple Watch and HomePod. When an Apple Watch wearer is within 15 feet of a HomePod playing audio, the Now Playing screen opens on Apple Watch Series 9 to control media files. If there is no content playing, media will be suggested above the Smart Library”
The new double tap gesture
Apple Watch 9, starting next month with a new software update, will offer the possibility of using a new gesture that Apple calls double tap. In practice it involves “pinching” the air twice with the thumb and forefinger. With this action it becomes possible to control Apple Watch Series 9 with one hand, without touching the display.
By double tapping the tip of the index finger and thumb of the hand on which you are wearing the Apple Watch Series 9 you can, for example
- Stop a timer
- play and pause a song or snooze an alarm
- answer and end a call
- take a photo with the Camera app on Apple Watch
- open the new Smart Gallery on your watch face
- scroll between different widgets
The function is managed by the accelerometer, gyroscope and optical heart rate sensor which are based on a new machine learning algorithm.
The algorithm detects unique subtle wrist movements and changes in blood flow when the user double-taps with their index finger and thumb.
Apple Watch 9 battery life
The battery life of the Apple Watch remains the same. Apple talks about 18 hours. Often, Apple has preferred to keep the battery life unchanged (more or less), while introducing important features, such as the always-on screen.
New straps
Apple has confirmed rumors that it would get rid of all leather accessories. The usual Mark Gurman had spoken about it before anyone else. The process of selling off all Hermes bracelets for the benefit of employees only was also cited to confirm this thesis.
Apple has actually eliminated all bracelets that contain leather such as the link bracelet. In their place it presented a bracelet made of FineWoven, a new micro twill material made with 68% post-consumer recycled materials, which significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to leather.
FineWoven fabric has a suede-like finish and is available with Magnetic Mesh and Modern straps.
On top of this, the popular Sport Loop strap has been redesigned to have 82% recycled yarn. All new Sport Loop bands for Apple Watch are carbon neutral.
Apple has also worked with Nike and Hermès to create a collection of more environmentally friendly straps.
Nike Sport Bands now contain at least 32% recycled fluoroelastomer and colorful flakes from the reclaimed process of recycled bands that create random patterns and make each band unique; while the Nike Sport Loop strap with multicolored motif was made with textile fibers from previous collections.
Hermès will launch two new woven straps: Toile H is a new interpretation of the checked fabrics, symbol of the maison, while the Twill Jump strap features bright monochrome colors with contrasting details.
There’s also Bridon, the first knitted, hand-knitted Apple Watch strap with a chevron weave, and Kilim, a sportier Déployant strap, made from waterproof molded rubber.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra was introduced in 2022, but it was known that there would be an update in 2023. It was not only clear what Apple would include in this new version, but a new processor was a given since it had been announced for Apple Watch 9.
There was also talk of titanium color, but Apple Watch Ultra is aesthetically identical to the previous model.
The new S9 processor
Apple Watch Ultra 2023 edition (which Apple calls Apple Watch Ultra 2) using the same processor as Apple Watch 9 has all the new functions that the basic model has, (including Siri on device, double tap and precise position using the new chip UtraWideband) which we do not list in detail because we indicate them above.
Twice as bright screen
In addition to this, the new model has a maximum brightness of 3000 nits, 50% more than the first generation. It is the brightest screen ever designed by Apple and this ensures greater readability, even in high brightness conditions. Like the Apple Watch 9, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 can reduce its brightness down to a single nit.
The flashlight also makes the most of the new display architecture: by rotating the Digital Crown, the screen brightness temporarily doubles to better illuminate the surrounding environment.
New Ultra modular dial
Alongside the (few) hardware innovations there is a software one. Apple presented a new Ultra Modular watch face. The dial takes advantage of the large display by using the outermost edge to present real-time data such as seconds, altitude or depth. Plus, it includes more complications than any other Apple Watch digital face to fully customize your device for sports, outdoor or water activities.
The Straps
The Apple Watch Ultra straps, unlike those of the Apple Watch 9, haven’t changed much. However, Apple lets you know that the Alpine Loop strap is available in the new blue, indigo and olive green colors, the Trail Loop strap is available in the new orange/beige, green/grey and blue/black combinations, while the Ocean strap is available in the new blue and orange version.
No Apple Watch SE
Historically, Apple has not released an annual update for the Apple Watch SE, so it was easy to predict that there would not be an update in 2023. The latest version was in fact launched in 2022.
Attention to ecology
In addition to announcing its farewell to leather straps, Apple has placed particular emphasis on the entire production chain in an eco-friendly way. In particular, Apple Watches are at the center.
As part of Apple’s 2030 goal, the carbon footprint of Apple Watch has been significantly reduced so that already today, some case and band combinations for Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch SE are the first products carbon neutral.
In particular, emissions produced by the three main sources of greenhouse gases have been reduced: materials, electricity and transport. The small amount of emissions remaining is offset with high-quality carbon credits from nature-based projects.
Apple Watch packaging has been completely redesigned to be made of 100% fiber-based materials. On the packaging a new logo indicates the carbon neutral models.
Apple Watch
As we said above, Apple has been cultivating the idea of completely renewing Apple Watch for some time on the occasion of its tenth anniversary. This could be set either in 2024 (ten years from announcement) or in 2025 (ten years from availability).
- MicroLed screen
- New thinner case
- New bracelet attachment system
- Greater autonomy
- Blood pressure measured
There will certainly be a lot of talk about this model over the next few months
Apple Watch 9 price and launch date
For Apple Watch there were no conditions for further price increases, considering that the changes to Apple Watch 9 would have been minor, except for the chip. In fact, Apple has not increased prices and has even reduced them, taking advantage of the maturation of some technologies and the more favorable exchange rate.
Apple Watch Series 9 has a price starting from €459 (against 509 last year) and Apple Watch SE has a price starting from €289 (against 349). The price of Apple Watch Ultra 2 is €909, 100 euros less than last year.
All Apple Watches can be ordered immediately and will be available from September 22nd
