Apple will be launching their newest Apple Watch Series 9 on Friday, with a faster SiP 9 chip that allows for a more improved Siri and a gesture compatible with the Vision Pro, Apple's soon to arrive Virtual Reality headset. The update, while modest, is expected to have quite an impact.
On Friday, Apple will introduce its new Apple Watch Series 9, whose design is nearly identical to the earlier models. Available in 41mm and 45mm display sizes, the watches still come with features such as heart rate monitoring, workout recordings, and notifications from a paired iPhone. Additionally, a higher-end titanium option, called the Ultra, is available.
After testing a 45mm aluminium Apple Watch Series 9 for a few days, the main takeaways are that it is still effective at fitness tracking and is seamlessly integrated with the iPhone. However, it does come with a faster chip, which enables functions like enhanced Siri capabilities and an easier gesture when you have your hands full. Though the design and screen size have not changed since 2021, the watches are the same price as last year's models.
The newest Apple Watch features an innovative way to interact with it: double tap. To activate, you simply raise your wrist like you're looking at the time, then use your thumb and index finger (or middle finger) to tap twice. The watch utilizes its sensors, like the accelerometer and heart rate sensor, to detect the taps and a special icon appears on the Watch home screen. For a tactile cue, a bit of haptic feedback is also generated.
This is the first time ever that the Apple Watch has been designed to detect a hand gesture, except for a few specialized accessibility features. Apple explains that this feature is convenient for when your hands are busy, for instance, while walking the dog or holding a cup of coffee. In many of the Apple Watch apps, a double tap of the screen triggers the primary action or the most visible button. When you tap the watch face, a scrollable screen of widgets featuring weather information, Apple News headlines and calendar appointments appears by default.
The double tap can also be used to stop alarms, end phone calls and even activate the iPhone's shutter button, depending on which app is running on the Watch. The most useful example of the gesture is when you begin a workout such as a run or a long walk but forget to start it on the watch. In this case, the device usually detects the exercise and prompts you to log it. Instead of having to tap the screen, you can raise your watch and double tap to start the workout.
During testing, I found the double tap to be a fun feature to use but not necessarily essential in my daily life. I also did not find the widget screen that it opens to be particularly useful, with my default suggestions being unhelpful. However, as this is based on machine learning, it may become more relevant with use.
The gesture only works when the Apple Watch interface is active and its backlight is on. Consequently, it is not possible to double tap when your arm is by your side; you first have to raise your arm to wake the display before making the double tap. Interestingly, the double tap motion is similar to the primary way of selecting items on Apple's upcoming Vision Pro VR headset.
This headset is being promoted as introducing a “new era for computing” due to its user interface, referred to as “spatial computing”. The Vision Pro is able to sense hand motions and other gestures in 3D space instead of simply relying on tapping the screen. Apple Watch's double tap function gives us a preview of this world.
Furthermore, from a technological perspective, this shows that as Apple introduces its mixed reality technology through its headset, some elements of the user interface will also be integrated into its already widely used products. The double tap feature will not be active in Watches purchased from Friday, but is expected to arrive via a software update in the following month. This review was based on an Apple Watch Series 9 with pre-release software.
This year's watches have received an updated central chip, which Apple calls a System-in-Package, or SiP. This chip contains 60% more transistors and a 30% faster GPU than the previous version. Even though the watch may not appear to be immediately faster, the new processor is the first notable improvement in the Watch's processor in a number of years. It enables a speedier Siri, which can now process commands and respond without needing an internet connection. As a result, users are now able to quickly execute simple tasks, such as setting a kitchen timer, or ask for information, like the time a certain game is on TV, without having to worry about a weak Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Another benefit is that the on-device processing allows Siri to access a user's health data, making it possible to log a vital stat or data on a daily basis.
The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts a brighter display than the previous models, with a peak brightness of 2000 nits compared to the 1000 nits of the former models. This upgrade might only be noticeable in bright outdoor settings, where the increase in luminosity makes text more distinct. The device offers four different levels of brightness, all of which adjust automatically based on the surrounding environment, and the user cannot select a specific brightness level. Even though many users may not have their Apple Watch set to maximum brightness in the first place, this is a nice upgrade to have, particularly if the user is outdoors a lot.
This year is not a great time to upgrade the Apple Watch — there's no new design or sensor that would cause people to want the latest model. Both old and new models have the same abilities, such as tracking sleep, alerting authorities in a crash, showing notifications, and downloading apps. The Apple Watch Series 9 is priced at $399 for the smallest screen and $429 for the larger version, which is quite costly for a faster chip and brighter display. The SE model that was released this year with a price tag of $249 and up is similar to what Apple Watches a few years ago had, minus this year's updates such as the double tap gesture or the new chip. Those getting an Apple Watch for the first time may want to get the Series 9 over the SE if they can afford it as it will last longer and be more likely to receive new features in the future.The Apple Watch Ultra, which has a longer battery life and several features for athletes, was also updated with the new chip this year. This may be worth the additional $400, however, CNBC has not been able to test this.An upgrade may be worth considering for those invested in the Apple ecosystem and want to try the new interfaces such as the double tap gesture. If they're planning to get a Vision Pro headset for $3499, then a $400 watch is not a major expense.But in conclusion, those with an Apple Watch in working order likely do not need to get a Series 9.
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