Apple Watch Series 9 Review: Is It Worth Upgrading To?

Apple Watch Series 9 Review: Should You Upgrade?

In the ever-evolving tech landscape, determining whether a new release justifies an upgrade is essential. For Apple Watch Series 9 owners, the question is particularly relevant. Does the inclusion of a faster S9 chip and a handful of minor enhancements warrant replacing an older Series 7 or Series 8 model? This review aims to provide clarity.

Design and Build

The Apple Watch Series 9 retains the same elegant, classic design seen in previous models, offering users a choice between 41mm and 45mm case sizes. A new "pink" color option is available for aluminum cases, but the overall build remains unchanged. While the aluminum version uses Ion-X glass, opting for the stainless steel variant adds significant cost despite offering superior durability with sapphire crystal glass. The curved edges of the display may raise concerns about accidental scratches, making a screen protector a practical accessory.

Performance and Upgrades

The highlight of the Series 9 is its new S9 chip, which delivers smoother overall performance. Although day-to-day tasks such as navigating the UI or launching apps do not show dramatic speed improvements over the S8 chip, the watch feels more responsive in general use. A notable new feature is the double-tap gesture, enabling users to trigger shortcuts with a thumb and index finger combination. However, this functionality remains limited in compatibility and requires further refinement.

Another significant upgrade is the jump to 64GB of internal storage, doubling the capacity of earlier models. This provides ample space for apps, music, and other content. Additionally, the Series 9 allows Siri to operate entirely on the device, handling tasks like sending messages, starting workouts, or setting timers without requiring an internet connection. While dictation improvements are advertised, real-world performance can vary based on accent and clarity.

Display and Software

Display quality remains a strong point, with the Series 9 achieving a peak brightness of 2000 nits, making it excellent for sunny conditions while also offering a minimum of 1 nit for nighttime use. The edge-to-edge design in watchOS 10 maximizes screen space, providing a richer viewing experience across applications.

Health and Fitness Tracking

Health monitoring remains consistent with previous models, offering reliable heart rate, ECG, and blood oxygen measurements. When paired with workouts, the Series 9 proves to be a robust companion, with numerous customizable options tailored to various fitness goals. Features such as compass waypoints, Elevation View, and Backtrack enhance navigation and outdoor activities, allowing users to mark key locations and trace their path efficiently.

Battery Life

Battery endurance varies depending on usage but generally lasts around 18 hours on a single charge, according to Apple. In practical testing, the watch typically ends the day with approximately 50% battery after normal use and a 30-minute GPS workout. With overnight wear, a 15-20% drain occurs, often necessitating a recharge before the next day. Enabling Low Power Mode can extend battery life to up to 36 hours.

Verdict

For users of the Series 6, 7, or 8, the Series 9 offers few compelling reasons to upgrade, as changes are incremental and do not include major design shifts or feature additions. However, for first-time Apple Watch buyers or those coming from Series 5 or older models, the Series 9 presents a notable upgrade with improved performance, expanded storage, and enhanced usability features.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Smooth overall performance
• Exceptionally bright display
• Improved dictation and on-device Siri
• Reliable health and fitness tracking
• Comfortable wearability

Cons

• Iterative upgrade with minimal changes
• L5 GPS remains absent
• Enhanced display protection costs extra
• Battery life could be better