Apple has unveiled the highly anticipated Apple Watch Series 9, taking a significant leap forward in terms of technology and environmental sustainability.
The latest addition to the world’s best-selling smartwatch lineup, the Apple Watch Series 9, boasts enhanced features, including the powerful S9 SiP chip, an intuitive double tap gesture, a brighter display, improved on-device Siri capabilities with health data access, Precision Finding for iPhone, and more. This remarkable smartwatch runs on watchOS 10, offering redesigned apps, the innovative Smart Stack, fresh watch faces, cycling and hiking enhancements, and tools to support mental well-being.
For the first time ever, customers have the option to choose a carbon-neutral version of any Apple Watch model, marking a significant step towards achieving Apple’s ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.
The new Apple Watch lineup is available for order today, with availability starting on Friday, September 22.
Key Features of the Apple Watch Series 9
Powerful New S9 SiP: The Apple Watch Series 9 is driven by the custom-designed S9 SiP chip, offering enhanced performance and new features. This chip includes a new 4-core Neural Engine for faster machine learning tasks and maintains the impressive 18-hour battery life.
Double Tap Gesture: A novel double tap gesture enables users to operate the Apple Watch Series 9 with one hand, without touching the display. This gesture can control various functions, from stopping timers to answering calls, and is powered by the improved Neural Engine.
Brighter Display: With the efficient S9 SiP and advanced display architecture, the Apple Watch Series 9’s display can reach up to 2000 nits, doubling the brightness of its predecessor. This enhancement improves visibility in bright sunlight and can lower to just one nit for unobtrusive use in dark environments.
On-Device Siri with Health Data Access: Siri requests can now be processed on the device, providing faster and more reliable responses for tasks that don’t require internet access. Siri can also access and log health data, making it a valuable tool for health and fitness-related queries and data entry.
Precision Finding and HomePod Integration: The Series 9 SiP incorporates a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, enabling Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 family. This feature provides precise location guidance for locating a misplaced iPhone. Additionally, Apple Watch Series 9 seamlessly integrates with HomePod, offering convenient media control when within 4 meters of the device.
watchOS 10: The Apple Watch Series 9 runs on watchOS 10, which introduces redesigned apps, the Smart Stack for timely widgets, new watch faces including Snoopy, Palette, and Solar Analog, Bluetooth connectivity enhancements for cyclists, improved outdoor adventure tools, and mental health support with state-of-mind logging in the Mindfulness app.
Carbon Neutral Models: Select Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch SE configurations are now carbon neutral, aligning with Apple’s 2030 carbon neutrality commitment. Apple has substantially reduced emissions in materials, electricity, and transportation, offsetting any remaining emissions with high-quality carbon credits from nature-based projects. Packaging has also been revamped with 100% fiber-based materials, and a new logo signifies carbon-neutral models.
Apple Watch SE and Bands
Apple Watch SE continues to provide the core Apple Watch experience at an affordable price point, offering features such as Activity tracking, heart rate notifications, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, and watchOS 10.
The Apple Watch Series 9 comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes, with a variety of case and band options, including the new pink aluminum case. Stainless steel case options are available in gold, silver, and graphite.
Apple is introducing FineWoven, a sustainable microtwill material with significantly lower carbon emissions compared to leather. Sport Loop bands now incorporate 82% recycled yarn. Collaborations with Nike and Hermès bring more eco-friendly band collections.
Pricing and Availability
Customers in various countries can place orders for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE today, with in-store availability starting on September 22. Pricing starts at $399 (U.S.) for the Apple Watch Series 9 and $249 (U.S.) for the Apple Watch SE.
WatchOS 10 will be available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later on September 18, requiring iPhone XS or later running iOS 17. Some features may vary by device and region.
