After wearing the Apple Watch Series 9 for two months and comparing it to last year’s model, the improvements are clear. The S9 chip inside the Series 9 makes it faster, smarter, and more accurate at tracking health signals. From my real-world tests, the Series 9 outperformed the previous model in several key areas.
One of the standout features of the Series 9 is its more accurate and sensitive health tracking capabilities. The new chip inside the watch ensures that it prompts users to start tracking workouts more effectively and maintains accurate heart rate readings throughout vigorous exercises. In my testing, the Series 9 consistently provided more accurate calorie-burning stats and heart rate numbers compared to last year’s model.
Additionally, the Series 9 boasts a brighter display with a peak brightness of 2000 nits, making it easier to use outdoors in direct sunlight. This improvement enhances the user experience during activities like running, hiking, and cycling. The display can also dim down to 1 nit to conserve power when using the always-on feature.
Perhaps the most surprising upgrade is the improved battery life of the Series 9. Despite the brighter display and more powerful processor, the Series 9 easily lasts a full day on a single charge. This enhancement ensures that users can rely on the watch throughout their daily activities without worrying about battery life.
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a significant step up from its predecessor, offering better health tracking, improved display visibility outdoors, and longer battery life. For users coming from older models or looking to purchase their first smartwatch, the Series 9 is a solid choice. However, those with recent models may not find enough new features to justify an upgrade.