In the world of timepieces, design reigns supreme. The allure of a captivating design can sway even the most prudent consumers towards investing in an expensive wristwatch. But when it comes to Apple’s smartwatches, the story has been somewhat different in recent years. Reports from the market suggest that Apple’s smartwatch market share has been slowly diminishing for the past two years, and the reason behind this decline is glaringly obvious – a lack of innovation in design. Apple has maintained a consistent design for its watches for the past three years, with the Series 9 continuing this trend, looking nearly identical to the previous Series 8.
The Persistence of Apple’s Formula
However, this is not to say that Apple’s strategy of minor tweaks and iterations on a familiar design isn’t effective. Despite the absence of groundbreaking design changes, consumers continue to flock to purchase a new Apple Watch each year.
So, the question arises: Is the Apple Watch Series 9, with its design mirroring last year’s model, a futile release? The answer is not so straightforward, as there is a new feature in the form of a double-tap gesture that offers intriguing possibilities. But, before delving into the details, let’s explore what’s new.
Apple Watch Series 9 Price in India
The Apple Watch Series 9, much like its predecessor, the Series 8 (and the Series 7), comes in two case sizes – 41mm and 45mm – and offers two versions, one with GPS and the other with GPS and Cellular connectivity. Apple provides buyers with the choice of cases, available in aluminum or steel, each with its unique aesthetics. The 41mm aluminum case starts at Rs. 41,900, while the 45mm variant begins at Rs. 44,900.
For those inclined towards the stainless steel version, the 41mm case starts at Rs. 70,900, with the 45mm case beginning at Rs. 75,900. Furthermore, Apple allows buyers to select one strap option to accompany their new watch. Aluminum case models offer the new Sport Band or Sport Loop, whereas the stainless steel models provide the choice of the Sport Band or Milanese Loop (metal).
Apple Watch Series 9 Design and Specifications
Unless you’re upgrading from an Apple Watch Series 6 or an older model, you’ll notice no discernible change in the visual design. The bezels around the Series 9’s display have retained their previous thickness, resulting in a design that’s strikingly similar to its predecessors.
The only distinctive marker to distinguish two Midnight black Apple Watches is a subtle engraving on the ceramic back case, where the number ‘8’ has been replaced by ‘9’. In contrast, competitors like Samsung have excelled in enhancing the aesthetics of their smartwatches with subtle refinements.
However, Apple claims to have used recycled materials in crafting the Series 9, particularly in the aluminum case version, which the company touts as a completely carbon-neutral product when paired with the Sport Loop strap.
Apple has thoughtfully provided multiple watch bands, such as the Midnight Sport Loop and the Desert Stone Nike Sport Band. The bands not only showcase quality craftsmanship but also prioritize comfort for everyday wear.
Enhancements and Resilience
The Series 9 retains its IP6X dust resistance rating and boasts water resistance up to 50 meters. It ships with a magnetic fast-charging adapter featuring a durable braided cable, mirroring the new iPhone models.
The watch continues to sport a 1.9-inch Retina LTPO OLED display with a resolution of 484 x 396 pixels. Apple asserts that this year’s display is significantly brighter. Additionally, a new S9 SiP (System in Package) purportedly houses a faster neural engine for swift interactions with Siri and efficient handling of routine tasks, even without the need for a phone or an internet connection.
In terms of sensors, the Series 9 incorporates familiar elements like the blood oxygen sensor, electrical heart sensor, and third-generation heart rate sensor, introduced with the Series 8. It also includes a second-generation ultra-wideband chip (UWB) for helping locate a lost iPhone and suggest music when near a HomePod. Moreover, the new temperature monitoring and crash detection sensors introduced last year make a return appearance.
The watch continues to support global positioning systems, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.3. With a generous internal storage capacity of 64GB, double that of the previous model, the Series 9 ensures ample room for local music storage, eliminating the need to carry your phone everywhere.
Apple Watch Series 9 Performance
The new Apple S9 SiP offers a slightly faster user experience when it comes to opening and closing apps and navigating through the watchOS interface. However, the performance leap compared to the Series 8 is not monumental, as the latter already offered a snappy experience. The brighter display, while impressive, doesn’t mark a significant departure from last year’s Watch Ultra 2, which performed well in outdoor brightness.
WatchOS 10: A Leap Forward
The watchOS has undergone significant changes with the latest iteration. Four new watch faces, including a charming Snoopy-themed one, have been introduced, each offering delightful animations. The Solar Analogue and Palette faces are highly customizable, and the Nike Globe watch face caters to fitness enthusiasts using the Nike Run app.
The new OS relies less on gestures and leverages physical buttons, introducing a virtual on-screen back button for native apps. Smart Stack, a collection of widgets, appears when you scroll through the digital crown, providing convenient access to information. Accessing the Control Center now requires a press on the side button, enhancing usability. Native apps have also received a visual overhaul, featuring the new on-screen back button. These improvements in watchOS 10 signal a promising step forward, particularly when the physical design remains unchanged.
Double Tap: A Mixed Bag
The double-tap feature, introduced in beta form, offers limited utility in its current state. While it appears capable of controlling various functions, including answering calls, setting timers, and managing music playback, it falls short of being a comprehensive navigation feature. Notably, it lacks the ability to open notifications, which is a notable limitation. Furthermore, activating the double-tap gesture requires two actions – raising your wrist and gazing at your watch, making it somewhat cumbersome for a seemingly intuitive feature.
Health and Fitness Tracking
The Series 9 impresses with its accuracy in health and fitness tracking. Sleep tracking with sleep stages, introduced last year, maintains its reliability. SpO2 readings have improved, approaching the accuracy of dedicated pulse oximeters. Heart rate readings remain precise, and GPS tracking during walks, even without an iPhone, is commendably accurate.
Besides physical health, iOS 17 and watchOS 10 introduce a mood tracking feature aimed at mental well-being. Users can record their moods and subsequently gain insights into the factors influencing their mental state. Notably, a Journal app, slated for release later in the year, remains conspicuously absent.
Battery Life: A Familiar Story
Apple claims improvements in battery life without increasing the battery size, attributed to the more power-efficient S9 SiP. However, practical use reveals little deviation from the Series 8. Sleep tracking and GPS-connected walks remain the primary power-consuming activities. The Series 9’s battery life extends to about 1.5 days with all features enabled. For those seeking extended usage, disabling sleep tracking and workouts can yield approximately two days of use. Charging times remain consistent with previous models, with the magnetic charger reaching 65% in 30 minutes and fully charging in about one hour and seven minutes.
Verdict: To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 9 may leave enthusiasts divided. For those already owning a Series 7 or Series 8, the incremental changes might not justify an upgrade. The design continuity for two years also means that fancy new bands introduced can still be enjoyed with older models.
The double-tap feature, while promising, has limitations and necessitates two actions to activate. Apple’s confidence in this feature aside, it’s yet to prove its indispensable value.
For Series 6 owners, the Series 9 offers a compelling upgrade with the S9 SiP and increased onboard storage, ensuring compatibility with future software updates. In the end, the decision to upgrade largely depends on your existing watch model and your desire to explore the double-tap feature’s potential.
So, is the Apple Watch Series 9 an evolution or stagnation? The answer might just depend on your wrist and your willingness to embrace the future of timekeeping.
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