Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Series 8

After a massive iPhone 15 event, Apple has released the Apple Watch Series 9 in addition to the brand-new iPhone 15 selection.

However, how does it stack up against the prior generation? If you already have an Apple Watch Series 8, is an upgrade worthwhile? Or, if you were thinking about purchasing your first Apple Watch, which would be the wiser investment right now?

Specs of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 8

	Apple Watch Series 9	Apple Watch Series 8
Materials	Metals: AluminumStainless	Metals: AluminumStainless
Sizes	41mm45mm	41mm45mm
Colors	Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Product Red for aluminum Stainless Steel: Gold, Silver, Graphite	Aluminum: Pink, Product Red, Silver, Starlight, MidnightStainless Steel: Graphite, silver, and gold
Display	Retina LTPO OLED has a peak brightness of 1,000 nits.	Retina LTPO OLED always-on with 2,000 nits of peak brightness and 1 nit of lowlight
Processor	S8	S9
Double-tap gesture	Only for accessibility	Yes
Siri	Wi-Fi or mobile data is necessary.	On-device
Sensors	Blood oxygen sensor, electrical heart sensor, temperature sensor, and third-generation optical heart sensor	Blood oxygen sensor, electrical heart sensor, temperature sensor, and third-generation optical heart sensor
Battery life	18 hours	18 hours
Fast charging	Yes	Yes
Ultra Wideband	U1	Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for the iPhone 15 with Precision Finding

Compared between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 8, the design

<entity>Apple Watch Series 9</entity>. — AppleThe Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 9 have the same aesthetic. The Apple Watch SE and other devices in the Apple Watch Series’ mainline have maintained a tradition in doing this.The traditional square shape with rounded sides is available, and you may choose between an aluminum or stainless steel shell. Both variants, whether the smaller 41mm or the bigger 45mm option, have the same dimensions.There are four metal color options for the Apple Watch Series 8: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Product Red. Gold, Silver, and Graphite are the three hues of the stainless steel finish.The standard Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Product Red metal hues as well as the brand-new Pink color are available for the Apple Watch Series 9.

Screen comparison of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 8

Apple Watch Series 9 at 2000 nits brightness. — AppleThe Retina LTPO OLED display on the Apple Watch Series 8 is constantly on and has a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. It is available in sizes of either 41mm or 45mm. Ion-X glass is used in the aluminum models, while sapphire crystal displays are used in the stainless steel ones.Similar features include the always-on Retina LTPO OLED display, Ion-X glass for aluminum versions, and sapphire crystal for stainless steel in the Apple Watch Series 9. Sizes 41mm and 45mm are also available.

The highest brightness level of the Apple Watch Series 9 has increased to 2,000 nits, which is one of the significant modifications. This is comparable to the Apple Watch Ultra of the first generation, making it even more useable outside in direct sunlight. Additionally, it dims to just 1 nit in low-light conditions, preventing nighttime blindness.

If you frequently find yourself in bright, sunny environments, the Apple Watch Series 9 is the superior option overall since it outshines the Series 8 in terms of brightness levels.

CPU and software comparison between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 8

Apple Watch Series 9 on a person's wrist. — AppleThings start to become more distinct at this point.The S8 chip, which is essentially identical to the S7 chip in the Apple Watch Series 7, which was comparable to the S6 in the Apple Watch Series 6, is found within the Apple Watch Series 8.With the new S9 chip in the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple is finally making changes. It boasts 5.6 billion transistors, a GPU that is 30% quicker than the S8, and a novel semiconductor technology that has never been used in the Apple Watch. Additionally, a four-core Neural Engine with up to double the processing speed of the previous model is included.

The Apple Watch Series 9’s S9 chip also enables the watch’s internal processing of all Siri commands. This implies that basic requests, like initiating a timer or starting a workout, no longer require Wi-Fi or cellular data.

New double tap gesture for Apple Watch Series 9. — AppleAdditionally, the new Double Tap gesture on the S9 allows you to manage the Apple Watch without really touching the display. To conduct a variety of tasks and browse watchOS 10, simply swiftly touch your watch’s index finger and thumb twice. The double-tap gesture may pause a timer, adjust audio, snooze alarms, capture a photo with your iPhone camera, or even answer or end phone conversations. Additionally, Double Tap activates the Smart Stack widget on the watch face, allowing you to navigate through its contents.

Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 series is made possible by the new second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) processor found in the Apple Watch Series 9. Similar to AirTags, this helps you locate a missing iPhone by providing visual, tactile, and audible cues. Better HomePod and Apple Watch connection thanks to the new UWB chip lets you use Now Playing to manage HomePod media when you’re close.

Apple’s new S9 processor is significant in terms of enhancing the effectiveness and performance of the Apple Watch. The S9 gives you significantly more control over your wrist than the S8, which was a system in a package (SiP) that essentially didn’t alter from earlier iterations. If you are upgrading from an Apple Watch of an even earlier version, it is extremely worthwhile.

Battery and charging differences between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 8

Apple Watch Series 8 showing how much battery is remaining. — Series 8 Apple Watch Joe Maring / Digital TrendsAccording to Apple, the Apple Watch Series 8 has a battery life of about 18 hours between charges. You’ll need to recharge it at the end of the day, which is quite realistic and consistent with earlier models of the Apple Watch.The Apple Watch Series 8 has quick charging capabilities, so it can charge from 0% to 80% in around 45 minutes.

Unfortunately, the Apple Watch Series 9 does not experience any appreciable changes in battery life or charging speed thanks to the new S9 processor. Like previously, you can anticipate a battery life of about 18 hours, and the Series 9 still supports rapid charging.

Comparison of the Apple Watch Series 9 vs Series 8 for tracking exercise and health

Data from a workout showing on the screen of the Apple Watch Series 8. — Series 8 Apple Watch Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsSurprisingly, Apple did not add any additional health sensors to the Apple Watch Series 9 this year. The sensors are identical to those in the Series 8 model.This implies that the SpO2 (blood oxygen) monitoring, ECG, 24/7 heart rate monitoring with high and low heart rate alarms, irregular rhythm notifications, low cardio fitness notifications, temperature sensors, and sleep tracking are all features available on both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 8. Both watches offer crash detection for auto accidents as well as the ability to identify if you have a heavy fall.

Both Apple Watches have ambient light sensors that allow you to track how much time you spend outside, which is fantastic for your health. You can also track your mood, which is also great for your mental health.

The ambient light sensors on both Apple Watches can be used to measure time spent in daylight, which is excellent for health, as well as your mood, both of which are great for your mental well-being.

Price and availability differences between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 8

Apple Watch Series 9 lineup. — AppleThe aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 is priced at $399, while stainless steel ones start at $749. You may place a preorder for them now, and on September 22, they will become accessible to the general public.The Apple Watch Series 8 is no longer produced once the Apple Watch Series 9 becomes available. However, you might be able to discover unsold inventory at a bargain at several big-box stores.

Comparison between the Apple Watch Series 9 with Series 8

Two Apple Watch Series 9 watches. — AppleOne of Apple’s most significant upgrades to the wearable in recent years is the Apple Watch Series 9.The S9 chip is significant, and for good reason—Siri queries are now handled locally, while the Double Tap gesture enables one-handed operation. It is now possible to utilize your Apple Watch to find a lost iPhone 15 series (and later), similarly to how you find AirTags, thanks to the installation of a new, second-generation UWB chip.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is significantly more useful outdoors in direct sunshine because to its max brightness of 2,000 nits, even though the appearance and display appear to remain unchanged from the previous model.

The one peculiarity of the Watch Series 9 is that the overall battery life has not been improved, even with the S9 processor. You continue to get the last 18 hours.The Watch Series 9 seems brand-new and fresh owing to the S9 processor, whereas the Apple Watch Series 8 felt a lot like the Series 7 and Series 6 before it. Oh, and that pink shade is stunning.

But is it all worthwhile?

$399 for Apple Watch Series 9.

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