The Apple Watch Series 9: A Minor Upgrade with Significant Improvements

The new Apple Watch Series 9 is often mistaken for the previous series, mainly due to its similarities in design and features. However, there are several changes that make it stand out from its predecessor. One of the most significant improvements is the introduction of a new double tap gesture. This feature allows users to perform certain actions by tapping their thumb and index finger together. The idea behind this gesture is to make it easier to control the watch while keeping one hand busy, whether you're walking your dog, doing chores, or carrying shopping bags.

When trying out the double tap gesture, we noticed that it can feel a bit awkward at first, especially for those who have spent years tapping and swiping on their devices. However, as we continued to use it, we found that it became more comfortable and convenient. For example, performing a double tap from the watch face pulls up your widgets, allowing you to quickly dismiss notifications or access other features. The response time of the gesture is also impressive, making it easy to navigate through your list of widgets.

Another significant improvement in the Series 9 is the upgrade to Siri's speed and accuracy. With the new Ultra Wideband chip inside the S9, certain Siri queries can be processed on the device rather than relying on the internet. This means that you'll experience faster response times, including requests that don't require pulling an answer from the cloud. For instance, setting a timer for 5 seconds or starting a workout was incredibly fast and responsive. Additionally, Siri's dictation has been improved by 25%, allowing for more accurate and seamless interactions.

Siri will also soon be able to answer health-related questions on the Apple Watch Series 9. This feature is particularly useful since it can process requests on the device itself, making it easier to sift through all of the data collected by the watch. You'll be able to ask questions like "How much sleep did I get last night?" or "What's my average walking heart rate?" without having to navigate through Apple's Health app multiple times.

One of the most exciting features in the Series 9 is the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, which makes it easier to locate your iPhone. When you ping your phone from the watch, you'll receive an audible chime that helps guide you towards its location. However, this feature only works with iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models. The estimate of how many feet away your phone is will give you further confidence in finding it, making this feature both convenient and reassuring.

In terms of other features, the Apple Watch Series 9 has a lot in common with its predecessor. It still lasts for around 18 hours on a single charge, which roughly translates to a full day of usage. You'll also get access to the same array of health and safety features, including the ability to measure overnight wrist temperature, blood oxygen saturation, take an ECG from your wrist, and detect hard falls and car crashes.

However, if you're looking for more advanced features like those found on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, you'll have to wait. The Ultra 2 has extra features for outdoor enthusiasts, such as a Precision dual frequency GPS and a more durable design. It also comes with a programmable action button, a larger screen, and longer battery life. On the other hand, the Series 9 has an always-on display just like every flagship Apple watch since the series 5. However, Apple has increased the display brightness this year, making the Series 9 twice as bright as its predecessor.

Overall, the Apple Watch Series 9 feels like a minor upgrade over the series 8. While it's not worth upgrading for most people, those who have an older watch like the Series 6 will find that the culmination of all these changes will feel significant and beneficial. You'll be getting faster general performance, a larger screen with a keyboard, a temperature sensor, car crash detection, and more internal storage. As we wait to see how useful Siri becomes when it comes to accessing health metrics, one thing is clear: the Apple Watch Series 9 is a step in the right direction for the Apple watch line.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthis is the Apple Watch series 9 but I wouldn't blame you if you mistook it for the series 8 that's because the series 99's biggest changes are invisible that includes double tap a new gesture for performing certain actions by tapping your thumb and index finger together Siri is also getting a speed boost now that it can process certain requests on the device itself instead of relying on the internet that means you'll also be able to ask Siri health related questions which should make it easier to sift through all of the data your Apple watch collects and the new Ultra wideband chip inside the series 9 makes it easier to find your phone with your watch these changes are intended to make the Apple watch easier to use that's critical for a smartwatch because every extra tap and swipe on a screen that small can feel like a burden the Apple Watch series 9 also doesn't have everything on my wish list for example I would still love to see the Apple watch ultra's action button arrive on the regular model and more Health metrics aimed at recovery would also be helpful the Apple Watch series 9 is ideal for those upgrading from an older Apple watch like the Series 6 or earlier features like double tap the faster Seri performance and the ability to track down your iPhone more precisely do add some convenience to to the Apple watch but they aren't enough to justify an upgrade if you already have a recent model Apple rarely adds new gestures to the Apple watch so I was excited to try a double tap I got to preview the feature on a separate Apple watch that was running an early software build the idea behind double tap is to make it easier to control the watch while your other hand might be busy perhaps when you're walking the dog doing the dishes or carrying shopping bags double tap triggers the primary action in an Apper notification this means you can dismiss a notification pause Spotify or start and stop your timer without having to tap your watch performing a double tap from the watch face will pull up your widgets I've been using this most often to quickly dismiss notifications so this works as soon as I lift my arm up and the display wakes that's when double tap is usually most responsive so right now I'm just scrolling through my list of widgets since this is just a preview and not the final version of the feature it's hard hard to test its accuracy just yet but my bigger concern about double tap is that it can feel awkward to get used to we've spent years being conditioned to tap swipe and speak to our devices but the gesture of tapping your index finger to your thumb is a bit new to most people case in point I did get a few strange looks over the weekend while hanging out with some friends as I was using double tap on the series 9 Siri is getting an upgrade on the Apple watch the new chip inside the S9 means certain Siri queries can be processed on the device rather than in the cloud speeding up siries response time that includes requests that don't require pulling an answer from the internet such as starting a workout or setting timers and alarms set a timer for 5 seconds I would say that was pretty fast set an alarm for 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning wow yeah that was like an instant dictation is also supposed to be 25% more accurate on the series 9 hey how's it going so I just sent a text message without even touching my watch I've noticed these improvements in my day-to-day use so far I frequently use Siri to set 30C timers when stretching before a workout and Siri was able to understand my request much faster than before sometimes when I'm using an older Apple watch like the series 8 or the Series 6 I have to repeat myself before Siri understands me Siri will also soon be able to answer health related questions now that it can process requests on the device instead of in the cloud you'll be able to ask your watch questions like how much sleep did I get last night what's my average walking heart rate and other similar requests however since this isn't launching until later this year I wasn't able to try it but this might be the update I'm most excited about in the series 9 and there are two reasons why first it's not always easy to find specific Health Data points in Apple's Health app it's sometimes takes a couple of TAPS to find the information I want such as my exercise minutes so being able to ask Siri could make things a lot faster and more convenient and second I'm glad to see Siri playing a bigger role in the Apple watch on a device like the watch that's small and not ideal for long interactions there's a big opportunity for Siri to shine the Apple Watch series 9 has a second generation Ultra wideband chip which means it's easier to find your phone using the Apple watch instead of just pinging the watch you'll now see an estimate of how far away you are pointing you in the right direction it's pretty much like locating an air tag but it only works with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro okay so I literally have no idea where my iPhone 15 is right now it's in this office somewhere it looks like it's 11 ft away so I'm getting warmer apparently five closer found it to be fair the audible chime that your iPhone plays when pinging it from the watch played a big role in helping me find its exact location but being able to see an estimate of how many feet away I am from my phone also gave me further confidence that I was in the right spot the Apple Watch series 9 has a lot in common with the series 8 when it comes to just about everything else it still lasts for about 18 hours on a single charge which roughly translates to a full day of usage and you get the same array of health and safety features such as the ability to measure overnight wrist temperature blood oxygen saturation take an ECG from your wrist and detect hard Falls and car crashes the pricier Apple watch Ultra 2 has extra features for outdoor enthusi like a Precision dual frequency GPS and a more durable design you also need the ultra to get that programmable action button a larger screen and longer battery life the Apple Watch series 9 has an always on display just like every Flagship Apple watch since the series 5 but Apple also increased the Apple watch's display brightness this year making the series 9 twice as bright as the series 8 overall the Apple Watch series 9 feels like a minor upgrade over the series 8 it's only worth upgrading if if you have an older watch like the Series 6 or earlier while it's interesting to see apple improving the way you interact with the watch through double tap and a faster Seri these features alone don't justify an upgrade for most people but if you're coming from a watch like the Series 6 the culmination of the Apple watch's changes over the past few years will feel significant not only are you getting what's new with the series 9 but you'll be getting faster General performance a larger screen with a keyboard a temperature sensor car crash detection and and more internal storage the series 99 is a step in the right direction for the Apple watch albeit a minor one but I am looking forward to seeing how useful Ser is when it comes to more easily accessing Health metrics so what do you think of the Apple Watch series 9 let me know in the comments and don't forget to follow CNET for more Apple coverage thanks for watching and I'll see you next time\n"