Apple Watch Series 9 'Basically Unchanged' Other Than Performance Boost From S9 Chip

[sdz]

The Cellular is not designed to be used like a phone, it's for the odd emergency or paying in a shop without your phone, I can do 3-4 calls a day on it and it will still last me all day.

I honestly only use the cellular when on a run outside to stream music of Spotify.
Or if I run quick errands and don't feel like taking the phone with me. So I can text someone if need be.

 

[sdz]

Battery Life could be easily extended by turning on the battery saving mode. At least it gets me over a two day business trip. Obviously some features are turned off.

 

[Frankie_r]

Sounds like all the engineering resources and attention is going towards the Apple Watch ultra, which means fewer improvements coming to the base Watch model.

I disagree. Besides some sensor (Dual GPS, water dept sensor) the S8 and the Ultra share the same sensors and SIP, and I don’t expect that this will change.

The Ultra has a different design, bigger battery and screen and some more premium material, but the core technology of the watches is the same.

 

[Polaroid]

I suppose if it ain’t broken dont need to fix it, however I wish they would release ultra in a slightly smaller size… looks so goofy on people with smaller wrists but would love that design and its durability… might need to just put some extra weight on so it looks less silly haha

 

[Frankie_r]

I suppose if it ain’t broken dont need to fix it, however I wish they would release ultra in a slightly smaller size… looks so goofy on people with smaller wrists but would love that design and its durability… might need to just put some extra weight on so it looks less silly haha

I‘ve waited this entire year for a smaller Ultra for the same reason, but it doesn‘t look like Apple is going to make us happy.

Probably, they are still not able to fit a battery large enough in a smaller Ultra, despite the increased thickness compared to the regular Watch.

 

[Green Valkyrie]

Still on a Series 3 and I can't for the life me justify the need to upgrade. Maybe ECG yeah, but outside of that the Series 3 seems to be working just fine. I even see people with the latest Pro iPhones still sporting a Series 3.

Same. S3 battery life is great, now never have to install a pointless update, yet to see any new feature that's made me think "time to splash out again"

 

[justdennis84]

Have you heard any roomers on whether there will be a Hermes version again for Series 9?

One blogger suggested not, given that there is no special Nike version anymore.

 

[DMG35]

Wonder if we'll ever see what S7** was rumored to be

or if scrapped / was never real in first place

I was wondering the exact same thing. Is it possible that this design was confused as the Ultra's design? It does look similar.

 

[GuilleA]

The Apple Watch peaked a few generations ago. There’s really nothing exciting about it anymore. I’m probably in the minority, but I use it less and less. Just need the time.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Same. S3 battery life is great, now never have to install a pointless update, yet to see any new feature that's made me think "time to splash out again"

I have to agree, installing updates and new releases is a PITA. It’s probably one of the only Apple devices that is not as seamless when it comes to that experience.

 

[Odan]

As a 5 series owner I’m still in doubt but it’s not expensive and it’ll be a nice upgrade compared to a 5 right? Nothing wrong with my « old » watch other than 2-3 scratches. Works fast, battery is totally fine for a day’s use…

 

[Odan]

Posted twice.. can’t find delete.

 

[magicschoolbus]

So no real changes since the s6. Watch has peaked.

 

[itti]

A small refresh every year

 

[GDF]

Apple clearly losing its innovation and recent earnings prove that. iPad Pro Series has barely changed in 3 years and AW barely any changes, except the Ultra last year. Too bad.

 

[canyonblue737]

The new design arrived last year, it's called the Ultra 😊
We'll get new sensors, like biometric & glucose, but I doubt, there'll be any major design changes

The Ultra is a separate platform and design from the Series watches. The Series watches get updated every 3 years and major Apple rumor folks like Gurman and Kuo have already confirmed a Series redesign is coming for Series 10 in 2024. Now don't get me wrong, its not like it is going to be round or something, but just like Series 7 slightly updated the curvature of the shape and the bezels and screen sizes from the Series 4-6 generation there will also be slight visual physical changes to the Series 10 that mark the start of the next generation. The Series 7-9 are essentially PHYSICALLY identical (other than colors obviously). That will change next year, even if only slightly.

 

[Zest28]

Good there is finally a new chip coming. Guess it is time to buy an Apple Watch Ultra 2.

I refused to buy the Apple Watch Ultra 1 as it uses the same chip as my old Series 6.

 

[SFjohn]

I have the AW6 cellular as well. It was so bad on cellular that I cancelled the plan and shut it off! That was my first and last cellular AW unless they can come up with amazing real world battery life improvements on it.

My cellular works perfectly on my watch when I’ve left my iPhone behind. I turn off WiFi to make outgoing calls. Receiving calls is a breeze. Works great with AirPods & AirPod Pros. 👍🏻

 

[SFjohn]

To do what? I'm not arguing against a better processor, but what does the current processor not do, or do too slowly?

Granted, I use my series 6 as a fitness watch 99% of the time, and a smartwatch the other 1%, but it's just as fast as the day I bought it. I've scratched the hell out of the screen, though..

The series 6 has been my only Apple Watch to scratch (I buy a new watch every year). 🙁

 

[Smartwatchlover]

I’m probably not mainstream with my opinion but I think that the processor upgrade itself is a big upgrade as this guarantees better efficiency (= bigger battery life) and at least three years of full longevity without loosing functionalities unless they are linked to a new hardware (I.e. new sensors).

Coming for an AW6, the upgrade to an AWU2 is a done deal to me.

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

Holding out for the new design that’s never coming.

Me too.

I had an S2 and was planning on getting the S7, but when the new design didn’t come I just got a used S5 while waiting for the S8. Then S8 was the same design so I was waiting for the S9. I guess now I’m probably going to be waiting for the S10

 

[sdf]

I don't find the current AppleWatch models slow, better battery life would be more interesting at this point.

Everything else being constant (which it never really is), a faster CPU is able to perform tasks faster and return to idle that much faster.

 

[Pinkyyy 💜🍎]

Instant Digital is very low iq. there will not be a apple watch series 9. It will be apple watch series 10 or series x and design will be changed along with 3 nm chips. New watch will come with more battery life and new health sensor.

I mean- just like how we have not seen an iPhone 9 so.. maybe you’re right ? 🤔

I guess we’ll wait and see, September is right around the corner anyways.

 

[Riot Nrrrd]

The S6, S7, and S8 are based on Apple's A13 Bionic chip from the iPhone 11 lineup and are manufactured using TSMC's 7nm process. Apple transitioned to TSMC's 5nm process starting with the A14 Bionic chip in 2020.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the S9 chip will be based on the A15 Bionic chip.

So does this mean the S9, "SX" and S11 will all be powered by an A15 Bionic, and we won't see a 3nm process A17 Bionic-based Apple Watch until ... S12 in 2026? 🤷‍♂️

 

[Howard2k]

So does this mean the S9, "SX" and S11 will all be powered by an A15 Bionic, and we won't see a 3nm process A17 Bionic-based Apple Watch until ... S12 in 2026? 🤷‍♂️

No. Apple doesn’t do stuff based on numerology, despite so many posts on this forum suggesting that they do.

They may keep the same base cores for three generations but they could do two, four, or whatever makes sense. With the TSMC factory coming online in the states I wonder if that will have an impact. It could be that this has some impact on their plans.