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As much as I hate doing it I am unloading my scratch free Apple Watch Edition Black Titanium 45mm 7 for a Dark whatever its called Stainless Steel 45mm 9. Held off last year hoping they bring it back which they didn't yet. The battery is like at 84%...

Would grab the new 2nd Gen Black Titanium Ultra but can't put that iPad junior on my wrist... its just too thick. I could almost deal with overall size of screen but it sticks out way too much for me. YMMV

So it's series 9 black/grey (dark one) for me. Hopefully next year they thin out the ultra. Yet at same time I have 22 Apple Branded watch bands that will be rendered obsolete if I go ultra. Oh well 1st world worries :)
 
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As much as I hate doing it I am unloading my scratch free Apple Watch Edition Black Titanium 45mm 7 for a Dark whatever its called Stainless Steel 45mm 9. Held off last year hoping they bring it back which they didn't yet. The battery is like at 84%...

Would grab the new 2nd Gen Black Titanium Ultra but can't put that iPad junior own my wrist... its just too thick. I could almost deal with overall size of screen but it sticks out way too much for me. YMMV

So it's series 9 black/grey (dark one) for me. Hopefully next year they thin out the ultra. Yet at same time I have 22 Apple Branded watch bands that will be rendered obsolete if I go ultra. Oh well 1st world worries :)
Can you not use the 7 for one more year and then see what is on offer?
 
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My wife and I both have Series 5 watches and will be upgrading this cycle. Some of the new features are interesting, but most of the upgrade is driven by batteries that no longer last a full day. She'll probably get the Series 9 version of what she has now (41mm aluminum), but I'm thinking of stepping things up and getting either the Series 9 in SS, or maybe even the 2nd Gen Ultra. I'll try things on and make a decision then.
 
I have a Gold SS S4, White Ceramic S5, Space Black S7 Hermès, Silver S8 Hermès, and the Ultra... I think I'm good for now. I plan on holding out until the series X is released, unless of course I fall for the hype around the rumored black Ultra.
 
I’m on the S6, which is my second Apple Watch. Updates on this seem a bit more incremental, so I’ve been on a three-year upgrade cycle. Trying to determine if I want that chonky Ultra goodness or the S9 this year.
 
S3 here, since (northern) spring 2018. Dies at ~40% battery, although its health is still a solid 91%. Maybe just need to do a reset?

Still works very well for what I use it for. However bigger display, AOD and faster chip is tempting... and also the new OS of course.
 
On an original SE, got it in 2021. Paying the ~$3 or so a month to continue AppleCare+ on it. Just don't feel like im the mood to spend $200 on a new one when the old one works fine, even through I use it every day.
 
As much as I hate doing it I am unloading my scratch free Apple Watch Edition Black Titanium 45mm 7 for a Dark whatever its called Stainless Steel 45mm 9. Held off last year hoping they bring it back which they didn't yet. The battery is like at 84%...

Would grab the new 2nd Gen Black Titanium Ultra but can't put that iPad junior own my wrist... its just too thick. I could almost deal with overall size of screen but it sticks out way too much for me. YMMV

So it's series 9 black/grey (dark one) for me. Hopefully next year they thin out the ultra. Yet at same time I have 22 Apple Branded watch bands that will be rendered obsolete if I go ultra. Oh well 1st world worries :)
They will not be rendered obsolete (not unless the new ultra can't use the old ultra straps). I currently have an Ultra and use it with an old Nike blue strap from an AW (I can't remember - the previous gen one to the current gen). It fits fine and looks ok. I find the holes in the strap help my skin breathe.
 
Ti Series 7 - so no upgrade path for me…
I also have this one. Battery is at 87% health and is very annoying to need to charge once/twice a day (I sleep with mine on).

I'll likely get the Ultra 2, mainly for battery. Since I have AppleCare+ on the S7, if the battery ends up falling to <80% within the next 12 months, I'll send it and let a family member use the replacement.
 
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Series 5 here, and will very likely pull the trigger on a new watch later this fall. Though I'd like to get an Ultra 2 for the improved battery life and larger, brighter screen, I'll probably end up with a regular series 9 if the Ultra 2 looks and feels as huge on my wrists as the current Ultra does.
 
Battery on this AW4 is degrading. Was hoping to hold out until "glucose sensor" became a thing (just 'cuz I want to monitor it for general health, nothing pressing). Ultra is tempting except it's too big; would really like the extra button for "remember this location, figure out why later" (common on long drives).

Will probably replace the AW4 battery and give it to Boy, get the 9 once options list is available.
 
I just had Apple replace the battery on my AW5 aluminum, which is to say I received the refurb model in return for my $79, and I intend on keeping it for quite some time. the 6, 7, and 8 series watches did not provide me any substantial improved functionality, and based on the rumors, the series 9 will also be an incremental affair. I can see the AW5 lasting for another 2-3 series.
 
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S5 and plan on upgrading. Hoping for a nice price drop on the Ultra or will opt for the Ultra 2
 
I have an SS7 as backup and use an Ultra on a day to day basis. Not interested in upgrading unless there is significant improvement in some feature I use. Battery life (36 to 48 hours), 3rd party watch faces and, most importantly, independence from the iPhone (the Watch should be a stand alone device that can be accessed by any iPhone, iPad, Mac for ease of configuration). The current pairing arrangement is obsolete and antiquated.
 
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I got my Series 8 cellular in Q4 2022 and don’t see myself upgrading sooner than Series 11 even if Series 10 will probably be a big deal.

The best thing I’m getting out of AW is being more untethered from my iPhone and computers but still having a device on me that does way more than a “dumb phone”.

Apple Pay, taking calls, iMessage, Music, and being able to record voice memos anywhere without having to hold or carry a device in my pocket is very freeing.

There’s something very pragmatic and maybe more efficient about doing things on AW because of its limited size -Barely any images, videos or big websites to suck you in. You just tap a little and get it done. Not a myriad of options to consider. No ads or suggested content flying at you.

The thing it genuinely needs is just better battery life.

The rest is pretty much perfect for my use case. No need to upgrade as it is.

*For anyone who cares -Yes, getting the eSIM AW add-on is a big improvement to my AW experience and definitely recommended for anyone who travels a lot or does outdoor workouts, hiking, running, biking, etc.
 
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Can you not use the 7 for one more year and then see what is on offer?
Nah. The battery dies so quick now for me. Especially at work where I use messages a lot. It goes quick. If not for that I could absolutely get another year.

Prior to this I updated yearly just like I do with my phone. Total waste of money but I’m neurotic like that.
 
They will not be rendered obsolete (not unless the new ultra can't use the old ultra straps). I currently have an Ultra and use it with an old Nike blue strap from an AW (I can't remember - the previous gen one to the current gen). It fits fine and looks ok. I find the holes in the strap help my skin breathe.
Really I thought they attached differently. Well damn that’s awesome to hear. I can’t believe they work. I’ve bought 23 of them all Apple branded ones too. I have solo’s, Nikes and the regular ones.

Great to know IF I can somehow live with thickness of Ultra 2 in black ti I can use current bands.
 

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I sold my series 8 cellular for $430 on eBay which was my first Apple Watch. I'll switch every year but I'm not paying $499 on launch day when Walmart will have it on sale for $370 in November.
 
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I am currently at 82% batt health on my tiS7, I have 2 months of limited warranty left so am running the battery down on purpose 3/4 times daily so to get a replacement. I will then keep it for another 2 years ready for the S11.
 
I am currently at 82% batt health on my tiS7, I have 2 months of limited warranty left so am running the battery down on purpose 3/4 times daily so to get a replacement. I will then keep it for another 2 years ready for the S11.
Good luck with that. I tried the same thing with my Series 5 a while back. It took a while to get down to 81%, but then it felt like it stuck on 80% forever. It ultimately went back up to 87% after a software upgrade, but I gave up on trying. If it were me, I'd just use it as you normally do & extend the apple care month to month to get to 79%. But I hope you have better luck than I did.
 
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