The tech giant Apple has been making waves in the wearable technology sector, with its cutting-edge Apple Watch Series. Keeping up with the tradition, 2023 marks the anticipated arrival of the Apple Watch Series 9, the latest in the company’s line of smartwatches. But what makes this timepiece stand out? Let’s dive into the details and answer the question: “What is the latest Apple watch?”
Apple Watch Series 9: Release Date
From the first Apple Watch to the most recent Series 8, Apple has displayed unwavering consistency in its release schedule. Typically, the tech giant unveils its latest smartwatch in the second or third week of September, aligning it with the announcement of new iPhone models.
Here’s at what day does the new Apple Watch come out?
- Apple Watch Series 8: September 7, 2022
- Apple Watch Series 7: September 14, 2021
- Apple Watch Series 6: September 15, 2020
- Apple Watch Series 5: September 10, 2019
- Apple Watch Series 4: September 12, 2018
- Apple Watch Series 3: September 12, 2017
- Apple Watch Series 2: September 16, 2016
- Apple Watch Series 1: September 16, 2016
- Apple Watch (original): April 24, 2015
Given this pattern, it’s reasonable to anticipate that the newest Apple Watch Series 9 will see a predicted release at an Apple event in September 2023. However, remember that this is a well-educated guess, and the final word rests with Apple.
A Glimpse into the Future: Apple Watch Ultra and SE
Speculations suggest that Apple might delight its consumers with a second-gen Apple Watch Ultra in the autumn of the same year.
According to a report by Kuo in mid-July 2023, the second half of this year will see the launch of a new Apple Watch Ultra. Gurman also wrote in June that the second generation of the Apple Watch Ultra will arrive later in 2023 alongside the new Watch Series 9. Gurman further added that there will be two Apple Watch Series 9 models and an updated version of the Ultra (the watches are codenamed N207, N208, and N210)1.
Is there a new Apple Watch SE 2023?
However, the SE variant of the watch is expected to be updated only by 2024, following its bi-annual update cycle. As the Apple Watch SE first generation was launched in 2020, the second was released in 2022 and the third is expected to be launched in 2024.
Apple Watch Series 9 Price
Apple’s pricing strategy for its watches has been remarkably stable, particularly for U.S. buyers. However, 2022 did see a price hike (£50 more) in European countries.
- Apple Watch Series 4: $399/£399
- Apple Watch Series 5: $399/£399
- Apple Watch Series 6: $399/£379
- Apple Watch Series 7: $399/£369
- Apple Watch Series 8: $399/£419
- Apple Watch SE Price: $249 – $299
- Apple Watch Ultra Price: $799
Considering the current pricing trend, the Series 9 is likely to maintain a similar price point as the Apple Watch Series 8. Therefore, potential buyers can expect a price of around $399/ £419. As for the Apple Watch Ultra, its cost currently stands at $799/£849, which is not expected to change for the second generation.
Software Upgrades: Apple Watch Series 9 and watchOS 10
One certainty about the Apple Watch Series 9 is that it will ship with watchOS 10. This new operating system promises a handful of new watch faces, possibly some exclusive to the new model, and a couple of new features.
The expected launch date for watchOS 10 is around September 8 and it will be compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 and later.
New Features in the Apple Watch Series 9
Mark Gurman tweeted about the new hardware changes about the Apple Watch Series 9 and here’s what he said on April 3, 2023:
It’s important for watchOS to have a big year given that the Apple Watch hardware updates will be anything but major. The device is poised for a more modest year after big changes in 2022, when the first Apple Watch Ultra debuted. There are plans for a major update to the watch hardware in 2024, complete with a larger, custom-built display.
While the Apple Watch Series 9 isn’t predicted to be a massive upgrade over the 2022 models, it’s expected to introduce some intriguing features that could make it a worthy upgrade:
Design
No significant changes are expected in the Series 9 design. However, the Apple Watch Ultra might undergo some design alterations which could eventually trickle down to later Apple Watch models.
3D Printing
One anticipated change across the 2023 range of watches is the adoption of 3D-printed parts for manufacturing, as per analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. This move could enable Apple to reduce production times and costs.
S9 Chip
Each new Apple Watch iteration introduces a new chip:
- Apple Watch Series 8: Uses S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
- Apple Watch SE: Uses S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor (20% enhance performance than previous generations)
- Apple Watch Ultra Series: Uses S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
While the Apple Watch Series 9 is rumored to boast an S9 chip, with a design based on the A15. This promises an enhancement in performance and battery life, with the possible addition of a Neural Engine built into the chip.
Health Sensors and MicroLED Display
Apple has been working on a non-invasive method to monitor glucose levels. However, this feature is unlikely to appear in this year’s watch and could still be several years away. Other potential sensors could include an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor for measuring stress levels and a bioimpedance sensor for measuring body composition.
Rumors also abound about Apple potentially using MicroLED displays on various devices, with the Apple Watch being the first candidate. Apple is likely to debut its MicroLED screen on the Apple Watch too since the Apple Watch was the first device to have an OLED screen—years before the iPhone. Switching to microLED brings numerous advantages such as thinner panels, brighter, higher-res, and more power-efficient displays with faster response times
Action Button and Dual-Frequency GPS
The Action button, introduced in the Apple Watch Ultra, is a possible addition to the Series 9. This button can be set to trigger specific tasks such as a stopwatch, workout, or flashlight.
Like the iPhone 14 Pro, the Apple Watch Ultra improved its GPS by including the L5 band in addition to the standard L1 for faster, more accurate location tracking. This feature could potentially make its way to the lower-end models, including the Series 9.
5G
Although many Apple devices have upgraded to 5G, the Apple Watches, even the high-end Apple Watch Ultra, still use 4G LTE. With the Apple Watch moving closer toward complete independence, having the fastest connection available seems like a good idea.
Should You Buy an Apple Watch Series 9?
The Apple Watch Series 9 promises to be a worthy upgrade, packed with new features and improvements. However, the final decision rests on personal needs and preferences. If you’re a tech enthusiast keen on experiencing the latest innovations, or if you’re an Apple Watch user with an older model looking to upgrade, the Series 9 could be a great choice. But if you’re currently using a recent model like the Series 7 or 8, you might want to hold off until the next major upgrade.
Keep an eye out for more updates on the Apple Watch Series 9 as we approach the expected launch date.
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