At its traditional fall presentation, Apple presented an update to its line of smartwatches, called the Apple Watch Series 9.

The design of the models has not changed compared to the previous generation, Apple still offers 41 mm and 45 mm cases made of aluminum or steel. This year, users can also choose from a new pink color, more restrained black, gray, gold, and Product Red. The Apple Watch Series 9 case can be made of aluminum or steel.

Brighter display for Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 - brighter screen, S9 chip and new control gesture

The new model will have a display with a maximum brightness of up to 2000 nits, which is twice as bright as the Series 8. However, other screen specifications have not changed, with Apple offering a 1.69-inch LTPO OLED screen with a resolution of 430×352 pixels for the 41 mm version and a 1.9-inch (484×396 pixels) for the 45 mm model.

Updated platform

Apple Watch Series 9 - brighter screen, S9 chip and new control gesture

The Apple Watch Series 9 will feature the new S9 SiP (System in Package) chip, which reportedly offers system-wide improvements over the previous generation. The chip also contains a 4-core neural coprocessor that is designed to process machine learning tasks twice as fast as the Series 8. Despite these upgrades, Apple notes that the watch will have an 18-hour battery life, just like previous models.

Siri improvements

Thanks to the new platform, Siri voice assistant on the Apple Watch Series 9 will now be able to process queries directly on the watch, which is expected to result in faster response times. The voice assistant will also be able to access health data and provide answers to the user based on it.

New control gesture

The Series 9 will introduce a double-tap gesture with thumb and index finger to make it easier to operate the device with one hand. This feature will allow users to perform simple tasks, such as stopping a timer or answering a call, without interacting with the display. The gesture is made possible by an advanced neural coprocessor that uses sensor data to recognize specific wrist movements.

Sustainable development efforts

Apple Watch Series 9 - brighter screen, S9 chip and new control gesture

In line with Apple’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, the Apple Watch Series 9 will be available as a zero-carbon product. This was achieved by reducing emissions related to materials, electricity, and transportation.

Availability and price

Apple Watch Series 9 - brighter screen, S9 chip and new control gesture

Pre-orders for Apple Watch Series 9 will start today, and the product will be available on September 22. The basic 41 mm model in an aluminum case starts at $399, 45 mm – at $429, and you will have to pay extra for the presence of a communication module, such modifications cost $499 for 41 mm and $529 for 45 mm.