How do you make “the best” and “most popular” smartwatch even better? You make it faster and add a unique gesture. For Apple Watch Series 9, Apple used its most powerful wearable chip yet, the S9 SiP and added an intriguing “double tap” gesture. 

S9 SiP chip

The Apple Watch Series 8 was already feature packed. But like usual, Apple outdid itself again with the S9 SiP chip. It makes on-device Siri possible. That means it’s more secure and all the processing happens on the watch and not in some server somewhere. It’s also power efficient, helping the Apple Watch Series 9 to an all-day 18-hour battery life. 

Double Tap gesture 

Double Tap

The most noticeable new thing for the Apple Watch Series 9 is the new Double Tap feature. To execute, you simply have to press your index finger and thumb on the same hand while wearing the Apple Watch. 

Double Tapping can do many things. It can start and/or end a call, bring up the Smart Stack widget and let you cycle through it. You can also use it to pause/play music, as well as the shutter button for your iPhone. 

How does it work? It’s enabled by the faster Neural Engine in Apple Watch Series 9. It processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm. 

The algorithm detects the unique signature of tiny wrist movements and changes in blood flow when the index finger and thumb perform a double tap. The double tap gesture will be available in a software update in October. 

More notable features 

Other notable changes include the brighter display which goes up to 2,000 nits. But don’t worry, it’ll just necessarily depend on where you are. When at a cinema, for example, it can drop down to just 1 nit so you won’t be that annoying person shining in the middle of the theater. 

On-device processings means Siri can now be used to access data from the Health app for health- and fitness-related queries. 

It also has a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip to enable Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 family, which has the same chip. This enables Precision Finding which provides distance and direction, as well as visual, haptic, and audio guidance to a misplaced iPhone, even if it is in a different room.

Featuring watchOS 10

Apple Watch Series 9 runs watchOS 10 which enables a plethora of new things: 

• A fresh approach to quickly view information with redesigned apps and a new Smart Stack to show relevant widgets right when they’re needed.
• Delightful new watch faces: Snoopy, Palette, and Solar Analog. A new Nike watch face, Nike Globe, lights up the lines on the globe with each passing second.
• Bluetooth connectivity for power meters, speed sensors, and cadence sensors arrives for cyclists, unlocking new metrics and Workout Views, and cycling workouts.
• A cycling workout can automatically show up as a Live Activity on iPhone and utilize the full screen when tapped.
• New Compass Waypoints and Maps capabilities to further help during outdoor adventures.
• Additional tools to support mental health with state of mind logging in the Mindfulness app.
• The ability to measure time spent in daylight using the ambient light sensor to help reduce the risk of myopia and provide additional benefits to physical and mental health for all ages.

watchOS 10 will be available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later on Monday, September 18, and requires iPhone XS or later running iOS 17. Not all features are available on all devices and in all regions.

Carbon Neutral models 

Apple had a fun skit featuring “Mother Nature” to talk up their sustainability efforts. It wrapped with the announcement of Carbon Neutral models for the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch SE. These are all in service of Apple’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint.

Price, availability

Apple Watch Series 9 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes in starlight, midnight, silver, (PRODUCT)RED, and a new pink aluminum case, as well as stainless steel in gold, silver, and graphite cases.

Customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, the UAE, the U.K., the U.S., and more than 40 other countries and regions can order Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch SE today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 22.

Apple Watch Series 9 starts at US$ 399/ SG$ 599, and Apple Watch SE starts at US $249/ SG$ 379.

Apple Watch bands, Apple Watch Nike bands, and Apple Watch Hermès bands will be available to order today from apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 22.