Apple Watch Series 9 Review
Let's talk about an underappreciated quality - reliability. There's something truly remarkable about a product that consistently gets it right, year after year.
It might not always grab the headlines, but reliability is the secret sauce, and the Apple Watch has it in spades.
At first glance, the Apple Watch Series 9, starting at Rs 41,900, might appear to be more of the same. It's easy to think, "Nothing's changed."
But spend some time with it, and you'll quickly realize that a lot has evolved under the surface. We've had the privilege of testing out the Apple Watch Series 9, and here's our take:
Design and Display: A Familiar Face with Surprising
Improvements
The Series 9 doesn't stray far from the Apple Watch's classic design. But there's a big change lurking within – it's Apple's first 100% carbon-neutral product.
In a world where environmental responsibility matters, this is a significant step. Apple is committed to being carbon neutral by 2030, and the Series 9 is a part of that journey. Even the packaging is eco-friendly, crafted from 100% fiber-based material.
If you're into a bit of color, Apple has introduced a fresh pink variant in the aluminum Series 9, sure to please a certain segment of buyers.
The display on the Series 9 is stunning. It's an edge-to-edge Always-On Retina display, the same size as the Series 8, but with double the brightness.
Brightness matters, especially in broad daylight. The Series 9 cranks it up to 2000 nits, a significant jump from the Series 8's 1000 nits. If you ever had to squint at your Series 8 screen in direct sunlight, those days are over.
In Sleep Focus mode, the display can dim down to just 1 nit, a feature that makes bedtime reading easier. In Always-On mode, it maintains a bright 500 nits, so you won't be straining your eyes. These numbers might not mean much on paper, but once you see the difference, you'll appreciate it.
Now, let's talk about the Series 9's real powerhouse – the S9 chip. It's an upgrade that was long overdue. Apple calls it their "most powerful Apple Watch chip ever," and it's 30% faster than the Series 8. That's not just marketing talk; you can feel the snappiness.
The voice commands on the Series 9 are a delight. Siri is more responsive than ever, and it's all thanks to the new chip.
A Health and Fitness Champion: More Than Meets the Eye
The Apple Watch has always been a great fitness and health tracker, and the Series 9 continues that tradition. It excels in step counting, hourly activity tracking, calorie monitoring,
and even yoga.
For swimmers, it's still waterproof and highly accurate. Apple has even added new features for cyclists. So if you love to pedal your way to fitness, the Series 9 has you covered.
But here's where it gets interesting – mental health tracking. With WatchOS 10, the new Mindfulness app allows you to log your emotions and daily moods. It's like a mood diary. If you're having a stressful day at work, just log it.
You'll get reminders twice a day to reflect on your mood. After a few weeks, you'll get a detailed report on your mental well-being. It's not a substitute for professional help, but you can share this data with a mental health expert. And don't worry about privacy; it's all encrypted.
When it comes to health and fitness tracking, other smartwatches don't match up to the Apple Watch. The simplicity and accuracy set it apart.
Innovation Beyond Expectations
The Series 9 comes with an ultra-wideband chip, making it super easy to locate your lost iPhone. If you've used an AirTag, it's a similar process. Just remember, you need an iPhone 15 for this feature.
Apple's headline feature, on the software side, is "tap to use." Unfortunately, it's not available yet, so we couldn't try it out. But from what we've seen, it's a game-changer that will make the Watch even more user-friendly.
As for battery life, Apple promises up to 18 hours on a single charge. However, real-world usage can vary. If you're on the phone a lot or use it intensively during workouts with music, the battery might not last a full day. So, while it can go for a day, you'll probably need to charge it every other day.
The Apple Watch Series 9 might not be revolutionary, but it doesn't need to be. It's a testament to what a smartwatch should be. It's an incredible fitness tracker, a powerful health companion, and user-friendly, especially if you're part of the iPhone club.
Apple's decision to keep the Watch within its ecosystem may limit its market share, but it's still leagues ahead of the competition. If you're rocking an Apple Watch 3 or 5, the Series 9 is a worthwhile upgrade.
Series 5 or 6 owners with a healthy battery might hold off. As for Series 7 or 8 owners, the differences, except for a temperature sensor for cycle tracking and the upcoming tap to use feature, might not be dramatic.
It's all about your needs. If you're looking for speed, great features, and reliability, the Apple Watch Series 9 has you covered. It's consistently fantastic and extraordinarily dependable.