Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and instantly launched it for pre-order. As anticipated, the adjustments are largely hidden on the within: the Apple Watch has been given a “new coronary heart,” so to talk, whereas the outside stays largely the identical.
These adjustments are nonetheless vital, nonetheless. On this article, we define the variations between the Sequence 9 and final 12 months’s Apple Watch Sequence 8, protecting tech specs, pace, display screen high quality, options, design, and value, and aid you resolve which mannequin to purchase, or whether or not to improve from one to the opposite.
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Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Processor
The primary technical improve within the Sequence 9 is the S9 system-in-package (SiP). That’s the processor chip working the present and will convey a noticeable increase in pace.
The S8 within the Sequence 8, just like the nearly similar S7 and S6 chips within the Sequence 7 and 6 respectively, was primarily based on the comparatively previous A13 processor from the iPhone 11. And never even all the A13: Apple Watches since 2020 have solely used the A13’s ‘Thunder’ effectivity cores, leaving out its ‘Lightning’ efficiency cores. Even when the S9 solely used the effectivity cores from the A14, this is able to nonetheless be a big step ahead, because the A14 was Apple’s first chip to be manufactured utilizing the 5nm course of.
Within the new SiP, Apple has additionally launched a quicker Neural Engine, which now works with 4 cores. (By the way, that is the primary time Apple has offered its machine studying co-processor so prominently on the keynote stage.) The built-in graphics processor has additionally grow to be as much as 30 p.c quicker, in keeping with Apple. All this collectively permits for smoother animations, quicker and extra correct dictation, Siri on machine, and way more on the Sequence 9.
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Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Extremely Wideband
The Apple Watch Sequence 9 can be one of many first units Apple has outfitted with the next-generation U2 ultra-wideband chip. This makes it a lot simpler to ‘ping’ a misplaced iPhone; not solely are you able to get up the telephone and trigger it to make a sound, however it’s also possible to navigate via rooms to find it in your watch utilizing the Precision Discovering function. The Sequence 9’s W3 wi-fi chip, in the meantime, is identical because the one within the Sequence 8.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Show
The Apple Watch Sequence 9’s display screen is identical measurement as that of the Sequence 8, however in technical phrases, it’s nearer to the show from final 12 months’s Extremely: brightness goes as much as 2,000 nits, in comparison with the Sequence 8’s 1,000 nits. When vital, the always-on show dims to 1 nit. It’s an always-on OLED show, however that’s true for each Sequence 8 and 9.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Storage
For the primary time, Apple is giving considered one of its smartwatches 64GB of storage capability. Till now, even the 1st-gen Extremely needed to make do with 32GB. So if want be, you may load a good music library onto the Sequence 9 and go jogging with simply your AirPods—no iPhone or web connection wanted.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Double faucet gesture
The Apple Watch Sequence 9 contains a new double faucet gesture that allows you to management an app’s major motion without having to the touch the display screen. All you have to do is faucet your index finger and thumb collectively to reply a name, cease a timer, play and pause music, and extra. The brand new gesture is coming later this 12 months.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Dimensions and weight
The size of the watch haven’t modified since final 12 months. They’re similar to these of the Sequence 8. Solely the burden has modified virtually imperceptibly: the Sequence 9 is barely, fractionally lighter. All 4 aluminum variants, 45 and 41 mm, with and with out LTE, have grow to be 0.1 grams lighter.
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Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Shade
There’s a brand new pink shade end this 12 months, which matches the colour of the brand new iPhone 15. In any other case, Apple is providing the identical 4 colours in aluminum: silver, midnight, starlight, and Product RED. Chrome steel fashions can be found in graphite, silver, and gold.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs Sequence 8: Worth
Maybe essentially the most nice factor Apple has modified about its smartwatch, not less than for these in Europe, is the worth. Whereas a U.S. start line of $399 is identical because the Sequence 8 when it launched, the worth has dropped within the U.Okay. from £419 to £399. Equally, the euro value has gone down for patrons in Germany, for instance.
This text initially appeared on Macwelt. Translation by David Worth.