The Apple Watch was a huge hit for the company, pretty much stalling the wearable business on the first attempt. With 2023 underway, we can’t wait to see what Apple does with the next generation of its digital watch. So here’s all the news, rumors we’ve uncovered so far about the Apple Watch Series 9 along with our expectations for the new device.
Apple Watch Series 9: release date
Apple has a release schedule for its watches that, if you pardon the pun, works like clockwork. For years, its latest iterations have debuted the second or third week of September, usually alongside new iPhones, with on-sale dates around a week and a half later:
- 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
It seems very unlikely that Apple will change pace this year, so we expect the Apple Watch Series 9 to launch in September 2023probably September 6 or 12.
Apple Watch Series 9: Price
Again, Apple has been remarkably consistent with its Apple Watch pricing strategy for US buyers. However, 2022 has seen European countries bear the brunt of several price increases. So the UK saw the base model increase by £50:
- Apple Watch Series 8 – $399 / £419
- Apple Watch Series 7 – $399 / £369
- Apple Watch Series 6 – $399 / £379
- Apple Watch Series 5 – $399 / £399
- Apple Watch Series 4 – $399 / £399
With a price hike in Europe already in place, we expect the Series 9 to be similarly priced to the Apple Watch Series 8 it replaces. So it should be around $399/£419.
Apple Watch Series 9: watchOS 10
One thing we know for sure about the Apple Watch Series 9 is that it will ship with watchOS 10. As always, you can expect a few new watch faces, maybe a few exclusive ones. to the new model, and a new feature or two. . However, this year’s update might be more substantial than usual. A report by Mark Gurman in April claimed that watchOS 10 “will be central” to Apple’s watch strategy for 2023, bringing “more significant enhancements, including an updated interface.” He added that watchOS 10 “will tell you most of what you need to know about the Apple Watch in 2023,” which means hardware upgrades will be minor compared to Series 8.
Apple Watch Series 9: rumored new features
The Apple Watch Series 9 isn’t expected to be a major upgrade over last year’s models, which featured the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra with a larger screen, rugged titanium design, and button of action. According Apple Watch Series 9 upgrades will be “anything but major,” with the new model “ready for a more modest year.” He adds that Apple is planning “a major hardware update for the Watch in 2024, with a larger, custom display.
Apple Watch Series 9: possible new features
Even without major changes, there are still several possible new features that would make the Apple Watch Series 9 a worthy upgrade.
Action button
Last year, Apple introduced the all-new Apple Watch Ultra with a dizzying array of features and components. The newest member of the Apple Watch family featured a sturdier design, flat edges and a slightly larger screen (49mm compared to 45mm on the Apple Watch Series 8), as well as a surprising new feature: the Action button.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The Action button is located on the opposite side of the Digital Crown and would easily fit the Apple Watch Series 9. On the Ultra, you can configure it to trigger specific tasks such as a timer, workout, or flashlight, a feature that would be a great upgrade to the existing Apple Watch design.
S9 chip
If you look at the tech specs of every new Apple Watch, you’ll see a new chip listed. Series 8 has an S8 chip, Series 7 has an S7, and Series 6 has an S6. The only thing that is weird is that they are all the same chip with different names. While the S6 offered a 20% performance boost over the Series 5, the S7 and S8 are rebranded versions of the same processor based on teardowns and Apple’s obvious commission of any sort of performance boost. . But the S9 is rumored to change that, with a design based on the A15 that improves performance and battery life, and possibly an on-chip neural engine.
Dual-frequency GPS
Like the iPhone 14 Pro, the Apple Watch Ultra has upgraded its GPS to include the L5 band in addition to the standard L1 for faster and more accurate location tracking. Even if you’re not hiking in steep terrain, the extra band would come in handy in busy urban areas where the standard watch may struggle. Apple has a history of introducing new features on high-end models and then pushing them out to lower-end models, and we think that could very well happen here.
The Apple Watch may soon have an even better display. Will it debut with Series 9?
Foundry
5G
So far, Apple Watches are one of the few remaining Apple devices that haven’t been updated to 5G, even the high-end Apple Watch Ultra has 4G LTE. With the Apple Watch moving closer to full independence, having the fastest connection available seems like a good idea. We’re sure there are undoubtedly a few issues to overcome, but Apple tends to be good at it.
New sensors
Apple has been working for years on a non-invasive way to monitor glucose levels without the need for additional equipment. A recent report claims that a secret team within Apple has reached several “major milestones” in the project, and the feature is now considered to be at a “proof of concept” stage. However, it is unlikely to appear in this year’s watch and could still be several years from now.
Other possible sensors to include could be an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor to measure stress levels and a bioimpedance sensor to measure body composition.
microLED display
There have been many rumors of Apple potentially using MicroLED displays on various devices over the past few years, but the strongest are targeting the Apple Watch as the first device to make the switch. After all, the Apple Watch was the first device to have an OLED display – years before the iPhone – so it’s likely that Apple will also launch its MicroLED display on the Apple Watch. The benefits are worth it, as MicroLED is thinner, brighter, higher resolution and more efficient than even OLED. The most recent rumors say the first microLED watches won’t arrive until 2024, but we’re holding out hope for an earlier appearance.
Apple Watch Series 9: watchOS 10
Although we don’t know much about the next version of watchOS which will be version 10 assuming Apple sticks to the same numbering system, but we do know that we will be looking at it for the first time when WWDC 2023. You can expect to see a few new health and fitness features along with a handful of new watch faces.
We’ll continue to update this article as new information becomes available, so be sure to check back regularly. In the meantime, if you can’t wait until September, here’s our roundup of the best Apple Watch deals currently available.
Also read: Every new Apple product coming in 2023 and When is the next Apple event?
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