"What's the most noticeable difference between the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 9 in real-world use?"

"As someone who's used both the Series 8 and 9, the most noticeable change for me is the display brightness. The new 2000 nits screen on the Series 9 is significantly easier to see outdoors, especially when I'm wearing sunglasses. It's a subtle improvement, but one that I appreciate every time I'm outside."

"How useful is the new double tap feature in daily life, and does it live up to the hype?"

"The double tap feature, while innovative, hasn't completely replaced my existing habits. I often forget it's available, and it's not always as responsive as I'd like. For example, when I'm listening to podcasts, I still find myself reaching for the screen to pause or skip, instead of using the double tap. It's a cool feature, but not a game changer for me yet."

"How much of an improvement is the new Siri on the Apple Watch Series 9, and what are its limitations?"

"The enhanced Siri on the Series 9 is a definite improvement. I've noticed that setting timers and reminders is much faster and more reliable, even without a strong internet connection. However, I was disappointed that some of the more advanced features, like accessing health data via Siri, aren't available yet, and I'm still waiting for those to be released."

"How useful is the new precision finding feature for locating your iPhone in real-world situations?"

"The precision finding feature has been surprisingly useful for me. I tend to misplace my phone often, and being able to get precise directions from my watch is a significant time-saver. It's a feature that I didn't think I'd use much, but now I find myself relying on it regularly, especially when my phone is hiding between couch cushions."

"How is the battery life on the Apple Watch Series 9 in real-world use, and how often do you need to charge it?"

"While the battery life on the Series 9 is decent, I still find myself charging it once a day, especially when I use it for sleep tracking. I've never had it run out of battery during the day, but it's not a watch that I can just forget about charging for a couple of days. The fast charging is a lifesaver, but I wish the battery could last longer."

Apple Watch Series 9: A Real User Review

Apple Watch Series 9: A Real User’s Opinion

Have you ever felt like you were behind the curve on technology? That was the case for me until I tried the Apple Watch Series 9. Normally I don’t like to buy the latest gadgets, but curiosity (or maybe peer pressure) got the best of me. Here’s my honest review after a few weeks of use.

First Impressions

When we received the Series 9, we got a real Apple box. It’s smart, minimalistic, and frankly, a little overwhelming. The design is almost identical to the previous generation; if you put it next to a Series 8, it’s hard to tell them apart. I bought mine in pink, a subtle shade of salmon pink, just like the new pink iPhone. The build quality is good, the screen is clear, but nothing feels “new”. Very much a case of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your point of view.

In the details: specs and performance

Let’s talk about what’s inside. The Series 9 is powered by the new S9 chip, which is claimed to make everything faster. And you know, it will be a bit faster. Everything feels smoother, from opening apps to swiping through menus. It’s not an instant difference, but it’s there. You won’t be doing a huge amount of work on this watch, but you will appreciate the improved performance.

The display is also brighter, now at 2,000 nits. I didn’t immediately notice this until I compared it to my old watch. The change is noticeable and the watch is easier to read in sunlight. There’s also a new ultra-wideband chip here, which, like AirTag, allows the phone to pinpoint your location. For me, this is incredibly useful. It’s a shame that my phone ends up under couch cushions, and thanks to the S9, Siri is even faster. It fulfills basic requests quickly, even without a constant internet connection. Setting timers, reminders, etc. is very quick.

Real Life Usage

How are things going in real everyday use? Very well, actually. The improved Siri experience is very helpful when my hands are full, such as when I’m cooking. You can request a timer and she sets it. The bright display makes it easy to read notifications while walking around on a sunny day. The phone finder feature saves me from mini panic attacks when I lose my cell phone. It’s like having a little personal assistant on your wrist that solves all the small and annoying issues. The “Name Drop” feature is also very useful and allows me to share contacts by simply touching the watch to each other.

The Series 9 has some drawbacks as well. The biggest drawback is the “Double Touch” feature, which allows you to operate the watch by touching your thumb and index finger to each other. It’s a cool idea, and it really works. Sometimes. However, this gesture is a bit awkward and needs to be done very carefully. Also, it doesn’t work in all apps. I hope it becomes more robust and customizable in future updates. I’m also not thrilled with Apple’s emphasis on equal battery life. That’s fine, but I’d like longer intervals between charges. Software updates are also a concern. I sleep with the clock on, and automatic updates are never installed. Why can’t I set the update time?

Competitor Comparison

I’ve tried several other smartwatches, including one from Samsung. What makes the Apple Watch stand out? Ecosystem. They integrate very easily with my iPhone and other Apple devices. The user interface is intuitive, the app selection is great, and they just work. Samsung watches are great, but they don’t seem refined or comfortable. It would be nice if the Apple Watch had a replaceable battery. It’s a shame that you have to go to a repair shop or order special tools to replace it.

Summary

So, should you buy an Apple Watch Series 9? If you are using an older Apple Watch like the Series 3 or Series 6, then you should definitely get this watch. You will notice a significant improvement in performance and features. If this is your first time buying an Apple Watch or if you’re purchasing an Apple Watch from a different platform, you’ll find it to be an elegant and useful device. However, if you have a Series 7 or 8 watch, you won’t need to upgrade. It’s a great watch, no doubt, but it’s more of an incremental improvement than a complete upgrade. It will be interesting to see what Apple does with the next version, especially with rumors of a design update. But for now, the Series 9 does what it needs to do, and does it very well.

Frequently Asked Questions