Watch out for the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 from 22 September
Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 at its Wonderlust launch event in Cupertino.
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The September Apple event may have been about the new iPhone 15 launch, but Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
There are some really cool innovations appearing in Apple's wrist computers this year. Let's take them one at a time.
Apple Watch Series 9
At the heart of the Apple Watch Series 9 is the new S9 SiP. More powerful than any of the previous Apple Watch chips, the S9 SiP allows the watch to offer new gesture controls, faster processing for on-device Siri performance and better battery life.
For the first time, you can access and log health data from the watch itself using Siri, while the power efficiency of the chip offers 18 hours of battery life.
But the key development in this smartwatch is the Double Tap gesture. You can control the Apple Watch without touching it by tapping your index finger and thumb together twice..
The gesture will control the main button in an app on your watch using processing improvements, accelerometer, gyroscope, heart sensor, and a new algorithm.
The Apple Watch Series 9 has a brighter display, precision location, and HomePod integration. It also comes with watchOS 10 pre-installed.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Building on last year's Apple Watch Ultra, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also built around the S9 SiP. That means you get the same new double tap gesture, precision location, and a brighter display, without cutting in on the 36 hour battery life.
Apple has also added an expanded altitude range and advanced capabilities for water adventures. It's been tested to perform between 500 metres below sea level to 9,000 metres high.
Other than that, though, most of the new advancements found in the Ultra 2 are the same developments in the Series 9 listed above.
Pricing and Availability
Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are available to pre-order now, with stock launching officially on 22 September.
Pricing starts at $649 for the Apple Watch Series 9 and $1,399 for the Ultra 2. The Apple Watch SE is still available too for $399.
No doubt both models will make their way to our list of the best smartwatches sooner or later. The biggest question is how well they will be received.
