Apple Watch Collection 9 vs 8 and earlier

Apple Watch Collection 9 is the most recent model of the world’s hottest wearable. Whereas a lot stays the identical between Collection 9 and its predecessors, there are a selection of upgrades. Whether or not you’re fascinated by upgrading your personal watch or attempting to determine a present, comply with alongside for Apple Watch Collection 9 vs 8.

Apple Watch Collection 9 vs 8 and earlier

Processor, GPU, Neural Engine, storage

Final 12 months, Apple used the S8 64-bit dual-core processor within the Collection 8 which wasn’t that completely different from the S7 or S6 within the earlier Apple Watches.

However with Collection 9, Apple says the S9 SiP brings notable enhancements throughout the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine.

Apple didn’t give a particular measure of how a lot sooner the CPU of the S9 is in comparison with S8, but it surely options 5.6 billion transistors – up 60% from S8.

For the S9 GPU, Apple says it’s 30% sooner than the S8 and the Neural Engine is twice as quick.

	Collection 9	8	7	6	SE 2
SiP/processor	S9 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor	S8 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor	S7 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor	S6 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor	S8 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor
Extremely wideband chip	✅ – gen 2	✅ – gen 1	✅ – gen 1	✅ – gen 1	❌
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3	5.0	5.0	5.3
Storage	64GB	32GB	32GB	32GB	32GB

Two extra advantages if you happen to’re coming from any of the older Apple Watch fashions are a bounce in storage to 64GB and the extremely wideband gen 2 chip with Collection 9.

Case and show

Apple Watch Collection 9 retains on with the identical sizes that launched with Apple Watch Collection 7. That’s 45 and 41mm instances and a bigger show that’s 20% greater than Collection 4-6/SE and 50% bigger than Collection 3.

The primary (solely?) distinction with the Collection 9 Apple Watch show is brightness has doubled from 1,000 to 2,000 nits.

	Collection 9	8	7	6	SE 2
Case measurement	45/41mm	45/41mm	45/41mm	44/40mm	44/40mm
Show measurement	396 x 484 pixels, 1143 sq mm (45mm mannequin)	396 x 484 pixels, 1143 sq mm (45mm mannequin)	396 x 484 pixels, 1143 sq mm (45mm mannequin)	368 x 448 pixels, 977 sq mm (44mm mannequin)	368 x 448 pixels, 977 sq mm (44mm mannequin)
Brightness	2,000 nits	1,000 nits	1,000 nits	1,000 nits	1,000 nits
At all times-on show	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Sapphire crystal entrance	Sure with metal fashions, no with aluminum	Sure with metal fashions, no with aluminum	Sure with metal fashions, no with aluminum	Sure with metal fashions, no with aluminum	❌

Apple additionally notes that graphics on the Collection 9 show can be smoother than ever because of the brand new GPU within the S9 SiP.

Apple Watch band compatibility

For bands, loops, and bracelets, bands designed for the earlier era Apple Watch sizes 38/40/41 and 42/44/45mm will work with Apple Watch Collection 9.

Battery life and charging

First launched with Apple Watch 7 and continued with Apple Watch Collection 8 and 9 is 33% sooner charging than Collection 6 and earlier. Which means going from 0-80% in 45 minutes as an alternative of round 60 minutes.

	Collection 9	8	7	6	SE 2
Battery life – customary	18 hours	18 hours	18 hours	18 hours	18 hours
Prolonged battery with Low Energy mode	36 hours	36 hours	36 hours	36 hours	36 hours
Charging	0-80% in 45 minutes	0-80% in 45 minutes	0-80% in 45 minutes	0-80% in 60 minutes	0-80% in 90 minutes

If you happen to’re taken with utilizing Apple Watch Collection 9 or 8 for sleep monitoring, you additionally get 8 hours price of use from an 8-minute cost (Extremely and Extremely 2 too).

Apple Watch Collection 9 vs 8 and extra – Key options

New with Apple Watch Collection 9 is on-device Siri processing for sooner responses and higher safety. There’s additionally a brand new double faucet gesture to extra simply use the wearable with one hand. Though the latter gained’t arrive till an October software program replace is launched.

Nevertheless, because it occurs, anybody with a Collection 3 or later can use a double tap-like gesture characteristic referred to as fast actions:

One other enchancment that Apple says comes because of the brand new S9 chip is as much as 25% extra correct dictation. And the brand new on-device Siri lets you get solutions to your private well being metrics.

Nevertheless, as of January 18, 2024, the Blood Oxygen characteristic not works for brand new Collection 9 and Extremely 2 watches offered within the US.

Listed here are the core options you’re getting with Apple Watch Collection 9 and earlier:

Apple Watch mannequin/options	Collection 9	8	7	6	SE 2
ECG app	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Blood Oxygen app	✅/❌ Not included with US fashions offered from 1/18/24	✅	✅	✅	❌
Excessive/low coronary heart fee notifications	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
New Compass app w/ waypoints + backtrack	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
IP6X mud resistant	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌
Water-resistant to 50m	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Sleep monitoring	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Crash detection	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅
Fall detection	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Superior cycle monitoring with temp sensing	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Cycle monitoring with out temp sensing	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Emergency SOS	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
On-device Siri	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Double faucet gesture management	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Siri+Well being	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌

Worth

• Collection 9 begins from $399/$429 and up (Apple, Amazon, extra)
• Collection 8 and older normally goes at a reduction (Amazon, Greatest Purchase, extra) – Apple has stopped promoting Collection 8
• Apple Watch SE 2nd gen goes from $249 (Apple, Amazon, extra)

Apple Watch Collection 9 vs 8 and earlier wrap-up

Apple Watch Collection 9 doesn’t carry enormous adjustments however there are a selection of upgrades like on-device Siri, a brighter display screen, double faucet gesture management, 64GB of storage, and an improved S9 SiP that would tempt some.

For these with a Collection 3, 4, or SE, you’ll be getting extra upgrades like a bigger show, always-on display screen, sooner charging, and all of Apple’s well being options.

What do you assume? Does Apple Watch Collection 9 really feel like a worthy improve? Or are you planning to cross? Share your ideas within the feedback!

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