Apple Watch Series 9 vs Watch Series 8: Is Watch 9 Actually Better?

The Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra were two of Apple's Wonderlust event's highlights. The Watch Series 8 was replaced by the Apple Watch Series 9, which was introduced in 2022. There are several features included in the newest Apple Watch Series.

If you're not sure whether to choose the Watch Series 8, which is now somewhat less expensive than the Watch Series 9, or to wait a week to get the most recent iteration, which will be available starting on September 22. You should be able to choose whether Apple wristwatch is most appropriate for your requirements after reading this technical comparison between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 8.

Design

The Apple Watch Series 9 model is identical in millimeters to the Watch Series 8 (review). Just like the 8 watch series, the new watches are available in aluminum and stainless steel. This time, however, the new Watch Series 9 is more environmentally conscious than its predecessor, and is also the first completely carbon neutral Apple product, achieved by incorporating various recycled materials into wristbands, cases and retail packaging. 

The Watch Series 9 also comes with newer, environmentally friendly watch bands made from recycled materials, and Apple has also discontinued the leather band. Your current collection of Apple Watch bands will continue to be compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9.

Screen: Same size

Just like the 8 watch series, the new 9 watch series is available in two sizes – 41 mm and 45 mm. Although the new screen looks the same as its predecessor, it has been improved and can reach a maximum brightness of up to 2000 nits, which improves visibility, twice as much as the screen of the Series 8. 

The brightness of the Watch Series 9 screen can now be changed by only one nit to reduce eye strain during nighttime use. If you're looking for a watch that's brighter than the Watch Series 9, consider the Watch Ultra 2, which has a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits.

Performance: New and powerful chip

The Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by the S9 SiP (system-in-package), which the company says is the most powerful chip it has ever put into a smartwatch. In fact, the more expensive Watch Ultra 2 has the same chip. While the new chip makes the watch slightly faster, it also adds a lot of new features like double-tap, in-device Siri handling, and the ability to access and record health data that aren't available on the Watch Series 8. 

The S9 SiP also includes a new ultra-broadband chip that also adds new features to the Apple Watch Series 9, such as deeper HomePod integration and precision search for the iPhone 15 family.

Battery

Despite the more powerful chip, the battery life of the Watch Series 9 has not improved, still offering 18 hours of battery life like the last generations of the Apple Watch. Also, the download speed doesn't improve, which is also a shame. The Ultra 2, on the other hand, still offers 36 hours of battery life.

Priced at Rs 41,900 for the 41mm GPS model, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers several new features and capabilities, making it a clear winner. However, most of these new features are not groundbreaking, especially for those who already own the Watch Series 8 (available for around Rs 39,000), which has also been officially discontinued.