The nose-tap is well-known to Apple Watch users. For me, it occurs when I have a bag full of food in one hand and am wheeling my supermarket cart in the other. On my way home, my Apple Watch asks if I want to go for a walk outside while I have both hands occupied. My response is always yes since I’m a total stats nerd. I attempt to press the start button with my nose while lifting the arm that holds my grocery bag. Yes, it requires several attempts. It is really embarrassing, indeed. Indeed, it’s more challenging than simply stopping, releasing a hand, and hitting the button as usual.
This hands-full issue is resolved by the Apple Watch Series 9, which is a significant improvement over its predecessors. It is my favorite smartwatch to date because of its unique hands-free gesture and a number of software enhancements.
GO Ahead and SkipHow did I test the Apple Watch Series 9? Why do I think it’s great? What do I dislike about it? Why should I trust NBC Select?
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What to know about the Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple Watch Series 9
The exterior of the new Series 9 is essentially the same as that of the Series 8. It contains all the features of the Series 8, starts at the same price, and comes in the same two display sizes (41mm and 45mm). It comes in dozens of watch band combinations and five hues, including the recently added pink.
Internal changes are more significant. According to the firm, the new S9 SiP chip in the Series 9 has 60% more transistors than the S8 processor, which results in faster overall performance. According to Apple, it also has a new Neutral Engine that speeds up machine learning activities like Siri and allows for new gestures.
Double Tap is one of these new motions. By squeezing your thumb and index finger together twice, you may pause and play music, answer calls, open incoming notifications, stop timers, and more while your wrist is up. Only Apple Watch models from the Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 support the gesture.
With a maximum brightness of 2000 nits, the Series 9 screen is likewise significantly brighter than the Series 8’s 1000 nits.
Weight: 31.9g (41mm), 38.7g (45mm); Display size(s): 41mm, 45mm; Display type: Always-on touchscreen• Water resistance: Yes, up to 50 meters; • Built-in GPS; • Sleep monitoring; • Heart-rate monitor with ECG; • Battery life: up to 18 hours, rapid charging; • Compatible with: Apple iPhone
How I tried the Apple Watch Series 9
Since its September 2023 introduction, I have been sporting the Apple Watch Series 9 with an asport loop band. I previously wore the Watch SE for more than two years and the Series 8 six months. I have also experimented with fitness trackers and smartwatches from Fitbit, Google, Samsung, Garmin, and Whoop.
I always wear the Series 9, although sometimes when I’m getting ready for the day in the morning, I take it off to charge. I use it to keep track of my sleep patterns and exercise routine, which includes indoor strength training, outdoor cycling, and outdoor runs. I’ve replied to texts using the on-screen keyboard and Siri. To evaluate comfort, battery life, software, and fitness data measures, I wore the Series 9 alongside a few rival smartwatches during my first month of testing.
What I like about the Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 9 is incredibly user-friendly, just like its predecessors. For someone like me who uses an iPhone, the interface, settings, and layout are all extremely familiar and easy to use. Even with gloved hands or when jogging, it is simple to see information and swipe through notifications because to the small frame and always-on display. It effortlessly integrates with Apple Health and Fitness applications to deliver practical information that helps me stay more informed about the quality of my sleep and my exercises.
All of it, however, also applies to the earlier Series 8. My favorite smartwatch is the Series 9 because of its new features.
Double Tap is incredibly useful
As previously mentioned, Double Tap is quite helpful for beginning and ending exercises without tapping the watch’s screen. When I’m wearing gloves and long sleeves, I utilize Double Tap to start and stop my outdoor runs because it’s much quicker to pinch my fingers than to pull back my gloves or sleeves in order to tap the screen.
The most useful feature for me has been using Double Tap to interact with exercise notifications, but I’ve also used it to answer calls, play and pause music, and more.
Siri is more functional than ever
while my hands are full—that is, while I am cycling, running, or carrying groceries—I use Siri to send SMS. This voice-to-text capability is one of the primary reasons I choose an Apple Watch over a device like the Garmin Forerunner.
I think Siri is more useful than ever thanks to the new internal parts. It’s quicker: the Series 9 takes two to three seconds less than my Apple Watch SE to finish lengthy voice-to-text communications. Apple claims that Siri’s dictation accuracy has increased by up to 25%. I also discovered a roughly 25% increase in accuracy compared to an older Watch model like the SE when I sent my partner a variety of lengthy, sing-songy or mumble-speaking texts.
Precision Finding with iPhone 15
Similar to how an iPhone can locate an AirTag, the Series 9 can use Apple’s Precision Finding to pinpoint the precise location of your iPhone 15. This function has been a huge time-saver for me because I frequently misplace my phone around the house.
Only if you have an iPhone 15 or later and an Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, or Ultra 2—all of which include Apple’s second-generation ultra wideband internal chip—will Precision Finding function.
WatchOS 10
When the Series 9 entered stores, Apple released watchOS 10, a massive software update. Although this extensive update isn’t unique to the Series 9, it improved the watch’s usability over earlier software versions.
A new skin for certain well-known apps has been added, such as weather, fitness apps that turn your iPhone into a makeshift bike computer, a compass app that displays 3D elevation views and trail information, the option to download Apple maps for offline use, and more.
Potential drawbacks to keep in mind
The Apple Watch has always been intelligent right out of the box, alerting me to various email inboxes, group texts, standing-up reminders, and more. The Apple Watch can easily become overly helpful if you are not careful with your settings. It is a bothersome square screen that constantly buzzes to make sure you are aware of everything.
This isn’t specific to the Apple Watch, and it’s simple to fix by adjusting your notifications (and everything else) to your preferences in the settings panel. My Apple Watch seemed less like a second phone ringing nonstop on my wrist and more like a watch once I disabled email alerts and a few other reminders.
Blood Oxygen Readings
Apple Watch Series 9 units bought after January 18th are no longer able to measure blood oxygen levels due to a patent lawsuit. In my months of wearing it, I have only utilized this feature a few of times. Given Apple’s statement that the readings are not meant for medical usage, I simply don’t see the need to use it more often. Maybe have a look at one of our other favorite fitness trackers if you value a blood oxygen sensor.
What about the Apple Watch Series 10?
September 2024 saw the release of the Apple Watch Series 10. In addition to being lighter and thinner than the Series 9, it is available in larger sizes of 42 and 46 mm. When you look at the watch from an angle other than straight at your wrist, the screen becomes up to 40% brighter, which makes it simpler to check the time or a notification. It also has new swim features including a water temperature sensor and a depth gauge that can measure up to six meters. Other than that, the watch is comparable to the Series 9, with functions like Precision Finding and Double Tap remaining the same. There is now a titanium version available, and it still starts at $399.
Why trust NBC Select?
As a writer for NBC Select, I have written for years on fitness and technology, including reviews of the top running shoes, wireless earbuds, and activity trackers. When the Apple Watch Series 9 was released in 2023, I received a sample from the company and wore it every day for a full year. I used the watch to track my daily statistics, exercise, and sleep patterns, and I contrasted it with other wearables that were priced similarly.
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