
Apple has announced the Apple Watch Series 9 with a more powerful chip inside – the all-new S9 chip.
Its graphics capabilities are claimed to be 30 per cent faster than on the Series 8, while the new silicon enables several great new features. You can now use Siri on the device itself, for example, for the Watch to respond to requests more quickly. Anyone who's used Siri a lot on previous models will know how much of a game-changer that'll be.
In addition, the Watch is now better at understanding you (Apple claims 25% better). And, you can access your health data using Siri directly. And the device can ping your iPhone.
There's the much-rumoured double-tap feature too, which allows you to perform some functions just by tapping your finger and thumb together.
Perhaps the best new tech feature that's more immediately visible though, is a much brighter display – it's now 2,000 nits, so double the brightness than before. That should really stand out on a sunny day, for example.
Battery life has been dramatically improved too, with a quoted, full 18-hours between charges, even with that brighter display.
One of the other big pushes for Apple and this specific watch is that it's the first carbon neutral product from the brand (if you choose the aluminium model with a Sport Loop band). That means there are no leather straps and recycled materials used in its construction.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
There are knitted bands, for example, and new Nike Sport Bands with recycled materials dotted through the strap, purposely displayed as an extra detail.
Apple Watch Series 9 will be available in 41mm and 45mm variants and in multiple colours, including a new pink aluminium version. Other colours include Apple's usual Starlight, Midnight, and (PRODUCT)RED. There will also be stainless steel models in gold, silver and graphite.
It will come preinstalled with WatchOS 10.
It's available to order now with shipping from 22 September 2023. Pricing starts at $399 in the US, £399 in the UK.
Rik is T3’s news editor, which means he looks after the news team and the up-to-the-minute coverage of all the hottest gadgets and products you’ll definitely want to read about. And, with more than 35 years of experience in tech and entertainment journalism, including editing and writing for numerous websites, magazines, and newspapers, he’s always got an eye on the next big thing.
Rik also has extensive knowledge of AV, TV streaming and smart home kit, plus just about everything to do with games since the late 80s. Prior to T3, he spent 13 years at Pocket-lint heading up its news team, and was a TV producer and presenter on such shows as Channel 4's GamesMaster, plus Sky's Games World, Game Over, and Virtual World of Sport.
-
Nintendo suggests Switch 2 price will be "affordable", as it confirms launch time
Previous price leaks could be true, with Nintendo's president revealing that "affordability" is important
By Rik Henderson Published
-
KitchenAid's 2025 Colour of the Year brings a buttery warmth to every cooking space
This is going straight in my basket
By Lizzie Wilmot Published
-
This Apple Watch cable can also charge your iPhone or even a Samsung Galaxy S25
This interesting cable from Nomad is perfect for Apple fans who travel
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
Apple Invites is the party planning app your iPhone deserves
The new Apple app is designed to help you create custom invitations
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
iPhone SE 4 price could be surprising... in a good way
This might be my favourite iPhone this year
By Sam Cross Published
-
Apple could launch something completely new this week
This is an unexpected development
By Sam Cross Published
-
Samsung's Vision Pro rival to get a big boost from a clever Google acquisition
Google is buying HTC's XR division to work on Android XR – the driving force behind Project Moohan
By John McCann Published
-
Bizarre iPhone 17 photo leak shows Apple could be heading in a new direction
Alleged early images of the rear casing reveal a very different type of camera... for Apple, at least
By Rik Henderson Published
-
iPhone SE 4 could make iPhone 16 irrelevant – will reportedly include Dynamic Island
But will it have Camera Control and the Action Button?
By Britta O'Boyle Published
-
New Apple Watch accessory gives users a taste of luxury
This is the best treat you can give your Apple Watch
By Sam Cross Published