The Apple Watch has been a huge success for the company, linking the wearables sector on its first try. Looking forward to 2023, we’re excited to see what Apple does with the next generation of its digital watch. So, here are all the news, the rumors we’ve learned about the Apple Watch Series 9, and our expectations for the new device.
Apple Watch Series 9 release date
Apple has a release schedule for its watches, which, pardon the pun, works like clockwork. For years, its latest iterations debuted in the second or third week of September, usually alongside new iPhones, with sales dates about a week and a half later:
- Apple Watch Series 8: September 7, 2022
- Apple Watch Series 7: September 14, 2021
- Apple Watch Series 6: September 15, 2020
- Apple Watch Series 5: September 10, 2019
- Apple Watch Series 4: September 12, 2018
- Apple Watch Series 3: September 12, 2017
It seems unlikely that Apple will change the rhythm this year, so we expect the Apple Watch Series 9 to be released next year. September 2023probably 6 or 12 September.
Apple Watch Series 9: price
Again, Apple has been surprisingly consistent with its Apple Watch pricing strategy for US buyers. However, in 2022, European countries were hit by several price increases. So in the UK the base model has gone up by £50:
- Apple Watch Series 8 – $399 / £419
- Apple Watch Series 7 – $399 / £369
- Apple Watch Series 6 – $399 / £379
- Apple Watch Series 5 – $399 / £399
- Apple Watch Series 4 – $399 / £399
Given that there has already been a price increase in Europe, we expect the Series 9 to be priced the same as the Apple Watch Series 8 it replaces. That’s how it should be around $399 / £419.
Apple Watch Series 9: new feature rumors
The Apple Watch Series 9 is not expected to be a major upgrade from last year’s models, which introduced the Apple Watch Ultra with a larger screen, durable titanium case and an Action button. In accordance with tweet from Mark Gurman, Apple Watch Series 9 updates will be “anything but not serious”, and the new model is “preparing for a more modest year.” He adds that Apple is planning a “major watch hardware update in 2024 with a larger custom display.”
Apple Watch Series 9: Possible New Features
Even without major changes, there are a few possible new features that would make the Apple Watch Series 9 a worthy upgrade.
Action button
Last year, Apple introduced the all-new Apple Watch Ultra with a mind-boggling array of features and components. The newest member of the Apple Watch family featured a sturdier design, flatter edges, a slightly larger display (49mm versus 45mm on the Apple Watch Series 8), and a surprising new feature: the Action button.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The Action button is located on the opposite side of the Digital Crown and will fit easily on an Apple Watch Series 9. On the Ultra, you can set it to trigger specific tasks like a stopwatch, workout, or flashlight, features that would be a great update to an existing Apple Watch design.
Chip S9
If you look at the specs of every new Apple Watch, you’ll see a new chip listed. The Series 8 uses the S8 chip, the Series 7 uses the S7, and the Series 6 uses the S6. The only strange thing is that this is the same chip with different names. While the S6 provided a 20 percent performance boost over the Series 5, the S7 and S8 are rebranded versions of the same processor, in line with the teardowns and an explicit commission from Apple for any performance improvements. But we’re hoping the S9 changes that with performance improvements and perhaps an in-chip Neural Engine.
Dual frequency GPS
Like the iPhone 14 Pro, the Apple Watch Ultra has upgraded its GPS to include the L5 range in addition to the standard L1 for faster, more accurate location tracking. Even if you don’t travel steep slopes, the extra strap will come in handy in busy urban areas where a standard watch can have problems. Apple has a habit of introducing new features to high-end models and then rolling them out to lower-end models, and we think this could very well happen here.
The Apple Watch may soon have an even better display. Will he debut with Series 9?
Foundry
5G
For now, the Apple Watch is one of the few remaining Apple devices that hasn’t been upgraded to 5G — even the high-end Apple Watch Ultra has 4G LTE. As the Apple Watch approaches full independence, having the fastest connection seems like a good idea. We’re sure there are a few issues that need to be addressed, but Apple tends to get it right.
New sensors
Apple has been working on a non-invasive way to monitor glucose levels without additional hardware for years. A recent report claims that a secret team at Apple has reached several “major milestones” in the project, and the feature is now believed to be in the “proof of concept” stage. However, it is unlikely that it will appear in this year’s watches and may appear in a few more years.
Other possible sensors to include would be an electrocutaneous activity (EDA) sensor to measure stress levels and a bioimpedance sensor to measure body composition.
Micro LED display
There have been plenty of rumors over the past few years that Apple could potentially use MicroLED displays on a variety of devices, but the strongest ones are targeting the Apple Watch as the first device to make the transition. After all, the Apple Watch was the first device to feature an OLED screen – many years before the iPhone – so it’s likely that Apple will bring its MicroLED screen to the Apple Watch as well. The benefits are well worth it as MicroLED is thinner, brighter, higher resolution and more efficient than even OLED. According to the latest rumors, the first microLED watch won’t arrive until 2024, but we’re hoping for an earlier one.
Apple Watch Series 9: watchOS 10
While we don’t know much about the next release of watchOS, which will be version 10, assuming Apple sticks to the same numbering system, we do know we’ll get our first look at it during WWDC 2023. You can expect to see some new health and fitness, as well as several new watch faces.
We will update this article as more information becomes available, so be sure to check back regularly. In the meantime, if you can’t wait until September, here’s our roundup of the best Apple Watch deals so far.
Also read: Every new Apple product coming in 2023 and when is the next Apple event?