Apple Watch Series 9 to Feature Updated Processor Based on A15 Chip

[MacRumors]

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 9 will include a new processor based on the A15 chip that was first used in the iPhone 13 models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman shared the information in the new Discord channel for his Power On newsletter subscribers.

The Apple Watch Series 8, like the Series 7 before it, uses a chip that's essentially identical to the S6 chip that was used in the Apple Watch Series 6. Apple calls the Apple Watch Series 8 chip the "S8," but it is a two-year-old chip with no speed improvements.

Gurman says that the Series 9 chip will be a "new processor" rather than a rebranding of the prior-generation chip, and when asked whether the chip would be based on the A15 chip, he said that he believed that would be the case.

With an updated chip that's built using the A15 technology, the Apple Watch Series 9 could see speed and efficiency improvements, resulting in quicker load times and better battery life. The new chip could help power some of the updated features that Apple plans to introduce in watchOS 10. Apple is working on overhauling the watchOS interface in watchOS 10, with a specific focus on a new widget system.

While we are expecting some notable changes to watchOS this year, the Apple Watch Series 9 will be largely similar to the Series 8. No major design updates are expected, but we will see a modest speed boost due to the new chip.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 9 to Feature Updated Processor Based on A15 Chip

 

[JCCL]

Hopefully it is a significant upgrade, only then I may upgrade from my aging Series 5.

 

[ratspg]

Here we go! Finally a new chip.

 

[xDKP]

Here we go! Finally a new chip.

Not really like the watches have been a lag-fest last couple of years though

 

[macsplusmacs]

Very interesting to see what it does for battery power.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Finally! We are getting a new chip. It is time. I want the new Apple Watch Ultra to perform like an M2 chip. Blazing fast! Supercharged!

 

[jz0309]

The new chip could help power some of the updated features that Apple plans to introduce in watchOS 10. Apple is working on overhauling the watchOS interface in watchOS 10, with a specific focus on a new widget system.

if a new chip is required to make use of these new widgets - I'll stay on watchos9, my Ultra will serve me for a long time "as is".
IF this rumor (new chip required) turns out to be true, then watchOS become the bloatware that I don't want.

 

[greenbreadmmm]

For comparison sake:

A13 E-cores run at 1600mhz

A15 E-cores run at 2000mhz

Plus the jump from 7nm to 5nm.

 

[iObama]

Sweet! Might be time to upgrade from my Series 6. Then again, I could probably get another two years out of it with a new battery...

 

[sorgo †]

Thank God.

 

[kyjaotkb]

I would be more excited in progress around making the battery replaceable. My Series 6 is fine, performance-wise, for what it does - notifications, the odd activity tracking, some sleep tracking, alarms. And it will be in the years to come, given it's using the same processor as the very latest model. But the battery is very far from its prime.

 

[dannyyankou]

I literally just picked up an Apple Watch ultra, the bag is in my hand now lol. But I mean it's already kinda fast as it is.

 

[Andres Cantu]

New chip but no new design, just like S3 and S6. Only the S4 has ever gotten both at the same time. It was the biggest upgrade year-over-year thus far.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I would be more excited in progress around making the battery replaceable. My Series 6 is fine, performance-wise, for what it does - notifications, the odd activity tracking, some sleep tracking, alarms. And it will be in the years to come, given it's using the same processor as the very latest model. But the battery is very far from its prime.

Apple Watch Ultra has the best battery life when it comes to battery life being in prime. You can easily get 48-72 Hours of solid battery life with a single charge of 0-100%. That's not even including the low-power mode.

 

[jonnysods]

This is the type of announcement that would make me get more interested in the Ultra. I have a 6 right now, but I do like the idea of a bigger, more rugged watch and better battery life.

 

[deebinem]

Finally! We are getting a new chip. It is time. I want the new Apple Watch Ultra to perform like an M2 chip. Blazing fast! Supercharged!

Jesus, why? Please, pray tell, what heavy computational work you are doing from your watch that demands the raw power of an M2?

If an M2 variant somehow got the Ultra running for 5 days of heavy use (like GPS tracking every walk to everywhere type use) then I'd be really interested but until then, what the hell do I need that much power for? Walkie-talkieing with my partner? Oh I know, spinning my latest Activity challenge at a high rotational rate. NO, double tapping to bring up my card stack to change my mind and dig out a physical card. EVEN BETTER, having MTA scanner recognize my swipe 0.0002 seconds faster than my S7 does right now.

 

[carl76tr]

How is this important? And I mean that question 100% seriously. I have a series 8 watch. If it were 500% faster, how would that be noticeable to me? When I check a notification or a run distance or something else, would I see a difference between 5ms and 1ms?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Here we go! Finally a new chip.

Does that mean you will be ordering a new Apple Watch Ultra this year? I told you we are due for a new processor. Can you let Gurman know I said it first (April 25th, 2023). Also, somebody owes me a $20.00 bill. Achoooo... @SloRide™

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-conversations-and-more.2323493/post-32122630

 

[nutmac]

I hope that in addition to "finally" a brand new processor, Series 9 will gain Ultra's Action button. The Action button is underutilized that may necessitate a wider adoption to blossom.

 

[deebinem]

You can easily get 48-752 Hours of solid battery life with a single charge of 0-100%.

Sure. My S7 gets unlimited battery with it powered off.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Jesus, why? Please, pray tell, what heavy computational work you are doing from your watch that demands the raw power of an M2?

If an M2 variant somehow got the Ultra running for 5 days of heavy use (like GPS tracking every walk to everywhere type use) then I'd be really interested but until then, what the hell do I need that much power for? Walkie-talkieing with my partner? Oh I know, spinning my latest Activity challenge at a high rotational rate. NO, double tapping to bring up my card stack to change my mind and dig out a physical card. EVEN BETTER, having MTA scanner recognize my swipe 0.0002 seconds faster than my S7 does right now.

Well, I just want it to be faster. Don't get me wrong... It's already fast enough but I want it faster. More fluid. With a better-performing chip, I'm also expecting bettering the battery life. 5 days of heavy usage on a single charge would be awesome. It is doable!

 

[BornAgainApple]

This would likely get me to upgrade from my Series 4. Wallet ready for weight reduction.

 

[FasterQuieter]

I'd rather wait another year if necessary and jump straight to 3nm.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Sure. My S7 gets unlimited battery with it powered off.

Woah! How are you able to tell the time? Your S7 must be from the future. Ahead of its time, haha!

 

[lazyrighteye]

This is the type of announcement that would make me get more interested in the Ultra. I have a 6 right now, but I do like the idea of a bigger, more rugged watch and better battery life.

I'm an s5 with similar interests. 😉 Going to wait and see what happens this Sept., then go from there.