The MacRumors Show: Should You Buy the Apple Watch Series 9?

[MacRumors]

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the latest Apple Watch models, who should upgrade, and consider whether it is worth waiting for the rumored "Apple Watch X."

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos​

After spending several days with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, we discuss our initial experiences with the new devices, their design, and some of their standout features such as the Action button and USB-C port. We also return to the matter of Apple's FineWoven accessories, which appear to have been received relatively poorly by customers.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 feature brighter displays, a Double Tap gesture for touch-free control, the S9 chip, locally processed Siri for faster responses and access to health data, the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for Precision Finding and deeper HomePod integration, and 64GB of storage. We talk through some of our favorite features of the new devices and weigh up who should consider upgrading.

On a related matter, we take a look at the "Apple Watch X," a complete overhaul of the device expected to launch next year. It is rumored to feature thinner casings, larger displays, microLED technology, larger batteries, blood pressure monitoring, and a new mechanism for connecting bands.

Listen to The MacRumors Show in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Castro, Google Podcasts, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player. Watch a video version of the show on the MacRumors YouTube channel.

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If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about Apple's new FineWoven accessories, some of our favorite iPhone 15 features, and who should consider upgrading.

Subscribe to The MacRumors Show for more episodes, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by exciting guests like iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Kevin Nether, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, Quinn Nelson, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Sara Dietschy, Luke Miani, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie. You can also head over to The MacRumors Show forum thread to engage with us directly. Remember to rate and review the show, and let us know what subjects you would like the podcast to cover in the future.

Article Link: The MacRumors Show: Should You Buy the Apple Watch Series 9?

 

[sw1tcher]

The MacRumors Show: Should You Buy the Apple Watch Series 9?

Cliffs: No 😁

 

[Foursecondfocus]

If you guys were using Zoom for the second half there - what did you normally use to stream and record? OBS?
I think you looked cleaner in the first half but that auto edit is a nice feature w zoom I guess

 

[H_D]

What I do not get is — the ONE feature Apple touts as big news (double tap) is not ready at the roll-out (despite being in accessibility for some time now in similar form). I mean, how many people did not get the memo on this and tried to make it work and despaired?

And does Finding UWB for iPhone work for anyone or does that also come with 10.1?

 

[no_idea]

Short answer - no. Not compelling to go from series 8

 

[WarmWinterHat]

If you have a series 3 or lower and don't want an Ultra? Yes.

Any other model? No.

 

[Robin Bonathan]

I went from 7 to 9. Where I am I get full 2 year warranty so upgrading every 2 is not too bad, old one sold yesterday on ebay and shipped. Got half money back.

 

[LedRush]

I have to charge my AW 6 twice a day, which makes me not want to use it. I moved back to a traditional watch a few months ago and mostly liked it. But 3 days ago I started using the 6 again and it is much more comfortable than I remember. Maybe I will try out the 9, though I'm still not certain which version I should get. I like the look of the traditional watches, and think that I want to get something that matches that look.

 

[adamlbiscuit]

Switching up the hair do this week Hartley? 😁

 

[guzhogi]

I have a 7, and it works for me. I'll buy a new one when the battery dies, maybe earlier if Apple (finally) adds glucose reading as I'm diabetic.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I have to charge my AW 6 twice a day, which makes me not want to use it. I moved back to a traditional watch a few months ago and mostly liked it. But 3 days ago I started using the 6 again and it is much more comfortable than I remember. Maybe I will try out the 9, though I'm still not certain which version I should get. I like the look of the traditional watches, and think that I want to get something that matches that look.

What do you do with your 6 that you need to charge it twice? Mine is at 78% battery and it lasts a day with room to spare..that's with an hour of yoga and 3-13mi GPS run at least 5x/week. I don't stream music with it.

I don't wear mine at night as I don't care about sleep tracking; is that it?

 

[LedRush]

What do you do with your 6 that you need to charge it twice? Mine is at 78% battery and it lasts a day with room to spare..that's with an hour of yoga and 3-13mi GPS run at least 5x/week. I don't stream music with it.

I don't wear mine at night as I don't care about sleep tracking; is that it?

I do virtually nothing with it. If I just leave it out it without wearing it, it dies in a day. If I wear it and do nothing else with it, it dies in 2/3 of a day. The battery health says it's at 74%.

 

[guzhogi]

What I do not get is — the ONE feature Apple touts as big news (double tap)…

Yeah, a few features Apple touts as major new features (like this and the dynamic island on newer iPhones) seems so… meh and "Seriously?" to me.

…is not ready at the roll-out

Seems like this describes *WAY* too many features Apple has announced the last few years. Always announced at WWDC, but takes several months to actually release it.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again (and yes, I realize I'm probably 1 of only few who think this way): I really wish they'd skip a year between major product announcements. For its various OSes, redo as many low level frameworks & OS functions as possible in Swift like they did going from Core Data > SwiftData, and then rebuild the OS and then built-in/1st party apps with these new frameworks. Fix bugs along the way of course, but do a major new WWDC or whatever presentation 2 years after the last one. Have a real big, massive change & reason to upgrade instead of a "meh" upgrade.

 

[jz0309]

I upgraded from Ultra to Ultra 2, worth it and I love it. YMMV

 

[ghostface147]

I think the watch is a 3-4 year cycle. Even from 7 to 9 it isn’t a massive upgrade.

 

[sleven]

If you have a series 3 or lower and don't want an Ultra? Yes.

Any other model? No.

I’m sitting with a 4 and thinking I’d better just wait for the 10/X. I want all of the features of the models above, but think I can wait until this battery life is less than 80% capacity. (I’m at 93% currently.)

I definitely appreciate your comment.

 

[TzTerri]

I went from the eight to the nine for the much improved twice as bright screen plus Apple gave me $190 for my eight

 

[gank41]

Seeing a lot of "no" comments here.. I went from at the OG Watch to the S4 Watch and then to the S7 Watch, and now to the S9 Watch. As far as the changes from the S7 to the S9 are concerned, I do a lot on my watch and now I'm back to having all day/night battery life again only needing to charge it quickly on my Lunchbreak.

"Should you upgrade" is very subjective. Maybe? Maybe not? I'm getting a good deal thru AT&T..
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[tenordrum]

I am glad I replaced my battery on my 5, which was down to 78%. I got the refurb replacement before the price increase, so for $79 I am keeping the 5 until they actually come up with significant improved functionality. The refurb they sent me looked brand new.

 

[gamerdude]

I went from the eight to the nine for the much improved twice as bright screen plus Apple gave me $190 for my eight

I think you would have gotten $50-$70 more on Swappa/Craigslist.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Switching up the hair do this week Hartley? 😁

He lost his glasses, walked into a hair salon (thinking it was a massage parlour) and said "Do your magic"

Just joking Hartley, good show.

 

[TzTerri]

I think you would have gotten $50-$70 more on Swappa/Craigslist.

Not worth the hassle to make a couple extra bucks.

 

[sparkinstx]

I just bought a Series 8 last December, so no. I really want to see blood pressure measurement first, and optionally blood glucose monitoring.

 

[dmr727]

I think the watch is a 3-4 year cycle. Even from 7 to 9 it isn’t a massive upgrade.

Quite honestly I don't notice a lot of difference from my 5 either. I upgraded mainly because the battery needed replacement anyway, and I wanted to switch to SS.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

I bought the Series 8 last year and it still works really well. When they sold the Ultra last year, they really sold it as the hard core adventure watch, and that was one of the reasons I went with the Series 8. I don't want a big screen on my wrist.