Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 find iPhones and recognise finger movements
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 have been given brighter displays and more power. There is also a new tracking chip and a new gesture for operation.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains the robust model for outdoor activities and delivers even more data during sport than its predecessor. However, it shares many of the new features with the Series 9.
More power for offline Siri
This starts with the new S9 chip. This has 60 per cent more transistors than its predecessor, meaning it can perform significantly more calculations. Apple speaks of 30 per cent more performance and a "Neural Engine", as Apple calls its AI, that is twice as fast.
The biggest advantage of the additional performance is that Siri now works without a data connection. Apple calls the function "On-Device Siri". Only with the data and apps on the Apple Watch - but that should still be enough usage options.
Source: Apple
You will also soon be able to ask Siri on the Apple Watch for your health data stored on the smartwatch. This will initially work in English and Mandarin this year. Other languages are to follow.
Double Tap: When you can't get to the watch
The Apple Watches have learnt a new gesture this year: Double Tap. The smartwatches recognise when you tap your index finger and thumb together twice. This activates the main button and allows you to answer a call, for example. You can also use it to scroll through widgets or pause music playback.
This sounds like a small thing, but there could be many opportunities to use the new gesture. For example, if you can't ask Siri for help or the second hand can't reach the touchscreen. The gesture is also likely to be used when operating the Apple Vision Pro.
The gesture will not yet work at launch. It should be available on the watches from October.
Find your iPhone and shine brighter
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 have a new second-generation ultra-wideband chip. This enables them to locate your iPhone and show you even more precisely in which direction you can find it
The UWB chip also improves interaction with the Homepod. If an Apple Watch comes closer than four metres to the speaker, the music control appears on the display.
Source: Apple
Apple has also increased the brightness of the always-on display by 1000 nits. The Ultra 2 now has 3000 nits. The 2000 nits of the Series 9 correspond to a doubling of brightness compared to the previous model. In dark environments, such as the cinema, you can reduce the brightness to 1 nit.
The battery life remains unchanged compared to the previous models. 36 hours for the Watch Ultra 2 and 18 hours for the Watch Series 9.
Source: Apple
Price and availability
Apple will be selling the new Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 from 22 September 2023.
Source: Apple
The Apple Watch Ultra still has a titanium case - now made from 95 per cent recycled material. Its recommended retail price is 899 euros or 799 francs.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is available in 41 and 45 millimetre aluminium cases and in five colours. The stainless steel version is available in three colours. Their recommended retail price starts at 449 euros, or 399 francs in Switzerland.
Cover photo: Apple
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.