Apple Watch Series 9/Ultra Review

The Apple Watch Series 9 & Ultra 2: A Subtle, Smarter Tick Forward

In the world of wearables, the Apple Watch has long ceased to be a mere accessory; it’s a mature, feature-rich platform that has become an extension of the iPhone. The latest iterations, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the rugged Ultra 2, don’t aim to reinvent the smartwatch. Instead, they represent a calculated refinement—an evolution focused on internal power and interaction. This is Apple doubling down on the core experience, making a familiar product smarter, faster, and more intuitive. But in a landscape of iterative updates, is this subtle leap forward enough to command your attention?

The S9 Engine: Power You Feel, If You Look For It

At the heart of both new models is the S9 System in Package (SiP), Apple’s first major watch processor upgrade in three years. Boasting a new dual-core CPU with 60% more transistors and a significantly faster 4-core Neural Engine, the S9 is a powerhouse on paper. In practice, the performance gains are nuanced. Apps open a fraction of a second quicker, and animations feel marginally smoother, but owners of a Series 8 won’t experience a night-and-day difference in general navigation.

The real magic of the S9 lies in what it enables. Siri requests are now processed on-device for a multitude of tasks, from setting timers to starting workouts. This makes the voice assistant noticeably faster, more reliable without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, and inherently more private. It’s how Siri should have worked from the beginning. The chip also powers the new Double Tap gesture, a genuinely useful trick for one-handed operation. By simply tapping your index finger and thumb together twice, you can answer calls, snooze alarms, or scroll through your Smart Stack. While its implementation is currently limited to first-party apps and primary notifications, it’s a clever feature that feels futuristic and immensely practical when your other hand is occupied.

A Brighter Outlook on a Familiar Face

Aesthetically, if you’ve seen a Series 8 or the first-generation Ultra, you’ve seen these new models. The design language is identical, which is either a testament to a classic design or a sign of stagnation, depending on your perspective. The build quality remains impeccable, with the Series 9 available in aluminum and stainless steel, and the Ultra 2 retaining its robust titanium casing.

The most significant physical upgrade is the display. The Series 9 now matches the previous Ultra with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, making it brilliantly legible in harsh daylight. The Ultra 2 pushes the boundary even further to an astounding 3,000 nits, creating the brightest display Apple has ever shipped. For adventurers, pilots, or anyone who spends time in extreme sun, this is a game-changing improvement. Both displays can also dim down to a single nit, perfect for unobtrusive use in a dark theater or bedroom.

Battery, Value, and The Final Verdict

Battery life remains the key differentiator between the two lines. The Series 9 continues to offer a reliable “all-day” 18-hour battery, which in real-world terms means you’ll be charging it every night. The Ultra 2, however, is in a different league, comfortably lasting 36 hours with regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode. It remains the undisputed champion for multi-day trekking, marathons, or for users who simply despise daily charging.

Ultimately, the decision to upgrade is one of context. For those on a Series 7 or 8, the Series 9 is a tough sell unless on-device Siri and Double Tap are must-haves. For anyone using a Series 6 or older, however, the leap forward in screen size, processing power, and features is substantial and well worth the investment. The Ultra 2 solidifies its position as the ultimate tool for a specific niche: the serious athlete, the outdoor enthusiast, and the power user who demands the absolute best in durability and battery life. For most iPhone users, the Series 9 is the default, definitive smartwatch—a polished, powerful, and now subtly smarter companion for everyday life.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon