Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: Should you upgrade?

The newly announced Apple Watch Series 9 is available for order on Apple’s online store with availability starting from Friday, September 22. 

Powered by the new S9 SiP, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers an increase in performance and capabilities like Precision Finding for iPhone, faster on-device Siri to access and log health data, and a new double-tap gesture to control the smartwatch. However, the innovation ends there. 

This year’s Apple Watch Series 9 skipped the alleged groundbreaking health features like non-invasive blood sugar tracking and body temperature monitoring. 

Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Series 7: A features comparison

Apple Watch Series 6 launched in 2020 featured a Blood Oxygen sensor and app and was the last lineup to be available in 40mm and 44mm sizes.

In 2021, the Cupertino tech giant redesigned the Apple Watch Series 7 with “nearly 20 percent more screen area and thinner borders at just 1.7 mm (40%) smaller than those on Apple Watch Series 6 and introduced larger 41mm and 45mm sizes starting at $399. The Apple Watch Series 8 launched in 2022 in the same design, and sizes for the same price and so has the latest Series 9 in 2023.

Therefore, we are comparing the new Apple Watch Series 9 with the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Series 7 to know if it is worth the upgrade.

Apple Watch Series 9
SpecsApple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 7
ProcessorS9 SiP (64-bit dual-core)
W3 wireless chip
Second-gen Ultra Wideband chip
4-core Neural Engine
S8 SiP (64-bit dual-core)
W3 wireless chip
U1 Ultra Wideband
S7 (64-bit dual-core) chip
W3 wireless chip
U1 Ultra Wideband
SoftwarewatchOS 10watchOS 10watchOS 10
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED displayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED displayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED display
Sizes45mm and 41mm45mm and 41mm45mm and 41mm
FeaturesDouble tap gesture
Precision Finding for iPhone
On-device Siri
Blood Oxygen app
ECG app
Sleep stages
Cycle Tracking with
retrospective ovulation estimates
Crash Detection
Fall Detection
International emergency calling
Emergency SOS
Apple Pay
Blood Oxygen app
ECG app
Sleep stages
Cycle Tracking with
retrospective ovulation estimates
Crash Detection
Fall Detection
International emergency calling
Emergency SOS
Apple Pay
Blood Oxygen app
ECG app
Fall Detection
International emergency calling
Emergency SOS
Apple Pay
Water resistance50 meters50 meters50 meters
BatteryUp to 18 hours
Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode
Fast charging
Up to 18 hours
Up to 36 hours in Low Power Mode
Fast charging
Up to 18 hours
Fast charging
Capacity64GB32GB32GB
ConnectivityGPS
GPS+Cellular
GPS
GPS+Cellular
GPS
GPS+Cellular
FinishAluminum
Stainless steel
Aluminum
Stainless steel
Aluminum
Stainless steel
Titanium
Price$399$399$399
Apple Watch Series 9

Verdict: Buy an Apple Watch Series 9 only if you’re upgrading from Apple Series 7 or older

As seen in the feature’s comparison chart above, the new Apple Watch Series 9 offers slight improvements to the Apple Watch Series 8. The only noticeable differences between the two models are the Double tap gesture capability in Series 9 to control the smartwatch and the Precision Finding for the iPhone to get guided directions to locate the smartphone when lost.

However, the new Apple Watch Series 9 is a leap forward from the Apple Watch Series 7 featuring advanced capabilities like Sleep stages, Crash Detection, and Cycle Tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates.

Therefore, users with an Apple Watch Series 7 or older models should upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 9. Apple Watch Series 8 users do not need to.

Personally, I believe Apple Watch Series 6 or older users should upgrade to the latest Apple Watch because it is about time. Although the new watchOS 10 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, certain features will only be available on the newer models because of their advanced processors and sensors.

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About the Author

Addicted to social media and in love with iPhone, started blogging as a hobby. And now it's my passion for every day is a new learning experience. Hopefully, manufacturers will continue to use innovative solutions and we will keep on letting you know about them.