Apple will announce its next generation of mobile products, including the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra, at its upcoming Wonderlust event, with the Ultra expected to have significant design improvements and both watches potentially featuring upgraded sensors and processors.
The Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to have new sensors, including a fourth-generation optical heart rate sensor and a U2 ultra wideband chip for improved Find My capabilities, along with a potential shift in manufacturing using 3D printing and discontinuation of certain watch bands.
Apple will unveil the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 at its September 12 event, featuring a new optical heart rate sensor, improved sensors and components, and a focus on performance and speed.
Apple has announced several new features for its upcoming iPhone 15, including a titanium case, the ability to call roadside assistance via satellite, a starting price of $799, the inclusion of USB-C connectivity, and the standardization of the A16 Bionic chip on the base model. Additionally, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which will be priced at $799, and showcased its commitment to environmental initiatives.
Apple has announced the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra with a brighter display, faster chip, new gestures, and enhanced features for water activities, starting at $799.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 have double the storage capacity of previous models, providing more space for apps and media.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a new screen that is the brightest of any Apple Watch, with a maximum brightness of 3,000 nits, along with new features such as Double Tap for control and the Modular Ultra watch face.
The Apple Watch Series 9 features a new S9 chip that enables faster performance, on-device Siri processing, and a new gesture called Double Tap, enhancing the user experience of the smartwatch.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, designed for outdoor adventures, boasts a longer battery life and faster performance with the new S9 SiP processor, while also featuring a brighter display that is easily visible in any lighting conditions.
The "Double Tap" feature, a new way of interacting with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, will not be available at launch but will be added via a software update next month.
The Huawei Watch 4/Watch 4 Pro offers non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, while the Apple Watch Ultra is a top-end watch with a durable titanium exterior and extended battery life; the rumored Google Pixel Watch 2 may feature an enhanced version of the Body Response stress detection system; the Amazfit Cheetah incorporates generative AI coaching, and the Fitbit Ace 4 is designed as a fitness tracker watch for children; finally, the Citizen Smart Touchscreen Gen-2 is an AI-assisted watch powered by IBM's Watson AI engine.
The Apple Watch has transitioned from a luxury fashion accessory to a highly popular health and fitness tracker, leading the global smartwatch market with 22% of shipments in Q2 2023.
Despite Apple's lack of direct discussion, AI was integrated into various functionalities announced during the recent Wonderlust event, where the iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 were launched, showcasing AI capabilities such as improved camera features, faster Siri performance, and enhanced predictive text.
The Apple Watch Series 9 models have the same battery capacities as the Series 8 models, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a slightly larger battery but the same battery life as the original Ultra.
Apple's recent advertising strategy focuses on the potential lifesaving capabilities of its products, including the Apple Watch and iPhone, featuring scenarios where these devices have saved people's lives from various dangers, such as low heart rates, blizzards, and car accidents. These safety features, along with new additions like satellite connectivity and Roadside Assistance, not only differentiate Apple's newer devices but also have the potential to generate revenue as part of their growing services sector.
Google's upcoming Pixel Watch 2 is expected to have improved battery life and performance but may have a similar design to its predecessor, with the addition of new metal bands to differentiate it from the original Pixel Watch.
The upcoming Pixel Watch 2 will include enhanced health sensors such as an electrodermal activity sensor to track stress levels and a temperature monitoring sensor for on-demand skin temperature checks, as well as improved safety features and a redesigned Fitbit app interface.
Main topic: Review of the Apple Watch Series 9
Key points:
1. Introduction of new methods of interaction: Double Tap and Raise to Speak (to Siri)
2. On-device Siri processing for convenient voice control
3. Enhanced fitness tracking capabilities and carbon neutral product
(Note: Battery life, new UWB chip, and screen brightness are also mentioned in the content, but they are not included as key points since they are not as significant as the ones listed above.)
The Apple Watch Ultra is on sale for $700, offering a more affordable alternative to the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, while Apple's FineWoven MagSafe Wallet and HomePod 2 are also seeing discounts at $56 and $285 respectively.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 teardowns by iFixit reveal no significant hardware changes, confirming that the new Double Tap feature is just a software update, but also highlighting the difficulty of disassembling the models due to tiny screws and strong glue.
Apple Watch 9's new feature, Double Tap, allows users to interact with the smartwatch through gestures, utilizing the S9 SiP chip's Neural Engine, while its AssistiveTouch feature, available since the Apple Watch 6, provides a comprehensive navigation system for differently-abled users.
Apple is rumored to be bringing microLED display technology to the Apple Watch Ultra, with the display expected to launch in either 2025 or 2026, and plans to eventually incorporate the technology into other products such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs to reduce reliance on Samsung.
Google has announced the Pixel Watch 2, which features improved heart rate monitoring, new sensors for stress management, automatic tracking for different workouts, and a Safety Check feature, among other updates.
Early adopters of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 can now access the new double tap gesture with the public beta of watchOS 10.1, which allows users to interact with their watch without touching the display, making it more convenient for tasks when the other hand is occupied.
The second watchOS 10.1 update for Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 devices introduces a new feature called Double Tap, which allows users to interact with their watch using one hand by double tapping their finger and thumb together.
The Google Pixel Watch offers stylish design, extensive health tracking features, and NFC payments, making it a better option than the Pixel Watch 2 which comes with upgrades but at a higher price.
The Apple Watch Series 9 offers upgraded internals and new features like Double Tap gesture controls and onboard Siri queries, making it a promising device for iOS users and a worthy upgrade from previous models.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 are both strong contenders in the smartwatch market, with the Pixel Watch 2 offering modern fitness and health tech while the Galaxy Watch 5 provides a powerful alternative with multiple health sensors and a matured feature set.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, which has the capability to connect to cycling accessories and track cycling performance, is currently available at a $50 discount for Amazon Prime Day.
The Google Pixel Watch 2 offers improved battery life and a range of updates and features that make it a better smartwatch than its predecessor, although it still has some quirks and concerns.
The Pixel Watch 2 offers incremental improvements over its predecessor, with a focus on health tracking and integration with the Fitbit platform, but lacks compelling features to justify an upgrade from the original model, making it one of the best smartwatches available but not a significant leap forward.
