Apple Watch Series 9 VS Apple Watch Series 8: comparison and differences

1 – A faster watch

Like the iPhone 14 Pro which succeeds the iPhone 15 Pro, the Apple Watch Series 9 are more powerful than the Apple Watch Series 8. This is partly explained by the choice of a faster processor on the Series 9: the S9 chip. .

Siri, when voice data is processed locally, is also faster now. Moreover, the Apple Watch Series 9 does not charge any faster than the Apple Watch Series 8. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are thus provided with the same generation on both watches.

2 – Carbon neutrality

With the Apple Watch Series 9, its manufacturer offers its first connected watch available carbon neutral. Understand that by choosing the right case with the right bracelet, investments are made by the manufacturer. These are investments in favor of protecting the planet, made to offset the impact of your purchase on the environment.

3 – Comparison of screens

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 8 screens are identical except for maximum brightness. The Apple Watch Series 9 can thus boast of achieving a remarkable power of two thousand nits, compared to half as much with its predecessor.

This makes it easier to use the Apple Watch Series 9 in direct sunlight.

4 – An air of Vision Pro

With this, the Apple Watch Series 9 recognizes a new gesture, to which you can associate the triggering of the functionality of your choice. Simply pinch, joining the end of your index finger and that of your thumb. Or the same gesture as to click, within the operating system ofl’Apple Vision Pro(visionOS).

If you are onApple Watch Series 8, however, don't panic. Indeed, by using the AssistiveTouch functionality, you will be able to obtain results similar to the new pinch gesture on the Apple Watch Series 9. Go to the Settings app to test this option.

5 – New features?

With this, note that thanks to the second generation UWB (ultra wideband) chip of the Apple Watch Series 9, it is entitled to the Precise Location functionality of the Find app. You can use it to identify the exact geolocation of your AirTag with the platform.

6 – What does not change (or almost)

Design

There is no difference in design between the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Series 8. You can therefore choose aluminum or stainless steel models, regardless of my chosen version.

Please note that the colors are as follows for the Apple Watch Series 9:

• midnight aluminum
• starlight aluminum
• aluminium argent
• aluminium rose
• aluminium rouge
• graphite stainless steel (PVD)
• stainless steel silver
• gold stainless steel (PVD)

And here are the colors of the Apple Watch Series 8:

• midnight aluminum
• starlight aluminum
• silver aluminum
• aluminium rouge
• gravity stainless steel (PVD)
• gold stainless steel (PVD)
• stainless steel silver

Screen

The screen of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 8 has a diagonal of 1.9 inches, for a definition of 484 by 396 pixels. Or 326 pixels per inch.

Performances

The same amount of RAM seems to be present under the hood of the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Series 9. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 9 has sixty-four gigabytes of internal storage. Compared to only thirty-two gigabytes with an Apple Watch Series 8.

Communications

• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
• Bluetooth 5.3
• GPS
• GLONASS
• GALILEO
• NFC (to pay with Apple Pay)
• micros

Other sensors (health and safety)

• accelerometer
• gyroscope
• fall detection
• accident detection
• blood oximeter
• heart rate sensor
• electrocardiograms

Battery

Battery life for Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 8 reaches up to thirty-six hours with power saving mode enabled. Otherwise, you could quickly run out of battery in less than a day.

7 – Price comparison

Apple Watch Series 9 prices

The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at 449 euros for the base model, which is not entitled to 4G. The Apple Watch Series 8, for its part, is no longer available in stores.

Apple Watch Series 8 prices

Otherwise, you should know that the Apple Watch Series 8 was sold for at least 499 euros previously. The price is therefore falling with the release of the Apple Watch Series 9.

8 – Conclusion: which one to choose?

To choose your Apple Watch between the Series 9 and the Series 8, you must first look at the performance: the new watch does better. On the software side, however, the features are more or less the same.

In terms of design, too: the manufacturer offers very similar options with the Apple Watch Series 9 and with the Apple Watch Series 8. But next year, the Apple Watch major update.

With its lower price and improved technical sheet, the Apple Watch Series 9 remains better than the Apple Watch Series 8.