The 2023 vintage of Apple Watches brings new features in dribs and drabs. The Series 9 looks like a transitional model awaiting a real redesign. A watch that always provides as much satisfaction as frustration.

The 2023 vintage of Apple Watches brings new features in dribs and drabs. The Series 9 looks like a transitional model awaiting a real redesign. A watch that always provides as much satisfaction as frustration.

While the iPhone went directly from 8 to X by skipping number 9 in 2017, the Apple Watch quietly continues its momentum. The Series 9 thus succeeds the Series 8 and it is very smart to be able to distinguish the generational leap between the two models at first glance (read our test of the Apple Watch Series 8). For this 2023 vintage, Apple is indeed going with a lot (too much?) gentleness. The list of new features turns out to be very thin and the main development that most users expected, namely better autonomy, is not there. We will therefore have to make do with a few improvements on the hardware level and, above all, on the software side with the arrival of watchOS 10.1. A version of the system appeared more than a month after the Apple watch went on sale and which allows it to stand out from previous generations by providing it with the famous Double Tap function (or Touch twice in French). We therefore waited for the arrival of this update and the implementation of this function to publish this test and evaluate its relevance in order to judge whether the Apple Watch Series 9 still deserves its title of queen of connected watches. We were able to test this new watch for several weeks. Here is our verdict.

Apple Watch Series 9: an invariable but still effective design

Those who were hoping for a new design for this vintage of Apple Watch are in for a surprise. Placed next to an Apple Watch Series 8 from 2022, this Apple Watch Series 9 looks like a twin sister. And, after all, why change a model that has already won all the votes in terms of both ergonomics and comfort?

To differentiate yourself, you will just have to adopt the new Pink color if you feel like it. It still comes in two sizes (41 or 45 mm) with an aluminum or stainless steel case with the latter adding a 4G connection by default (if you have a compatible mobile plan).

The Series 9, however, differs from its predecessor by its screen. And Apple is not taking it lightly. This S9 benefits from a screen twice as bright as last year’s S8, going from a peak of 1000 nits to 2000 nits. This small Oled panel with a definition of 396 x 484 pixels thus joins the capabilities offered by the screen of the Apple Watch Ultra released last year. A very comfortable brightness therefore, whatever the ambient light conditions, and which particularly affects readability when it comes to consulting a message, a notification or even the measurements displayed during an exercise.

The Apple Watch Series 9 maintains its water resistance to 50 m to accompany you during your swimming sessions. However, it is not recommended to keep it on your wrist for water sports. High pressure water splashes are not suitable for it.

Apple Watch Series 9: watchOS on the verge of perfection

Everyone who has worn an Apple Watch agrees: Apple’s mobile system remains an example of ergonomics and simplicity. watchOS 10 and more precisely update 10.1 released at the beginning of November (i.e. a month and a half after the arrival of the Series 9 on the shelves) brings a host of new features including the famous Double Tap or Touch twice , much highlighted by Apple during the presentation of the watch in September and exclusive to the Series 9. The idea is not new. It is even available, to a lesser extent, for all other Apple Watches in the accessibility options (by activating Assistive Touch).

So much so that we wonder why Apple indicates that only the new SIP 9 (Silicon In Package) processor present in the Apple Watch S9 is capable of managing this device. The objective is to be able to manipulate certain functions of the watch without touching the screen but by only tapping the thumb twice against one of the other fingers of the hand.

You can scroll through widgets, answer or hang up a call, stop a stopwatch, etc. A new way to use the watch and for which you have to get used to using the reflex. A good idea which, however, deserves to be explored in greater depth. For example, it is impossible to pause the monitoring of a swimming session by tapping your fingers. A situation in which, however, the Double Tap would have been very useful since in immersion mode, the Apple Watch screen becomes inactive. It is also impossible to pause any other terrestrial sports activity by this means while fiddling with the screen with sweaty or simply dirty fingers is not easy either. In short, Double Touch is a good idea…to be perfected.

The new SIP 9 in-house processor does more than just enable Double Tap. Its Neural Engine armed with four cores also gives more freedom to the in-house voice assistant Siri. For simple orders such as starting a sporting activity, starting a timer or even displaying a map or compass, the operations are carried out live on the watch. Siri does not always need to connect to the Internet to interpret and respond to the request. A good step forward for this assistant which still lags behind Google and Alexa (Amazon).

Apple Watch Series 9: a powerful and reliable everyday companion

What makes one of the strengths of the Apple Watch is of course its multifunctional side. A complete watch both for everyday tasks (consulting and responding to messages, presenting a lot of information in a readable way on its small screen, etc.) but also for the sporting aspect. The Apple Watch Series 9 is therefore no exception to this rule. It retains all the advantages released by previous models with exemplary GPS precision, whatever the activity undertaken which requires it, but also very reliable heart rate measurement. Since the sensors are good and the measurements are correctly analyzed, Apple has simply added a new function which will satisfy cyclists in particular. The data collected by the watch can in fact be displayed on the screen of the iPhone attached to the handlebars for better readability. And for the more perfectionists, there is also the possibility of adding a Bluetooth sensor to measure power zones.

Apple Watch Series 9: autonomy is still not its strong point

Did you expect an improvement in terms of autonomy? Grab your ticket and maybe wait until next year. The Apple Watch S9 does not break the tradition of too short autonomy on Apple watches. If you’re the type to use the watch all the time during the day and take it with you to all your training sessions, it’s best to keep its charger nearby. During our tests, the S9 lasted barely more than a day and a half, or around fifteen hours with a good hour and a half hiking session in the middle using the GPS while maintaining the Always On Display mode where the screen always on, active. It’s far too short to peacefully combine a day of active use with a full night’s sleep. With more moderate use, the S9 can last a little longer. Apple announces 18 hours of battery life and up to 36 hours with power saving mode. But it is time for the firm to review its copy on this aspect when we see other watches stringing together several days in a row without flinching.

For recharging, Apple provides its traditional induction dock – this time equipped with a USB-C socket – but still without a charger to refuel the tocante. It will take 1 hour and 10 minutes of charging to go from 5 to 100% autonomy. Half an hour of charging restores 50% battery.

Apple Watch Series 9: should you go for Apple’s connected watch?

This Apple Watch Series 9 is a continuation of previous models. It does not break the codes established by Apple and is content to bring its own small batch of new features. A more powerful processor, a brighter screen and the Double Touch function which could have been much more relevant but which for the moment allows the gallery to amuse if not really essential. Above all, Apple is not making any progress in the area of ​​autonomy, the weak point of the Apple Watch since their debut. So much so that if you have last year’s model, it’s really not worth the effort. On the other hand, if you have an Apple Watch Series 6 or 5 which is starting to tire, the Series 9 has good advantages, especially since its price is down compared to last year: from 449 euros for the aluminum version and from 799 for the steel version. Unless you’re willing to wait until next year, when the Apple Watch celebrates its tenth birthday. It could for the occasion evolve profoundly.