A Practical Review
It’s been six months since I bought the Apple Watch Series 9, and I’ve had plenty of time to explore its features and see how it fits into my day-to-day life. As someone in my late 50s, I’ve found it to be a genuinely useful tool—not just for keeping time, but for managing fitness, health, and even the occasional tech hiccup. Here’s my take on whether it’s worth the upgrade and who might benefit the most.
Battery Life: Reliable for Everyday Use
Battery life is always a key consideration. The Series 9 doesn’t disappoint for a smartwatch. I wear mine around the clock, including for sleep tracking, and I’ve settled into a simple charging routine—a quick top-up in the morning while I’m showering, and occasionally another charge after an afternoon walk or workout. With fast charging, it’s ready to go in no time.
Note: The Apple Watch SE models don’t support fast charging, which is worth considering if you’re looking at different options.
Performance: Siri Steps Up
Siri has a reputation—and not always a good one. But with the S9 chip powering the Series 9, I’ve noticed a significant improvement. It’s faster, more responsive, and processes many requests locally, meaning it doesn’t rely on internet speed to get things done. Setting timers, checking the weather, or sending quick texts feels seamless.
Fun Fact: The S9 chip delivers machine learning tasks up to two times faster than the previous generation, making even small interactions noticeably smoother.
Display: A Bright Spot
The 2,000-nit display is one of the Series 9’s standout features, especially in bright Australian sunlight. Whether I’m out hiking, at the beach, or refereeing volleyball matches, I can see everything clearly—even with sunglasses on. It’s a small improvement that makes a big difference in everyday use.
Features That Stand Out
Double Tap: A Mixed Bag
The new Double Tap gesture lets you control certain functions, like answering calls or pausing music, with a pinch of your fingers. While it’s handy in theory, I’ve found it a bit temperamental. Sometimes it’s unresponsive, and other times I forget it exists altogether. It’s a work in progress, but it shows potential.
Precision Finding
The Ultra-Wideband chip is a lifesaver for finding misplaced items. With Precision Finding, the watch points you directly to your phone or AirTag. It’s so accurate that I’ve stopped panicking about where I’ve left my phone—usually under a pile of papers.
Fitness Tracking and Hiking Tools
I’ve been using the fitness tracking features daily. Whether it’s recording walks, monitoring heart rate, or tracking calories burned, it keeps me accountable. The updated hiking features, including trail information and elevation data, have been fantastic for weekend bushwalks.
Pro Tip: If you’re into fitness, the watch integrates seamlessly with Apple Fitness+, displaying metrics like heart rate and calories burned right on your Apple TV during workouts.
WatchOS 10: A Refreshing Update
The new Smart Stack feature is a great addition. It dynamically shows important apps and widgets, like timers or music controls, right when you need them. The redesigned Control Center, now accessible with the side button, took some getting used to but feels natural after six months.
While I stick to my trusty Infograph watch face for its practical layout, the Snoopy watch face is a fun option when I want something lighthearted.
Health Tracking: Small Features, Big Impact
Sleep Tracking
I’ve worn the watch every night to monitor my sleep. While it’s not as detailed as a dedicated sleep tracker, it’s good enough to give me a general idea of how well I’m resting. The gentle vibration alarm is a highlight—no more jarring wake-ups.
Haptic Directions
Using Apple Maps with the watch is fantastic. It provides different haptic feedback for left and right turns, which has been a game-changer when navigating unfamiliar suburbs.
Media and Everyday Use
I use the Now Playing app daily to control podcasts, music, and even my Apple TV. The seamless connection with my AirPods makes switching between devices effortless. I’ve also used the watch to respond to texts quickly, and the tiny keyboard is surprisingly usable for short messages.
What Could Be Better?
No device is perfect, and the Series 9 has its quirks:
- Battery Life: It’s good for a day, but I’d love to see Apple push for multi-day battery life like the Apple Watch Ultra.
- Software Updates: Auto-updates don’t work for me since I wear the watch to bed. I’d like more flexibility to schedule updates.
- Repairability: A user-replaceable battery would make the watch more sustainable and practical in the long run.
Should You Buy It?
If you own an iPhone and want a smartwatch that’s intuitive, reliable, and feature-packed, the Series 9 is a great choice. The brighter display, faster performance, and improved Siri make it a worthwhile upgrade from older models. However, if you already have a Series 8, the differences might not be significant enough to justify the cost.
Final Thoughts: For someone like me, who values health tracking, fitness integration, and daily convenience, the Apple Watch Series 9 has been a fantastic addition. Whether you’re upgrading or buying your first smartwatch, it’s an investment you won’t regret.