Introduction: Apple Watch 8 vs 9
On September 12th, Apple once again made the tech world sit up and take notice. During the legendary Apple event, not only were the new iPhones 15 presented, but the new Apple Watch 9 was also put in the spotlight. If you thought the Apple Watch 8 with its body temperature measurement and crash detection was already a hit, then brace yourself for the next round. The Apple Watch 9 retains many of the tried and tested features of its predecessor and adds a little extra. But is the upgrade even worth it? In this blog post, we take a close look at both models and give you the ultimate overview. We check out the features that both watches have in common and which innovations could really blow you away. Whether you already wear an Apple Watch or are thinking about diving into the Apple smartwatch world: This post will answer all your questions. Are you ready? Then we'll dive deep into the Apple Watch 8 vs 9 comparison!
Apple Watch 8 – A Review
Before we dive into the direct comparison, let's take a look back at the Apple Watch 8. This model has already set the bar pretty high. The Retina display shines with an impressive brightness of up to 1,000 nits, so you won't have any problems reading it even in bright sunshine. Under the hood is the S8 chip, which is based on the A13 Bionic chip and therefore has plenty of power.
But that's not all. With the Neural Engine, the Apple Watch 8 also offers support for machine learning, which forms the basis for numerous intelligent functions. Siri is processed in the cloud, which requires a stable internet connection for requests. The dictation function is also a useful feature that increases the everyday suitability of the watch. The first ultra-wideband chip is integrated and enables precise location and communication with other devices.
In terms of storage, the device comes with 32 GB, which should be more than enough for most users. Visually, the watch offers various aluminum models in the colors Starlight, Midnight, Silver and (PRODUCT)RED, so there is something for every taste.
All in all, the Apple Watch 8 was a hit and won many fans. But what can the Apple Watch 9 do against it in 2023?
Apple Watch 9 2023 – What's New
The Apple Watch 9 2023 was recently unveiled at the spectacular Apple Event on September 12, sharing the spotlight with the new iPhone 15 models. But what makes this smartwatch so unique, especially compared to the Apple Watch 8?
One of the most obvious differences is the Retina display, which now shines at up to 2,000 nits. In the evening and in dark rooms, the brightness can even be dimmed to just 1 nit. Speaking of gestures: The new "Double Tap" function allows a variety of actions without touching the display. From controlling music to operating the camera, everything is included.
Under the surface, the S9 chip, based on the A15 Bionic, is 30% faster and has 60% more transistors. Siri is now smarter and processes requests directly on the watch as long as no information from the web is required. Access to health and fitness data is also now possible.
The second Ultra Wideband chip adds the Precision Finding feature for iPhone 15 models. This helps you locate your lost iPhone in any direction and even provides visual, haptic and acoustic clues.And if you're a HomePod owner, your Apple Watch now gets even smarter when you're near a playing HomePod.
In terms of storage, the Watch 9 offers a whopping 64 GB, and in terms of color, there are new options like pink alongside the classics. In short, although the Apple Watch 9 has a lot in common with its predecessor, it does bring some welcome improvements.
similarities between the two models
If you're considering upgrading from the Apple Watch Series 8 to the Series 9, you should first look at the common features that both models have to offer.
- Retina Display: Both models come with a high-resolution Retina display.
- Siri: Siri is there to answer your questions, and the Series 9 can also provide answers offline.
- aluminum housing: Both models are available in color options such as Starlight, Midnight and Silver.
- Ultra Wideband chip: Both Series 8 and 9 support Ultra Wideband technology.
Apple Watch 8 vs 9 – The Differences
This is where it gets interesting, because despite the many similarities, there are some crucial upgrades that you shouldn't overlook.
Performance and Chip
- S8 chip (Series 8): Based on the A13 Bionic chip. Good, but a bit outdated now.
- S9 chip (Series 9): A real beast, based on the A15 Bionic chip, with 60% more transistors and 30% faster performance. It also has a 4-core Neural Engine that is twice as fast.
display and brightness
- Series 8: With up to 1,000 nits of brightness, it's definitely not a bad display.
- Series 9: It reaches 2,000 nits and can be dimmed to 1 nit in dark rooms. This is particularly useful at night or when going to the cinema.
Additional functions
- Double Tap (Series 9): The new gesture allows you to stop timers, control music, and more without touching the display.
- Precision Finding (Series 9): This feature is specific to iPhone 15 models and provides visual, haptic and audio guidance to help you find a missing iPhone.
- memory: The Series 9 offers a whopping 64 GB of storage compared to the 32 GB of the Series 8.
- HomePod Integration (Series 9): Enables enhanced control of your HomePod when you're nearby.
Comparison of Apple Watch 8 and 9: What the differences mean
The Series 9 is, by and large, a moderate step up from the Series 8. However, if you're looking for the latest technology and higher performance, the upgrade is definitely worth it. But hey, if the Series 8 is on sale and you can deal with a little less firepower, it's still a solid catch!
Apple Watch 9 2023: Clarifying myths about blood pressure and blood sugar
There is a lot of information circulating on the Internet, especially when it comes to the health features of the latest smartwatches.There is a lot of speculation, especially regarding the "Apple Watch 9 blood pressure" and "Apple Watch 9 blood sugar" measurements. At this point we want to make things clear: The Apple Watch Series 9 does not currently offer any functions for measuring blood pressure or blood sugar.
Implementing such health data measurement functions is technically extremely challenging. Not only does the hardware have to be able to take accurate measurements, but these measurements also have to be medically reliable. This represents an enormous challenge in terms of engineering and medical research. It will probably be some time before such features are available in a smartwatch like the Apple Watch. For now, it remains the same: If you are looking for Apple Watch 9 blood pressure or Apple Watch 9 blood sugar features, you will not find them in this model yet.
Is it worth the upgrade? Should you switch from the Apple Watch 8 to the Apple Watch 9?
In 2022, Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 8, which offers features such as body temperature measurement and crash detection. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 8 is no longer officially sold by Apple. But how is the Series 9 different from the Series 8 and is it worth upgrading?
Who benefits from the Apple Watch 9 upgrade?
According to Macrumors, the differences between the two models are minimal, with the Series 9 mainly shining through the S9 chip, the double-tap gesture, and the Precision Finding feature for iPhone 15 models. So the upgrade is hard to justify if you already own a Series 8. But there are scenarios where an upgrade would be justified:
- HomePod users: If you use your HomePod extensively, Series 9 offers improved integration that provides specific media recommendations as you approach HomePod.
- iPhone 15 planned: If you plan to buy an iPhone 15, the Precision Finding feature is an attractive feature to make locating your iPhone easier.
- More storage space needed: With 64GB of storage versus 32GB on the Series 8, the Series 9 can store more media, which may be important for some users.
- one-handed operation: The double tap gesture makes one-handed use easier, which can be especially useful if you often multitask.
Overall, the 2023 Apple Watch 9 is a slight improvement over the Series 8. However, if you're coming from an older model and value special features like improved HomePod integration or more storage, the upgrade might make sense. For most users who already own a Series 8 or can find an older model at a reasonable price, the Series 8 is still a solid choice.
Conclusion: Should you upgrade from the Apple Watch 8 to the Apple Watch 9?
Upgrading from the Apple Watch Series 8 to the Series 9 is not a clear-cut matter. Those who already own a Series 8 will probably not find a good reason to jump to the newer version unless certain specific functions are indispensable. These include features such as Precision Finding for iPhone 15 owners, enhanced HomePod integration or the additional storage space.
For those looking to upgrade from an older version of the Apple Watch, the Series 8 remains an attractive option, especially when it's available at a reduced price. Technologically, the Series 9 offers only marginal improvements that add little value to the average user.
Therefore, our recommendation is: If you already own a Series 8, save your money and continue to enjoy a premium smartwatch experience. However, if you're switching from an older version and find the Series 9's new features irresistible, the upgrade might make sense.
Ultimately, the decision will depend heavily on your individual needs and the value you might get from the new features. Those looking for the very latest and greatest will obviously opt for the Series 9. But for most, the Series 8 is still a real winner, offering all the key features you'd expect from a premium smartwatch.
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