Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra 2 launched with one-hand gestures, on-device Siri

Apple’s Wonderlust launch event has just brought its curtains down, and along with the long-awaited iPhone 15 series, we also have two new wearables – the Apple Watch Series 9, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

As the name suggests, both succeed last year’s Series 8 and Ultra watches. While the new watches may not be distinguishable at first glance, they pack some major changes under the hood, which open up some interesting new use cases. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Apple Watch Series 9: What’s new?

The Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by the new S9 chipset, which makes it faster than previous generations including the Apple Watch Series 8. The new chip also includes a quad-core Neural Engine which makes the wearable smart enough to detect precise movements, including when you tap your index finger against your thumb twice – a double tap.

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The double tap gesture can trigger the main button on any application on the Apple Watch Series 9. For the Alarm, this is the snooze button, for the camera, this is the capture trigger, and so on. Users will also be able to double tap to take and end calls, control music playback and more.

The display on the Apple Watch Series 9 also gets more vibrant, now boasting up to 2,000 nits of brightness for improved visuals even under direct sunlight. This is great for those who take the Apple Watch out on morning runs and for sports enjoyed during the daytime.

On-device Siri support now allows users to trigger Apple’s voice assistant and perform basic tasks without requiring internet connectivity. This makes interactions with Siri faster and problem-free in areas with patchy connectivity.

Other features include Ultra Wideband (UWB) support that lets your watch track your iPhone with more precision, even if it is in a different room. The addition also allows the Apple Watch Series 9 to work closely with HomePod speakers for seamless music playback, and media suggestions which will show up on the top of the Smart Stack when you’re close to a HomePod.

The Apple Watch Series 9 prices in India start from Rs 41,900, and it will be available from September 22.

Apple Watch Ultra 2: What’s new?

Apple introduced the Watch Ultra last year as a more powerful wearable for users who were into adventure sports and other extreme activities, showcasing it as a utility that could survive under any conditions. With the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple makes the wearable more powerful.

The Watch Ultra 2 is also powered by the S9 chip, making features like UWB support, improved gestures, double tap recognition, and on-device Siri support available. The Watch also gets an even brighter display, which can now go up to 3,000 nits. Apple also promises improved battery life, which can make the wearable last for up to 72 hours on a single charge with low-power mode.

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A new Modular Ultra watchface shows crucial elements like the altitude, compass and other metrics right on the main screen, while updating all elements in real time. The Watch Ultra 2 also uses an ambient light sensor to automatically detect when it’s getting dark to turn on Always-On display. Activity specific apps like the Dive app for underwater enthusiasts also gets new improvements.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 price in India has been set at Rs 89,900 and it also will be available from September 22.