The Apple Watch has evolved steadily over the years, but major upgrades have become less frequent as the product has matured. Because the changes between generations are often incremental, deciding whether to upgrade depends heavily on which model you currently own and which features matter most to you.
Apple Watch Series 9 Overview
The Apple Watch Series 9 introduces Apple’s biggest performance improvement in several years thanks to the new S9 chip. Starting at $399, the Series 9 adds faster processing, improved Siri capabilities, and new interaction features like Double Tap.
While the Series 8 added health-focused features such as body temperature sensing and Crash Detection, the last major redesign arrived with the Series 7 in 2021, which introduced larger displays and faster charging.
Older Apple Watch models have been discontinued by Apple, but many remain available through third-party retailers and refurbished sellers at lower prices.
Apple Watch Series 9 (2023)
Key New Features
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Brighter Retina display with up to 2,000 nits
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Display dims to 1 nit in dark environments
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New Double Tap gesture controls
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S9 chip based on the A15 Bionic
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4-core Neural Engine with faster machine learning
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On-device Siri processing for many requests
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Siri access to health and fitness data
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Improved dictation accuracy
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Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip
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Precision Finding for iPhone 15 models
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HomePod proximity integration
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Increased storage up to 64GB
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New pink aluminum finish
Apple Watch Series 8 (2022)
Key Additions
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Body temperature sensor
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Sleep temperature tracking
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Ovulation estimation for cycle tracking
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Crash Detection
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Improved gyroscope and accelerometer
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S8 chip (same CPU performance as S6)
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Return of silver aluminum option
Apple Watch Series 7 (2021)
Major Changes
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Larger 41mm and 45mm sizes
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Nearly 20% larger display area
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Thinner display borders
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Full QWERTY keyboard
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Brighter always-on display indoors
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Improved crack resistance
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IP6X dust resistance
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Fast charging support
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New Midnight and Starlight colors
Apple Watch Series 6 (2020)
Notable Features
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Blood oxygen monitoring
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Brighter always-on display
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Faster S6 chip
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Always-on altimeter
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Ultra Wideband support
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Faster charging
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Better workout battery efficiency
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New blue and PRODUCT(RED) finishes
Apple Watch Series 5 (2019)
Main Improvements
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Introduction of always-on display
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Built-in compass
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Increased storage to 32GB
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Titanium and ceramic Edition models
Apple Watch Series 4 (2018)
Significant Redesign
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Larger edge-to-edge display
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Faster S4 chip
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ECG support
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Fall Detection
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Louder speaker and improved microphone
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Haptic Digital Crown
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Faster charging
Earlier Generations
Series 3 (2017)
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LTE cellular option
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Faster S3 chip
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Siri voice responses
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Barometric altimeter
Series 2 (2016)
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Built-in GPS
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Water resistance up to 50 meters
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Brighter display
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Nike+ edition introduced
Is the Apple Watch Series 9 Worth Upgrading To?
Worth Upgrading If You Have:
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Apple Watch Series 6 or older
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Slower performance frustrations
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Interest in Double Tap and improved Siri
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Desire for brighter displays and better battery efficiency
Probably Not Necessary If You Have:
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Apple Watch Series 7
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Apple Watch Series 8
The Series 7 and Series 8 already include most modern Apple Watch features, including larger displays, fast charging, and advanced health sensors. The Series 9 mainly improves speed and convenience rather than introducing transformative new capabilities.
Looking Ahead: Apple Watch “Series X”
Rumors suggest Apple is planning a major redesign for the Apple Watch’s tenth anniversary, often referred to as the “Series X.” Expected upgrades may include:
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Thinner casing design
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Larger displays
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MicroLED technology
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Improved battery life
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Blood pressure monitoring
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Redesigned band attachment system
If those rumored features are important to you, waiting for the next generation may be worthwhile.