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Editor’s word: Apple was granted a brief pause on its Apple Watch import ban after interesting a earlier ruling by the Worldwide Commerce Fee relating to a patent dispute. The import ban pause permits Apple to promote each the Sequence 9 and Extremely 2 whereas it awaits an official ruling on the attraction.
When the Apple Watch Sequence 9 was launched in September 2023, it instantly supplanted the Sequence 8 in Apple’s lineup as the corporate’s flagship. Though it did not usher in lots of vital new upgrades, the Sequence 9 is one of the best Apple Watch you should buy, particularly for brand new Watch wearers and people with older fashions.
However that is to not say the Sequence 8 is previous its prime. For sure customers, the Sequence 8 remains to be a extremely helpful wearable, particularly if it may be bought at a reduction on its authentic sticker value of $399. Present customers do not essentially have to rush out and improve to the Sequence 9 and might as a substitute look ahead to the Sequence 10 (or no matter will get introduced subsequent 12 months).
Beneath is an in-depth breakdown of the Apple Watch Sequence 9 and Sequence 8, with comparisons of the watches’ design, smartwatch functionality, well being and health monitoring instruments, and battery life. Learn our full overview of the Apple Watch Sequence 8 and full overview of the Apple Watch Sequence 9 for added perception.
Apple Watch Sequence 8 (41mm, GPS)
The Apple Watch Sequence 8 isn’t the most recent mannequin anymore, however it’s nonetheless top-of-the-line smartwatches round, good for each health nuts and on a regular basis customers. That is one of the best value we have ever discovered for it.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 (41mm, GPS)
The Apple Watch Sequence 9 contains the most recent S9 processor, a 2000-nit always-on Retina show, expanded Apple Well being integrations with Siri, and a singular single-hand gesture to reply calls and work together with widgets. This matches the lowest-ever value too.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. Sequence 8: Specs
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. Sequence 8: Dimension and design
The design of the Apple Watch Sequence 9 (left) is similar to that of the Sequence 8 (proper)
Rick Stella & Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
Each the Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 are similar in dimension and look. Nonetheless, the largest distinguishable distinction between the 2 is that the Sequence 9 is out there in a brand new pink colorway.
Every is available in two totally different show sizes, 41mm and 45mm, and each function an always-on show, in addition to two case choices of both aluminum or stainless-steel. Each watches are additionally suitable with a wide range of one of the best Apple Watch bands and one of the best Apple Watch Sequence 9 bands.
For the Sequence 9, its end choices embrace pink, Midnight black, Starlight tan, silver, and pink within the aluminum case, and gold, silver, and Graphite black within the stainless-steel case. The Sequence 8 is available in Midnight black, Starlight tan, silver, and pink with its aluminum case, and Graphite black, silver, and gold with the stainless-steel case.
Internally, the Sequence 9 has Apple’s quick, new S9 chip, whereas the Sequence 8 makes use of the S8 chip.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. Sequence 8: Smartwatch options
The Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 are practically similar in how they operate as a smartwatch. Though Apple launched the up to date Watch OS 10 working system alongside the Sequence 9, it is also suitable with the Sequence 8.
The brand new options native to Watch OS 10 that work on each watches embrace up to date app designs that make higher use of the watch’s display screen space, a brand new Good Stack show setting, the power to activate the Management Middle by pushing the watch’s aspect button, and new watch faces. It additionally affords different options like new biking metrics, up to date climbing knowledge, and new psychological well being insights.
Whereas each watches can use Watch OS 10’s new options, there may be one new performance native to solely the Sequence 9: the Double Faucet Gesture. The Double Faucet Gesture permits customers to work together with the Sequence 9 by double tapping their thumb and index finger. This gesture can reply or cling up telephone calls, begin or cease timers, and even take a photograph because it’s in a position to management the principle button in any app.
The Sequence 9 additionally affords smoother navigation and improved results due to its S9 chip. Its new ultra-wideband chip improves location accuracy for options like Discover My iPhone, as effectively.
Different smartwatch utilities, like sending and receiving textual content messages, interacting with apps, and taking telephone calls, operate the identical on each the Sequence 9 and Sequence 8. The Sequence 9 does have sooner on-device Siri entry, whereas the Sequence 8 makes use of Siri by speaking with the cloud.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. Sequence 8: Well being and health monitoring
The exercise display screen on the Sequence 9 (proven) features equally to the Sequence 8.
Rick Stella/Insider
The Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 each have similar well being and health monitoring instruments and performance equally when doing issues like monitoring actions, logging an ECG studying, or monitoring sleep. Since each watches are suitable with Watch OS 10, all new well being and health options, equivalent to the brand new biking metrics and climbing stats, will work the identical on both mannequin.
Nonetheless, the Sequence 9’s Double Faucet Gesture impacts how customers can use the well being and health instruments. As an example, because it’s programmed to regulate a sure app’s major button, it may be used to begin or cease a exercise. This provides a level of accessibility the Sequence 8 does not have.
Past that gesture management, although, the Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 operate the identical relating to their well being and health functionality.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. Sequence 8: Battery life
Battery life stays the identical on the Sequence 9 (proven) as customers can anticipate as much as 18 hours on a single cost.
Rick Stella/Insider
Battery life is yet one more space the place the Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 are similar. Each ship as much as 18 hours of battery life on a full cost, with as much as 36 hours of battery life in low-power mode. Low energy mode shuts off some sensors whereas additionally disabling background apps to assist the watch last more.
The Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 are suitable with the identical chargers, although the Sequence 9 does include Apple’s new USB-C cost cable. The Sequence 8 can even use this charger, although any new buy of the watch comes with the usual lightning cable.
Apple Watch Sequence 9 vs. Sequence 8: Value
The Apple Watch Sequence 9 is out there for buy beginning at $399 for the aluminum physique mannequin and $699 for the stainless-steel possibility.
Conversely, the Sequence 8, which is not offered by Apple anymore, could be discovered by way of a retailer like Amazon or Goal for wherever from $300 to $350. Nonetheless, these costs will doubtless drop now that the Sequence 9 has been launched.
Which do you have to purchase?
The Apple Watch Sequence 9 (left) is not an enormous improve over the Sequence 8 (proper) however it’s nonetheless one of the best smartwatch you should buy.
Rick Stella & Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider
The Apple Watch Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 are practically similar smartwatches, with the Sequence 9’s upgraded S9 chip and the brand new Double Faucet Gesture being probably the most substantial variations. However by and enormous, they operate the identical.
Due to that, upgrading to the Sequence 9 is just for a choose set of customers. That’s, anybody carrying a Sequence 5 or 6, or older, ought to significantly contemplate the Sequence 9, whereas these carrying final 12 months’s Sequence 8 (or the Sequence 7) can wait till subsequent 12 months. Even 2nd Era SE customers can maintain off on upgrading.
But when the brand new options entice you sufficient to purchase a Sequence 9, you will not be disenchanted. It is an enchancment over the Sequence 8, even whether it is minimal, and it is not solely one of the best Apple Watch however one of the best smartwatch you should buy, too.
