Apple unveils Apple Watch Series 9 with on-device Siri, brighter display, S9 chip, ‘double tap’ controls, more

Apple has unveiled the next-generation Apple Watch Series 9, featuring increases in performance and capabilities, a new double tap gesture for controlling the wearable without touching the display, faster on-device Siri, Precision Finding for iPhone, and more.

Available to pre-order now ahead of availability beginning September Friday, September 22, the Apple Watch Series 9 features the same overall design as the previous-generation Apple Watch Series 8, including the same 41mm and 45mm screen sizes, although for the first time, Apple has unveiled a new Pink color option, which will be available alongside Starlight, Midnight, Silver and (PRODUCT)RED aluminium case, as well as stainless steel in gold, silver, and graphite cases.

Apple Watch Series 9 introduces a new gesture called “double tap,” which allow users to control the wearable using just one hand and without touching the display. Users can tap the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice to perform many of the most common actions on Apple Watch Series 9.

Double tap controls the primary button in an app so it can be used to stop a timer, play and pause music, or snooze an alarm. The gesture can be used to answer and end a phone call, and take a photo with the Camera Remote on Apple Watch. Double tap will also open the Smart Stack from the watch face, and another double tap will scroll through widgets in the stack.

Image: Apple

Using an all-new S9 SiP, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers an all-day 18-hour battery life with double the display brightness of the Apple Watch Series 8.

For the first time on Apple Watch, Siri requests can be processed on device. For requests that do not require information from the internet, such as starting a workout or setting a timer, Siri does not rely on Wi-Fi or cellular networks, resulting in quicker responses.

Apple Watch Series 9 includes Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip to enable Precision Finding for the iPhone 15 series, which has the same chip. Precision Finding provides distance and direction, as well as visual, haptic, and audio guidance to a misplaced iPhone, even if it is in a different room.

As part of its environment efforts, Apple is introducing FineWoven, a new durable microtwill made of 68 percent post-consumer recycled content that replaces the use of genuine leather for Apple Watch bands and straps. FineWoven has a suedelike feel, and is available with the Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle bands.

Image: Apple

Apple Watch Series 9 starts at £399 and is available to pre-order today. watchOS 10 will be available for Apple Watch Series 4 and later on Monday, September 18, and requires iPhone XS or later running iOS 17.