Apple has just three smartwatches in its current lineup: the affordable Apple Watch SE, the advanced Apple Watch Ultra 2, and the flagship Apple Watch Series 9. All three offer fitness tracking, security features, Siri compatibility, and iPhone integration. , and they all come in carbon. -Neutral configurations. But there are also plenty of differences, one of which is the price: the Apple Watch SE starts at $250, while the Ultra 2 will set you back a whopping $799. Internal sensors, screens, and battery life also vary from model to model. In short, deciding which is the best Apple Watch for you can be more complicated than you think. We’ve put together this guide to help you discover which model makes the most sense for you.
What to look for in an Apple Watch
chips and sensors
Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 were recently updated with Apple’s latest smartwatch silicon, the S9 SiP (system in package). In addition to processing Siri requests on the device, the chip supports a new double-tap gesture that lets you answer calls or stop an alarm by double-tapping your thumb and index finger. It also enables faster performance of machine learning to interpret sensor data, recognize speech, and perform other “thinking” tasks. The Apple Watch SE still relies on the S8 SiP, which was also used in the Series 8 and the original Ultra.
Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 have temperature sensors that can help track ovulation. The two high-end models also include blood oxygen sensors and the ability to perform an ECG. All three models have a compass, altimeter, and support fall and crash detection. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has a built-in SOS siren, as well as diving features like a depth gauge.
Screens and box sizes.
The Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2 have always-on displays, but you’ll have to raise your wrist to check the time or read notifications on the SE. The SE can reach a maximum brightness of 1000 nits, the Series 9 can reach 2000, and the Ultra 2 reaches 3000 nits. Both high-end displays can be dimmed to a single nit, making them less distracting in the dark. As for case sizes, the SE is available in 40 or 44mm and the Series 9 comes in 41 or 45mm. The Ultra 2 only comes in one case size that measures 49mm.
Battery duration
As the largest wearable, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has the largest battery and can last 36 hours on a charge. That number increases up to 72 hours if you activate low power mode. Both the Apple Watch 9 and SE get 18 hours of battery life on a charge and more when using battery saver mode.
Fitness Features
Believe it or not, all three Apple watches have similar fitness abilities. The Activity app uses three “rings” to track how much you move in a day: the Move ring tracks your active calories; The exercise ring monitors the minutes you have spent walking, running, doing yoga, etc.; and the Stand ring tells you how many hours a day you’ve been standing and moving for at least one minute.
Different internal sensors detect those activities, for example, the accelerometer detects when you are moving or sitting, and the optical heart rate sensor judges how hard you are training and how many calories you have burned. You can set your goals for each ring and you will earn badges and animations when you reach them.
The Workout app allows you to start and track an exercise session. The sensors can even automatically detect when you’re exercising, tapping your wrist to suggest you track the activity. Apple Watches will integrate with Apple’s Fitness+ subscription, displaying real-time heart rate and calorie burn data on your iPhone or iPad while you take a class. Fitness+ also includes audio-guided walks and runs using just your watch and Bluetooth headphones. All three models are compatible with the Activity and Training apps for free. The Fitness+ app also works with all Apple Watches, but costs $10 per month.
siri
You can know the weather, start a workout, identify a song, and dictate a text just by asking Siri. All Apple Watch models support the Raise to Talk feature that avoids the need to say “Hey Siri” and will instead listen to your request when you raise your wrist near your mouth.
Both the Series 9 and Ultra 2 use built-in Siri request processing. That means executing simple requests, such as starting workouts and timers, is faster since they won’t need to access external networks. However, requests like sending text messages or getting weather forecasts still need to communicate over Wi-Fi or cellular, so you’ll need to have your phone nearby if you have a GPS-only model.
Price
There’s a $550 difference between the cheapest and most expensive Apple Watch. For $250, you can get the 40mm Apple Watch SE with GPS-only connectivity. The Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399 for the 40mm model, and if you opt for the larger case size, you’ll pay $30 more. Adding cellular connectivity adds $50 for the SE and $100 for the Series 9. The latter also comes with the option of a stainless steel case, plus cellular and GPS, and starts at $699. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has just one price: $799 for a 49mm titanium case with GPS and cellular power.
Best Overall: Apple Watch Series 9
He Apple Watch Series 9 It happens to be our favorite smartwatch, period. It’s a notable improvement over the previous generation, with new features like Double Tap, built-in Siri requests, a brighter display, and a new Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip that can help you identify your lost iPhone 15 using the app FindMy.
In her review, Engadget’s Cherlynn Low spent some time working with double tap function and while it took a little practice to get the tapping cadence right, he found that it actually made his life easier. You can use it to dismiss a timer or alarm, play music, or reply to messages. Double-tapping also opens Smart Stack, the sequence of watchOS 10 widgets available with the latest software update. You can customize some of the gesture actions, including how you navigate the Smart Stack and play music.
The Series 9 also handles processing Siri requests on the device. While we didn’t notice a huge difference in response time between our review unit and the Series 8, we liked that it lets you ask Siri to start a workout when you leave your phone at home. Apple also improved the Raise to Talk feature, using a two-second audio buffer from the always-on microphone to better anticipate Siri’s needs. Ideally, you should be able to raise your wrist and say your requests without having to use the trigger words. We found that it only worked half the time, but when it did, it was “almost magical.”
All new tricks aside, the Apple Watch 9 is a stalwart companion for your iPhone, allowing you to view and respond to notifications without taking out your phone. The various sensors can give you information about your overall health and fitness tracking tools, and the activity rings are reliable and motivating. We wish the battery lasted a little longer; It typically can’t be used for more than a day before needing a recharge, which can make it difficult to use the sleep tracking features.
Read our full review of the Apple Watch Series 9
Best Budget: Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Apple did not make a new generation of the Apple Watch SE when it updated its other two wearables in September, but you still get plenty for just $250. Cherlynn also reviewed the SE when it came out in 2022, calling it “the best smartwatch for the price.” It uses the same chip as the original Ultra and Series 8, and in our review of the new Series 9, Cherlynn “barely noticed a difference in performance” compared to the previous generation.
That said, there are some trade-offs. You won’t get an always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring, or temperature sensor. The SE also doesn’t support the new Double Tap feature and requires your phone to be nearby for Siri requests (if you don’t have a model with cellular service). As for materials, the SE’s dial is covered with Ion-X glass, which is less robust than the sapphire crystal on the stainless steel Series 9 or the Ultra 2.
That said, the SE has more in common with its more expensive sibling, including crash detection, heart rate monitoring, emergency calling, and 50 meters of water resistance. Although the screen isn’t as bright as more expensive models, we thought it was sharp and easy to read, even in sunlight. The fitness tracking is accurate, the design is lightweight and comfortable, and the processor is snappy. If you’re looking for a basic smartwatch and don’t mind the few missing features, the SE is still the way to go.
Read our full review of the Apple Watch SE
Best for adventurers: Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple announced the Ultra 2 at the same event as the Series 9. The Ultra is a large, feature-rich smartwatch with plenty of tools for athletes and outdoor adventurers. It comes in only one variation: a 49mm titanium case with cellular and GPS connectivity. And interestingly, the latest model is priced at the same $799 as the previous generation (although the previous model is now enjoying significant discounts).
Engadget’s Cherlynn Low took the original Ultra on a hike to take advantage of its outdoor-specific features, and the Backtrack feature actually saved her and our video producer Brian from taking an unintentional detour in the wrong direction. The feature is located within the Compass app and allows you to set waypoints, such as marking parking before you set off. There is a siren on board that is loud enough to alert passersby or emergency personnel to your whereabouts should you need it.
For water activities, the Ultra 2 includes diving functions that can measure water temperature, dive duration, and measure up to 40 meters deep. For workouts closer to home, dual-frequency GPS gives you more accurate route tracking and pace calculations. And the action button can be programmed to start a workout, control the stopwatch, activate the flashlight, set a waypoint, and more. Just keep in mind that we found it quite easy to accidentally activate the action button when trying to press the crown, so it may take a little practice.
The new S9 SiP chip enables Double Tap and Siri processing on the device, just as it does in the Series 9. The display was bumped up to 3000 nits and while we couldn’t take the new model on a hike, the original with 2000 nits It was bright enough under direct sunlight. We like how the new Modular Ultra watch face makes great use of the large display (although it’s also available on the original AWU). Battery life remains the same at 36 hours, and we got about three days of moderate use from the Ultra. before needing a recharge. The low power mode is particularly impressive, shaving many extra hours off a nearly empty watch.
Read our full review of the Apple Watch Ultra
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-apple-watch-160005462.html?src=rss
