Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest version of the world’s most popular wearable. Two years separate Series 7 and 9 and while there are a number of changes, there’s quite a bit that’s remained the same. Read along for Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9 as we look at everything new.
Table of contents
- Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9
- SiP – Processor, GPU, Neural Engine
- Case and display
- Apple Watch band compatibility
- Battery life and charging
- Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9 – Key features
- Price
- Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9 and earlier wrap-up
If you’re curious about Apple Watch Series 8 and more vs Series 9, check out this comparison:
- Apple Watch Series 9 vs 8 and earlier: What’s different?
Below we’ll focus specifically on Series 7 vs 9…
Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9
SiP – Processor, GPU, Neural Engine
In 2022, Apple used the S8 64-bit dual-core processor in the Series 8 which wasn’t that different from the S7 in 2021 (or even the S6).
Now with Series 9, Apple says the S9 SiP brings notable improvements across the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine.
Apple didn’t give a specific measure of how much faster the CPU of the S9 is compared to S8, but it features 5.6 billion transistors – up 60% from S8.
For the S9 GPU, Apple says it’s 30% faster than the S8 and the Neural Engine is twice as fast.
| Series 9 | Series 7 | |
| SiP/processor | S9 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor | S7 SiP 64-bit dual-core processor |
| Ultra wideband chip | ✅ – gen 2 | ✅ – gen 1 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Storage | 64GB | 32GB |
More benefits if you’re coming from Series 7 are a jump in storage to 64GB and the ultra wideband gen 2 chip with Series 9. The new ultra wideband chip offers precision finding for iPhone.
Case and display
Apple Watch Series 9 keeps the same size displays that launched with Apple Watch Series 7. That’s 45 and 41mm cases and bigger displays 20% bigger than Series 4-6/SE and 50% larger than Series 3.
The main difference with the Series 9 Apple Watch display is brightness has doubled from 1,000 to 2,000 nits.
| Series 9 | Series 7 | |
| Case size | 45/41mm | 45/41mm |
| Display size | 396 x 484 pixels, 1143 sq mm (45mm model) | 396 x 484 pixels, 1143 sq mm (45mm model) |
| Brightness | 2,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Always-on display | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sapphire crystal front | Yes with steel models, no with aluminum | Yes with steel models, no with aluminum |
But Apple also says that graphics on the Series 9 display will be smoother than ever thanks to the new GPU in the S9 SiP.
Apple Watch band compatibility
Bands, loops, and bracelets designed for the previous generation Apple Watch sizes 38/40/41 and 42/44/45mm work with Apple Watch Series 9.
Battery life and charging
First introduced with Apple Watch 7 and continued with Apple Watch Series 8 and 9 is 33% faster charging than Series 6 and earlier. That means going from 0-80% in 45 minutes instead of around 60 minutes.
| Series 9 | Series 7 | |
| Battery life – standard | 18 hours | 18 hours |
| Extended battery with Low Power mode | 36 hours | 36 hours |
| Charging | 0-80% in 45 minutes | 0-80% in 45 minutes |
One more benefit with Series 9 (and 8) for sleep tracking is you get 8 hours worth of use from an 8-minute charge (Ultra and Ultra 2 too).
Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9 – Key features
New with Apple Watch Series 9 is on-device Siri processing for faster responses and better security. There’s also a new double tap gesture to more easily use the wearable with one hand (available with watchOS 10.1).
However, as it happens, anyone with a Series 3 or later can use a double tap-like gesture feature called quick actions:
- How to turn on double tap-like gesture control on almost any Apple Watch
Another improvement Apple says that comes thanks to the new S9 chip is up to 25% more accurate dictation.
Liked by 9 people
Definitely not worth it. These watches have so few changes year to year that the articles should really be focused on three to four-year-old devices.
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Finally, the new on-device Siri enables you to get answers to your personal health metrics.
| Apple Watch model/features | Series 9 | Series 7 |
| ECG app | ✅ | ✅ |
| Blood Oxygen app | ✅ | ✅ |
| High/low heart rate notifications | ✅ | ✅ |
| New Compass app w/ waypoints + backtrack | ✅ | ✅ |
| IP6X dust resistant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Water resistant to 50m | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sleep tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crash detection | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fall detection | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advancedcycle tracking with temp sensing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cycle tracking without temp sensing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Emergency SOS | ✅ | ✅ |
| International emergency calling | ✅ | ✅ |
| On-device Siri | ✅ | ❌ |
| Double tap gesture control | ✅ | ❌ |
| Siri+Health | ✅ | ❌ |
| Precision finding for iPhone | ✅ | ❌ |
Price
- Series 9 starts from $399/$429 and up (Apple, Amazon, more)
- Series 7 and 8 and older usually sell at a discount (Amazon, Best Buy, more) – Apple has stopped selling Series 7 and 8
- Apple Watch SE 2nd gen goes from $249 (Apple, Amazon, more)
Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9 and earlier wrap-up
Apple Watch Series 9 doesn’t include a ton of changes but there are a number of upgrades like on-device Siri, a brighter screen, double tap gesture control, 64GB of storage, and an improved S9 SiP that may be enticing for some.
What do you think? Does Apple Watch Series 9 feel like a worthwhile upgrade over Series 7? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Thanks for reading our guide on Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9!
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