Apple Watch Series 7 vs Watch Series 9: Should you upgrade?

The newest Apple Watch Series 9 is officially vying for shoppers’ attention. While the smartwatch packs a few key upgrades under its hood, it should look very familiar at first glance. Apple’s design has remained largely unchanged since the Series 7 landed in 2021. Yet, a closer look shows important improvements and significant new features. To determine how far Apple’s come in the last two years, we compare the Apple Watch Series 9 vs Series 7.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch 9 specs

New features in the Apple Watch Series 9

The newest generation’s S9 chipset and neural engine offer a faster and smoother user experience. The tune-up also allows for a handful of new features users may find worth an upgrade. First, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers onboard processing of Siri queries. Siri can now complete on-device actions such as pulling up personal health data or starting a workout.

Meanwhile, when a user has only one hand free, they can use Double Tap. I’ve tested the new gesture control, which allows you to “click” your watch hand’s index finger and thumb twice to complete basic actions. I found Double Tap useful for actions like starting music, ending a call, and scrolling through my Smart Stack. Additionally, the Series 9’s new U2 chipset facilitates more precision for Apple’s Find My Phone feature. The Series 9 will guide you to the exact location of your paired smartphone as long as it is within 20 feet of the watch.

An Apple Watch Series 9 vs Series 7 comparison shows another more major difference on the health and fitness tracking front. Apple did not add temperature sensors to its devices until the Apple Watch Series 8. Without this sensor, the Series 7 does not offer the same sleep-tracking accuracy as the Series 9. It also cannot be used as effectively for women’s health tracking purposes. This is a valuable tool worth considering when choosing which watch is best for you.

Beyond the temperature sensor, the two devices feature the same ECG and heart rate sensors and the same workout suite. Our original review found the Series 7’s heart rate monitoring finicky. In contrast, the Series 9 proved virtually flawless during our testings.

The Series 9 arrives with watchOS 10 out of the box, but anyone with a Series 7 can download the update as well, so the software is not a factor when comparing the two devices.

How does the design compare?

The Apple Watch Series 7 and 9 share nearly identical design specs, from dimensions to weights to display sizes. Unlike the Series 7, the new model is not available in titanium, as Apple now saves that premium material for its Ultra lineup. The two generations still use the same interchangeable bands, mirror each other’s durability certifications, and come in many of the same colors. In Stainless steel, the devices share available colors. The Series 7 comes in Midnight, Starlight, Green, Blue, and Product Red in aluminum. The Series 9 drops the Green and Blue and adds a pink option.

In addition to its trendy new colorway, the Series 9 offers a second new bright spot. The latest model doubles display brightness compared to the Series 7, offering a maximum brightness of 2000 nits. The display also drops to a single nit to make readability possible in all situations. This upgrade isn’t necessarily a deal breaker but it it is certainly noticeable when holding the devices side by side.

Finally, Apple has significantly emphasized sustainability in this year’s product launches. The Series 9 is a more eco-friendly device built with sustainable practices and recycled materials.

Colors, price, and availability

The Apple Watch Series 9 launched on September 12, 2023, with a starting price of $399. From there, prices vary depending on the case size and material shoppers select. An LTE model Series 9 starts at $499. The device is available with an aluminum case in Starlight, Midnight, Silver, Product Red, and Pink, or with a stainless steel case in Silver, Graphite, and Gold.

The Apple Watch Series 7 debuted in September 2021 with identical starting prices to the newer model. However, now that it is two generations old, the Series 7 can be found for much cheaper. As mentioned, it is available in the same colors as the newer in titanium but doesn’t feature a Pink option in aluminum. Instead, the older line features a Blue and Green aluminum case in addition to Starlight, Midnight, Silver, and Product Red.

Which Apple Watch should you buy?

Slow and steady is the best way to describe Apple’s growth pattern regarding the Apple Watch. Each generation adds just enough to warrant interest but not enough to make older models obsolete. Sure, there is plenty on the Apple Watch Series 9 to get excited about this year. It’s poised to provide a robust experience with exciting convenience features. It’s powerful processor also leaves room for future development.

If you already own a Series 7, there likely isn’t enough newness on the Series 9 to drop ~$400. The Series 9’s fitness suite and general smartwatch experience are largely unchanged. Its design is the same as the Series 7 beyond available colors. Even battery life is identical after two full years. For those who menstruate, the Series 9’s temperature sensor is a valuable feature worth considering, but only if you feel it may significantly impact your cycle-tracking methods.

For those shopping for their very first Apple Watch, the Series 9 is a great entry point to the watchOS ecosystem. We have no doubt the processing power will translate to a fantastic user experience and that it will play an important roll in future feature releases as well. If you’re an adventurer with a loose budget, it may also be worth checking out the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

That’s it for our Apple Watch Series 9 vs Series 7 comparison. Which do you think is the better buy? Let us know in the poll below.

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