Apple Watch 2023 Announcements: Everything You Need to Know

Hello Modbands community!

Apple's recent event unveiled a slew of exciting updates in the world of Apple Watch. From the luxurious Apple Watch Ultra 2 to the versatile Series 9, there's a watch for every wrist. Let's delve deeper into the features of each.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Highlights:

1. Performance and Design: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the most rugged and capable Apple Watch yet. It pushes the limits of what a smartwatch can do, with significant performance upgrades and a focus on carbon neutrality. While there are no major design changes this year, the watch pairs seamlessly with the new Apple Watch Trail Loop or Alpine Loop, which are carbon neutral and contain over 30% recycled content.

2. Powerful S9 SiP: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is powered by the all-new S9 SiP (System in Package). This chip includes a new 4-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the original Apple Watch Ultra.

3. Double Tap Gesture: A new double tap gesture has been introduced, allowing users to control the watch using just one hand without touching the display. This gesture can be used for various common actions and to navigate through widgets.

4. Brightest Display Ever: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts Apple's brightest display, ensuring better readability in harsh sunlight.

5. Modular Ultra Watch Face: A new watch face, Modular Ultra, has been designed to take full advantage of the large 49mm display, presenting real-time data on the outermost edge.

6. watchOS 10: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 runs on watchOS 10, which brings a fresh approach to viewing information, new watch faces, enhanced cycling features, updated Compass app, new topographic maps in the Maps app, and additional mental health tools.

7. Carbon Neutral Models: Select combinations of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are carbon neutral, marking a significant step towards Apple's goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.

8. Pricing and Availability: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced from $1399 (AUD) and is available for order now, with availability from September 22

9. Design Enhancements: While there were expectations of a new darker titanium color, it didn't materialize. However, when paired with the new Apple Watch Trail Loop or Alpine Loop, the watch becomes carbon neutral and contains over 30% recycled content.

10. watchOS 10 Features: The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with watchOS 10, which introduces a major redesign of the operating system. This update will also be available for other Apple Watch models, starting from Series 4 and above. New features in watchOS 10 include updated apps, a redesigned Smart Stack feature for quick-access information, new watch faces, and improvements for cyclist workout tracking.

Apple Watch Series 9 Highlights:

1. Powerful S9 SiP: The Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by the all-new S9 SiP (System in Package). This custom Apple silicon is the most powerful watch chip yet, delivering systemwide improvements and introducing new features. It includes a new double tap gesture and on-device Siri with the capability to access and log health data privately and securely. The Series 9 also boasts a new 4-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks up to twice as fast compared to the Apple Watch Series 8. Despite its power, the S9 SiP is efficient enough to maintain the all-day 18-hour battery life.

2. Double Tap Gesture: Apple Watch Series 9 introduces a new double tap gesture, allowing users to control the watch using just one hand without touching the display. This gesture can be used to control the primary button in an app, making it possible to stop a timer, play and pause music, or snooze an alarm. It can also be used to answer and end phone calls, take a photo with the Camera Remote on Apple Watch, open the Smart Stack from the watch face, and scroll through widgets in the stack. This feature is powered by the faster Neural Engine in the Series 9, which processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm.

3. Brighter Display: The Apple Watch Series 9 features a display with a maximum brightness of up to 2000 nits, which is double that of the Series 8. This ensures better readability in bright sunlight. Additionally, for dark environments or early mornings, the display can lower its brightness to just one nit to avoid disturbing others.

4. On-Device Siri: For the first time on Apple Watch, Siri requests can be processed directly on the device. This means for requests that don't require internet access, such as starting a workout or setting a timer, Siri can provide quicker and more reliable responses without relying on Wi-Fi or cellular networks. The powerful Neural Engine also enhances dictation, making it up to 25% more accurate than on the Apple Watch Series 8.

5. Precision Finding for iPhone: The S9 SiP includes an upgraded ultra-wideband chip that enhances the watch's ability to track the location of an object. This Precision Finding feature is especially useful when trying to locate a misplaced iPhone.

6. watchOS 10: The Apple Watch Series 9 runs on watchOS 10, which brings a fresh approach to viewing information, redesigned apps, the new Smart Stack, new watch faces, enhanced cycling and hiking features, and additional tools to support mental health.

7. Carbon Neutral Option: For the first time, customers can choose a carbon neutral version of the Apple Watch Series 9. This represents a significant step towards Apple's goal of being carbon neutral across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.

8. Availability and Pricing: The Apple Watch Series 9 can be ordered today, with availability starting from September 22. It is priced from $649 (AUD).

At Modbands, we're thrilled about these new releases and can't wait to see them on your wrists. As always, we'll be here to provide you with the latest third-party Apple Watch Bands and accessories to complement and enhance your Apple Watch experience.

Stay stylish and tech-savvy!