With the recent launch of the Apple Watch Series 9, you might be grappling with the age-old question: to upgrade or not to upgrade? Though the Series 9 is the new kid on the block, the Series 8 isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet, especially with discounted prices making it an even more tempting offer. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Display Brilliance
- Series 8: Retina display with up to 1,000 nits of brightness
- Series 9: Retina display with up to a staggering 2,000 nits of brightness
If you’re someone who’s constantly outdoors, the Series 9 offers unparalleled display brilliance that’ll make it easier to read even under harsh sunlight.
Chipset Prowess
- Series 8: S8 chip (based on A13 Bionic)
- Series 9: S9 chip (based on A15 Bionic—60% more transistors, 30% faster)
The Series 9 pushes the envelope with its beefed-up chip, offering snappier performance.
Neural Engine & Siri
- Series 8: Neural Engine with Siri processed in the cloud
- Series 9: 4-core Neural Engine with on-device Siri for quicker and more reliable responses
If faster Siri responses and improved machine learning capabilities are your thing, the Series 9 is your go-to option.
The Double Tap Revolution
Exclusive to Series 9, the Double Tap feature lets you control various functionalities—such as answering calls, taking pictures, and more—with a simple tap of your thumb and index finger. It’s a minor yet significant leap in usability, especially if you frequently have your hands full.
Storage Capacity
- Series 8: 32GB storage
- Series 9: 64GB storage
For those who love to hoard apps and media, the Series 9 offers double the storage.
Additional Features
- Precision Finding exclusive to Series 9: If you plan on getting an iPhone 15, this could be a game-changer for you.
- HomePod Integration: Both offer this feature, but it shines on Series 9 due to its quicker processing power.
- Color Options: Series 9 adds Pink to its color palette, offering a tad more variety than Series 8.
The Verdict
To sum it up, the Apple Watch Series 9 is an incremental upgrade over the Series 8, with the most notable differences being the S9 chip, Double Tap, and Precision Finding. For most Series 8 users, upgrading might seem overindulgent unless you really need the extra storage or are enamored by the one-handed Double Tap gesture.
If you’re using an older Apple Watch and mulling an upgrade, both Series 8 and Series 9 offer compelling features. If you can find the Series 8 at a significant discount, it remains a solid buy, serving most of your needs effectively.
So, weigh your options and choose wisely, because either way, you’re strapping cutting-edge technology to your wrist!
Buy the Series 8 or Series 9 on Amazon.