Apple announces Apple Watch Series 9

Apple today announced the Apple Watch Series 9 at its Wonderlust special event. The device is powered by a new S9 SiP (System in Package), and has a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for precision finding in the familiar design.

The S9 SiP houses 5.6 billion transistors, a 30 percent faster GPU, and a four-core Neural Engine. It results in faster on-device processing for various tasks such as getting more accurate dictations and talking to Siri.

There’s a new “double tap” feature that works by tapping your index finger and thumb together to perform tasks like answering a phone call, snoozing the alarm, or taking a photo, among other actions. Apple says the feature will be arriving in a software update next month.

On the brighter side, the Apple Watch Series 9 has 2,000 nits of peak brightness, which is double the brightness of the Series 8. Other than this, there seems no way to distinguish between the Series 8 and the Series 9 from outside.

Moreover, Apple has announced that it will no longer use leather in any new products, including watch bands. Instead, the company is introducing FineWoven, a “luxurious and durable microtwill” that has significantly lower carbon emissions compared to leather, for new watch bands. Apple also touted that the Series 9 is the company’s first carbon-neutral product when paired with select band choices.

The aluminum variant will be available in pink, starlight, silver, midnight, and red finishes, while the stainless steel will be available in gold, silver, and graphite. Priced at $399, the Apple Watch Series 9 will go on sale September 22, with preorders open now.