Apple unveils new generations of Watch SE, Series 9 and Ultra 2

Apple unveils new generations of Watch SE, Series 9 and Ultra 2 - CONTENTS

1. Watch Ultra 2 - Apple's toughest and most capable watch
2. Foreign reviews of Apple Watch Ultra 2
3. Advanced Apple Watch Series 9
4. Foreign reviews of Apple Watch Series 9
5. Cheapest Apple Watch SE (2023)
6. Comparison of Watch SE, Series 9 and Ultra 2

Watch Ultra 2 - Apple's toughest and most capable watch

Obviously, we have to start the introduction with the Apple Watch Ultra 2nd generation, because if you look around your friends' wrists, you'll certainly understand what a dent the Watch Ultra has made in the world. A huge number of people have them, and quite a large percentage of them have started playing more sports along with wearing them. And that's the goal of the Watch Ultra 2, which, while at first glance doesn't bring any downright banger features, noticeably improves on the existing ones.

The key difference is Apple's unique S9 SiP chip, which brings system-wide improvements and support for a new double-tap gesture and Siri on the watch that can now access and securely record health data. Apple Watch Ultra 2 also features a new quad-core Neural Engine capable of processing machine learning tasks up to twice as fast as the original Apple Watch Ultra.

Let's stop with the new gesture. Double-tapping makes it easy to control Apple Watch with one hand without touching the display. With a quick double tap of the index finger and thumb, users can perform a variety of common actions on Apple Watch Ultra 2 (e.g., stop the timer, start or pause music, or turn off the alarm; the gesture can also be used to answer and end a call, take a photo). A double tap will bring up the Smart Set directly from the watch face, and another double tap will allow you to scroll through the individual widgets in the set.

Other highlights include Apple Watch Ultra 2's maximum brightness of up to 3,000 nits, which is 50% more than the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra, making it the brightest display Apple has ever created. By contrast, in dark rooms or in the early hours of the morning, the display's brightness can be automatically reduced to just one nit.

Not forgetting the all-new Modular Ultra dial, which aims to make the most of the large 49mm display. On the edge, it displays data such as height, depth or elapsed seconds in real time. It also provides the most complications of any digital dial, whether for sports, outdoor adventures or water activities. Other tech savvies will appreciate the other new Modular Ultra dials: Snoopy, Palette, Solar Analog and Nike Globe.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 price and availability

Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available from Friday 22 September and costs CZK 22,990, which is CZK 2,000 less than the first generation. And as a reminder, you can look forward to the unique strap colours available for the Alpine Loop (blue, indigo, olive), Trail Loop (orange-beige, green-grey, blue-black) and Ocean Band (blue, orange).

Foreign reviews of Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has been on sale for a few weeks now, so we can take a closer look at the detailed user experience. And we'll get right to a review from demanding DC Rainmaker, which goes pretty in-depth in every way. What are his conclusions? The reviewer praises the watch for its optical heart rate sensor, which is one of the most accurate on the market. The watch also gets praise for its sports features for runners and cyclists. The motivation and linking with Apple's Fitness+ platform also works great. In daily use, the performance increase is also noticeable thanks to the S9 chip or the brighter display. However, there have also been criticisms, especially in the area of limited availability of topographical maps (so far only parts of the US are available). Despite the year-on-year price reduction, he does not like the higher price compared to the competition. The numerical rating is not used by DC Rainmaker, but the overall tone of the review is positive, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is ideal for athletes who want to take advantage of the potential of the Apple ecosystem and don't mind some functional limitations (e.g. compared to specialized sporttesters).

PCMag gives Apple Watch Ultra 2 the rating of 4.0 - excellent. That's because it offers all the benefits of the original watch, but with a brighter display, faster processor, and a greener design with the option of a carbon-neutral configuration. However, if you own the original Apple Watch Ultra, this reviewer sees no compelling reason to upgrade to the second-generation model. You'll miss out on some spec improvements, but otherwise you'll get virtually the same features for outdoor adventures thanks to watchOS 10. If you're deciding between the Ultra and the regular Apple Watch, it mostly depends on how much outdoor activity you plan to do and whether those features are worth nearly double the price. For most people, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers more than enough, and that's why it deserves a 4.5 rating - exceptional. For the target market of more discerning adventurers, however, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a compelling alternative.

Advanced Apple Watch Series 9

Moving on, we come to Apple Watch Series 9, where nothing has changed in terms of design (similar to Watch 2). The main change is on the inside, with the Series 9 having the same chip as the Watch 2, the S9 SiP with a special processor from Apple. This is totally great news, as even owners of "cheaper" Apple Watches can look forward to the new double-tap gesture. And by the way, thanks to the S9 SiP chip, the Apple Watch Series 9 retains an 18-hour battery life that will keep up with you all day long.

Watch Series 9 owners can also enjoy improved outdoor readability as advanced display technology boosts maximum brightness to 2,000 nits, twice as much as Series 8. Requests such as starting a workout or setting a timer, which no longer require an internet connection, are now independent of WiFi connectivity or mobile data, making them faster and more reliable. The powerful Neural Engine also refines text dictation, which is now up to 25% more accurate than on Apple Watch Series 8.

Look forward to more with the arrival of watchOS 10. The update is available on all compatible Apple Watches since Monday, September 18.

Price, availability and new straps for Apple Watch Series 9

We're excited to announce that the Apple Watch Series 9 is available from Friday 22 September at prices starting from CZK 11,490. Along with the purchase of the new watch, you'll also get a brand new strap. That's because Apple has introduced FineWoven - a new luxurious and durable textile material made from 68% recycled materials that has a significantly lower carbon footprint than leather. FineWoven has a glossy and soft surface that feels like suede and can be paired with straps with magnetic clasps or a modern buckle. The new Nike sports straps or the luxurious Hermès straps are also available.

Foreign reviews of Apple Watch Series 9

The globally respected Wired magazine tested the Apple Watch Series 9 and gave it a 7/10 rating. The disappointment is mainly in the same design, which in truth hasn't changed in years. The advantages, on the other hand, include a high quality display, high performance and an extraordinary emphasis on privacy, with all measured data completely encrypted.

TechRadar takes more notice of the new gesture control (double tap) and interesting mental health tracking features. Impressions of the completely redesigned watchOS 10 interface are also positive. TechRadar recommends the Watch Series 9 for owners of the older Watch Series 5 or 6, as you cumulatively get a new serving of features and performance. However, if you already have a newer one, it's hard to make a case for getting the Series 9. Of course, it's not even a good idea to get any Apple Watch if you have an Android phone and aren't going to get an iPhone.

Cheapest Apple Watch SE (2023)

In order to get the full information ration, it is also necessary to mention Apple Watch SE (2023), which has its solid place, especially thanks to its attractive price. This makes them a great choice for new users, families or as a gift for your loved ones. Features of the Apple Watch SE include activity tracking, low or high heart rate notifications, fall detection, emergency SOS call, car crash detection and watchOS 10 operating system. They are available with a 40 or 45mm aluminium case for a price starting at CZK 6,990.

Comparison of Watch SE, Series 9 and Ultra 2

It's clear that the three Apple Watch model lines are targeted at a completely different type of user. The lowest-priced SEs offer a taste of the features and are often purchased for schoolchildren. The Series 9s are a full-featured solution for a large portion of iPhone users. Thanks to the interchangeable straps, they can be worn not only to the pool, work, but quietly to the theater. Finally, the Watch Ultra 2 belongs on the wrist of every active athlete. However, thanks to the extended battery life per charge (up to three days), almost everyone wants one!

Apple Watch continues to dominate smartwatches for iPhone owners. We welcome the possibility of one-handed operation or the intergenerational lower price in the case of the Watch Ultra 2.