It’s that time of year again. During its Wonderlust event on Tuesday, Apple introduced a number of new gadgets, including the much-rumored iPhone 15 with USB-C and the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Series 9 starts at $399, and the Watch Ultra 2 starts at $799, with both set to arrive on Friday, September 22nd.
Both watches will ship with watchOS 10 and come equipped with Apple’s S9 SiP, which is based on the A15 chip first seen in the iPhone 13. That should translate to improved performance and battery life while allowing on-device Siri processing. They’ll also be able to use Apple’s new “double-tap” feature, which will be available next month and is a kind of spin on Apple’s existing AssistiveTouch. The setting allows you to answer calls, stop timers, play music, and more by tapping your index finger and thumb together.
Yet, while they share a new chip and OS in common, the rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 caters to more athletic types than the Series 9. It can show real-time data and offers the brightest display of any Watch in Apple’s lineup while offering better battery life than the prior model.
We’ll have full reviews for both watches soon, but, suffice to say, the latest models closely resemble their predecessors with some minor spec bumps. That said, you can already preorder both watches from Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy, with more retailers likely to follow.
How to preorder the Apple Watch Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 9 comes with a new processor, which should allow for better performance and snappier Siri responses. In addition to the aforementioned double-tap feature, the Series 9 sports a new ultra wideband chip for more precise tracking. It also features a larger, brighter display and comes in a new pink color, which will be available alongside the starlight, silver, midnight, and Product Red models.
The aluminum, GPS-equipped model will be available in the 41mm sizing for $399 and the 45mm sizing for $429, both of which are now available for preorder via Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy ahead of their release date on September 22nd. The LTE model will also be available in the 41mm and 45mm sizing for $499 and $529, respectively, and is already up for preorder at the Apple Store, Amazon, and Best Buy.
How to preorder the Apple Watch Ultra 2
Given its 49mm sizing, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains the biggest and most rugged wearable in the Apple Watch lineup. It offers up to 72 hours of battery life when in low-power mode, along with a brighter, 3,000-nit display. The Ultra 2 also features the new S9 SiP and second-gen ultra wideband chip for more precise finding, much like the Series 9, along with cellular connectivity by default.
Starting September 12th, you can preorder the Apple Watch Ultra 2 from Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy with either an Alpine Loop, Trail Loop, or Ocean Band for $799 ahead of the watch’s release date on September 22nd.
Update September 13th, 12:30PM ET: Added preorder details for both Amazon and Best Buy.
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