Introducing What You Need To Know About the Apple Watch Series 9 And Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Live Pics)

Apple just launched its two newest iterations of the world's most popular watch (sorry, but it's true), the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. While they look nearly identical on the outside as their predecessors, there are a few software and internal upgrades that only make what I think is the best smartwatch on the planet even more useful.

The Series 9 is mostly an iterative update to the Series 8, so it looks nearly identical and comes in the exact same sizes, 41mm and 44mm, but that doesn't mean it's without updates. The new S9 chip helps usher in a few new features, including what Apple calls "Double Tap." All you do is tap your thumb and index finger twice, and the magic of a few sensors and the new chip recognizes the gesture and activates the primary button for whatever app is on display. The feature arrives via a software update in October, and judging from the keynote demos, it seems pretty nifty and gave me Minority Report vibes.

I got to try it by shutting off an alarm, and I can report that it was highly intuitive. You can use it to pause and play music, answer and end a phone call, and even toggle the display. I imagine double tap as the starting point for even more hand gestures and intuitive ways to interact.

The Series 9 also got a bump in screen brightness from 2000 nits on the Series 8 to a now whopping 3000 nits. In all honesty, while I don't know all the technical measurements of a nit, I can attest that it was quite easy to read the display in the very bright showcase area.

The Apple Watch Ultra also received an update via the brand-new Apple Watch Ultra 2. It receives the same software upgrades as the Series 9, but it also got a bump up in screen brightness from 2000 nits to 3000 nits. It's still the same adventure watch you know and love, but with new straps and a new watch face that uses the empty space on the outer edge to measure elevation in meters and feet (this is Apple's tool watch after all). I was expecting maybe a new colorway, but instead, we got the same brushed titanium case as before. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

I'm an avid cyclist and I dig the Ultra 2's rugged nature so I'm  excited that Apple has also expanded its Bluetooth support to now include power meters and cadence sensors for your bike. This could possibly eliminate my need for an expensive cycling computer, but we'll have to wait and see once I get one in the office for proper testing.

While the hardware updates weren't revolutionary, Apple did stress that all Apple Watch versions are now completely carbon neutral as long as they are paired with the updated sport loop band. They did this by using various recycled materials in the production process, powering production facilities via clean energy, and shipping watches by boat, which apparently uses 1/20th of the emissions as air.

Speaking of straps, Apple also announced a host of new straps from their partnership with Hermes and Nike. The Hermès announcement also includes a new Hermès watch face for the Apple Watch as well.

Overall, I do find these sustainability improvements quite impressive. I think with the nature of consumer electronics and the rather short lifespan of the product (at least when compared to our beloved mechanical watches), this is a necessary step for which all companies should strive.

There's a lot more to unpack here since these watches are stacked with features, so we're going to get our hands on the new Apple Watch to put it through its paces. Stay tuned for our full review soon.