Apple Watch Series 9, Ultra 2 and SE Compared: Which Watch to buy?

Apple Watch 2023: All models in comparison

Apple just released the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. In the Apple Store, the Watch Series 9 replaced the Watch Series 8. Additionally, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 succeeds the previous Apple Watch Ultra.

For comparison, details about the Apple Watch Series 8 can still be found in the table above, and the watch itself is still available for purchase from third-party retailers.

The Apple Watch SE 2022 is priced at $249, the Apple Watch Series 9 starts at $399, and the flagship Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available for $799.

Table of Contents:

The best: Apple Watch Ultra 2
The latest: Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Watch Series 8
The cheapest: Watch SE (2022)
Buying guide: Which Apple Watch is the best?
Apple Watch Studio
Software: watchOS 10
All Apple Watch generations at a glance

The most successful watch in the world is: a Smartwatch! Over the past few years, Apple has achieved the feat of becoming the largest watch manufacturer in the world.

The success of the Apple Watch certainly has a lot to do with the fact that the iPhone and watch work so perfectly together. In fact, you can now make payments, open doors, and take your pulse or blood oxygen levels via the watch. It feels like the future is on your wrist. But the main reason to own a smartwatch for many people is and probably revolves around the issue of health.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Watch Ultra: It doesn’t get any better than this

 
 
The new smartwatch flagship

Product
Apple Watch Ultra 2

Image

Specifications

49 mm
Retina LTPO OLED display
Dual GPS + LTE
Apple S9 and U2
Pulse sensor, ECG, SpO2, temperature sensor, depth gauge
Oceanic+ app, 86-decibel loud siren, action button.
Emergency call SOS, new fall/accident detection,
IP6X certified, temperature detection
Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 4
64 GB of storage

49 mm
Retina LTPO OLED display
Dual GPS + LTE
Apple S8 and U1
Pulse sensor, ECG, SpO2, temperature sensor, depth gauge
Oceanic+ app, 86-decibel loud siren, action button.
Emergency call SOS, new fall/accident detection,
IP6X certified, temperature detection
Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 4
32 GB of storage

Benefits

Cool, indestructible design
Outstanding smartwatch features
Extremely accurate pulse measurement
Very accurate multi-band GPS

Disadvantages

Works only with iOS
Improved battery life compared to its predecessor
No GPX import/export, no on-device navigation

Rating

Read the Apple Watch Ultra review

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The Watch Ultra Series is Apple’s flagship smartwatch, designed for extreme athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Accordingly, this smartwatch is larger, more robust, and boasts a battery that outlasts the Apple Watch Series 9. In our practical test with the first-gen Apple Watch Ultra, we typically achieved two full days of use.

In 2023, Apple released the second generation of the Watch Ultra. As with previous models, the processor and many features are consistent across all 2023 Apple Watches. However, the 49 mm size and the additional, freely assignable action button set the Ultra 2 apart.

While the Watch Ultra 2 incorporates all the new features of the Watch Series 9, it also offers numerous exclusive features. For instance, its display is brighter, reaching up to 3,000 nits at its peak, and divers will appreciate the EN-13319 certification. 

If you would like a more comprehensive comparison between generations, I suggest reading our Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs. Watch Ultra comparison.

These are Apple’s exclusive watches made of titanium. The crown is slightly larger and designed so that it can now be operated with gloves on. Moreover, in 2023, the device received upgrades for gesture control and on-device Siri voice commands.

So you can see that Apple packs everything into this device that can currently be put into a smartwatch. However, Apple also charges a decent price for this top hardware: $799 is due if you decide to buy this model.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, available from September 22, comes in one color and only in the GPS+Cellular variant. However, you can pick from several wristbands designed exclusively for the Ultra model to suit outdoor needs.

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The Apple Watch Series: Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Series 8

Let’s move on to the regular Apple Watch Series. Compared to the Apple Watch 8, the Apple Watch 9 is a relatively modest update. Design and display-wise, almost everything remains unchanged. The standout feature is that the Series 9 offers double the peak brightness at 2,000 nits, and it can be lowered to just 1 nit, ideal for dark settings.

However, the display hasn’t become larger or higher in resolution. The real change is under the hood, with the S9 chipset now powering the watch. Additionally, the Watch Series 9 includes the U2 UWB chip.

For a detailed comparison between the recent generations, check out our Watch Series 9 vs. Watch Series 8 review.

New gestures and Siri on-device voice command sensors are being introduced to the Apple Watch Series 9. This primarily differentiates the new generation from the old one. When it comes to sensors, however, both watches offer the same features, including continuous wrist temperature and heart rate monitoring.

Both models offer fall detection, crash detection features, and emergency SOS. The Apple Watch Series 9 is available in 41- or 45-millimeter versions starting at $399. The Apple Watch Series 8 is still available at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

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The entry-level class: Apple Watch SE (2022) vs. Apple Watch SE

 
The 2022 model
The 2020 model

Product

Image

Specifications

40 mm / 44 mm
Retina LTPO OLED display
368 x 448 pixels (44 mm)
324 x 394 pixels (40 mm)
GPS or GPS + LTE
Apple S8
Pulse sensor, emergency SOS,
new fall/accident detection
Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 4
32 GB of storage

40 mm / 44 mm
Retina LTPO OLED display
368 x 448 pixels (44 mm)
324 x 394 pixels (40 mm)
GPS or GPS + LTE
Apple S5
Pulse sensor
Bluetooth 5.0, WLAN
32 GB of storage

Advantages

Wears great on the wrist
Seamless integration with the iPhone
Offers core Apple Watch features
A wide range of fitness features
Integrated GPS (you can leave the iPhone at home)
3 months of Fitness+ included
Affordable price

Cons

90 minutes to charge from 0 to 100%
Power adapter not included in the box
No dust-resistant rating
No Always-on Display (AoD)

Rating

Read the Apple Watch SE 2022 review

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The Watch SE models are the affordable options with a starting price of $249. However, affordability doesn’t compromise their power. The most recent iteration comes equipped with the S8 SiP (System in Package), the same as used in the Watch Series 8 in 2022.

Much of the technology remains the same, including features that we already know from the more expensive models: Emergency SOS and the new accident detection are also available on the Apple Watch SE.

The older model is no longer available directly from Apple, but it’s still accessible on platforms like Amazon. The Apple Watch SE 2022 doesn’t support ECG or blood oxygen level measurements. However, it’s priced lower than the more advanced models.

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Buying guide: Which Apple Watch is the best?

Here’s how to choose your Apple Watch based on features

Let’s just start with the exclusion strategy: Can you imagine doing without an always-on display, hand gestures, the ECG feature, the blood oxygen feature, and the temperature detection? In that case, you can tick off the Apple Watch SE. The same applies if you want to benefit from the fast charging feature.

But there are also differences between the Series 9 and the new Ultra 2 that can decide which model is the right one for you. Apple itself also addresses the Apple Watch Ultra accordingly by declaring extreme athletes and adventure fans as the target group.

So, if you are really out in nature for mountaineering, hiking, or extreme sports, you will benefit from several features of the Apple Watch Ultra 2. These include a doubled battery life of up to 36 hours, a freely assignable action button, a siren, and an all in all larger and more robust form factor than the standard model. Divers are also likely to jump at the top model not only because of the depth gauge but also because of the Oceanic+ app.

How to choose your Apple Watch based on price

Besides the features, it’s probably the price tag that will help you make your decision. $249 is called for the Apple Watch SE, at least $399 for the Apple Watch Series 9, and finally a hefty $799 for the Apple Watch Ultra 2. If you do not care about any of the features listed above, the SE is most likely the right choice.

With this watch, you can enter the Apple Watch universe at a reasonable price, and have the S8 processor and all basic functions on board thanks to watchOS 10. Occasional running tracking, the new accident detection, emergency SOS and much more ensure that you can be happy all around even for $249.

However, if you have identified certain features above that you do not want to do without, you will have to bite the bullet and purchase one of the more expensive smartwatches. It is up to you and your demands whether you will pay $399 or even twice as much. You should really consider whether you will be happy with the larger model and its additional features. For the majority of Apple fans, the Apple Watch Series 9 should easily suffice.

Apple Watch Studio

Since 2019, Apple has offered in both its stores (physical and virtual) the so-called Apple Watch Studio. Customers can combine any available Apple Watch case with all available bracelets. This way, any number of combinations can be created, allowing buyers to piece together their own personalized Apple Watch.

Software: watchOS 10

The most recent operating system for the Apple Watch is watchOS 10—compatible with their current lineup as well as older devices, from the Watch Series 4 to the Watch Series 8.

watchOS 10 will be available from September 18 and introduces new widgets for the smartwatches. It also features redesigns of the World Clock and Activities apps, plus two new watch faces, one of which features Snoopy and Woodstock.

The new features also include enhancements for cycling, hiking, and health monitoring, such as tracking time spent outdoors. For a detailed overview of watchOS 10’s new features, check out nextpit’s roundup.

All Apple Watch generations at a glance

If you’ve always wanted to see all Apple Watches at a glance, you’ve come to the right place. nextpit has listed all the models for you.

This best list was revised in September 2023 after the release of the new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Existing comments were maintained.