Which Apple Watch Is Best Right Now? (2024)

FAQs

What is the best Apple Watch right now? ›

The best Apple Watch for fitness tracking is the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which both come equipped with the widest variety of health sensors, including ECG, sleep tracking, heart and breathing functions, wrist temperature, and more.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 8 are nearly identical smartwatches, with the Series 9's upgraded S9 chip and the new Double Tap Gesture being the most substantial differences. But by and large, they function the same. Because of that, upgrading to the Series 9 is only for a select set of users.

Apple Watch Series 9 - Apple.

The SE has heart rate and fall detection, while the Series 8 can measure blood oxygen levels and has an ECG app to monitor heart rhythms. The Series 8 does have a new temperature sensor that enables menstrual cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates.

The bottom line: The Apple Watch Series 9 is a worthwhile upgrade over the Series 5. The performance benefits that come with upgrading from a 4-year-old chip will feel substantial, and there are plenty of new features that make the Series 9 feel significantly different.

Yes, the latest Apple Watch Series 9 is an iterative upgrade to the already-fantastic Apple Watch Series 8, but its improvements in speed and hands-free capabilities make it a worthwhile buy if you're making the leap from a much older model or a more basic competitor.

The new Apple Watch SE sacrifices some health features found in the premium models, but it's still adequate. While the SE uses Apple's second-gen optical heart sensor compared to the third-gen variant in the Series 8, it's just as good at tracking workouts. The SE also includes the same sleep-tracking features.

Your Apple Watch is water resistant, but not waterproof. For example, you can wear and use your Apple Watch during activities such as exercise (exposure to sweat is OK), walking in rain, and washing your hands.

The watch has the long-rumored skin temperature sensor and long-awaited low power mode, which can extend the latest Apple Watch's battery life to 36 hours. The Apple Watch 8 also has a new crash detection feature, leveraging improved motion sensors for instant help when you might need it most.

Should I upgrade from Apple Watch 7 to 9? ›

For the S9 GPU, Apple says it's 30% faster than the S8 and the Neural Engine is twice as fast. More benefits if you're coming from Series 7 are a jump in storage to 64GB and the ultra wideband gen 2 chip with Series 9. The new ultra wideband chip offers precision finding for iPhone.

The longer the display is on, the faster the battery drains. You don't want the screen to light up every time you reach for your coffee or use your hand to adjust your eyeglasses. It's wise to turn off "Wake Screen on Wrist Raise," especially if you do a lot of computer or lifting work.

So how long does an Apple Watch last and are Apple Watches worth buying? There will always be exceptions, but on balance, based on the experience of our own reviewers and the comments we've seen from users online, I would say that an Apple Watch provide five to six years of good performance.

For those people who want to get into a habit of leaving their iPhone behind in favor of an Apple Watch, it makes sense to have a cellular plan. Especially for those who run or take walks – with a cellular model, you don't need to keep a bulky iPhone with you to have access to calling, texting, music, and more.

If you're deciding between the Ultra and a regular Apple Watch, it mostly comes down to how much outdoor activity you plan to do and whether those features are worth double the price. For most people, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers more than enough, which is why it earns our Editors' Choice award.

When was the Apple Watch Series 9 released, and how does its release date fit into the Apple Watch release order from previous years? The Apple Watch Series 9 was announced on September 12, 2023. General availability in stores started on September 22, 2023. So basically, you're able to purchase the timepiece now.

Apple Watch Series 7 different? Compared to the Apple Watch Series 7, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers two new features: a skin temperature sensor and crash detection. Yes, it also introduces low power mode, but the Apple Watch Series 7 now gets that feature with the full watchOS 9 update.

It's the most premium watch experience you can get right now, regardless of what your priority is. The watch holds equally well at the office during a usual work day as it does during an intense hike. Its impressive display, efficient performance, and extended battery life are the reasons why you should consider it.