Apple announced the Watch Series 9 in September, which might be their smallest update yet. While we understand that Apple doesn’t expect users to upgrade every year, the changes in this new model are so minor that it almost feels like they are selling an old model as new. When I first got my Apple Watch, I was blown away by the design, UI, and functionality. Everything looked sleek, smooth, and colorful, giving that classic Apple magic. But, the user experience ended up being subpar. Core functionalities are spread across many apps, with poor implementation of features and a disappointing battery life. In my experience, the Apple Watch Series 9 is nothing more than a gleaming piece of junk, and here’s why.
Let’s start with the design and build. The hardware you’ll be strapping to your wrist is certainly impressive. The nearly bezel-less screen with Retina 326ppi is sharp and sleek, and the frame is crafted from either aluminum with a matte finish or stainless steel with a glossy finish. The digital crown, haptic feedback, and overall feel of the watch are all quite impressive. The Watch is also durable and reliable, making it well worth the investment, even if you opt for one of the more affordable options.
In terms of hardware, the Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by a new S9 system-in-package (SiP) with several improvements over the previous models. The watch is faster and more efficient, offering a 30% faster GPU and a 4-core NPU. It promises all-day battery life and a snappier interface, as well as new gestures and added Siri functionality. Additionally, a range of sensors and connectivity options make the watch a powerful piece of tech.
However, when it comes to software, the Apple Watch Series 9 falls short of expectations. While the Apple Watch is known for being the world’s most popular smartwatch, it still suffers from software and battery life issues. Despite Apple’s efforts to improve watchOS and introduce new faces and health features, the user experience isn’t as seamless as we had hoped for.
While there are many watch face options, most of them are either boring or lack important features. Third-party watch faces are still not supported, and the latest watchOS 10 brings a refreshed app look but falls short in terms of usability. The most advanced smartwatch in the world should be able to display simple data like numerical step counts easily, but the Apple Watch fails in this aspect. The app experience leaves much to be desired, and overall, the software just doesn’t match up to the hardware’s capabilities.
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 9 may look impressive on the outside, but its software and user experience leave a lot to be desired. While it has the potential to be a powerful and efficient smartwatch, it’s just not there yet.
Source: GSMArena