The Apple Watch Series 9 has arrived, and it's stirring up more than just consumer interest; it's at the center of a significant patent dispute. This review delves into the latest iteration of Apple's popular smartwatch, examining everything from its performance enhancements to the controversy surrounding its health features, particularly the blood oxygen monitoring capability.
Battery Life
One of the perennial concerns with smartwatches is battery life, and the Apple Watch Series 9 is no exception. Apple claims an 18-hour battery life on a single charge, which remains consistent with previous models. This standard battery life supports a full day's use under typical conditions, including checking notifications, answering calls, and using apps. However, for users looking to utilize sleep tracking or other overnight features, the necessity to charge the watch daily can be a drawback.
Many users have noted that disabling certain features like the Always-On display can extend battery life significantly, pushing the watch to last through about two days of lighter use. This flexibility is a plus, but it's clear that Apple has room for improvement in this area, especially when compared to competitors like Garmin, which offers devices with much longer battery life.
Display Quality
The display on the Apple Watch Series 9 continues to be one of its strongest selling points. The always-on LTPO OLED Retina display is bright and easy to read even under direct sunlight. With a refresh rate that can vary from 1Hz to 60Hz, it's not only power-efficient but also buttery smooth when scrolling through notifications or apps.
The Series 9 maintains its crisp image clarity and vibrant color representation, making it ideal for various watch faces and applications. Whether you're glancing down for a quick update on your activity rings or responding to texts, the display meets high expectations for both functionality and aesthetics.
Health Features
Traditionally, Apple Watches have been lauded for their health monitoring features, but the Series 9 comes with a caveat. Due to a patent dispute with Masimo, a medical technology company, Apple has disabled the blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring feature in new units sold in the U.S. This feature, which was introduced in Series 6, has been a significant selling point for users interested in advanced health tracking.
The removal of SpO2 monitoring has not affected existing devices, and it appears that Apple may be working on alternative methods or technologies to reintroduce this feature in future models without infringement issues. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities in integrating medical-grade technologies into consumer electronics.
Durability
The Apple Watch Series 9 retains the robust build quality typical of Apple products. It offers water resistance up to 50 meters and is constructed with a choice of materials including aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, catering to different tastes and budgets. The ceramic and sapphire crystal back is tougher against scratches and impacts, which is reassuring for users who engage in various physical activities.
However, the durability of the Apple Watch can still be a concern for extreme sports enthusiasts or those in harsher environments, which might explain the separate niche for the Apple Watch Ultra series.
Performance
Powered by the new S9 chip, the Series 9 offers a noticeable improvement in performance over its predecessors. This enhancement is evident in faster app loading times and more seamless interactions. The inclusion of the U1 chip also improves spatial awareness capabilities, which could be beneficial for new applications in augmented reality and beyond.
Despite these improvements, some users argue that the performance upgrades alone may not justify an upgrade from recent models like the Series 7 or 8, unless one demands the utmost efficiency or is using an older model that's lagging.
Controversy and Consumer Trust
The ongoing patent dispute and the subsequent disabling of the SpO2 feature have sparked significant discussion about Apple's business practices and its impact on consumer trust. The decision to disable a key health feature rather than settle or license the necessary technology has left many users feeling shortchanged, particularly as the company continues to charge premium prices.
Moreover, the situation with the Series 9 could set a precedent for how tech companies handle such disputes in the future, potentially affecting the features available to users based on regional laws and patent agreements.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Series 9 is a mixed bag. While it continues to excel in areas like display quality and general performance, the removal of the SpO2 monitoring feature and the ongoing legal issues surrounding it may deter potential buyers, especially those who prioritize comprehensive health tracking features. As Apple navigates these challenges, the future iterations of the Apple Watch could see significant changes, hopefully for the betterment of consumer choice and satisfaction.
