The latest model Apple Watch is often on sale at Best Buy and Walmart.
The Apple Watch Series 9, introduced in September 2023, has a retail price starting at $399 but you can get it for as low as $299 during sales at Best Buy and Walmart. You find the current prices at these sites:
For details about the benefits of the Apple watch read our article, Should You Get an Apple Watch?
Apple Watch Series 9 New Features
New features in the Series 9 are:
Brighter display. The maximum brightness of the Apple Watch Series 9 display up to 2000 nits — double that of Series 8.
Faster processor. Apple’s new S9 SiP processor provides faster startup and faster access to stored data.
Siri controls. For the first time on Apple Watch, Siri requests can be processed on device.
New cycling and hiking features. New Compass Waypoints and Maps capabilities are included.
Mental health features. State of mind logging is available in the Mindfulness app.
Double tap gesture. Users can tap the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice to quickly perform many of the most common Apple Watch actions, like hanging up a call and starting music.
Precision finding. Precision Finding provides distance and direction, as well as visual, haptic, and audio guidance to a misplaced iPhone 15, even if it is in a different room. (Works only with new iPhone 15).
18-hour battery life.
The double tap gesture and other new features are shown in the Apple Watch Series 9 video from Apple below.
Apple Watch Series 8 New Features
New features in the Series 8 were:
- Temperature Sensing. An innovative new sensor provides insights into your overall wellness and enables advanced Cycle Tracking² features.
- Advanced Health Features. Take an ECG anytime, anywhere. Measure your blood oxygen level with a sensor and app.
- Crash Detection. Detects if you’ve been in a severe car crash, automatically connects you to emergency services, and notifies your emergency contacts.
- Enhanced Workout App. Elevate your training with new advanced metrics, custom workouts and multisport functionality.
The Apple Series 8 watch began shipping on September 15, 2022.
About the Apple Watch
The Apple Watch, introduced in 2015, is designed as a companion device for the iPhone but can also be used alone.
Starting with the Series 7, the Apple Watch comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm (vertical size). The Apple Watch SE comes in two sizes: 41mm and 44mm.
The Apple Watch SE is the bargain model priced at about $150 less than the regular Series 8 or 9. The SE lacks some features, including Blood Oxygen and ECG apps and a crack-resistant front crystal.
All models come with GPS, wifi and bluetooth connectivity. The cellular version, which is about $100 more, can be used for phone calls, messages and data without an iPhone or wifi connection. They both will use your data plan although most cell providers charge around an extra $10 per month to connect the cellular Apple Watch to your data plan.
Apple provides more details at: Apple Watch User Guide
You can see a video of the Apple Event, September 12, 2023, where the Apple Watch Series 9 and new iPhone 15 were introduced, on the Apple YouTube Page.
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