Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra (2nd Gen) to Sport New Heart Rate Sensor, U2 Chip: Mark Gurman

Apple Watch Series 9 is said to come in 42mm and 45mm sizes.

Written by Nithya P Nair, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 11 September 2023 12:39 IST

Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra (2nd Gen) to Sport New Heart Rate Sensor, U2 Chip: Mark Gurman

Photo Credit: Apple

Apple Watch Series 8 (above) features third-generation heart rate sensor

Highlights

Apple Watch Series 9 might include noteworthy upgrades under the hood
Apple Watch Ultra could be available in a 49mm size
Apple will host its 'Wonderlust' launch event on Tuesday, September 12

Apple Watch Series 9 and the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra are expected to go official on September 12 during the 'Wonderlust' event. The new Watch Series 9 is believed to bring a number of improvements over Apple Watch Series 8. Now, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims that the upcoming smartwatches will use a new version of Apple's optical heart rate sensor. The Apple Watch Series 9 is said to come in 42mm and 45mm sizes, while the Apple Watch Ultra could be offered in a 49mm size.

In his latest weekly Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman says that Apple's Watch Series 9 and the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra will be equipped with a new optical heart rate sensor. This would be a significant upgrade from the third-gen heart rate sensor on the Watch Series 8 and last year's Watch Ultra. Further, the smartwatches will reportedly get various sensors and other internal component upgrades.

Gurman states that the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra will look similar to its predecessors. The former will reportedly debut in 42mm and 45mm sizes. The Apple Watch Ultra, on the other hand, could be available in a 49mm size and is expected to be made with more recycled materials and have a black colour option.

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Like the iPhone 15 series, the new wearables will reportedly pack the U2 ultrawide-band chip for improved Find My capabilities. Additionally, Gurman says the new models will get their first new chip since 2020's Series 6.

As part of an environmental push, materials for the stainless steel models of Apple Watch Series 9 will be reportedly made with a new manufacturing process based on 3D printing. The second-generation Ultra could be shifted to this process next year. Moreover, the Cupertino-based company is reportedly shifting away from some of its leather watch bands and it might update or discontinue its stainless steel link bracelets from the 2015 watch.

Apple will host its 'Wonderlust' launch event on Tuesday, September 12. The event will start at 10:30pm IST at Apple Park in California and will be livestreamed through the company's YouTube channel and the Apple.com website. The iPhone 15 series and second-generation AirPods Pro model are also expected to be unveiled alongside the new Apple Watch Ultra (2nd Gen) and Apple Watch Series 9 models.

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Apple launched the iPad Pro (2022) and the iPad (2022) alongside the new Apple TV this week. We discuss the company's latest products, along with our review of the iPhone 14 Pro on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Apple Watch Series 8 GPS + Cellular

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design and comfort
Tracking accuracy
Software and ecosystem
Battery life

Good
Solid build quality, crisp display
Accurate fitness, sleep tracking
IP6X dust, and 50m water resistant
Fast charging
Useful advanced health and safety features

Bad
Inconsistent SpO2 tracking
No battery life improvements

Read detailed Apple Watch Series 8 GPS + Cellular review

Display Size 45mm

Dial Shape Rectangle

Display Type OLED Retina

Ideal For Unisex

More Apple Smartwatches

Apple Watch Series 6 GPS

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Strap Colour Silver, Gold, Space Grey, Pink, Blue, Red, Brown

Display Size 40mm

Dial Shape Rectangle

Display Type OLED Retina

Ideal For Unisex

More Apple Smartwatches

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Further reading: Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Ultra second generation, Apple, Wonderlust, Apple Wonderlust, Apple Watch Series 9 Features, Apple Watch Ultra Features

Nithya P Nair

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Nithya P Nair is a journalist with more than five years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in business and technology beats. A foodie at heart, Nithya loves exploring new places (read cuisines) and sneaking in Malayalam movie dialogues to spice up conversations. More