Apple Watch 9 was tipped to get improved sensors and a new U2 chip
Amid all the talk about what’s to come with the iPhone 15 devices, it can be easy to forget that we’re also expecting an Apple Watch 9 and an Apple Watch Ultra 2 at Tuesday’s special Apple event – and more details about these wearables have just been leaked.
About bee Bloomberg, the usually reliable Mark Gurman has outlined what he thinks will happen with Apple’s next two smartwatches. While there probably won’t be many major changes this year, there are some rumors worth mentioning.
Gurman talks about “several sensor and internal component upgrades” for both watches and specifically mentions a new version of Apple’s optical heart rate sensor. No further details are given, but it seems that faster and more accurate measurements will be the result.
An upgraded U2 ultra-wideband chip is also mentioned to replace the existing U1 for both watches, an upgrade that has also been tipped for the iPhone 15 handsets. This should mean more accurate location tracking in the Find My app.
Watch this space
Other bits of information in the new report have been mentioned before, including a move to using some 3D printed parts, and a significant chipset upgrade that should have a noticeable effect on the performance of these smartwatches.
It looks like there could also be changes this year in the bands you can get for the Apple Watch. Apple is expected to discontinue the leather options, while the stainless steel link bracelets will also be discontinued or replaced.
Of course, there is always the question of whether you should buy now or wait. Rumor has it that both the Apple Watch 10 (or Apple Watch X) and the Apple Watch Ultra 3 are quite significant upgrades in terms of Apple’s smartwatches.
Those models are coming in 2024, but for now we’re ready for the Apple Watch 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 – along with the new iPhones – and we’ll cover the September 12 event as soon as it happens.