Apple Watch Series 9 review: Nice but hardly groundbreaking stuff

What did the watch say to the wearer? Get up, you’ve been sitting too long. You won’t be disappointed with the latest Apple Watch, but you could probably live without it.

The Apple Watch Series 9 supports click gestures with thumb and forefinger.

After testing Apple’s index and thumb gesture about five times, I forgot about it completely.

Every few weeks, when wearing the device, it’ll spring to mind. I’ll then unlock and double tap my index finger and thumb. Often it won’t work on the first try, but when it does it’ll open my notifications and with each click it will take me through a quick view of the weather, an upcoming event, a headline from a news publication or how many steps I’ve done.

The feature, which seemed cutting-edge when released last year, is now little more than a nice-to-have.

Comparing Apple’s $649 Watch Series 9 ($809 for a 41mm with cellular) to competition from Google and Samsung is like comparing iPhones to Pixels and Galaxies – Apple wins for having the biggest ecosystem and the most developers trying to get apps into its store.

Apple's Watch Series 9.

I’ve had this one on my wrist for about four months now. As a daily watch, it’s fine. Smart watches can provide some relief from checking your phone all the time and make for a great option to screen a call – especially when it’s a telemarketer or someone who just can’t take a hint.

But do I wake up each morning and look for it first thing or reach for it before I head out the door? Not really.

Is the device a cut above the rest? Well, not particularly. For Apple users it’s the obvious choice but for those on Android not so much.

One of the best things about it is quicker and easier access to smartphone apps without having to pull out a phone. Logging into a work account and needing to click yes to a verification app? Simple. Want to Shazam a song at the cinema or bar without pulling out your phone and making a big scene? You got it. It’s even handy for controlling Apple TV.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is great for fitness junkies.

For fitness junkies, the ability to measure your heart rate and check how effective a workout is in real time is a plus. The device is pre-set to measure in kilojules so if you’d rather not engage in some quick division while huffing and puffing we recommend changing that measurement to calories in settings.

Speaking of fitness, we did enjoy the watch’s ability to detect a workout, whether that’s an outdoor walk or a cycle to the gym. There were times we rode the bus and received a notification asking whether we wanted to record an outdoor cycle.

When that little notification pops up for the right reasons, we’re happy to click yes and clock the kilojoules in the health app.

Speaking of pop-up notifications, the stand-up reminder never ceases to provide a laugh mid-meeting.

The battery is quite good, lasting up to 18 hours in full use and a little longer in lower power mode. We do enjoy the watch’s ability to act a desk clock when attached to a wireless charger.

The verdict? There’s a lot of value there for the lower priced models at $649.

We don’t think you’ll be disappointed with it, even if like us you discovered it’s a device you could very easily live without.

Apple's Watch Series 9 supports click gestures.

Apple's Watch Series 9 supports click gestures.

Originally published as Apple Watch Series 9 review: Nice but hardly groundbreaking stuff