On September 12th, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, both of which were later released the same month. While the Series 9 succeeds the Series 8, the Ultra 2 succeeds the Ultra which debuted in 2022. Nothing much has changed, however, the new watches come with a more advanced S9 chip that enables enhanced hand gesture features and welcomes higher storage and brighter displays.
The Apple Watch Series 9 like the Watch 8 comes in aluminum and stainless steel materials. Each of these comes in two sizes; 41mm and 45mm. These two sizes are identical in appearance and share the same features except for a few differences in the display and case sizes, weights and of course, price. In today’s guide we’ll take a look at the differences between the 41mm and 45mm units of the Watch 9, but before that, let’s take a look at the specifications.
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm) vs (45mm) vs Watch 9 Stainless Steel – Full Specifications Comparison
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Apple Watch Series 8 vs 9 – What’s New?
Moving on, let’s take a look at what is new in the Watch 9 when compared to its predecessor, the Watch 8.
- Watch 9 has a brighter display
- Watch 9 has a bigger storage
- Watch 9 has a new S9 chip and Ultrawide Band 2 chip
- Watch 9: New Pink Model
The first noticeable difference between the Watch 9 and its predecessor is the brightness of the display. The Watch 9 boasts up to 2000 nits in display brightness which will make it even easier to read outdoors, and interestingly, it can also dim to as low as 1 nit which should also make it easy to read when you are indoors. In contrast, the Watch 8 spots a 1000nits brightness which is also very easy to read outdoors, though Watch 9 is brighter.
Storage has been ramped up. In fact, this is the highest storage I have seen on any watch. It’s 32GB for the Watch 8, Pixel Watch and the newly released Galaxy Watch 6 series. Meanwhile, the Watch 9 boasts a whooping 64GB which of course means more storage for your favorite tracks and podcasts.
The Watch 9 and Ultra 2 have a new S9 chipset with a 4-core neural engine that enables enhanced hand gesture features. Before now you have the assistive touch features on older Apple Watches that enable hand gesture features. However, the new chip brings enhanced double-tap gestures that will allow you to play and pause music, stop a timer, snooze an alarm and even control the new Smart stack widget by simply double-tapping your index and thumb fingers.
The 4-core neural engine also enables Siri to process requests directly on the device which makes it faster and more secure. Apple stated that later in October, Siri will also be able to access your health data. Thus, you can ask Siri how you slept, log medication and more. Additionally, the 4-core neural engine now makes Siri dictation 25% more accurate.
Alongside the 4-core neural engine is a secondary generation Ultra Wideband 2 chip that also brings new functions to the new Apple Watches. The UW2 chip now features Precision Finding which makes it easy to find a misplaced iPhone. With Precision Finding, you get distance and direction as well as audio and visual guidance to help you locate a misplaced iPhone. Note that Precision Finding requires both iPhone and Watch to have the Ultra Wideband 2 chipset to work.
The Ultra Wideband 2 also enables new integration for Homepod devices. The Watch 9 and Ultra 2 will be able to remotely control music playing on a Homepod device when the watch is 4m near.
For the first time, Apple has introduced a pink color to the Watch 9. The aluminum model of the Watch 8 is available in midnight, starlight, silver and red colors. Meanwhile, the Watch 9 aluminum model comes in Midnight, starlight, silver, red and pink colors. The addition of pink color means you now have more options to choose from.
So in summary, the Watch 9 welcomes a brighter display, bigger storage, a new S9 chipset and a new pink model. Beyond these significant additions, the Watch 8 is similar to Series 9.
The Watch 9 ships with WatchOS 10 out of the box which will also come to Apple Watch Series 4 and above. The WatchOS 10 succeeds WatchOS 9 and brings new features such as new watch faces, better controls and a Smart Stack feature that hides widgets behind the watch face making it easier to access your favorite widgets without putting too many complications on the watch face.
Interestingly, the Watch 9 retails at the same price as the Watch 8. A good bargain if you ask me.
Now that you know what’s new in Watch 9, let’s take a look at the differences between the 41mm and 45mm units.
Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm) vs (45mm) – The Difference
The 41mm unit of the Watch 9 is typically the same as the 45mm unit. Both have the same design, features and possibly the same battery life. The only difference here is that the 45mm unit has a bigger display size but the 41mm unit is cheaper.
- Display sizes
- The 41mm unit is more compact
- Prices: The 41mm unit is cheaper
- Strap Sizes
The first noticeable difference between the 41mm and 45mm units is the display sizes. The 45mm unit has a 1.9-inch display while the 41mm has a 1.69 inches display. So you get to see more at a glance with the bigger display. Meanwhile, both watches have a very colorful display – thanks to the LTPO OLED technology that boast up to 2000nits – that’s one of the brightest display you will see on a watch. This means no matter how sunny it is, the Series 9 will still be very legible.
The price to pay for the bigger display is a bigger case size. As a result, the 41mm unit is more compact and of course more comfortable to wear. Nonetheless, the 45mm unit is also very lightweight and comfortable to wear. I have used the Watch 7 aluminum (45mm) unit and not for once did I find it too heavy or bulky. Though, considering that stainless steel weighs a little more than aluminum, the 45mm unit of the stainless steel model at 51.5 grams might be a bit heavy for some especially if you pair it with a stainless steel bracelet. Overall, whether stainless steel or aluminum, the 41 and 45mm units are some of the lightest watches out there.
As a result of its smaller display, the 41mm unit is cheaper than the 45mm unit. While the GPS model of the 41mm aluminum unit retails for $399, it’s $429 for the 45mm unit. Meanwhile, the cellular models of each of the sizes attract an additional $100.
If you choose to go for the stainless steel build which is only available in cellular models, it’s $699 for the 41mm unit and $749 for the 45mm unit.
Due to the difference in case size, the strap sizes also differ. Just like older 40mm units, the 41mm unit has a 22mm wide strap which measures 130mm – 180mm in length.
In contrast, the 45mm unit has a 24mm wide strap which measures 150mm – 200mm in length. So keep that in mind if you wish to get additional straps from third-party sellers. Beyond these few differences, the 41mm unit is the same as the 45mm unit.
Available colors
Now that you know the differences between the 41 and 45mm units, let’s take a look at the available colors. Both the 41mm and 45mm units of the aluminum model are available in midnight, starlight, silver, red and pink colors.
On the other hand, the 41mm and 45mm units of the stainless steel model come in graphite, silver and gold colors.
Available Straps
In terms of available straps, Apple sells different straps for the Series 9. It is the same band for both the aluminum and stainless steel models. You have the option to choose from rubber, textile or stainless steel straps. The rubber straps come in three designs; solo loop, sport band and Nike sport band.
On the other hand, the new textile straps come in five different designs which include a sport loop and a Nike sport loop. You also have a magnetic link and braided solo loop bands that cost $50 more. There is also a beautiful modern buckle exclusive for the 41mm unit that costs $100 more.
Meanwhile, the stainless steel straps come in a Milanese loop that costs $50 more and a premium link bracelet band that costs an additional $300.
Apple Watch Series 9 Stainless Steel vs Aluminum
Like I mentioned earlier, the Apple Watch Series 9 is available in aluminum and stainless steel materials, and these two come in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The stainless steel and aluminum models have similar features and share the same straps.
However, the difference between these two is that the stainless steel has a more durable build, weighs a little more and is only available in the cellular model while the aluminum model is available in both cellular and GPS models. As a result of the more durable build, the stainless steel model is priced a little higher.
41mm or 45mm – Which Size is Best For You?
So which size is right for you? 41mm or the 45mm unit? The simple way to find out is to simply measure the width of your wrist using a meter rule. That is, place a meter rule on your wrist, take the measurement and compare it to the sizes. You want a watch that sits comfortably in the middle of your wrist. It shouldn’t be too small and it shouldn’t be too big.
If you don’t care about the size, of course, go with the 45mm unit, it lets you see more at a glance.