1 Week with the Apple Watch Series 9 Cellular: Is It Worth the Upgrade?

A while back, I wrote about the Apple Watch SE 1st generation, which I got at a bargain price second-hand. But, recently, I discovered that the SE wouldn’t receive future watchOS updates, prompting me to consider my options.
Should I get another second-hand Apple Watch, a brand new Apple Watch Ultra 2, a Series 9, or wait for the next release?
I was even considering sticking with my Garmin Forerunner 225. But by chance, I discovered a decent deal on the Apple Watch Series 9 Cellular from my mobile provider.
Having never owned a cellular watch before, I decided to give it a try and took out a plan for the 45 mm Apple Watch Series 9 in Midnight.
After a week of daily use, here are my thoughts…
Unboxing
Apple is known for their attention to detail, and the unboxing experience of the Apple Watch Series 9 didn’t disappoint.
The packaging includes two separate boxes: one for the watch and another for the strap.
The watch was beautifully presented, resembling a mini-display cabinet, with the watch on the left and the charger and documentation on the right.
The package contains a standard USB-C charger. I was slightly disappointed that it didn’t include the iconic Apple sticker, though I rarely use them; it’s just a nice touch.
Setting up the watch was straightforward, though I had issues getting the SIM card to work with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.
After a few attempts to reach the right team at Vodafone, their support was superb, resolving the issue within a few hours and even following up to ensure everything was working smoothly a few days later.
I find this level of support superb, and it really shows that they do care for customer satisfaction (I’m not sponsored by Vodafone, I thought their level of support was very good).
Design and Comfort
At first glance, the Apple Watch Series 9 looks similar to the SE, with the main difference being the colour. My SE is Space Grey, while the Series 9 is Midnight. Although Midnight looks nice, I would have preferred Space Grey.
Besides new colours, there aren’t major changes in style. The Aluminium version comes in Pink, Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and (Product)Red, while the Stainless-Steel version is available in Gold, Silver, and Graphite.
The watch is available in either 41 mm or 45 mm. I went with the 45 mm, and I am pleased to find that my 44 mm SE straps are compatible.
In terms of comfort, the watch is light and very comfortable to wear. Sometimes I forget it’s on my wrist!
I use the rubber band as my default strap but also switch to the Pitaka Poetry of Things strap, which I’m a big fan of.
Overall, I’m satisfied with the watch’s comfort and style, but I wish Space Grey were an option.
Daily Performance and Battery Life
One issue with my Apple Watch SE was the battery life, which showed signs of wear, dropping below 90% capacity. But it was manageable, and I could still get a day out of it.
It’s nice to have a boost in battery capacity with a new Apple Watch. Apple states that its goal is for the battery to last 18 hours after an overnight charge.
As I use the watch for sleep tracking, I tend to charge it during my morning routine, leaving the house with a full battery.
On average, it lasts about 1.5 days on quiet days and a full day on more demanding ones when I use GPS tracking.
But it’s still early days and I will be doing more tests in the coming weeks.
In terms of performance, the watch performs incredibly well, and I haven’t faced any issues yet.
Health and Fitness
While I haven’t had the chance to dive fully dive into the health and fitness features yet, I’ve tracked a few outdoor walks.
I haven’t yet seen any noticeable differences between the two watches. But it’s still early days.
However, the Series 9 does offer health improvements, such as generating an ECG, setting notifications for high and low heart rates, and measuring blood oxygen levels.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be trying the watch in numerous scenarios, including longer activities such as cycling and hiking trips, so stay tuned for more articles!
Apps and Everyday Use
A smartwatch has been integral to my daily life for years, and I’ve had the opportunity to try many smartwatches from various brands. But I always return to the Apple Watch.
I primarily use my Apple Watch for tracking my health and fitness. But I also use it for keeping on top of things.
The watch proves to be a great aid when responding to messages, noting down ideas and keeping track of time with my calendar and To-Do list.
I use BusyCal for managing my calendar, which I like due to its features and clear interface.
My To-Do list app is Things 3 and funnily enough, I mainly use the app on my MacBook and on my Apple Watch.
My watch face is usually the Modular watch face with different widgets appearing based on my Focus Profiles.
Typically, I have Health Rings, time and date, a BusyCal widget, Today’s Progress from Things, temperature, and Apple Home. But that changes depending on profile.
Being my first cellular smartwatch, I’m sold on the convenience. Not having to carry my iPhone 14 Pro Max everywhere, especially when popping to the local shops, is a game-changer.
So far, the cellular feature has worked flawlessly.
Must-Have Accessories
I haven’t explored many accessories yet, but I did get a screen protector and case.
I chose the LK pack of 4 screen protectors, which I found easy to apply.
For added protection during outdoor activities, I got the Elkson Quattro Series Bumper Case, which looks really nice.
Final Thoughts
After a week with the Apple Watch Series 9, I’m very satisfied. I think it’s a fantastic watch with cool features.
Given my needs, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 wasn’t necessary, but I may consider it in the future.
In conclusion, I think the Apple Watch Series 9 is worth it, especially for those upgrading from older models. I’m happy with the purchase and look forward to sharing more insights in future blog posts.
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