Apple has just announced the new Apple Watch Series 9, the successor to Series 8 at the Apple “Wonderlust” event. The next-generation smartwatch from Cupertino sees a mostly internal upgrade rather than a full design update.
Apple Watch Series 9 Malaysian Pricing
The new Apple Watch Series 9 comes in 41mm and 45mm sizes, and will be available in starlight, midnight, silver, (PRODUCT)RED, and pink.
It will be retailing in Malaysia from RM1,899. The aluminium variant will be available with the retail prices starting from:
- Apple Watch Series 9 41mm, aluminium – RM1,899
- Apple Watch Series 9 41mm, aluminium, cellular – RM2,399
- Apple Watch Series 9 45mm, aluminium – RM2,049
- Apple Watch Series 9 45mm, aluminium, cellular – RM2,549
As for the stainless-steel variants, the retail prices start from:
- Apple Watch Series 9 41mm, stainless steel, cellular – RM3,299
- Apple Watch Series 9 45mm, stainless steel, cellular – RM3,799
The Apple Watch SE Series is still available to purchase, with prices starting from:
- Apple Watch Series SE 40mm, aluminium – RM1,199
- Apple Watch Series SE 44mm, aluminium – RM1,349
The overall pricing for the Series 9 looks to be like the previous generation. For the new bands, either the new Sports Loop or the new FineWoven bands, will be carbon neutral right out of the box when paired with the new Series 9.
First-wave countries can make their pre-orders of the new Series 9 starting today and get it from physical stores from 22 September. No shipping information is available for Malaysia as of yet.
Apple Watch Series 8 specs and features
Out of the box, the new watch features Apple’s new S9 system-in-a-package (SIP) chip along with a new Ultra-wideband chip. The former enables a few updated features that will be useful for Apple Watch users.
First off, the S9 sips power, so users can expect up to 18 hours of battery life per charge. The chip also allows a tighter integration with Siri, with 25% more accurate dictation than the previous generation.
A new gesture was introduced with the Apple Watch Series 9 – Double Tap. By just tapping the index finger and thumb, users can easily use the watch without physically touching the watch itself. The gesture controls the primary button of the app – some of the scenarios that Apple showcased were stopping an alarm, answering, and ending a phone call, and even taking a photo with the Camera Remote.
Apple has managed to increase the brightness of the watch screen – reaching a peak of 2000 nits (double the brightness of the Series 8) and going down all the way to 1 nit for dimly lit locations.
A new second-generation Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip in the Apple Watch gives it better Precision Finding to search for your lost iPhone, keys (with an attached Apple AirTag of course) and anything else you need to search for.
The Series 9 now also features HomePod integration – when an Apple Watch gets within 4 meters of a HomePod playing audio, Apple Watch Series 9 will launch Now Playing to control the media. Or if nothing is playing on HomePod, media suggestions will appear at the top of the Smart Stack.
Carbon Neutrality is something that Apple was also promoting hard with the Apple Watch. Thanks to the new manufacturing process (100% recycled materials – Aluminium, Gold, Tin and now Cobalt in the battery) and transportation/logistics policies (Apple Products will now be shipped via sea instead of air) all Apple Watches (when paired with the new watchbands) are now Carbon Neutral products.
The more environment-friendly focus is also seen with the new bands for the Apple Watch Series 9. Gone are the leather straps, with a new material called FineWoven, introduced to replace the leather products. A microtwill product made out of 68% recycled products, FineWoven has a suedelike feel and is available with the Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle bands.
Hermes will be introducing their watch bands using this new material, available to be paired with new Series 9. Nike will also be introducing new watchbands – the new Sport Loop and Sport Band – both made with recycled materials.
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