During their keynote last night, Apple unveiled several new products including the new iPhone 14 Series as well as new Apple Watch models including the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE.
Apple Watch Ultra
The Apple Watch Ultra features a 49mm titanium case with a flat sapphire front crystal, revealing the largest and brightest Apple Watch display to date, up to 2000 nits. A customisable Action button provides quick access to a variety of useful features. The Apple Watch Ultra has the longest battery life of any Apple Watch, lasting up to 36 hours under normal conditions. A new low-power setting, ideal for multi-day experiences, can also extend battery life to up to 60 hours.
The Wayfinder watch face is optimised for the larger Apple Watch Ultra display and includes a compass built into the dial, as well as space for up to eight complications. The Apple Watch Ultra also includes three new bands: the Trail Loop, the Alpine Loop, and the Ocean Band.
The precision dual-frequency GPS integrates both L1 and the most recent frequency, L5, as well as new positioning algorithms, for the first time in an Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Ultra has the most precise GPS of any Apple Watch to date.
The Apple Watch Ultra is powered by watchOS 9, which includes new advanced running metrics such as Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, Vertical Oscillation, and Running Power to measure performance. New Workout Views, such as Segments, Splits, and Elevation, provide important metrics at a glance, and the Apple Watch Ultra is the only Apple Watch that can show six metrics at once, thanks to the larger display.
The Action button can start workouts instantly and move users to the next interval of a Custom Workout or leg of a Multisport workout. It can also be used to mark segments, which complements the new Track running experience, which automatically estimates pacing and distance for runners on a track.
The Apple Watch Ultra is designed for water sports, such as kitesurfing and wakeboarding, as well as recreational scuba diving to 40 metres with the new Oceanic+ app. Apple Watch Ultra is WR100 certified to support these underwater adventures. The Apple Watch Ultra is also certified to EN 13319, an internationally recognised standard for dive accessories such as depth gauges, which are used by recreational divers all over the world.
The Apple Watch Ultra has innovative new temperature sensing capabilities that provide additional insights into women’s health. The two-sensor design eliminates bias from both the outside environment and the body itself. Users can receive retrospective ovulation estimates using the new capabilities, which can be useful for family planning. 6 Temperature sensing also allows for more accurate period predictions for menstruating users.
Cycle Tracking users on iOS 16 and watchOS 9 will now receive a notification if their logged cycle history shows a possible deviation, which can be a symptom of underlying health conditions.
With Crash Detection, Apple Watch can detect a severe car crash using two new motion sensors and an advanced sensor-fusion algorithm.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 is designed in the familiar Apple Watch style, with a large, Always-On Retina display and a strong crack-resistant front crystal. Apple Watch Series 8 includes health and safety features such as the ECG app and fall detection, as well as temperature sensing capabilities, retrospective ovulation estimates, Crash Detection, and international roaming.
To keep users connected for even longer, a new Low Power Mode for Apple Watch Series 8 with an iPhone present can extend battery life to up to 36 hours. This new mode disables or limits certain sensors and features, such as the Always-On Retina display, workout autostart, heart health notifications, and others, for a limited time.
Apple Watch Series 8 will be available in a variety of case finishes, colours, and band types to accommodate a wide range of personal preferences. Apple Watch Series 8 is available in aluminium and stainless steel cases in 41mm and 45mm sizes, and is compatible with all bands.
Apple Watch Series 8 aluminium case colours include starlight, midnight, silver, and (PRODUCT)RED, while stainless steel case colours include silver, graphite, and gold. With Apple Watch Studio, Apple Watch Series 8 can be paired with any available band in the same collection.
The Apple Watch This fall, Nike will also release new bands and watch faces. Nike has introduced new Sport Band colours as well as a new Sport Loop with the “Just Do It” logo woven into the band. Starting this fall, any Apple Watch user running watchOS 9 — including those who do not own a Nike model — will be able to access all Nike watch faces, including the new colours for the Bounce face.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE is the least expensive smartwatch in the lineup. It features the S8 SiP advanced dual-core processor, which is also found in the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra and is 20% faster than the previous generation, as well as Crash Detection and international roaming.
The Apple Watch SE retains the same case design, but with a redesigned matching back case made of a nylon composite material that makes it lighter than ever. With watchOS 9, Apple Watch SE users can enjoy the new Compass app, as well as enhanced fitness and wellness features. Apple Watch SE comes in 40mm and 44mm aluminium cases in midnight, starlight, and silver finishes, and is compatible with all bands.
Price and availability
As of right now (at the time of writing), Apple has yet to formally announce the availability of the new Apple Watches in Malaysia. However, the local pricing has been officially revealed through the Apple Store and is as follows:
- Apple Watch Ultra – RM3,799
- Apple Watch Series 8
– Aluminium 41mm GPS – RM1,899
– Aluminium 41mm GPS & Cellular – RM2,299
– Aluminium 45mm GPS – RM1,999
– Aluminium 45mm GPS & Cellular – RM2,399
– Stainless Steel 41mm GPS & Cellular – RM3,299
– Stainless Steel 45mm GPS & Cellular – RM3,499 - Apple Watch SE
– 40mm GPS – RM1,199
– 40mm GPS & Cellular – RM1,399
– 44mm GPS – RM1,299
– 44mm GPS & Cellular – RM1,499
