Apple Watch Series 9 launched in India; its first carbon-neutral product

Apple today introduced the Apple Watch Series 9, which comes loaded with powerful features including the new S9 SiP, double tap gesture, a brighter display, faster on-device Siri, and precision finding for the iPhone.

Apple Watch Series 9 runs watchOS 10, which delivers redesigned apps, the new Smart Stack, new watch faces, cycling and hiking features, and tools to support mental health.

In a first in the Apple Watch Series 9, customers can choose a “carbon-neutral option” for any Apple Watch. The US-based tech major claims it represents a significant milestone toward Apple 2030 as it plans to be “carbon neutral” across its entire business, manufacturing supply chain, and product life cycle by 2030.

The new Apple Watch lineup can be ordered starting today in India, with availability beginning Friday, September 22. Apple Watch Series 9 starts at Rs 41,900, and Apple Watch SE starts at Rs 29,900.

“Apple Watch is an indispensable companion that helps millions of people with their health, fitness, communications, and safety,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.

Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives says: “At Apple, we are committed to making products customers love and protecting the planet at the same time, and this year, we hit a key milestone toward our Apple 2030 goal.”

Apple Watch Series 9 is powered by custom Apple silicon in the all-new S9 SiP, which Apple claims is its most powerful watch chip.

The 'double tap gesture' feature on the watch comes with innovations such as the digital grown and taptic engine — along with gestures like tap, swipe, wrist raise, and cover to mute — make Apple Watch “simple and intuitive to use”, says the company.

For display, Apple says its S9 SiP chip and advanced display architecture increase the maximum brightness of the Apple Watch Series 9 display up to 2000 nits — double that of Series 8 — making it even easier to read text in bright sunlight.

Additionally, for the first time on the Apple Watch, Siri requests can be processed on the device. "For requests that do not require information from the internet, such as starting a workout or setting a timer, Siri does not rely on Wi-Fi or cellular networks, resulting in quicker and more reliable responses."

For precision finding and HomePod integration, the S9 SiP includes a second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip to enable the feature for the iPhone 15 family, which has the same chip.

Apple Watch Series 9 runs watchOS 10, which can help one quickly view information with redesigned apps and a new Smart Stack to show relevant widgets.

In case and band combinations, Apple Watch customers can select combinations of Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, and Apple Watch SE.

For bands, Apple this time has introduced FineWoven, a luxurious and durable microtwill made of 68 percent post-consumer recycled content that has significantly lower carbon emissions compared to leather.