Apple Watch Series 9 & Ultra 2 review: quietly the best

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 don’t look a whole lot different from their predecessors. That’s because hardware isn’t the star of the show this year. That is, unless you’re talking about the new S9 processor which enables brighter screens, offline Siri, and a handy double tap gesture. And while these watches don’t have the flashiest updates, they are the best money can buy. At least, until next year. #Apple #Technology
00:00 Intro
00:59 Design
02:15 Better Siri
04:46 Screens and Battery
06:07 Precision Finding
08:33 Double Tap (AKA Pinchy Pinch)
11:42 Conclusion
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[@TheVerge]

Thumbs up for double-tap, comment for pinchy pinch

[@kreigerbailey3550]

Portland, JAMAICA in the Building!!!

[@jurajkusy]

Pinchy pinch ftw! Loved & enjoyed this review, Victoria, kudos!

[@coffeevie]

Pinchy pinch for life

[@andrewehyang]

Im officially a pinchy pinch convert

[@zemlanin]

Double thumb

[@jonathan102]

The most impressive thing from this review is how Victoria nailed those tongue twisters

[@duncethedoctor9054]

Great review, she didn't miss a thing! It literally felt like she was reading the questions in my mind every time she brought up a new feature or talking point.

[@augustusdavid7786]

Not gonna lie, but i really enjoyed your review Victoria. Your genuine expression & reaction was delightful 😊

[@MaxArthey]

The Verge really does some of the best reviews around when it comes to wearables! Excellent video!

[@jkhauge]

I really appreciated your casual attitude towards the watch. It’s a good watch but they get better every year.

[@hughmnyks]

A great review Victoria, you are a real star and I feel really well informed - as well as entertained!

[@kingalex29339]

Excited to upgrade from the S5 to the S9. I’m averaging 9 hours of battery life

[@davidmarflak8170]

I have had my Ultra 2 watch for a little over a week. I absolutely love it. I am glad I upgraded from the Apple Watch 6. I highly recommend it.

[@ShaneCallum]

Got my watch on Friday! Absolutely love it🎉

[@black-n-gold]

Does the flashlight feature help show things off better? I know that the watch display could justifiably be pushed further… since you need a bigger light

[@benhess7897]

I use the flashlight on my Apple Watch more than I care to admit. It’s nice in a pinch

[@philforde5871]

Excellent review. Loved the natural style of the presenter and the “ real life” examples.

[@maxhill9254]

true!

[@gwenc1371]

Really nice review. I have an SE1 with a fading battery and I may just upgrade this year depending how Christmas shapes up. The improve display would be awesome and the pinch looks cool(you're the only person I've seen mention that the assistive touch feature is *much* slower and more aimed towards actual accessibility, vs the more 'lightweight' version they've added here)....but not going to lie, realizing I wouldn't need to annoy everyone with beeping when I lose my phone on a daily basis is honestly really tempting lol.

[@rintintin_]

I’ve got a series 5 and it’s still chugging along just fine! The battery has degraded but still gets me through the day

[@ethanrjones97]

For what it’s worth, paying $79 for a “battery replacement” usually has them send you a new/refurbished watch. Breathes new life into the sucker haha.

[@AdaDenali]

I also have the 5 and I love it but I really want the keyboard. Wanted to hold out for a spec bump though, and finally got that :)

[@gugy68]

I’m considering the Ultra big time from my S5 but for the S9, I would wait until next year and see if Apple will come up with something cool for the 10 year anniversary.

[@novabalm]

Using the Series 5 every day since release and I just don't see a point to upgrade unless I go to the Ultra model. Series 5 still has 1+ day battery life and a beautiful screen. Might hold out for redesign but I can still use this thing for another 2 years.

[@snehilbasu4718]

Please provide the link for the bands.

[@mcfehn25]

I felt I had waited long enough and my jump from series 6 to ultra 2 seems well timed. I bypassed series nine mostly out of frustration that there wasn’t a redesign. I was ready for something that looked even a little different. Ultra 2’s bigger screen and extended home button panel fit the bill nicely. My only complaint so far is that night one brought a Bluetooth disconnect between the watch and phone. My watch hand often ends up under my pillow at night. I’m guessing this blocked the signal. That’s never happened with previous models. But overall, I’m extremely happy with the ultra 2 after just under 24 hours of use.

[@eddieglover7774]

Do u still have it? Do u still love it??

[@yassir3108]

Yeah same switched from series 6 to ultra 2 and I’m so happy with it

[@yassir3108]

@@eddieglover7774I also switched from serieus 6 tot ultra 2 and I’m so happy with it I love my new ultra 2

[@Vojoor]

The pacing in this video was amazing, keep it up! Host was amazing!

[@ebubeawachie]

Yes!!!

[@tinop6170]

That last little joke/dig was good

[@batuksri]

Great summary at the end there! Love your honest take. I rarely do but I am subscribing.

[@Matylda1Urbanik]

I want that FineWoven stran on my 45 mm watch but I don’t see it in Apple Store, it is only for 41 mm How can I buy the same strap that is in this video with stainless steel 45 mm series 9?

[@bwoohk]

The analysis is very professional, I wish you better and better!

[@darkstepwarrior88]

Balanced review, i like the real life testing of the precision find.

[@mustafahasan1830]

Do you think iphone 14 pro max can get find my iPhone option in an update later as apple watch series 9 won’t find the precious location for Iphone models other than 15

[@Nomadicways]

I love your honesty. Thank you.

[@AntsDrone]

I’m excited to buy the Apple Watch next year for the 10th anniversary. I currently own a Black Stainless Steel Series 7 and a Apple Watch Ultra 2. I do alternate between both depending on my mood but i do wear the ultra more. I think that sometimes the ultra is too bulky and i find that my stainless is a little bit more comfortable to wear. I want to add more Apple Watches to my collection and have a bunch with different styles. I’ve always been an Apple Watch wearer. My first watch was the Original Apple Watch and I got it the day it came out in 2015 so I was an early adopter. I have had an Apple Watch on my wrist since that day and have never looked back.

[@Joker-yu5kp]

The ultra is just overkill for me, it’s definitely not for average people,it’s walking around with bricks on your wrist.45mm is already huge for a watch

[@snehilbasu4718]

Please give the link to buy the apple watch band used in ultra 2 and 1 silicon bands

[@GeorgeOprea10]

Loved the U2 - Beautiful day pun

[@heydeedeesweets619]

I guess Siri isn't a fan of Blackalicious 🤣

[@GarethLewis83]

Thanks for just setting a 5 minute timer on my HomePod 😂

[@quaternio]

Btw, you can set a timer by just saying “5 minutes”

[@pawasdayal]

Miss Dieter Bohn in these review videos at Verge. That guy was magic.

[@nickhanif5460]

Agreed. I stopped listening to the VergeCast when he left

[@AAM2011]

I had the Apple Watch SE (2021) I upgraded to the Ultra 2 and WOW

[@RVDL]

I wonder Siri went on longer on the S9. I expected the same results. Anybody got an idea as to why there is a difference?

[@mikepollux]

Hi Victoria Could you please make a video going into the details of the wireless charging efficiency in these Apple whatches?. My feeling is wireless charging in general is only about 50% efficient, meaning for each 10W the charger takes out of the power outlet, only 5W finally reach the device battery... which I think is radically less than wired charging.... If you find out this to be true in your research, it could mean that every body who switches to wireless charging will be roughly doubling the electrical power used to charge its phone.... Which can be a huge impact if you multiply by the millions of mobile phone / smart phone owners worldwide…. Environmental implications might be really high..

[@AFKJACKK]

Upgraded from S5 to U2. love it.

[@MattSwain1]

We definitely need to get pinchy pinch adopted by all 😊

[@ak_hoops]

Wow, I thought I was the only one that used my noes...glad I turned on the pinch feature.

[@RobertTMikhail]

How were you able to use the modern buckle for the 45mm Apple Watch series 9? I thought the modern buckle was only 41mm?

[@Ryotsu2112]

When she showed the old watch and the new watch together, the old one was the 41mm. She was using the new strap on the old watch, because that segment was only about the strap.

[@carson9903]

Great review, Victoria!

[@LouieTingkingco]

Nice review, very detailed and informative

[@AutumnRain]

kind of throwin something down with those tongue twisters though

[@RVDL]

Vic did great. Who must we pinchy pinch to have her in more video's?

[@TheVerge]

I consider myself pinched!

[@wavensdorvad]

Assistive touch is awesome

[@gopa7652]

Is the compassion for siri is btw ultra 2 and series 9 or ultra and series 9?

[@victoriasong5700]

Original Ultra with an S8 chip and Series 9.

[@McRizzwan]

3:10 Love this segment!

[@coffeevie]

4-5 or earlier? Go for the upgrade 7-8? Totally not worth it And here I am with my forgotten mild child series 6

[@sugarbagels]

ALPHABET AEROBICS? gotta love a blackalicious cameo

[@thatOneGuy_ren]

I love seeing someone listens to D.O.'s new album.

[@victoriasong5700]

It's me. Dandanies unite.

[@Dedstarrxo]

I don’t own a Apple Watch yet and this would be my very first one. Any thoughts?

[@davidareyouhuman]

Same here! And today I decided to go for the S9. I was going to go for ultra but honestly I’m not doing anything ultra yet in my life so the s9 is perfect for my calm life at the moment. PLUS first Apple Watch? Means getting to know it first, than I’m definitely going ULTRA in a couple of years! Cheers and good luck with whatever you end up going with! 😊

[@TheCodeda]

Great alphabet aerobics shout out! ❤❤

[@AnonN-sr6uu]

15 Pro Max 512gb and Series 9 pick up this Friday 🤑

[@frank12830]

You got duped 😂

[@PokhrajRoy.]

PINK APPLE WATCH 💖

[@123theprodigy5]

I have the Apple Watch Series 4, the battery life is terrible now but it still works perfectly for me.

[@djalil_YT]

Same. And I have decided to stick with it one more year. Hope the 10 is a bigger update 🤞

[@samueljweston]

@@djalil_YTsame thing here. Was considering updating this time but given it looks the same essentially as my 4 and I’ve just got the latest software on my 4, I’ll just bung a new strap on it and wait for the X.

[@Mac-bs6hf]

Im looking to get an Apple Watch and for the past 2 weeks been researching what to choose, results: I like ultra for style and very encouraged to buy one but series 9 been far better in every way. Hope apple don’t degrade series 9 rather improving ultra

[@Nomadicways]

I have both an Apple watch (1st generation SE) and Samsung Galaxy watch ( 6 Classic). I like both watches. The Apple watches have more storage. Galaxy watches only have 16gb. I personally don't do much with either watch except the usually updates. I love my rotating bezel. Can't give it up. But I love the SE because it's better overall.

[@brucebanksshow]

Subtle tongue twister flex

[@maxix545]

Great review Vee! I wasn't expecting you guys upload this quick after the written review It's a good watch though most of the upsides are tied with getting a new phone as well which is kinda a bummer

[@SneakySteevy]

Took the ultra because it is so beautiful

[@TheGeekGauntletPodcast]

I never had the Ultra 1, so the Ultra 2 has been amazing for me

[@kaynwells6936]

I bought a series 8, liked it so much I bought an ultra 2 and gave the series 8 to my wife. She also loves it. The ultra 2 looks and feels better on my wrist than the series watches ever did and I don’t regret getting the ultra 2 over a cheaper used ultra.

[@adriatic970]

I still like my Epix , thanks

[@00z53]

Great review, much better than mkbhd

[@eevandersonn]

Vee is killing it!

[@camilogalleguilloscortes]

Saludos ! 🇨🇱

[@jurajkusy]

Victoria low key became my fav Verge reviewer/reporter. Thoroughly enjoyed this review, even tho the subject has became kinda dull and boring. Love your work, kudos!

[@user-gq2kn4wo9n]

What should you buy if you have never had an Apple Watch?

[@rtst_dj]

Gift of Gab would be proud.

[@eddiemunoz3677]

Seriously considering selling my ultra 2 and getting the stainless steel. Looks way more classy. I can no longer look at the hideous orange action button. Thought I’d get used to it but I haven’t.

[@moranmono]

I prefer iterative updates on Samsung suddenly stop supporting tizen and switch to wear os making my device obsolete

[@bill5740]

🔥 video

[@buttermilkoreo]

2:08 hearing the phrase "I haven't had it long enough to tell you" when the title of the video has the word review is so funny

[@janetscruising]

I just won’t be able to check my sugar without having to poke myself. That’s what I want Apple Watch to come out with is the ability to tell me how my sugar is doing my A1c, or my glucose is doing in my blood.

[@ak_hoops]

The real winner here is the alliteration!

[@evankupec8495]

you set off my Siri a few times because you left in the full activation phrase

[@rockopeace]

Shes so sweet loved the review funny

[@DojoOfCool]

Great video thanks. I was hoping there were be enough of an update to make my decision easy, but no. I have an series 7 41mm I got on sale when the series 8 came out and I really like the Apple Watch very handy for an old guy like me, but I wish I had got the 45mm. I think the size would make it a bit easier to read and fit my large wrist better. The Ultra I think is too big and especially how thick it is. So updating to series 9 45mm seems kind of like waste so not sure what I will do. Rumor mill says next year is Apple Watch 10th anniversary so Apple usually does big updates on 10th anniversary of products. So might be worth me holding off for another year.

[@alphillips5478]

You contradict yourself - you wish you got the 45mm and then say upgrading to series 9 45mm is a waste! Do you know what ur talking about?

[@tanishiamccoggle8300]

She Amazing

[@daddyscrapes]

Its hard to see the difference it’s the same device since series 4 😂😂😂

[@saminnippon]

watch x will be round…. i hope

[@badabing8884]

👌

[@pistopit7142]

Pinchy pinch still cannot pinch to skip to the next song.

[@dimdaisjimbo]

I have the 14 pro and aw4 and I was going to get a new Apple watch, but the last sentence about something "big" we are waiting for next year stopped me. I'll probably be patient for another year

[@Jawnderlust]

Good News everyone! Rumor has it that next years Series 10 will be available as a Suppository!

[@ckf36]

Heads up, might wanna censor the word b*mb from the dictation test. KZbin is probably not gonna dig that

[@nbc8944]

I dont really get the whole leather ban stuff...i mean there is still a lot of cows getting eaten so it would be a good thing to use that leather too, also as respect for the animal....

[@MrHenkfromHolland]

A battery life from 36 hours is not done in 2024

[@cliffgeo]

pinchy pinch

[@ORGNLPLN]

The frame rate drops on this video is horrible. Please fix.

[@robertsammons1]

Doing comparisons with the old ultra with a new strap is incredibly confusing...

[@stefandjordjevic9]

If they care about carbon neutral thing, you would be able to use iPhone 5 today, without any issues and bugs. Right?

[@Jaedensteve1]

I understand what you’re trying to say but I feel like the iphone 5 is maybe to extreme but an Iphone 8/10 for sure

[@dandansfu]

for few trillion dollar companies, what's with their. features available later and it has been like this for years.

[@jaughnekow]

the tongue twisting tohugh.

[@Infragelb]

Really good review and great cinematics, but maybe bring this review into a shorter format. 13 minutes of phone searching, dictation and other stuff is not necessary to understand the device. Maybe you loose some viewers along the way over that length.

[@matthewheimiller434]

Pinchy Pinch gang

[@brianmhite]

Comment for pinchy pinch

[@BrianKim-ih4qh]

“what’s actually new?” - all apple users

[@PsychicOracle]

We spent 15% of the video on using the watch to find a phone??

[@Zierfish]

Most important feature though

[@alphillips5478]

YOU DIDNT SAY WHICH MODEL HAD ''PRECISION FINDING''! Why on earth not!?

[@LemonCupcakeVRInfinity]

they all have it... both new watches

[@black-n-gold]

Punchy pinchy

[@blackwaterpictures876]

4:18 you know you don’t have to say “hey siri” right?