Skip to content
Watch

Apple Watch Series 4 vs Series 9 – Which Should You Buy?

As an Amazon Associate, I Earn from Qualifying Purchases. Read Disclaimer

Apple Watch Series 9 & Series 4 have some important differences, both models are popular for their health tracking, smart features, and daily utility. The Apple Watch Series 9 is Apple’s latest smartwatch packed with high-end features like on-device Siri, advanced fitness tracking, and a vibrant always-on Retina display. The Series 4 is more affordable and still provides core fitness tracking and cellular connectivity. Let’s explore their differences and similarities to find your perfect fit!

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 has the S9 SiP with a 4-core Neural Engine that speeds up system performance and enables advanced features like on-device Siri.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 uses the older S4 chip, which handles basic tasks.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Display:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 includes an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED 1.9 inch display that maintains high visibility in all lighting conditions.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 has a standard 1.7 inch Retina OLED display.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Brightness:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 supports up to 2000 nits of brightness that improves visibility in direct sunlight.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 reaches up to 1000 nits, which is still usable outdoors but less vibrant.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Operating System:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 supports watchOS 10 and future updates that ensure long-term software compatibility.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 supports up to watchOS 10 but may not receive updates beyond that.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Voice Assistant:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 supports on-device Siri that processes commands quickly without internet connection.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 requires an internet connection for Siri processing.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Connectivity:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 includes Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band Wi-Fi, and GPS that support seamless pairing and tracking.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 supports only 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, which is more limited in speed and stability.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Health Features:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 has ECG, Blood Oxygen, heart rate, cycling enhancements and temperature sensors that enhance health monitoring.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 supports basic fitness features like heart rate monitoring and ECG but lacks newer metrics.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Speaker & Microphone:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 includes a noise-reducing microphone and dual speakers that allow phone calls and Siri interaction.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 uses a standard microphone and speaker.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Internal Storage:

  • Apple Watch Series 9 includes 64GB of internal storage that enables music downloads, app installs, and podcasts without your phone.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 comes with 16GB of storage.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Charging Speed:
  • Apple Watch Series 9 supports fast charging that reduces downtime by reaching 80% in about 45 minutes.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not support fast charging and charges at a slower rate.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Battery Life:
  • The Apple Watch Series 9 offers 18-hour battery life that supports all-day use with advanced features enabled.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 comes with up to 16 hours of battery life.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9

 

Double Tap Gesture:
  • Apple Watch Series 9 features double tap gesture that enables one-handed control for common actions.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 does not include gesture-based interaction.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 9
Check Apple Watch Series 9 Best Price
Check Apple Watch Series 4 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature Apple Watch Series 9 Apple Watch Series 4
Processor S9 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine S4 SiP
Display Always-On Retina LTPO OLED Retina LTPO OLED (no Always-On)
Display Brightness Up to 2000 nits Up to 1000 nits
Display Size 45mm 44mm
RAM 1GB 768MB
Storage 64GB 16GB
Battery Life Up to 18 hours Up to 16 hours
Fast Charging Yes No
Siri On-device with dictation and access to Health Cloud-based Siri only
UWB UWB chip (2nd gen) Not available
Double Tap Gesture Yes No
Action Button No No
Microphone Enhanced (Siri + dictation optimized) Standard microphone
Dual Speaker System Louder, redesigned Standard
Water Resistance WR50 WR50
Cellular Not included (GPS only) GPS + Cellular
Crash Detection Yes No
Compass Yes (enhanced) No

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 9 if you:

  • Want a brighter always-on display that’s easier to see outdoors.
  • Need the fastest performance for smoother multitasking and app usage.
  • Care about having the latest features like on-device Siri and Double Tap.
  • Use your watch for workouts, cycling, and fitness tracking with advanced metrics.
  • Prefer extra storage for music, apps, and podcast syncing.

Check Apple Watch Series 9 Best Price

Buy the Apple Watch Series 4 if you:

  • Want cellular connectivity for calling and texting without your iPhone.
  • Are on a tight budget and only need essential smartwatch features.
  • Use your watch mostly for basic fitness tracking and notifications.
  • Prefer a slightly smaller watch with a familiar user interface.
  • Don’t mind missing out on newer gesture or Siri enhancements.

Check Apple Watch Series 4 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category Winner
Processor Apple Watch Series 9
Always-On Display Apple Watch Series 9
Display Size Apple Watch Series 9
Higher Resolution Apple Watch Series 9
Display Brightness Apple Watch Series 9
Dual Speaker System Apple Watch Series 9
Internal Storage Apple Watch Series 9
Battery Life Apple Watch Series 9
Fast Charging Apple Watch Series 9
Wi-Fi Apple Watch Series 9
Health & Fitness Apple Watch Series 9
UWB Apple Watch Series 9
On-Device Siri Apple Watch Series 9
Double Tap Gesture Apple Watch Series 9

FAQ

Does the Apple Watch Series 9 have cellular connectivity?
No, the specific Apple Watch Series 9 model discussed here is GPS-only, so it does not support standalone cellular connectivity.

Can the Apple Watch Series 4 still receive software updates?
The Apple Watch Series 4 supports up to watchOS 10, but it may not receive future updates beyond that as Apple phases out older hardware.

Is the display on the Series 9 always on?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 9 has an Always-On Retina Display that shows the time and complications even when your wrist is down.

How does the battery life compare between Series 9 and Series 4?
Both watches have up to 18 hours of battery life, though the Series 9 charges faster with a compatible charger.

Does the Apple Watch Series 9 have more health features than Series 4?
Yes, the Series 9 includes features like wrist temperature sensing, crash detection, and advanced cycle tracking, which are not available on the Series 4.

Can I use the Apple Watch Series 9 with older iPhones?
The Series 9 requires an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, which limits compatibility to iPhone XS or newer models.

Is there a difference in water resistance between the two models?
No, both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 4 have a WR50 water resistance rating, suitable for swimming and water splashes.

Does the Apple Watch Series 9 have more storage space than Series 4?
Yes, the Series 9 has 64GB of internal storage, while the Series 4 only includes 16GB.

What are the screen size differences between the two watches?
The Apple Watch Series 9 has a 45mm case with a larger viewable area, while the Series 4 comes in a slightly smaller 44mm case.

Is the Double Tap gesture available on the Series 4?
No, the Double Tap gesture is a new feature exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 9 and is not supported on the Series 4.

Table of Contents show