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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.