The days of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are numbered, and this is because of their patent dispute with the International Trade Commission, and the question that comes to mind is: Should I buy the remaining Series 9 model or opt for the Series 8?
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 9: What to Buy?
(Photo : Apple)
It is official—Apple is pulling out their latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 from the US market after facing a massive controversy and a ruling from the ITC regarding their patent dispute with its blood oxygen monitoring feature. That being said, users are now left with little time to buy the Series 9 or Ultra 2 before it gets removed.
However, hold your horses for now, as there is another contender in play, and this is the Apple Watch Series 8. While Apple does not offer it directly on their website, users may opt to head to Apple physical stores for this or buy it via Amazon, directly from the Cupertino giant's official account.
According to 9to5 Mac, the majority of features present on the Apple Watch Series 9 can be seen on the Series 8 as well, including Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Advanced Cycle Tracing, Emergency SOS, Sleep Tracking, and more.
The only edge that the Series 9 has is the on-device Siri, double tap gestures, Siri + Health, and the 2,000 nits of brightness (with the Series 8 only featuring 1,000 nits).
Read Also: Apple Brings New Health Features for Siri on the Apple Watch-Here Are the Eligible Models
Final Verdicts for Your New Apple Watch
Apple did put upgrades for the Series 9 that set it apart from the Series 8, but that does not mean users will not get almost the same experience with the last-gen wearable.
It is essentially the same device, only with a few caveats, and the good thing with the Series 8 now is it sees discounts for up to 30 percent off, setting users around $310 to $450 instead of the Series 9's regular prices.
Apple Watch's Development
In the early days of the circulating rumors for the Apple Watch Series 9 development, a leaker from Weibo claimed that the latest smartwatch of the company will be "basically unchanged." This is the same discussion seen above, particularly with the latest wearable from Apple that released alongside the iPhone 15, unveiled earlier this September Fall event.
It is also important to note that the certain feature that led to Apple pulling out the Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 began its dispute in 2021, with the medical technology firm, Masimo, claiming Cupertino infringed their patent. This is because of the light-based blood oxygen monitoring feature that is now available to access via the latest smartwatch models from Apple.
With the massive pullout-slash-ban in place, with the Series 9 and Ultra 2's days now numbered, choosing one's options well is a must, especially as Apple's wearables do not come cheap. In reports, reviews, and sentiments, it is not bad to opt for the Series 8 when buying an Apple Watch now, with the device offering a majority of features the Series 9 has, only missing out on a few.
Related Article: Apple Suspends Sales of Series 9 Smartwatch Amid Patent Dispute: Report
