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Which Apple Watch Is Right for You? (All Models Compared)

Apple sells a trio of Apple Watch models (for now). We break down the key differences among the three.

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By Tucker Bowe

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It’s 2024 and Apple sells three Apple Watch models: the Series 9, the Ultra 2 and the SE 2 (Gen 2). If you have an older Apple Watch and are curious whether you should upgrade, we’re going to highlight the key differences among all the Apple Watch models that are still capable of running the latest watchOS — meaning all Apple Watches that are Series 4 or newer.

The truth is that most Apple Watches released in the past four years aren’t that different — except for the super-rugged Ultra. They all run the same watchOS, look and work similarly and have the same 18-hour “all day” battery life. Choosing among the different models is ultimately going to come down to the newer design, an always-on display, some exclusive wellness features and how much you’re willing to pay. (Apple does have some enticing deals on older refurbished models.)

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Why Is Apple Selling Modified Versions of the Series 9 and Ultra 2?

apple watch ban
As of January 18, 2024, Apple now only sells modified versions of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 which lack the blood oxygen feature.
Photo by Tucker Bowe

If you’ve been keeping up with the drama, you’ll know that Apple had to stop selling the Series 9 and Ultra 2 for a brief time back in late December 2023. The reason for the ban was a patent dispute regarding the blood oxygen (or SpO2) sensor. In October 2023, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple had infringed on medical tech company Masimo’s patents. Starting December 26th, there was an import ban on both the Series 9 and Ultra 2. At that time, Apple was forced to stop selling both models in the US.

However, the ban was then paused on December 27th. The pause was granted by the US appeals court as it determined whether the changes Apple was making to the Series 9 and Ultra 2 — this was a software fix that would either work around Masimo’s patents or disable the blood oxygen sensor entirely — still infringed on the patents.

Apple-Watch-Modified
You can check Apple’s support page to identify your Apple Watch. It says here that all models ending in “LW/A” are modified and lack the blood oxygen feature.
Apple

As of January 18th, Apple has started selling modified versions of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 that do no have the blood oxygen feature. If you already owned a Series 9 or Ultra 2, there’s good news: you’ll still be able to take advantage of the blood oxygen feature.

If you’re reading this, know that every Series 9 and Ultra 2 that Apple sells is a modified version — it lacks the blood oxygen feature. However, since third-party sellers like Amazon and Best Buy were able to stock pile on Apple Watches before the ban, you have a better chance to buy a non-modified version from them.

Apple-Watch-Modified
When shopping for an Apple Watch on Amazon, you can scroll down to its “Item model number” to check if it’s a modified version or not. The “LW/A” indicates that this is a modified version and it lacks the blood oxygen feature.
Amazon

To determine whether the Series 9 or Ultra 2 you’re buying is a modified version or not, you have to check its model or part number. If the Apple Watch’s part number ends in LL/A, then it’s not modified. If it ends in LW/A, then it’s modified. Basically, the “W” indicates that it’s a newer and modified Apple Watch. (You can check out Apple’s support page for more information.)

The New Apple Watches

apple watchTucker Bowe

Apple currently sells three Apple Watch models. Below, we break down the differences among the Series 9, Ultra 2 and second-generation SE.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS 41mm] Smartwatch with Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Loop Fitness Tracker, Blood Oxygen & ECG Apps, Always-On Retina Display, Carbon NeutralApple

The Best Apple Watch for Most People

Apple Watch Series 9

The Series 9 is the best Apple Watch for most people. It has an always-on display, most of the heath- and wellness-tracking capabilities as the Ultra 2, and it’s in the sweet spot for price.

Specs

Size 41mm or 45mm
Processor S9 SiP
Battery Life up to 18 hours

Pros

  • Always-on display
  • More health and wellness features as the SE
  • Substantially more affordable than the Ultra

Cons

  • Same look and feel as previous models
  • $150 more expensive than the SE
  • Newer models lack blood oxygen feature

The Series 9 is very similar to last year’s Series 8 (which, in turn, was very similar to the Series 7). It has the same look and feel, the same display, same battery life and costs the same amount. The main difference, other than a newer and faster processor, is that the Series 9 has a new Precision Finder feature to help you find your iPhone (although it only works with the iPhone 15 models), a much brighter display and a new “double tap” feature that enables limited one-handed operation.

Should you buy? If you want the best Apple Watch for most people, the answer is “yes.” However, if you have a Series 7 or 8, you probably won’t notice much difference with the Series 9.

Read our review of the Apple Watch Series 9 here.

apple watch ultra 2 gps cellular 49mm smartwatch with rugged titanium case blue alpine loop medium fitness tracker, precision gps, action button, extra long battery life, carbon neutralApple

The Best Apple Watch for Athletes and Adventurers

Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Ultra 2 is the best, biggest, longest-lasting and most capable Apple Watch you buy. It’s the best model for endurance athletes, adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts … as well as those who just watch the Apple Watch with the biggest screen out there.

Specs

Size 49mm
Processor S9 SiP
Battery Life Up to 36 hours

Pros

  • The biggest, brightest display of any Apple Watch
  • Action button is a key addition
  • Exclusive features for runners
  • Most capable and feature-packed Apple Watch ever

Cons

  • Significantly more expensive than the Series 9
  • Will be too big for some people
  • Newer models lack blood oxygen feature

The Ultra was a brand-new Apple Watch for 2022, and for 2023, it’s been gently updated into the Ultra 2. It’s still the biggest, brightest, most rugged, most capable, longest-lasting and most expensive Apple Watch that has ever been released. It’s a smartwatch that has been specifically designed for extreme athletes and adventurers — including recreational scuba divers — but it’s also an option for people who want the best smartwatch that Apple has to offer. (Or if they just want a really big display.)

Should you buy? The Ultra 2 is Apple’s best and biggest smartwatch. It’s also its most expensive, so you should really make sure you’re going to use the extra features; otherwise it might be worth it just to go with the Series 9. If you bought the Ultra last year, it’s tough to justify upgrading to the Ultra 2 as the two are so similar.

Read our review of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 here.

apple watchApple

The Best Entry-Level Apple Watch

Apple Watch SE (2022)

The Apple Watch (2nd-Gen) is the most affordable Apple Watch that Apple now sells. It’s mostly identical to the Series 9, but has an older S8 chip and lacks a number of key features (like an always-on display) and sensors (there’s no blood oxygen or temperature sensors) so it isn’t quite as capable at tracking health and fitness metrics.

Specs

Size 40mm or 44mm
Processor S8
Battery Life Up to 18 hours

Pros

  • Same look and feel as the Series 9
  • Shares most of the same features as the Series 9
  • The most affordable Apple Watch that Apple sells

Cons

  • No always-on display
  • Same look and feel as first SE
  • Lacks some health and wellness features
  • Not as fast as newer Apple Watches with S9 chip

The second-generation Apple Watch SE is very similar to its 2020-released predecessor. They have the same look and feel and also most of the same features. The main difference with the new Apple Watch SE, other than having a newer processor and being available in new colors, is that Apple lowered the price. It now starts at $249. As for the made tradeoffs compared to the Series 8, the new SE still lacks the always-on display and many of the health and wellness features. There’s no cycle tracking or sleep tracking, for example.

Should you buy? Yes. It’s a great entry-level smartwatch and the best value Apple Watch you can buy.

The Older Apple Watches

apple watch worn on wristTucker Bowe

Apple does not sell any of the following Apple Watch models — from 2022’s Series 8 to 2017’s Series 3 — as they are dated. Apple does sell refurbished models of some of them and you can find others deeply discounted from third-party sellers like Amazon or Best Buy.

However, even though you can get a deal on an older Apple Watch, it’s often not really worth it considering you’re getting an older, slower and dated smartwatch. Plus, with the new SE, you can get a new-age Apple Watch for as less than $200 (when it is on sale).

The first generation Ultra is almost identical to the Ultra 2 in every way, but it lacks some newer features like double tap gesture controls, Precision Finding and on-device Siri processing. Its display also doesn’t get as bright.

Should you buy? If you can get a really good deal, the Ultra is an excellent smartwatch and still worth it. However, if the deal isn’t incredible, it’s probably worth just going with the Ultra 2 instead.

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If you don’t need the latest and greatest Apple Watch, the Series 8 might be just what you need. It packs nearly all the same features, and does most of everything the casual user will need from their smartwatch.

Should you buy? Not for the MSRP, but if you can find it for closer to $300, it might be well worth it.

The Series 6 was new in 2020. It has always-on display, a blood oxygen sensor and an altimeter. It also has a newer processor and slightly brighter display. If you’re debating between the Series 6 and the SE, it mostly will come down to how much you want the always-on display. Apple doesn’t sell the Series 6 anymore, but you can find it discounted on third-party sites like Amazon or Best Buy.

Should you buy? No. The Series 6 lacks a lot of features and power of newer models.

The SE was announced alongside the Series 6 — and the two are very similar. Both have the same display size, most of the same sensors (including the gyroscope, compass, fall detection and an always-on altimeter) and the same battery life. The difference is that the SE lacks the always-on display and two sensors that measure wellness. It lacks an electrical heart sensor and is thus not capable of taking an ECG (but it does have an optical heart sensor, similar to the one found in the Series 3, so it’s still able to record your heart rate). And it lacks a blood oxygen sensor, which can help identify asthma and various heart conditions.

Should you buy? No. Go with the new SE (2022-released) if you’re looking for the best entry-level Apple Watch.

The big thing when the Series 5 was announced was that it was the first Apple Watch with an always-on display. That’s not as big of a deal anymore, however, as the newer models also have an always-on display — and it’s nicer. The SE has electrical and optical heart rate sensors and is capable of taking an ECG, but lacks the blood oxygen sensor of newer models. Apple hasn’t sold the Series 5 for two years now, so models (and deals) can be difficult to come by.

Should you buy? No. Go for the Series 8 or new SE if you’re looking for an Apple Watch. The Series 5 is too old to recommend buying now.

The Series 4 was the first Apple Watch to get a substantial redesign — with a larger display and slimmed down bezels — and it looks identical to the Series 5, SE and Series 6 that followed it. Like the Series 5, the Series 4 has been antiquated for a few years and the deals mostly aren’t great enough to justify getting such an old smartwatch. Apple does sell refurbished models, however.

Should you buy? No. It’s too old and you can get a better/newer smartwatch for basically the same price.

Apple officially stopped selling the Series 3 in fall 2022. The now six-year-old smartwatch has a dated design that feels really old. It has a built-in GPS and an optical heart sensor so it’s decent for fitness tracking, but lacks an always-on altimeter or built-in compass, so it’s probably not as great of hikers and outdoors enthusiasts. The Series 3 is only available in GPS-only models.

Should you buy? No. It’s too old and isn’t great at running the new watchOS. Spend the extra dough and get an SE or a refurbished Series 5. Apple has stopped selling them, too.

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