us in the The WIRED Gear team agrees: if you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the best wearable device to go with it. But which version should you buy? This issue has become more complicated lately. Last year, a court ruling ruled that Apple could no longer sell its latest two watches, the Series 9 and the Ultra Watch 2, with a blood oxygen sensor. Medical technology company Masimo alleged that Apple had infringed its patent. (Apple later defeated a lawsuit alleging it had a monopoly on heart rate apps, but a broader antitrust lawsuit is underway.)
These lawsuits are happening even as we are on the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch. Rumors abound that we will see a new design this year Apple Watch. Does that make the Series 9 and last year’s Ultra Watch 2 still worth it? Yes, especially if you own a first-generation SE, Series 4, or Series 5, since Apple is phasing them out. I love the Apple Watch. It’s the watch I would wear if I wasn’t constantly testing other fitness trackers. I try each new one for two weeks and often for many months afterward. (Now my kids try them too).
But how can you tell them apart, when all of these watches look pretty similar and share a rotating set of features? We break down which one is best for you and whether the older models are worth the price. Wondering what the operating system on these watches will be like? Check out our guides on the top new features in WatchOS and all about the new Apple Intelligence features in iOS18. As always, don’t forget to check out our other buying guides, like the best iPads, the best smartwatches, and the best iPhones.
Updated June 2024: We added more information about Apple’s lawsuits, new information about WatchOS 11 and iOS 18, and information about the upcoming Apple Watch X.
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