Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 teardown reveals not much has changed internally

AppleInsider

A video tearing apart the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 reveals that Apple didn't make many changes to the design of either smartwatch compared to the previous models.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 teardown [iFixit/YouTube]

Following major Apple releases, teardowns of the new products reveal the insides of the company's hardware, and offer a way to see how the latest models have improved over older versions. In a teardown video of the 2023 Apple Watch range, it seems that not much has really changed at all compared to 2022's collection.

The teardown published to YouTube on Sunday by iFixit is a fairly brief internal tour of both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch Series 9. The Ultra 2 is the first to be disassembled, with the repair outfit offering the usual complaints about glue and internal space making access to tiny screws difficult.

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For the Ultra 2, the internals seem to be the same as the Ultra, but while the battery seems identical, there's a new model number and a larger 2.18 watt-hour capacity versus 2.09 watt-hours.

The Apple Watch Series 9 has similar complaints for glue and access, and the battery is a 1.09-watt-hour version. The only visible change to the design is a new "spongy ring of foam" that replaces individual pieces used in earlier iterations.

Despite the complaints, iFixit says the Apple Watch in 2023 "is loads nicer" to disassemble than earlier models, with particular improvements noted for adhesive and cable management.

Apple is called out for promoting Double Tap as merely duplicating existing accessibility features, isn't available at launch, and "doesn't require any fancy new hardware." This is mentioned to a backdrop of an AppleInsider video about using Double Tap on existing Apple Watch models.

A "Repairability" score for the new models has yet to be issued by iFixit. Presumably, it will remain unchanged given the lack of design alterations.

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tht

Apple is called out for promoting Double Tap as merely duplicating existing accessibility features, isn't available at launch, and "doesn't require any fancy new hardware." This is mentioned to a backdrop of an AppleInsider video about using Double Tap on existing Apple Watch models.

From the AI article on turning on Accessibility gestures on the Apple Watch: "We expect performance to be the biggest differentiator as the Apple Watch Series 9 includes the first CPU boost in years. Not all gestures are recognized with Quick Actions and AssistiveTouch, and we hope the Series 9 is more reliable."

This stuff isn't easy, and you know that an Accessibility option is sometimes used as a way to test out various UI designs. There's a big difference between a feature used by a minuscule fraction of the database to a tentpole feature for everyone. So, the dings of it not requiring new hardware is misplaced.

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tht said:

Apple is called out for promoting Double Tap as merely duplicating existing accessibility features, isn't available at launch, and "doesn't require any fancy new hardware." This is mentioned to a backdrop of an AppleInsider video about using Double Tap on existing Apple Watch models.

From the AI article on turning on Accessibility gestures on the Apple Watch: "We expect performance to be the biggest differentiator as the Apple Watch Series 9 includes the first CPU boost in years. Not all gestures are recognized with Quick Actions and AssistiveTouch, and we hope the Series 9 is more reliable."

This stuff isn't easy, and you know that an Accessibility option is sometimes used as a way to test out various UI designs. There's a big difference between a feature used by a minuscule fraction of the database to a tentpole feature for everyone. So, the dings of it not requiring new hardware is misplaced.

That was my feeling, but I couldn't have articulated it as well as you did. Kudos.

tht

I also would like to note that the use of metal encased batteries in the Apple Watch devices is interesting. It's been awhile that they've been doing this. Why? More robust? Will it be used on iPhones, iPads and Macs?

Structural batteries is one those key technologies that will be used in EVs, and it could used in personal electronics too. They could increase structural rigidity, made part of the case.