Apple Watch Series 9 in 2025: Worth Buying Discontinued Price

When Apple released the Series 9 in September 2023, it didn’t seem like a watch that would be gone within a year, but after an import ban and the launch of the Series 10, it’s officially discontinued — leaving buyers wondering if it’s still a smart pick. We break down the discontinuation, the ban, how it compares to the Series 10, and the health features that still make it a compelling choice for heart-focused users.

Battery life (normal): Up to 18 hours ·
Battery life (Low Power): Up to 36 hours ·
Processor: Apple S9 SiP ·
Display brightness: 2000 nits ·
Double Tap gesture: Yes ·
Release date: September 2023

These key specs show why the Series 9 was a solid mid-cycle update — meaningful improvements over its predecessor without a price hike.

Is it still worth buying the Apple Watch Series 9?

What makes the Series 9 a good value?

• Battery life: 18 hours normal, 36 hours in Low Power Mode (Wareable (wearable tech authority))
• S9 chip delivers on-device Siri and the Double Tap gesture (Apple (official press release))
• Display brightness of 2000 nits matches the Series 10 (Wareable (wearable tech authority))

For someone who doesn’t need the latest speaker playback or depth sensor, the core smartwatch experience on Series 9 is effectively identical to the Series 10 after watchOS 11. The trade-off: you lose the Series 10’s thinner case and faster charging, but you keep a bright display and all the health sensors that matter.

How does the discontinuation affect its worth?

• Apple no longer sells it new, but third-party retailers still have stock (Wareable (wearable tech authority))
• Prices have dropped significantly since discontinuation (Get The Goods (shopping comparison site))

The implication: if you find a new Series 9 at £350 or less, it’s a better value than a Series 10 at £399 – you get 95% of the same experience for less money.

Did the Apple Watch 9 get discontinued?

Why did Apple discontinue the Series 9?

• Apple routinely discontinues the previous model when a new generation launches
• Series 10 replaced it in September 2024 (Wareable (wearable tech authority))

This is standard Apple product lifecycle: the Series 9 was pulled from official channels to make room for the Series 10, but it never got a sudden death – third-party inventory is still available.

What was the Apple Watch ban about?

• ITC import ban in December 2023 due to a patent dispute with Masimo (The Verge (tech news outlet))
• Ban lifted in January 2024 after a court ruling allowed sales to resume (The Verge (tech news outlet))

The catch: the ban targeted blood oxygen functionality, and while the Series 9’s pulse oximeter is still technically present, its status remains uncertain in some regions. If you buy a Series 9 today, you may not get the blood oxygen feature depending on when it was manufactured.

What is better, the Apple Watch Series 9 or 10?

Key differences in design and display

Two sizes, one clear winner in screen area – but not in every dimension.

Why this matters: the Series 10 is thinner and has a slightly larger screen, but the brightness is identical. If you don’t mind the extra fraction of a millimeter, the Series 9’s display is just as readable outdoors.

Performance and chip comparison

• Series 9: S9 SiP with on-device Siri, Double Tap gesture (Apple (official press release))
• Series 10: S10 SiP – reportedly the same on-device Siri capabilities (YouTube (tech reviewer comparison))

In daily use, both feel identical. The S10 chip brings nothing that the S9 can’t do after watchOS updates. The pattern: performance is a wash – the real gain in Series 10 is the hardware redesign, not the processor.

Health features comparison

• Both offer ECG, irregular rhythm notifications, AFib history
• Series 10 adds depth gauge (up to 6m) and water temperature sensor (YouTube (tech reviewer comparison))
• Sleep apnea detection is available on both after watchOS 11 (Wareable (wearable tech authority))

The trade-off: swimmers and divers might want the Series 10’s depth sensor, but for heart health and sleep tracking, the two watches are neck-and-neck.

Is the Apple Watch good for AFib?

What is the 48-hour rule for atrial fibrillation?

• The ECG app can detect AFib episodes and record them in a PDF (Apple Support (official health documentation))
• The “48-hour rule” refers to monitoring for 48 consecutive hours after a detected irregular rhythm to confirm pattern (Mayo Clinic (leading medical institution))

This is a clinical guideline, not an Apple-specific setting. The watch’s irregular rhythm notification checks for five out of six tachograms and alerts you if it sees a possible AFib pattern. The recommendation: share the recorded ECG with your doctor if the notification persists.

What are the warning signs of arrhythmia?

• Palpitations, racing heartbeat, chest discomfort, shortness of breath (Mayo Clinic (leading medical institution))
• The Apple Watch can detect silent AFib – episodes without obvious symptoms

The Series 9’s ECG app is FDA cleared for AFib detection. It’s not a diagnostic tool, but it’s a reliable first alert. The implication: for people with known heart concerns, the Series 9 offers professional-grade monitoring at a fraction of the cost of a medical-grade device.

Can I answer calls on Series 9?

How to use Double Tap to answer calls

• Raise your wrist, then tap your index finger and thumb together twice to answer (Apple (official press release))
• Works with the built-in speaker and microphone – no need to touch the screen

Double Tap is a genuinely useful gesture for hands-free moments. It’s not a gimmick; it’s one of the Series 9’s standout features that the older series didn’t have.

Setting up call forwarding

• Requires iPhone nearby with Bluetooth or same Wi-Fi (Apple Support (official documentation))
• Cellular models can make calls independently with an active plan

The Series 9 handles calls exactly like the Series 10 – same speaker, same microphone, same Double Tap. The only difference is the Series 10 plays audio out loud for media, but for phone calls both are identical.

Timeline of key events

• September 2023: Apple Watch Series 9 announced and released (Apple (official press release))
• December 2023: ITC import ban on Series 9 and Ultra 2 due to Masimo patent dispute (The Verge (tech news outlet))
• January 2024: Ban lifted after court ruling, sales resume (The Verge (tech news outlet))
• September 2024: Apple Watch Series 10 announced, Series 9 discontinued (Wareable (wearable tech authority))

The pattern: Apple’s product lifecycle follows a predictable cadence, making the Series 9 a solid buy while stock lasts.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Series 9 discontinued after Series 10 launch (Wareable (wearable tech authority))
• ITC ban occurred Dec 2023 and lifted Jan 2024 (The Verge (tech news outlet))
• Series 9 features S9 chip, double tap, 2000 nits display (Apple (official press release))

What’s unclear

• Future watchOS updates support length
• Availability of Series 9 in some regions
• Blood oxygen sensor status after legal issues

The implication: buyers should weigh the uncertainty of future support against the current price savings. For those considering a purchase, it’s worth exploring a Montre G-Shock homme guide d’achat to see if the current price savings outweigh the uncertainty of future support. Montre G-Shock homme guide d’achat

Pros and Cons of the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2025

For the health-focused buyer in 2025, the Apple Watch Series 9 still delivers the same heart-monitoring toolkit as the latest model at a lower price. The decision is clear: if you want the thinnest case and depth metrics, buy the Series 10. But if you’re after proven health features and a bargain, the Series 9 is the smarter choice – or risk paying a premium for capabilities you won’t use.

For a detailed comparison of the discontinued model’s value, check out our full review of the Apple Watch Series 9 in 2025.

Frequently asked questions