Apple Watch Series 11 vs Series 9: are to years enough to evolve?
Intro
So, what can Series 11 possibly offer that 9 didn’t already nail?
Well, we should get the slightly reworked chassis that came with the Series 10 — growing the 41 mm and 45 mm sizes of the Series 9 to 42 mm and 46 mm — and a sprinkle of Apple’s annual “new colors” fairy dust. A new chip? Most likely. Game-changing features? That’s where it gets murky. Health sensors? Maybe one more. Software tricks? Definitely, but watchOS updates don’t tend to discriminate by hardware year.
So, Series 11 vs Series 9 — how much has changed, and how much is Apple just giving us déjà vu with a new paint job?
Let’s break it down:
Apple Watch Series 11 vs Watch Series 9: differences
- New S11 SiP with a new 5G modem in Series 11
- High blood pressure detection possible on Watch 11
- watchOS 26 will launch with Series 11 but should come to Series 9
- One day battery life on both, with fast charging (80% in 30 / 45 mins)
Table of Contents:
Design & Sizes
Slightly thinner bezels!
Now, this leaves us with two possibilities. One — Apple has gone full Mission: Impossible with secrecy protocols. Or two — there’s just not that much to leak.
And let’s be honest—option two feels far more plausible. In an age where entire product roadmaps get dissected months in advance, radio silence usually means we’re looking at more of a Series 9S+ than a bold leap forward.
So if you were holding your breath for a revolution, maybe start breathing normally again. From what we can gather, the Series 11 is shaping up to be more of a quiet iteration than a headline-grabber. A familiar face—with a fresh coat of paint.
The Watch 11 may come in Aluminum / Titanium options as the Series 10 did. However, rumor is that Apple is moving away from titanium for its iPhone Pro models this year, so maybe the Watch will do the same and go back to stainless steel again? Currently unknown.
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch Series 9 |
|---|---|
| Sizes 42/46 mm |
Sizes 41/45 mm |
| Materials Aluminum/titanium Ion-X glass |
Materials Aluminum/stainless steel Ion-X glass |
| Thickness ~9.7 mm |
Thickness 10.7 mm |
Bands
We have a hard time believing Apple would move forward with this right now. People have invested small fortunes in leather loops, Milanese dreams, and Nike sport bands that match just right with their sneakers. And since the iPad seems to be the product that’s getting a new huge selling point this year, the one product that should make some extra sales, maybe the Watch will remain untouched for yet another year.
Software & Features
26 reasons to switch! Oh, no, that’s the new OS number
But it’s not just a renumbering flex. At WWDC 2025, we got our first look at the redesigned watchOS 26, and let’s just say — Vision Pro has been a very bad influence (in the best possible way). We’re talking glassy layers, soft edges, floating UI bits — basically, your wrist is about to feel a lot more like a glassy sci-fi dashboard. Liquid Glass, Apple calls it, and it looks quite crisp!
Now, onto the juicy bit — health tracking. Rumor has it, the Series 11 might finally bring blood pressure monitoring to the mix. Not just a reading here or there, but actual alerts when things start creeping into hypertension territory. That’d need a new sensor, so even though Watch Series 9 is expected to be compatible with watchOS 26, we can’t see it getting that new health feature.
Battery and Charging
Full day plus change, quick to charge
So, the major difference in the battery department is how fast the Series 11 will charge compared to the Series 9. The answer — slightly faster, not a complete game changer. We expect the same 18 hours of endurance from both otherwise.
But hey, here’s to hoping they’re not just polishing glass and tweaking colorways this year — and instead, finally giving us a Watch that doesn’t start sweating by bedtime.
Material-wise, the Series 9 came in aluminum or stainless steel, depending on how fancy your wrist wants to feel. The Series 11 will definitely have aluminum as the cheaper option, and then — we are not sure. Titanium? Back to stainless steel? We’ll see.
Now, pricing—that’s the part wrapped in Cupertino’s signature velvet fog. As of now, let’s assume Apple keeps things familiar. That would mean the Series 11 slides in right where the Series 10 did: $399 for the smaller one, $429 for the larger. Unless tariffs, material changes, or inflation decide to crash the party.
So, all things considered—sizes stay the same, finishes might change, and cellular might finally go full future. Series 9 owners? You’re probably not sweating yet.
Voice Calls and Haptics
Both smartwatches will let you make and take calls — as long as you go for the cellular model. If you grab the GPS only version of either one, it does need to be within Bluetooth-shot of your iPhone to take and make calls.
Specs
Here’s how the Apple Watch Series 11 vs Watch Series 9 specs are likely going to look:
| Apple Watch Series 11 | Apple Watch Series 9 |
|---|---|
| Models 42mm 46mm both in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular versions |
Models 41mm 45mm both in Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular versions |
| Processor S11 chip |
Processor S9 chip |
| Software watchOS 26 |
Software watchOS 10 (updated to watchOS 11, eligible for watchOS 26) |
| Battery ~327 mAh Magnetic charger, 80% in 30 mins |
Battery ~327 mAh Magnetic charger, 80% in 45 mins |
| Sensors HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG, blood pressure (hypertension) |
Sensors HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG |
Summary
Slightlhy thinner bezels are also nice to have, but a selling point they are not. Will Series 11 bring something flashy enough to tempt the average Series 9 user to crack open the piggy bank? Well… we’re still waiting on that one. So far, it feels more like a precision nudge than a full leap forward.
But hey, September is still quite some way off. Let’s see if we learn anything new…
