Apple unveiled its Watch Series 11 during this week’s iPhone event, alongside two other smartwatch models. The Series 11 gets Sleep Scores (crowd roars), a longer battery life, and all of Apple’s WatchOS 26 software, which is expected to be released to the public soon.

Also: I tried the Apple Watch Series 11, Watch Ultra 3, and SE – what the keynote didn’t tell you

But how does it compare to its closest Android rival, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic? Let’s break down the key differences.

Apple Watch series 9: A Quiet Revolution powered by AI

the Apple Watch Series 9 isn’t shouting about its artificial intelligence capabilities, but AI is deeply woven into the fabric of its new features. While competitors like Samsung are aggressively marketing their AI-powered smartwatches, Apple is taking a more subtle approach, integrating AI to enhance existing functionalities without making it the central selling point.

Smart Stack and Personalized Workouts

One key example of this is the revamped Smart Stack.Accessible by turning the Digital Crown while on a watch face, the Smart Stack now uses on-device machine learning to anticipate your needs. It learns from your activity patterns to surface relevant widgets at the right time.

for instance, if Apple Watch registers users recording a pilates workout every time they visit a studio, the Smart stack will more regularly suggest initiating a Pilates workout on the Workout app. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about a smartwatch that understands your routine and proactively assists you.

Smarter Notifications and Dialog

Apple’s AI extends to how you interact with your watch.The device now intelligently adjusts notification volume based on your habitat. It registers the noise level around you to deliver pings that are appropriately loud – not jarring in quiet spaces and not inaudible in noisy ones.

Communication is also getting a boost. Smart Replies are becoming more elegant thanks to an on-device language model, providing “precise” and “relevant” responses to conversations. This means less typing and quicker, more natural interactions directly from your wrist.

Apple’s Understated AI Strategy

Also: Should you upgrade to Apple Watch Series 11? Here’s how it compares to older models

AI powers these features – and many more – but Apple isn’t interested in calling attention to it. This is a considerably different approach from Samsung and its Galaxy Watch 8, which heavily emphasizes its AI capabilities.

The Risks and Rewards of a Low-Key Approach

This low-key AI approach coudl be a success or Apple’s Achilles heel in the long run.If the current AI hype cycle eventually subsides, Apple will continue delivering relevant features powered by advanced technology, as it always has. It will be praised for avoiding the hype and focusing on a user experience that remains valuable even after the buzz dies down.

Though, if high-powered AI features become essential for smartwatches, Apple could risk falling behind.The company’s reluctance to prominently showcase its AI advancements might leave consumers unaware of the benefits they’re already receiving.

Key Takeaways

• The Apple Watch Series 9 integrates AI to enhance existing features, rather than making AI the primary focus.
• The Smart Stack learns from user activity to provide personalized suggestions.
• Notifications are now volume-aware, adjusting to the surrounding environment.
• Smart Replies are becoming more accurate and relevant thanks to an on-device language model.
• Apple’s understated approach to AI differs significantly from competitors like Samsung.

Publication Date: 2025/09/14 21:36:05

Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see if Apple continues its subtle AI integration strategy or begins to more actively promote its AI capabilities. The future of smartwatches likely hinges on the continued development and adoption of AI, and Apple’s approach will undoubtedly play a meaningful role in shaping that future.