Apple held their annual September event today, introducing new iPhones and new Apple Watch models in the process. This year, Apple is leaning heavily into environmental consciousness across all of their new products, including new straps that utilize recycled materials, as we’ve seen with increasing recency in the watch world. In addition to new Series 9 watches, Apple also introduced a second generation of their Apple Watch Ultra, with the Ultra 2. Both utilize Apple’s new home cooked silicon, the S9 SiP, a more powerful chip, allowing for a slew of new on board features that are less reliant on your connectivity status, including the ability to recognize gestures. The watches retain largely the same design across the board, so the real story is the new silicon, and the 100% carbon neutral status of the product in many configurations. 

The Apple Watch has established itself as the most popular watch in the world since it was first introduced 9 years ago, and while its form factor hasn’t substantially changed over the years, it’s become far more powerful with each generation, allowing it to blossom into its own product category for Apple. I suspect we’ll see the first big design update for its 10th anniversary next year, but until then the Series 9 and Ultra 2 will look to keep the trend moving forward. The Apple Watch Ultra was introduced just last year, a rugged take on the formula which won over those of us who prefer using the Apple Watch for specific scenarios rather than for daily use.

The Ultra gets its first iteration this year with the Ultra 2, and no, it didn’t introduce any new colorways for the titanium case, and that’s just fine by me. The same square-ish 49mm case remains unchanged, though the screen gets a bit brighter, and the OS will see a revamp with WatchOS10, and a slew of new strap options are also a welcome addition. The strap selection and creativity were among my favorite features of the Ultra, something I had hoped, and still hope to see embraced by other watch manufacturers. The Alpine Loop and the Trail Loop straps welcome new colors, and both are carbon neutral. The Ocean Band remains available in navy, white, and orange – and my only hope there is that it got a bit longer, as the oem length is quite short for wear over a dive suit.

I’ve been using the Apple Watch Ultra as a dive computer over the past months, and for recreational depths have found the Oceanic+ app to suit my needs quite well. The backed-in Depth app was a bit basic in comparison, however that too gets an update, allowing dive logs to be stored and viewed. An important feature for regular divers. For the moment, it looks as though Oceanic+ will remain the better option, and it had better be considering it requires a subscription to make full use of. 

The new WatchOS brings new Watch Faces to the party, including a new design for the Ultra in particular, utilizing the very perimeter of the screen for additional complications. The new OS will also bring many native features to the watch, taking advantage of the more powerful S9 SiP, allowing it to do more without the need for strong WiFi or Cellular signal.

Apple spent no small amount of time highlighting the steps they’ve taken to reduce and/or eliminate their carbon footprint, from the materials they use for packaging, to how they are shipped around the world. This includes the complete elimination of leather from their assortment, smaller boxes, and fully recycled materials. Apple claims that Series 9, SE, and even Ultra 2 Apple Watches can be specced in completely carbon neutral configurations depending on case material and strap. 

This is all being done in service to their Apple 2030 initiative, which puts an eye toward every area of their business to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. From how they are made and shipped, to how they are designed and recycled. The latest slew of products all boast moves that align with these initiatives, and while I applaud their efforts, I still find myself wondering if we need new versions of these products every single year, or what an iPhone or Apple Watch that was made to last 3 or 5 years between hardware refreshes might look like. 

The new Apple Watch SE, Series 9, and Ultra are available to order now, with availability slated from September 22. Pricing remains largely unchanged. Learn more about Apple 2030 right here, and for the rest, visit Apple.