Apple Watch Series 9 will likely be revealed at today's Apple event. While we're unpacking all the last-minute iPhone 15 rumors, you may be more curious about what to expect from the Apple Watch lineup in 2023.

Apple has released a new Apple Watch every year since the original Apple Watch, as well as several flagship models, including the affordable Apple Watch SE and the sporty Apple Watch Ultra. At today's Apple event, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra or Apple Watch Ultra 2 are expected to be announced.

From what we've heard, the Apple Watch series will receive a modest update this year; according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, owners of the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra are unlikely to pursue an upgrade to the next refresh model. This insight may suggest that the Apple Watch-related updates we hear today pale in comparison to the iPhone 15 news.

Nevertheless, there are some clues as to how the Apple Watch Series 9 differs from the Apple Watch Series 8. For one, the Apple Watch Series 9 is expected to receive the biggest performance update in years and should have a new processor that will bring the biggest improvement since the Apple Watch Series 6.

The Apple Watch Series 9 will also reportedly feature a new optical heart rate sensor. The fourth-generation sensor will improve the accuracy of workout tracking and may also improve Apple's heart health features, including irregular heart rate notifications and ECG readings.

This heart rate sensor should be on the Apple Watch Ultra 2, in addition to Apple's new U2 Ultra Wideband chip for the upgraded Find My feature What's the difference between the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Ultra? Not much else, we are told.

Materials for the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra may be manufactured using a new 3D printing manufacturing process that Apple is reportedly testing to expand to more product lines. If true, this change should not result in any differences in appearance. On the contrary, the Apple Watch Series 9 will be pink and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be dark titanium, which may be the only way to differentiate the 2023 group of devices from last year's.

It has been said that a price increase for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max could dampen the mood of the Apple event, but no such rumors have been heard about the new Apple Watch family.Apple Watch Series 9 prices should start at $399, with the Cellular-enabled model and the larger of the two sizes being more expensive; the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will probably cost $799 and come in a single configuration.

Last year, Apple staggered the release dates of the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. The flagship model was released on September 16 and the Apple Watch Ultra on September 23. When they will be released will be confirmed at an Apple event.