I’ll just swap in a more formal/conservative band if it seems warranted. It’s 2023 - it’s pretty normal to wear a smartwatch.

A Series 8 would probably be a great deal if you can find one on a sites like Amazon. An always-on display matters more than you might think.

No, I don’t think so. I think the Watch might eventually evolve into a wraparound cuff with a flexible display, but you’d still call it a watch.

A bigger battery, damnit. I realize it’s not realistic to achieve Garmin levels of longevity with the processor tech Apple is using, but c’mon - you shouldn’t need to buy an Ultra to get something that lasts more than a day, and the Ultra should last at least 4 to 5 days, given that even Fitbits are capable of that.

A battery that lasts more than a day. Somehow, we’ve come to accept the idea that something our lives revolve around might die before we can get home to a charger.

Also, telephoto lenses on non-Pro models. I almost never need a distorted ultra-wide picture, but I do constantly wish I could zoom in on subjects, during concerts or travel.

I’d consider doing that if I had a longer attention span. Now, I can’t even read books the way I used to without getting sleepy.

I’d get an S9 just for future proofing. That faster processor enables not just double-tap but offline Siri processing, and you can be virtually guaranteed that a few years from now, Apple will be designing with the S9’s speed in mind. The S6, S7, and S8 all use the same processor tech, essentially, with some modest tweaks.

Don’t get me wrong - you’d probably be delighted with an S8. You should also be considering non-Apple watches if you’re mainly concerned with fitness, music, and/or notifications. A Garmin Forerunner will blow away any Apple Watch when it comes to battery life, for example.

Really, the only reasons to get an Ultra if you’re not into athletic or adventurous activities are:

1. That sweet, sweet battery life.

2. You’re worried you’ll give your Watch a lot of abuse regardless.

As far as #2 goes, you can address that by getting a stainless steel version of the S9 (which also uses sapphire glass). Hell, I have the base aluminum S6, and simply putting a soft case on it has done a lot for protection.