Apple Watch Series 8 Intro
Don’t get us wrong — we find the Apple Watch Series 8 to be an excellent smartwatch, at the top of its game, full of useful sensors and unrivaled functionality. There’s a good reason why Apple’s timepieces are outselling not only other smartwatches, but actual established classic watch brands.
But, at the same time, the Apple Watch Series 8 adds very little in the way of new features, and it kind of feels like it only exists because Apple wanted to have a watch with a temperature sensor in the same year when Samsung introduced one. It does also come in a slew of new color options, so if Apple introduced just the right paintjob for you — there’s no shame in wanting it.
Apple Watch Series 8 what’s new
- Temperature sensor (limited to ovulation tracking)
- Crash detection
- New S8 SiP (System in Package) has the same CPU as the Watch Series 6
Table of Contents:
Apple Watch Series 8 unboxing
Apple Watch Series 8 unboxed (Image credit – PhoneArena
Just like the Watches before, the Series 8 comes in a pretty-looking, long box, which holds the Apple Watch, the band you ordered it with, the magnetic charging puck (with USB C cable), and some booklets.
Apple Watch Series 8 Specs
In terms of physical shape and size, the Series 8 is very much like the Series 7. Thankfully, this also means all your old watch bands will be instantly compatible. But what about the specs underneath?
| Specs | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|
| Models (Size, Weight, Prices) | 41mm / 45mm, both in GPS or GPS + Cellular versions |
| Processor, RAM, Storage | S8 chip |
| Software | watchOS 9 |
| Battery and Charging | 18-hour battery life 36 hours on Low Power Magnetic charger, 80% in 60 mins |
| Sensors | HR, blood oxygen, altimeter, ECG, temperature |
| New features | New temperature sensor Crash detection with 3-axis gyroscope |
Hardware-wise, not much has changed compared to the Series 7 and even the Series 6. The new Apple Watch adds a new gyroscope, which enables the Crash Detection feature to work — it can sense a car crash and call emergency services for you, if you are incapacitated and can’t do that yourself. The temperature sensor tracks basal body temperature for women’s health reading — more accurate cycle tracking and ovulation reports.
Apple Watch Series 8 Design, Models & Sizes
Still not flat
We did get bigger screens, though — since the Apple Watch Series 7, the timepiece has evolved to have super-slim bezels with an almost all-screen front. The Series 7 and, now, the Watch Series 8 come in two sizes — 41 mm and 45 mm cases.
These two options cover most needs just fine. We find the 45 mm to be just the right size even for bigger wrists — it’s not too bulky, not too tiny. And with a wide range of wristbands available, you can get it to fit your style just fine. The 41 mm is a great option for more delicate wrists, while it still has ample of screen real estate to show you the full watchOS 9 interface.
The screen is, yet again, a 1.9” LTPO OLED panel that can blast you with 1,000 nits of brightness, in case you are trying to check the time while under direct sunlight. It retains the Always-On functionality we’ve had since the Series 4, naturally.
Apple sticks with the Retina Display branding here, meaning the Watch Series 8 has a resolution of 396 x 484 for a density of around 326 pixels per inch.
It’s a pleasure to view and use, as ever, though its construction is kind of a double-edged sword. With the slim bezels and the screen almost curving into the sides of the Watch, it is incredibly hard to keep this gadget pristine, with no accidental scratches. It’s even harder to find a screen protector for it, but many users opt for some form of case that has a lip.
Apple Watch Series 8 Software & Features
watchOS 9 has evolved
You can even set up an Apple Watch for a family member — they don’t need an iPhone, as the data from their Watch will be beamed into a separate section on your iPhone. Of course, this feature is there for caretakers of children or elderly parents.
Still, there are more things to be desired and watchOS 9 is a pretty good evolution of the wearable platform. It does bring about some welcome new features, and finally catches up with the competition by enhancing old features that should’ve been this way from the get-go.
Sleep Tracking
Namely, Sleep Tracking. Finally! We now actually have Sleep Stages info in the native Sleep section of Health. Apple was already late to the party when it added Sleep Tracking in 2020, with watchOS 7. And even then, it was a very basic feature, only showing you time in bed. A lot of users have downloaded or even subscribed to external apps that track their sleep more accurately.
Now, with watchOS 9, we get full reports for Core and Deep sleep, REM periods, and times awake.
Women’s health
Additionally, the new temperature tracking sensor will measure body temperature for female users, which will allow the Watch to report ovulation periods (post factum, with a very helpful “It’s likely you ovulated on x date”) and more accurate cycle tracking. Unfortunately, this is the only feature that the temperature sensor is used for, at least at the moment.
Crash detection
Crash detection is a feature exclusive to the new Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and Watch SE. The reason is hardware — Apple needed to fit the timepieces with a new 3-axis gyroscope in order to take the accurate readings needed for the data crunching. The Apple Watch Series 8 should be able to detect 4 types of impact — front, back, side, and rollover. Forgive us, we didn’t really test this.
Low power
Low Power mode — a new feature for all Apple Watches supporting watchOS 9. This will automatically disable the Always-On screen, as well as limit Wi-Fi connections and background sensor readings. It’s a welcome addition, since while the Apple Watch has made some strides in battery life over the past 3 years, it’s still no champ. We only wish there was a quick toggle for Low Power in the pull-up menu, instead of having to navigate all the way into Settings -> Battery to be able to toggle it.
Fitness improvements
The Fitness app also gets some welcome improvements to tracking — we get heart rate zones and custom workout edits. So, for example, if you are looking to build a jogging workout, you can set your running and recovery times and have your Apple Watch notify you when to switch, instead of using a 3rd party running app with workout programs.
Apple Watch Series 8 Battery and Charging
Day and a half, quick to charge up
So we had no low-power-phobia with this wearable while living our normal, everyday lives. Just know that you need a 20 W wallplug if you want to make use of the fast charging feature.
Apple Watch Series 8 Processor & Storage
It’s a 64-bit, dual-core CPU that does the job just fine — apps launch sufficiently fast, readings are quick, and the smooth graphics on the Apple Watch interface are as pleasing as ever. In fact, we also use an Apple Watch Series 6, which still holds up to this day perfectly. Which is kind of why we started the review the way that we did — if you have an older Apple Watch 6 (or if you can find one at a heavy discount), you should be perfectly fine in this day and age.
The Watch Series 8 still comes with 32 GB for some limited file storage — favorite songs, or photos from your iPhone’s gallery. It should be plenty enough to have a few playlists for workouts or studying without needing to lug your iPhone around every time.
Apple Watch Series 8 Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 8 Audio Quality and Haptics
As for haptics — Apple’s Taptic engine made its debut in the original Apple Watch and is still as excellent as ever. Be it for wake-up alarms, notifications, or calls, it taps, vibrates, and clicks with just the right force and precision.
Apple Watch Series 8 Competitors
Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (Image credit – PhoneArena)
The Galaxy Watches have been around for quite a while and have had the time to evolve their software and functions as well. They are no slouch when it comes to battery life and Samsung’s sleep tracking has always been magically accurate. Plus, they also have very pretty AMOLED screens, since Samsung is kind of the king of AMOLED tech.
Google’s also rumored to have a Pixel Watch in the works for us. If this is true, we are about to see it drop on the 7th of October, and we will naturally upgrade the section here, once we know if it’s a viable competitor to the Apple Watch.
But, in reality, the true competitors to the Apple Watch Series 8 are going to be the older Series 7 and even Series 6 (despite having a slightly smaller screen). If you can find a new-old-stock unit at a bargain that is. A quick scan at the time of writing this review showed us that retailers that have Series 6 in stock still have the audacity of selling it at its original MSRP of $429. If that’s the case, there’s no reason not to spring for a Series 8.
Apple Watch Series 8 Summary and final verdict
Déjà vu? (Image credit – PhoneArena)
It has the new crash-detection, which is good and we hope you never need it. And it has a temperature sensor for a single, very specific use case.
If you don’t own a recent Apple Watch, the Series 8 is a fantastic jump-in point, absolutely. It runs as good as ever, watchOS 9 is fleshed-out and reduces the need to fiddle with 3rd party solutions, and the sensors the Watch series already has (blood oxygen, heart sensor) are already doing a great job at keeping you informed about your health and helping you improve your lifestyle.
Bottom line? Anyone with a Series 6 or Series 7 can skip this one. But we guess that’s kind of the point — we are well beyond the period when mobile tech was to be upgraded on an annual cycle. Apple claims it strives for sustainability. Making products that last should absolutely be a part of that goal. So, maybe we are not being harsh on the Series 8. Maybe we are praising the Series 6 instead!
