Apple Watch Series 8: Features, price, release date, review, deals

The Apple Watch Series 8 was introduced during Apple’s September “Far Out” event with a new body-temperature sensor, crash detection, and more. Read on as we round up everything new with this Watch.

History

The Apple Watch was first introduced in 2015 and quickly became the best-selling wearable device of the year, reportedly selling 4.2 million units in Q2 2015. When the company introduced the Apple Watch Series 2 later in 2016, Apple labeled the original Apple Watch as “Series 0” while bringing an updated chip with “Series 1” and a brand new “Series 2” Watch.

When Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017 a lot of things changed. The company started seeing the Watch more like a fitness device rather than a fashion one, although it was available in aluminum, stainless steel, and ceramic models. This Watch had a chip 70% faster than its predecessor, increased RAM, and introduced the LTE cellular connectivity variant with 16GB of storage.

Apple Watch Series 4, which launched a year later, featured a major redesign with a screen that was 30% bigger in both models and a 50% improvement on its processor over the Series 3 version. Speakers and microphones were rearranged so they were louder and more useful, and Series 4 introduced the fall detection feature, ECG capabilities, and the second-generation heart rate monitor.

In 2019, the Apple Watch Series 5 was a notable upgrade over the Series 4: Apple introduced an Always-On display with an energy-saving LTOP OLED screen, a built-in compass, doubled the storage to 32GB, and brought back the Edition tier with a ceramic model and a brand new titanium version.

In 2020, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 6. This Watch brought a new S6 processor, up to 20% faster than its predecessor, a brighter Always-On display, a blood oxygen app, and an always-on altimeter, alongside new health sensors.

In 2021, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 7 with a more durable and larger display, now with 41mm and 45mm options. The Watch is more crack-resistant and can charge faster than previous models. It has the same processor as the Series 6 and maintains the three finishes: aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.

In 2022, the Apple Watch Series 8 was announced with a new body-temperature sensor focused on sleep health and cycle tracking. It has the same processor as the Series 6 and only two finishes: aluminum and stainless steel.

Apple Watch Series 8: Specs and features

Same display as the Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 8 features the same Apple Watch Series 7 display, which has 20% more screen area and thinner borders at 1.7mm, making it 40% smaller than those on Apple Watch Series 6.

This new Apple Watch is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. While the wrist is down, the Always-On Retina display is brighter indoors than the previous Watch, making it easier to see the watch’s face without having to lift the wrist or wake the display.

The Watch has also been certified IP6X dust-resistant and has a water resistance rating of WR50, making it a good choice for swimming performances and making users stay relaxed while on the beach or the desert.

Performance

Apple Watch Series 8 has the same processor as the 2020 Apple Watch Series 6. Even though it has a new name, called S8, it has the same CPU power. It’s not the first time Apple does something like that. With the Apple Watch Series 5, the S5 chip had the same performance as the S4 SoC but brought a Compass feature built-in as well.

The S8 SiP has a 64-bit dual-core processor and features 32GB of storage. As the S6 chip, it’s 20% faster than the processor found inside the original Apple Watch SE.

Body temperature sensor

One of the most important features of the Apple Watch Series 8 is the new body temperature sensor enabling “further insights into women’s health,” according to Apple. The two-sensor design reduces bias from the outside environment and the body itself. With the new capabilities, users can receive retrospective ovlution estimates.

Temperature sensing also enables improved period predictions for users who menstruate. With watchOS 9, Cycle Tracking users can now receive a notification if their logged cycle history shows a possible deviation.

Crash Detection

In addition to the body temperature sensor, the Apple Watch Series 8 feature two new motion sensors and a sensor-fusion algorithm that makes the Apple Watch detect a severe car crash with Crash Detection.

When Apple Watch detects a severe car crash, the device will check in with the user and dial emergency services if they are unresponsive after a 10-second countdown. Emergency responders will receive the user’s device location, which is also shared with emergency contacts.

Apple Watch finishes

These are the Apple Watch Series 8 finishes:

Aluminum

• Midnight;
• Starlight;
• Silver,
• (PRODUCT)RED.

Stainless Steel

• Silver;
• Graphite;
• Gold

watchOS 9 features

Here are the top watchOS 9 features:

• Apple is bringing four new Watch Faces: Lunar, Playtime, Metropolitan, and Astronomy while revamping older ones; 
• The new Workout app now lets you see more while working out by showing Activity rings, Heart Rate Zones, Power, and Elevation;
• With Sleep stages, you can see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep, as well as when you might have woken up;
• With the new Medication app, you can have reminders for medications, while helping you discreetly and conveniently keep track of your medications, vitamins, and supplements.
• Low Power mode makes the Apple Watch Series 8 “all-day battery” reach up to 36 hours without being charged.

watchOS 9.1

Apple is currently testing watchOS 9.1.

Apple Watch Series 8 was announced during September’s “Far Out” event. It became available on September 16.

Price: How much Apple Watch Series 8 cost?

Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399. The prices are the same as the last year’s model, as you can see below:

• Aluminum, 40mm, GPS: $399
• Aluminum, 40mm, GPS + Cellular: $499
• Aluminum, 44mm, GPS: $429
• Aluminum, 44m, GPS + Cellular: $529
• Stainless steel, 40mm, GPS + Cellular: $699
• Stainless steel, 44mm, GPS + Cellular: $749

Lower prices may be available from Apple’s official Amazon store.

Deals

Over at 9to5Toys, you can find the best deals on the Apple Watch Series 8 and other Apple products. Download the 9to5Toys iPhone app to receive push notifications for new deals as well.