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Product Review>Smartwatch
Apple Watch Series 8 Review: Unveiling Innovation
By Rashko Arnaudov/ Last Updated April 7, 2024
In the current lineup featuring three new Apple Watches, deciding which one to choose poses a challenge. The inclusion of temperature-related features in the Series 8 may not be compelling enough to warrant an upgrade this year, particularly for existing Series 7 or Series 6 owners. Nevertheless, the Series 8 emerges as a solid middle-ground option, except for the aspect of unchanged battery life.
Having worn Apple’s most recent watch for a few weeks, the Apple Watch Series 8 appears indistinguishable from the previous Apple Watch Series 7 and shares many of its features. The Series 8 introduces a temperature sensor, alongside enhanced gyroscope and accelerometer motion sensors capable of detecting car crashes and initiating SOS calls during emergencies.
Regarding safety, the watch can identify if you’ve been in a car accident and automatically initiate an emergency call. With these enhancements, coupled with an already unparalleled user experience and an app selection that’s further enriched by watchOS 9, the Apple Watch Series 8 continues to be the top choice for most iPhone users, maintaining its status as our preferred Editors.
Pros
- Accident identification
- Extended battery duration when utilizing low power mode
- Updated workout interface in watchOS 9
- Consistent excellent design and display
- Temperature sensor for tracking sleep and menstrual cycle
Cons
- Desire for the inclusion of the siren feature from the Apple Watch Ultra.
- Limited practicality for looking back at ovulation estimates.
What's in the box?
- The Watch Itself
- Charger
- Watch Strap
- A Quick Guide
Apple watch Series 8: Design
The design of the Apple Watch has changed since its initial release in 2014. While it maintains the familiar rectangular shape with rounded corners, there has been a subtle increase in size. The Digital Crown has also seen advancements, and the side button has been flattened to align seamlessly with the case.
Whether you opt for the 41mm or the 45mm variant of the Apple Watch 8 (the version I own), both offer a fantastic and comfortable experience for all-day wear — even if you wear it overnight for sleep-tracking. The watch sits pleasantly on my wrist, and I find the square shape visually appealing. Additionally, it comes with a WR50 rating, ensuring waterproofing for submersion of up to 50 meters.
(Credit: DC Rainmaker)
Apple has executed the design of the Apple Watch exceptionally well, showcasing a level of excellence that matches its past iterations. Navigating through menus or notifications with the Digital Crown is a delightful experience, and the side button below it provides a satisfying tactile response when swapping apps or accessing Apple Wallet.
Apple Watch 8 Bettery Life
Apple asserts that, under regular usage, the Series 8 maintains a charge for 18 hours, consistent with its predecessors. When activating the new Low Power Mode introduced with watchOS 9, the battery life extends to 36 hours. In Low Power Mode, battery-draining features such as the always-on display, automatic workout-tracking, and heart health notifications are either disabled or restricted. Essential features, such as Fall Detection, activity and sleep tracking, and overnight temperature sensing, continue to operate even in this mode.
It provides a convenient choice for days with extended schedules when you anticipate not being able to charge your watch as usual. To activate Low Power Mode, go to Settings > Battery, and switch it on.
(Credit: ESR)
I charged the Apple Watch 8 before dinner completely, wore it in the evening, all the next day and when I got home it was at 41%. The takeaway from this is that you could comfortably last more than a day on a single charge of the watch.
Charging the Apple Watch 8 itself is extremely fast from completely drained to 100% I charged mine in about 1 hour and 20 minutes and the battery life lasts about 30 to 35 hours until I get a notification that the battery has dropped to 10%.
Apple Watch Series 8: Screen
Apple Watch 8 has a large display with thin bezels, allowing you to see more content on the small display. The screen size is 41mm by 45mm. However, it wasn’t just the screen size that impressed me. Text is extremely easy to read, colors pop with vibrancy, and 1000 nits of peak brightness ensures you can see your watch effortlessly even on sunny days.
Apple Watch Series 8 temperature sensing
The Apple Watch Series 8 has two temperature sensors. One is on the back, where the watch touches your wrist to measure your temperature, and the other sensor is just below the display on the front. Apple says this dual-sensor design helps reduce ambient air temperature for more accurate readings.
(Credit: Digital Trends)
Employing a sensor on the back and another beneath the display, the Apple Watch Series 8 45mm monitors your wrist temperature and showcases the recorded readings in the Health app on your iPhone. For the system to establish a baseline, it requires you to activate sleep tracking and wear the Series 8 for approximately five nights. Until Apple establishes this baseline you will not see any results in the health app.
From this point on, measurements are only displayed in Apple’s Health App on iPhone, under Skin Temperature. I can check the chart and see what my temperature changes are. Wearing the watch at night, Apple samples your wrist temperature every 5 seconds, tracking changes from your baseline. It even estimates ovulation predictions retrospectively. Similar to how Fitbit and Oura already work, temperature changes are used to track fertility cycles as well as possible breaks.
According to information on Apple’s website, alterations in wrist temperature may be linked to factors such as “diet and physical activity, alcohol intake, sleep surroundings, or physiological aspects like menstrual cycles and health conditions.”
How Car Crash Detection Works
This is a potentially life-saving feature, god forbid if someone gets into an accident, and is exhausted and unable to make an emergency call, the watch recognizes the accident and makes that emergency call instead of you. However, we still can’t determine how effective this safety feature is, but still has some security instead of none.
(Credit: PCmag)
If you’ve been in an accident and Apple Watch Series 8 detects it, you’ll get a message that says “It looks like you’ve been in an accident” and give you the option to call 911 or decline. If you are tired and unable to do anything, there are 10 seconds after which the watch will automatically contact emergency services and provide you with the location.
If your Apple watch does not have a cellular connection, the watch will establish a connection to emergency services. But, take it easy! Through the Crash Detection function of the Apple Watch 8, you can contact the emergency services as long as you have your iPhone paired with the smartwatch and of course, is nearby at the time of the accident.
Apple conducted simulations of four common real-world crash scenarios: head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, side impacts, and rollovers. The tests utilized various passenger vehicles, including sedans, minivans, SUVs, convertibles, and pickup trucks.
Each of the four crash test dummies inside the vehicles wore an Apple Watch on both wrists. Additionally, iPhones were placed in cupholders, on dashboard mounts, and in the pockets of the crash test dummies to gather extensive data during the tests.
Apple Watch Series 8: watchOS 9
When you buy your Apple Watch 8, WatchOS 9 is the software that powers it. This software enhances the health and fitness experience with new workout metrics and significantly better sleep tracking. But that’s not all!
(Credit: Apple)
The software allows you to create personalized workouts, switch automatically between multi-sport events, and monitor your heart rate zones during and after a workout. I’m personally a fan of hard and busy workouts, so tracking my heart rate and cardio zones is extremely, extremely important.
Another standout feature of WatchOS 9 that I use daily multiple times is the new Medicines app. As I often forget to take medicine during the day, this app has made my daily life a lot easier.
(Credit: MacRumors)
After I set up all of my medications for each week by the hour in the Health app on my phone, my Apple Watch Series 8 started alerting me at the same time every day that I needed to take my prescribed medication.
Apple Watch Series 8 Specs
| Case Size | 41mm, 45mm |
| Processor | Apple S8 64-bit dual-core |
| Display | 41mm: 352 x 430 pixels |
| Connectivity | GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, LTE cellular |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Battery | 18 hours in normal use, up to 36 hours in Low Power mode |
| Weight | 41mm, starts at 1.1 ounces; 45mm: starts at 1.4 ounces |
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Ultra: Should you upgrade?
The Apple Watch Ultra is rugged, has a longer battery life, and has good water resistance than the Apple Watch 8. It is suitable for active athletes who spend a lot of time training and need a healthy and durable watch. But does that make it the right choice for you? Not at all! For most people, the Apple Watch 8 is a better sign because it’s thinner, less sloppy, suitable for formal events, and a lot more affordable (half the price of the Amazon Ultra)
Conclusion
As a true watch geek, I would say that the Apple Watch Series 8 is the most stylish smartwatch ever. Yes, of course, it’s not as powerful as the Apple Watch Ultra (I think the Cent shows it), but it’s smaller and thinner, and that makes it significantly more compact and comfortable for me.
For those of you who have owned an Apple Watch 7, the design will be extremely familiar as Apple hasn’t gone to any major trouble. This makes me think that owning an Apple 7 is a complete no-brainer to buy an Apple 8. But owning old series like Apple 5 or 6 I think that the upgrade is completely tangible.
Apple Watch 8 has exceptional features such as the detection of atrial fibrillation, and the measurement of oxygen in the blood. the sensors for the measurement of temperature and at least the most impressive, namely the detection of car accidents and the notification of the relevant emergency services. So if you don’t need the Ultra’s extreme sports capabilities, the Series 8 adds up to the best watch on the market (regarding price: quality).
How We Tested?
We spend a lot of time testing various smart innovative technologies these days that make our daily lives easier. We conduct extensive research on the manufacturers of the various products to ensure they meet our standards.
Once we are confident in the capabilities of a product, we fit it into our home to see what it’s like to live with it every day. The reason for this is to see to what extent the product integration process is facilitated and whether the features the product boasts are real.
From there on, we evaluate how the products perform by subjecting them to different conditions. It’s the process of rigorously testing every single feature to make sure the product adds a specific benefit to the smart home. Once we know what it’s like to live with the product, only then do we offer our recommendation.
Is The Apple Watch 8 waterproof?
The Apple Watch Series 8 is crafted for diverse workout applications, but is it resistant to water? In the initial releases, such as the Apple Watch Series 1 and the first-generation Apple Watch, they possessed IPX7 water and splash resistance.
Despite this, Apple advised against wearing the smartwatch during swimming. Subsequent Apple Watch models, including the Apple Watch Ultra, have evolved, now boasting the capability to be used even during diving activities.
(Credit: TechRadar)
Is Apple Watch 8 a good running watch?
The Apple Watch 8 is widely regarded as a good running watch, offering a range of features that cater to the needs of runners. With built-in GPS capabilities, it accurately tracks running routes and distances without the need for a connected iPhone. The device also includes a heart rate sensor, providing real-time heart rate data during runs, which is valuable for monitoring fitness levels and optimizing training.
The Apple Watch comes equipped with fitness apps, including the dedicated Workout app, allowing users to customize workouts and track metrics such as distance, pace, and calories burned. Its water-resistant design enables runners to use the watch in various weather conditions, handling sweat and rain with ease.
In addition to its fitness-oriented features, the Apple Watch Series 8 allows users to store music and podcasts directly on the device. This feature is particularly convenient for runners who want to enjoy their favorite tunes or listen to podcasts during their workouts without the need for a phone.
Moreover, the App Store offers a variety of third-party running apps that can further enhance the running experience. These apps may include features like coaching, training plans, and social connectivity, allowing users to personalize their running routine.
Is it worth buying the Apple Watch Series 8?
Determining if the Apple Watch 8 is worth it depends on your priorities. Boasting a larger and more durable display, faster charging, and advanced health features, it caters to those seeking the latest in smartwatch technology.
If these upgrades align with your needs and you value the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch 8 may be a worthwhile investment. However, personal preferences and budget considerations should be taken into account before making a decision.
