Apple Watch Series 8 review - worth to upgrade?

The Apple Watch Series 8, released on September 8, 2022, combines advanced technology with enhanced functionality. Powered by the S8 chip built on TSMC's 7nm process, it features dual temperature sensors, offering innovations like temperature sensing, ovulation prediction, crash detection, and international roaming. Retaining hallmark health and safety features such as ECG and fall detection, the Series 8 is water-resistant up to 50 meters and certified with IP6X dust resistance, delivering up to 18 hours of battery life.

Joining the lineup are the budget-friendly Apple Watch SE and the premium Apple Watch Ultra, covering a price range from $249 to $799 and beyond. While the Series 8 is a balanced choice for most users, the unchanged battery life may deter those upgrading from recent models like the Series 7 or Series 6.

This Apple Watch Series 8 review will delve into its key features and performance, providing an in-depth analysis of what makes this smartwatch stand out.

The overview of Apple Watch Series 8

The Apple Watch Series 8 introduces a skin temperature sensor, low power mode, and crash detection, enhancing an already excellent smartwatch. However, it's the design and watchOS 9 that truly make the Series 8 stand out.

Pros

• Attractive new colors
• Temperature sensor for menstrual and ovulation tracking
• Skin temperature reader for sleep and cycle tracking
• Car crash detection
• Improved workout interface with watchOS 9

Cons

• Same design as the previous model
• Battery life still not competitive

Apple Watch Series 8 review - design

Apple Watch Series 8 continues Apple's refined design, almost identical to the Apple Watch 7 with minimal changes. The only difference is a slightly larger screen size. It features the familiar digital crown and side button, making operation simple and intuitive, though adding an extra button like the Apple Watch Ultra would have been better.

The Series 8 is available in four colors: Midnight Blue, Silver, Starlight Blue, and Red, suitable for different users. The watch has a choice of 41mm or 45mm case sizes, with aluminum and stainless steel options to suit personal preferences.

Apple Watch Series 8 review - display

Apple Watch Series 8 features a large Always-On Retina display using LTPO OLED technology with a 60Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother experience. The screen is bright and clear, even under direct sunlight. Compared to the previous generation, the screen size is 20% larger, and the Always-On Display, watchOS 9 watch faces, and QWERTY keyboard are optimized.

The curved body and thinner screen bezel enhance immersion, giving users a wider display area and making it easy to read information in all lighting conditions.

Apple Watch Series 8 review - new temperature sensor

The Apple Watch Series 8 features dual temperature sensors—one under the display to measure ambient temperature and another on the back for skin temperature—reducing environmental bias for more accurate readings. Unlike competitors like Fitbit Sense and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, Apple’s implementation focuses on precision and integration.

Measuring temperature every five seconds with 0.1°C accuracy, it supports sleep and cycle tracking. Combined with heart rate and manual inputs, it helps predict menstrual and ovulation cycles. Users can track nighttime temperature changes in the Health app, compare them to baseline levels, and receive alerts for irregular or extended cycles, enhancing health monitoring.

Apple Watch Series 8 review - crash detection

Apple Watch Series 8 features crash detection, which automatically detects severe car accidents and sends an emergency SOS, ensuring user safety. The watch combines two motion sensors, an improved gyroscope, and an accelerometer capable of measuring up to 256G collisions with a 3000Hz sampling rate.

Along with the microphone, barometer, GPS, and advanced sensor algorithms, the Series 8 accurately assesses crash situations and sends location information to emergency services while notifying emergency contacts.

These upgraded sensors are faster and can immediately trigger alerts upon collision. In case of an accident, the watch automatically contacts emergency services and provides the user's location, minimizing response time. Although we hope never to need this feature, it could save lives in critical moments.

Apple Watch Series 8 review - health and fitness tracking

Apple Watch Series 8 offers advanced health and fitness tracking features. In addition to the temperature sensor, several new features enhance workout monitoring. It supports multiple workout modes, including triathlon, and introduces heart rate zone tracking, ideal for runners.

The built-in advanced fitness training app helps users create personalized workout plans and provides accurate exercise data and metrics, highly favored by fitness enthusiasts.

The heart rate monitoring system has been upgraded with more precise sensors that track user activity in real time. It also includes heart rate warnings and irregular heart rate alerts to notify users of potential health risks.

Apple Watch Series 8 also supports blood oxygen monitoring and ECG functions, keeping users informed about their heart health. The blood oxygen feature can be manually measured or run automatically in the background, ensuring users maintain optimal health throughout the day.

For users with heart health concerns, Series 8 also offers an atrial fibrillation history feature, continuously monitoring heart rate changes and alerting users to any abnormalities. Overall, Apple Watch Series 8 is a comprehensive health and fitness tracking tool suitable for various exercise needs and health management.

Apple Watch Series 8 review - processor and battery life

Apple Watch Series 8 is equipped with the S8 chip made with TSMC's 7nm process and dual temperature sensors, featuring a larger battery and more efficient processor, significantly improving battery life.

Under normal use, the watch lasts 18 hours, and with low power mode, it extends to 36 hours. The new watch supports fast charging, has improved connectivity performance, and supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks to ensure constant connection with your phone.

Although 18 hours of battery life may still seem insufficient, the optimized battery technology and processor make the Series 8 more power-efficient in daily use, offering a smoother experience.

Apple Watch Series 8 review - other features

Apple Watch Series 8 supports Bluetooth calling, allowing users to easily answer calls anytime, and features AI voice functionality, supporting voice command operation.

It has 50-meter water resistance, making it suitable for swimming or showering, and supports multiple satellite positioning systems, including BeiDou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS, ensuring accurate positioning.

Additionally, Series 8 is equipped with NFC functionality, allowing it to be used as a transit card, making travel more convenient. It also supports cellular networks, so even if your phone is not nearby, you can still make calls, send messages, stream music, and use Apple Pay for payments.

In terms of battery life, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers 18 hours of usage, and in low power mode, it lasts up to 36 hours.

Apple Watch Series 8 review - should you upgrade?

The Apple Watch Series 8 combines essential health features like a temperature sensor, heart rate monitoring, and ECG with comprehensive fitness tracking. It offers great value, especially for first-time buyers and those focused on health and wellness.

While the design remains similar to previous models, the Series 8 delivers a well-rounded smartwatch experience with strong performance and reasonable pricing. For iPhone users, it’s a solid upgrade that meets all smartwatch needs.