Verdict
The Apple Watch 8 is the right smartwatch around – although this is a pocket-sized class for update .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Apple Watch 8 is a minor update to the good smartwatch you’re able to presently buy .
2022 has become a year of modest update to the absolute majority of Apple ’s products , with only a few load down hefty changes .
Like theiPad Pro M2andiPhone 14 , the Apple Watch 8 merely scattering in a few updates to make already an first-class product slightly better .
Design and Screen
The conception of the Apple Watch has stayed roughly the same since its inception . There have been years where the screen has farm , the colours trade and the material choice altered – but the overall look has seldom shift . If you pick up the first Apple Watch and a identification number of bands to go with it , those band would still work today . In this era of disposable tech , that ’s a massive incentive .
With the Apple Watch 8 ( or the Series 8) , the design once again stays the same . Taking the somewhat larger screen and elusive fabric selection bring in with the Series 7 , the only real visible difference is a rejigged colour line - up .
I ’ve typically been a huge sports fan of the flavor of the Apple Watch . It has become an iconic ware for Apple and is instantly recognisable . The Series 8 remain a watcher , however , after expend a lot of clock time wearing theApple Watch Ultra , I do care Apple had adapt the design of its more consumer - favorable wearable to more close match the Ultra .
For instance , I prefer the flat display on the Ultra over the more domed screen on the Series 8 as I line up it far wanton to show when I ’m on the move . I also appreciate the addition of the novel Action Button and again would have liked to see it present on the Series 8 .
This third button , which joined the Digital Crown and the app throw push already present , lets you add another cutoff to a extract of apps and actions . It also changes its functionality when you ’re in that app , so you may use it to start the stopwatch and then press it again to tick a lap .
But , none of the change Apple introduced with the Ultra have sink in down to the Series 8 , leaving this as a wearable that could do with some freshening up . Still , it remains well-fixed to fag , even with the fairly great HRM sticking out of the underside , and it retick most of the boxes I look for in a smartwatch at this price .
It ’s durable thanks to both IP6X and a 5ATM water resistance rating , intend it can defy dust and be used for swimming or worn in the shower with no issue . The rounded methamphetamine hydrochloride cover the screen is elusive too , and I have never snap an Apple Watch , which is always a good sign it will stand up to day-after-day exercise .
There are two sizes available and they lodge with the same 41 mm and 45 millimeter sizes as before . Both remain a lot small-scale than the 49 mm Apple Watch Ultra . For this recap , I have been using the large example and it outfit my carpus well and does n’t feel overly large , though I do like the little nature of the 41 millimeter size and it certainly take care a little more elusive .
While there have n’t been any update to the video display either , it still remain the unspoiled I have used on a wearable at this toll . Yes , you ’ll get a far bright presentation on the Apple Watch Ultra but the 1000 nit of peak brightness here still make this screen seeable out-of-doors on brilliant days with relaxation .
Just as importantly , it gets very slow too – to the peak where it can be checked at dark without a bright light exploding across the way .
Choosing the Series 8 over the SE 2 also get you an always - on display , this use LPTO refresh rate technical school to keep the meter seeable at all multiplication in a dimmed state . An always - on option helps it look more like a distinctive vigil and lets you peek down the watch to learn the time without properly interacting with it .
Fitness Tracking and Performance
There are a few more changes and add-on under the control surface , notably the unexampled temperature sensor and improve accelerometers – the latter of which start the same Car Crash Detection feature article found in the iPhone 14 serial . This is n’t a reason as such to update , but it does add some extra peace of creative thinker
The temperature sensor is the more interesting addition . This will track your consistence temperature over time ( you ’ll need to give it five nights to get going ) and it can be used for female cycle trailing , giving estimate of when you last ovulate . This data can be helpful for crime syndicate provision and is a really nice add-on that expands the scope of the Apple Watch .
It is important to note this is retro tracking , so it ’s not expire to be able to tell you future ovulation date . Apple is also clear to make certain that this cycle tracking data point stays on your twist and is cypher with either Touch ID or Face ID .
If you ’re not interested in this cycle tracking , the sensor will also give you an overview of your body temperature each night , showing you how it deviates from a aim service line . I ca n’t say I have notice this data excessively interesting , and the Watch does n’t severalise you how to decode it , but it ’s there and I can only assume it will become more ostensible with software updates in the future tense .
It feels like theblood atomic number 8 sensor Apple introduced a few year ago , which simply gave you a percentage readout without little else . Apple is give you admittance to these sensors , but not turning them into medical tools .
I ’ve been seriously impressed with the skill of the Apple Watch when it number to physical fitness , and during my testing of both this model and every single previous rendering , it can easily match pricier watch in terms of truth . I ’ve been testing the Series 8 alongside the excellentGarmin Forerunner 955and Apple ’s watch manages to lock on to GPS just as fast and moil out equally accurate data , whether it be my heart rate or the distance of a running game . The data is also far more accurate than that reap from the Pixel Watch , and cheaper watch like the Fitbit Versa 4 .
While a Garmin Forerunner will offer more in - depth modes for runners , the Apple Watch is a better pick for the more casual person . The addictive nature of the Activity app – where you ’re tasked with filling three band a day by moving , exercising and standing – remains first-class and the sassy , and fast , auto exercising trailing means you ’ll terminate up cut through longer walk and bouts of exercise you ’d likely have not bothered starting a consecrate workout for .
The increase ofheart rate zonesinwatchOS 9is refined addition too , and something many have been asking for a turn of geezerhood .
My favourite watchOS 9 feature article is the updated sopor tracking , which now splits your slumber into prison term awake , rich sleep , REM sleep and core sleep . Once you ’ve wake up in the morning , all this information is viewable through the Health app on your touch base iPhone . I ’ve become slightly addicted to tracking my sleep since putting on this watch and knowing how your eternal sleep break down is a good scratch to ameliorate it .
The Health app can cast out out other handy tidbits of info , too . For case , I found out that my resting heart charge per unit dropped by 8bpm during the workweek I was off on holiday , and , on ordinary , I do 1000 more steps a day this twelvemonth than last . you’re able to even set medicine reminders , handy if you often leave to take tablets or a puff of an inhaler every sunrise .
The Apple Watch Series 8 is a very complete twist for both fitness and general health trailing . From theECGmonitor that is easy to utilise , to the ready to hand declivity detection and the paid - for benefit of Apple Fitness+ – I really conceive this watch makes you want to be more fighting and healthy .
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8 features a young chipset , the S8 , which is a little more efficient than before . That said , battery life is very standardised to the outgoing model – sonorous user will be charging the spotter every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , while those well-chosen to sacrifice some feature , notably thealways - on display , can stretch that out to two days .
I sit down somewhere in between the two . I be given to charge the Apple Watch when I get to my desk in the morning , typically with it having 25 - 30 % left . That ’s after having bear it overnight to track my nap . Unlike the Pixel Watch , the Apple Watch does n’t run out a lot overnight .
There is an improved low - office mode include in WatchOS 9 that is n’t quite as restrictive as before , and this is bully if you require to eke more succus out of the wearable if you ’re aside from a charger for an extended catamenia – though I would n’t keep it on all the time .
If you ’re after an Apple Watch that lasts longer , there ’s the Apple Watch Ultra . In my tests , I chance this often offer double the survival of the Series 8 , comfortably lasting into a third day even with heavy use .
To burden the Apple Watch 8 there ’s the same fastUSB - Ccharger introduced with the Series 7 , but no USB - C plug . If you do n’t have one of these then it ’s certainly deserving picking one up rather than using an old Apple Watch charger , as it ’s far quicker to get from 0 - 100 % .
In my tryout , charging times were almost precisely the same as the Series 7 . A full billing pick out less than an hour , while 10 minute of arc can get you just below 20 % .
You still do postulate to apply the dedicated Apple Watch charging Robin Goodfellow , and there ’s no support for standard Qi pads .
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Should you buy it?
No other smartwatch offers what the Apple Watch can and it ’s really the only smartwatch that properly integrates with Apple ’s smartphones .
The Apple Watch 8 shelling life-time is much the same as the former iterations . It ’ll get you easy through a day ( and night ) just do n’t require it to last as long as some of the best running vigil or the Fitbit Versa 4 .
Final Thoughts
just put , the Apple Watch 8 is thebest smartwatchfor iPhone user and if it supported Android twist , it would be comfortably clear of theGalaxy Watch 5andGoogle Pixel Watch – both of which simply can not extend what this wearable can .
Yet , if you have the Series 7 , or even the Series 6 , I do n’t opine there ’s enough here to warrant an acclivity – unless the cycle tracking benefit are key .
If you ’re new to the Apple Watch , or coming from a much older role model , this is the most accomplished option for most people . The Ultra is great for serious athlete , while theWatch SE 2is sure as shooting more affordable – but the Series 8 combines the best feature of both .
It ’s not only great for health and fitness . It has access to load of apps , gets frequent software updates , packs lovely watch faces and is very customisable .
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We exhaustively test every seaworthiness tracker we look back . We use industriousness received testing to equate feature decent and we use the scout as our main twist over the inspection full point . We ’ll always tell apart you what we find and we never , ever , accept money to go over a product .
FAQs
The Apple Watch 8 call for an iPhone 6S or newer , launch the latest uncommitted version of iOS .
There is no charger included with the Apple Watch , you ’ll need to buy one separately . A USB - degree centigrade cable is included .
Yes , as long as the sizes match up . If you get the 45 mm one , look for compatible straps with the size , Same for the 41 millimetre version .
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