Which Apple Watch you currently own will determine the answer. If you currently own a Series 3, an upgrade is probably in order.
Since Apple’s latest smartwatches have already been released, you may be considering upgrading to the Apple Watch Series 8.
Which Apple Watch you currently own will determine the answer, as is generally the case when making an upgrade decision. Along with a new processor, the Series 8 adds temperature sensing and car crash detection. The Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 6 still have plenty of life remaining in them despite these upgrades, so if you already own one of these watches, there’s no need to upgrade just yet.
This is particularly true given that Apple frequently releases software updates with a lot of new functionality, such as WatchOS 9, which works with watches up to four years old. However, if you still wear an outdated Apple Watch Series 3 or earlier, it’s time for an upgrade.
Many of Apple’s essential health and safety functions, including as irregular heartbeat alarms, high and low heart rate notifications, water resistance, workout tracking, emergency SOS, and fall detection, are present in all Apple Watch models that have been launched over the past five years (Series 4 and later). Given that Apple just incorporated additional sensors for temperature sensing and blood oxygen monitoring, the major differences relate to health tracking.
Though it can be challenging to judge the true value of these deeper health data, it’s vital to keep in mind that Apple Watches aren’t medical instruments. My general impression is that folks who desire access to more cardiac and respiratory health data to share with their doctor may find these added capabilities valuable.
This comparison of the Apple Watch Series 8 to previous Apple Watch iterations from the last five years. We don’t list previous Apple Watches since, if you have a Series 3 or older, we advise upgrading. Because it’s a brand-new device with more obvious distinctions than Apple’s other watches, the Apple Watch Ultra is also not addressed in this tutorial. Our comprehensive evaluation of the Apple Watch Ultra contains further information.
After using both watches, here are the biggest differences between the Apple Watch Series 8 and the SE.
Series 8 compared. Series 7 of the Apple Watch
There is no reason to update at this time if you currently own an Apple Watch Series 7. The larger screen, QWERTY keyboard, fast charging, and virtually equal set of health and wellness features are just a few of the similarities between the Series 7 and 8. A temperature sensor, an upgraded processor (although performance is identical to the Series 7), and new gyroscopes and accelerometers capable of detecting automobile crashes are among the significant improvements in this year’s Apple Watch. Such modifications will undoubtedly increase the Apple Watch’s use over time, but if you currently own a Series 7, they don’t justify an upgrade.
I can’t advise upgrading for the sole purpose of the temperature sensor because it’s still too early to know what it adds to the overall experience. When it comes to offering retroactive ovulation estimations and more precise period predictions, Apple positions it as being most useful. It’s still a little early because ovulation estimations don’t become accessible until two menstrual cycles, and the watch has only been available for around two weeks.
Additionally, the business claims that changes in your basal temperature might show whether you’re sick or jet lagged. It’s currently up to the user to decipher the variations in their baseline wrist temperature that Apple charts in a graph within the Health app. In the future, I hope Apple develops a method to link this data to other criteria, such as a wellness or preparedness score.
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 7 is capable of practically everything the Apple Watch Series 8 is capable of. Upgrades should wait for now.
Series 8 compared. Series 6 of the Apple Watch
There is no reason to update at this time if you currently own an Apple Watch Series 7. The larger screen, QWERTY keyboard, fast charging, and virtually equal set of health and wellness features are just a few of the similarities between the Series 7 and 8. A temperature sensor, an upgraded processor (although performance is identical to the Series 7), and new gyroscopes and accelerometers capable of detecting automobile crashes are among the significant improvements in this year’s Apple Watch. Such modifications will undoubtedly increase the Apple Watch’s use over time, but if you currently own a Series 7, they don’t justify an upgrade.
I can’t advise upgrading for the sole purpose of the temperature sensor because it’s still too early to know what it adds to the overall experience. When it comes to offering retroactive ovulation estimations and more precise period predictions, Apple positions it as being most useful. It’s still a little early because ovulation estimations don’t become accessible until two menstrual cycles, and the watch has only been available for around two weeks.
Additionally, the business claims that changes in your basal temperature might show whether you’re sick or jet lagged. It’s currently up to the user to decipher the variations in their baseline wrist temperature that Apple charts in a graph within the Health app. In the future, I hope Apple develops a method to link this data to other criteria, such as a wellness or preparedness score.
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 7 is capable of practically everything the Apple Watch Series 8 is capable of. Upgrades should wait for now.
Series 8 compared. Series 6 of the Apple Watch
The decision to upgrade from the Apple Watch SE is a little more complicated and depends on your personal preferences for a wristwatch. There is a case to be made for spending more money on the Series 8 if you currently own the SE and feel like you need more health tracking features. The first and second SE generations are both deficient in the capacity to detect blood oxygen saturation, take an ECG from the wrist, sense temperature, and have an always-on display.
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers enough new capability to warrant an upgrade if you’re interested in these capabilities and want more information on your heart and respiratory health to provide your doctor. The Series 8 has a larger screen with a QWERTY keyboard, faster charging, and—most importantly—a display that can still show the time and other information even when the device is idle. The health sensors are the main benefit of the improvement.
Consider upgrading from the original SE to the new one if you are uninterested in these additional health measures. I wouldn’t advise doing that, though, unless your current watch feels noticeably sluggish. Not much has changed between the first and second generation SEs save automobile collision detection and a speedier processor.