Apple Watch Series 8 assessment: if it ain’t broke

The Apple Watch Series 8 has me excited about the Japanese enterprise philosophy of kaizen. The idea, made well-known by Toyota, means steady enchancment. The Series 7 was a minor replace to the Series 6, which was an incremental replace to the Series 5, which was a small enchancment over the Series 4. These updates weren’t a lot on their very own, however they added up, and over time, they’ve widened the hole between the Apple Watch and each different smartwatch.

2022 is a giant yr for the Apple Watch, however the Series 8 isn’t the star of the present. The new Apple Watch Ultra is essentially the most attention-grabbing watch this yr, and the second-gen SE replaces the Series 3 on the entry degree. That leaves the brand new Series 8 within the center.

So no, this isn’t a very thrilling replace. Then once more, does it need to be?

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You’d be hard-pressed to identify the variations between the Series 7 and Series 8. Full disclosure: the one cause I can is as a result of my assessment items are completely different sizes and colours. This is a flowery method of claiming nothing’s modified. The Series 8 nonetheless is available in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. There are fewer colour choices this time round — RIP inexperienced and blue —  and that’s about it. The value additionally stays unchanged. The Series 8 begins at $399 for the GPS-only model and $499 for mobile. 

When I noticed the 45mm Series 7 and Series 8 aspect by aspect final week, I used to be satisfied that the Series 8’s show was a smidge larger, but it surely isn’t. It was an phantasm: watchOS 9 comes with new watchfaces like Metropolitan that make higher use of the watch’s thinner bezels. My Series 8 assessment unit is the 45mm mobile model in starlight, which is a champagne-y colour that splits the distinction between gold and silver. I often want smaller watches, however this didn’t look too ridiculous on my smaller wrists. I additionally appreciated the slight enhance in readability {that a} bigger display gives. 

But whereas all the pieces appears to be like the identical to the bare eye, the Series 8 has some important adjustments beneath the hood.

Spoiler alert: it’s not a sooner chip. As far as efficiency and battery life go, the S8 chip is just about the identical because the S7, which is mainly the identical because the S6. (I’m sensing a theme right here.) What the S8 does add to the combo are a bunch of latest sensors. Namely, you get two temperature sensors, a brand new high-g accelerometer, and a brand new gyroscope. These new sensors are what energy the Series 8’s two marquee options: superior cycle monitoring and Crash Detection.

A temperature sensor has lengthy been rumored for the Apple Watch, they usually’re changing into frequent in competing wearables. Fitbit added one on the Sense in 2020, and Samsung simply added them to its Galaxy Watch 5 sequence. (Though Samsung’s don’t truly do a lot simply but.) But Apple’s take is barely completely different than Fitbit or Samsung’s. One of the sensors sits proper beneath the show so it could possibly measure ambient temperature, whereas one other sits nearer to the pores and skin. The thought is to remove environmental bias for extra correct readings.

The watch’s temperature sensing is generally passive. Unlike the present EKG, coronary heart charge, and blood oxygen sensors, you’ll be able to’t take on-demand readings. You can solely get wrist temperature readings when you have got the Sleep Focus turned on and sleep monitoring enabled. Plus, it’s good to sleep with the Apple Watch for 5 nights to ascertain a baseline. Once that’s accomplished, you’re solely going to see deviations from that baseline. You’re by no means actually going to have a look at your wrist and go, “Oh, I have a fever because my temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit.” 

That’s not a knock towards Apple. This is identical strategy that the Oura Ring and Fitbit take. The thought is to observe how sure components — like a tough exercise, sickness, or perhaps a few too many margaritas — may influence your baseline. If you occur to trace your cycles within the Health app, enabling wrist temperature readings means you may get retrospective ovulation estimates after about two cycles. 

There’s a cause these estimates are retrospective and never predictive. For starters, that is strictly an consciousness instrument — in case you higher perceive previous cycles, you could have a neater time when planning to conceive. Basal physique temperature is commonly used as a instrument in household planning, so this isn’t popping out of left discipline. However, the Series 8 isn’t cleared for contraceptive use and it’s completely not meant for use in any kind of medical capability. There are apps which have been FDA-cleared for this objective, like Natural Cycles and Clue. Natural Cycles even obtained the okay not too long ago to make use of wearable temperature knowledge collected from an Oura Ring for contraception — however that’s not the case with the Apple Watch. (At least, not but.)

As for accuracy, it’s a bit of onerous to say, as I’ve solely had the Series 8 for a couple of week. I don’t have two cycles’ price of temperature knowledge, and I’ve solely simply established a baseline. For the few nights I do have temperature knowledge for, nevertheless, it largely corresponds to what I obtained on my Oura Ring. For instance, two nights in the past, the Oura Ring stated my physique temperature was 0.5 levels increased than regular, whereas the Series 8 stated it was 0.41 levels increased. 

I’m additionally somebody who struggled for two years to get a polycystic ovary syndrome analysis — so it’s good to see that Apple can now notify you when it detects a cycle deviation. However, I wasn’t in a position to check how this works since I haven’t skilled a deviation but. It’s additionally not obtainable for people who might have a “cycle factor” like hormonal contraception. 

In the post-Roe v. Wade world, I utterly perceive if superior cycle monitoring offers you the heebie-jeebies. If that’s the case, it is best to know that utilizing Apple’s cycle monitoring function is elective. You can even monitor temperature with out monitoring your cycle or utterly disable wrist temperature monitoring within the settings. If you do allow temperature monitoring, Apple says that well being knowledge is encrypted in your gadget and solely accessible with a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID. If you allow a passcode and use two-factor authentication, Health app knowledge synced with iCloud can also be end-to-end encrypted.

Apple has at all times touted the watch as a tool that would save your life. It possibly went a bit of ham with that messaging this yr when it launched Crash Detection, but it surely’s a neat function that builds on the watch’s different security choices, like Emergency SOS and fall detection. Like the Ultra and second-gen SE, the Series 8 has an improved gyroscope and a brand new accelerometer that may measure adjustments in gravitational pressure as much as 256 g. These work with the watch’s barometer, GPS, and microphone to detect excessive influence and sudden adjustments in velocity and path. If a extreme crash is detected, the watch will name emergency companies in your behalf. You’ll additionally get 10 seconds to cancel the decision if it’s not wanted.

I like my job, however I’m not going to crash my automotive (and wreck my insurance coverage premiums) for a smartwatch assessment. We did strap the Series 8 to an RC truck that we “crashed” across the Verge workplace, however as you may count on, it did nothing. (I think we principally needed an excuse to play with an RC truck.) I’ve worn the Series 8 in a number of doubtful Lyft rides with some horrible stop-and-go visitors, however that additionally didn’t set off the function. That doesn’t shock me. Back when Apple launched fall detection, I — and a number of other different reviewers — tried to see in case you might set off the function with faux tumbles. None of us succeeded. 

All this to say, I’d be genuinely stunned in case you obtained a false alert. That’s an excellent factor.

I’ve been futzing round with watchOS 9 for some time now, and there’s quite a bit to like. Too a lot, truly, so I’m going to deal with what’s new within the last model and the options I cherished most. (You can learn a few of my different ideas in my watchOS 9 preview.) 

Every model of watchOS 9 has snazzy new watchfaces. I often really feel “meh” about Apple’s watchfaces, however I truly loved fairly a couple of of them this time round. (They actually do make the display appear larger than it’s!) The Lunar watchface gave me all of the feels this previous week throughout Chuseok. It’s an enormous Korean vacation timed with the mid-autumn harvest on the lunar calendar while you go to your hometown to spend time with your loved ones. I additionally actually dug the Metropolitan face, and switching up the colour backgrounds on my favourite Modular face to match my outfits was good ol’ enjoyable. 

On the productiveness entrance, the redesigned Calendar app actually makes use of the larger show. It was an effective way for me to discreetly visualize my weekly schedule. I wrote extra about medicine reminders a couple of months in the past, and regardless of utilizing them, I’m nonetheless horrible at taking my meds after I’m alleged to. At least I take them rather more persistently when I’ve reminders on than after I don’t.

Another factor I wasn’t anticipating was the truth that the Series 8 will get one of many Ultra’s coolest perks: the redesigned Compass app. If you’re an avid hiker, that is nice information. With the brand new app, you’ll be able to drop waypoints — geographic factors of curiosity — in addition to retrace your steps utilizing Backtrack in case you get misplaced. I attempted it out on a stroll, and whereas there was a slight studying curve, as somebody with no innate sense of path, I actually loved utilizing it. (I’ll additionally dive extra into this function in my Ultra assessment, so keep tuned.)

Sleep monitoring additionally will get a lift. You can now view sleep levels in addition to extra detailed sleep metrics inside the Health app. It’s nonetheless not the most effective, and Apple is taking part in catchup right here, but it surely’s masses higher than what Apple launched with in watchOS 7. I think about the addition of wrist temperature monitoring will solely pave the way in which for extra superior sleep monitoring down the street — although battery life should enhance a bit earlier than the Apple Watch may give Fitbit or the Oura Ring a run for his or her cash.

Speaking of battery life… the Series 8 remains to be a tool you must cost day by day, however watchOS 9 provides a brand new low-power battery mode. It turns off the always-on show and background sensor readings whereas limiting Wi-Fi / mobile connectivity. It additionally leaves coronary heart charge and GPS intact throughout exercises. Supposedly you’ll be able to stand up to 36 hours with it on the Series 8. (Your mileage will range on older fashions.) 

Fair warning: enabling low-power mode isn’t going to magically get you multiday battery life, and I by no means obtained the total 36 hours. With common utilization with out low-power mode, my Series 8 obtained round 24 hours earlier than I wanted to stay it again on a charger. Low-power mode was principally a great way to get a bit of additional juice so I might make it residence or to get me by the final mile of a long term after I forgot to high up the battery earlier than heading out.

While we’re with regards to train, I cherished all the pieces in regards to the new exercise views. It’s straightforward to customise the order, and I’m a giant fan of including an entire second display of metrics. I’m additionally very satisfied that I can now view coronary heart charge zones within the native Workout app, which you’ll already do on most different trackers. It’s additionally nice that Apple’s lastly added the power to create your personal customized interval exercises. If you’ve been utilizing a Garmin or Polar, you’re in all probability rolling your eyes as a result of these are staples you’ve had for ages. I’m merely saying that it’s about time Apple added these options, and it’ll be an enormous profit for novices transitioning to extra intermediate-level exercises.

The solely factor I didn’t love was scrolling by the a number of exercise views mid-run. The Series 8 principally depends on touchscreen navigation; typically it really works nice… and different instances your fingers are so sweaty, it’s a ache. The digital crown can also be so slim that it’s not at all times the simplest factor to make use of mid-motion. This is one thing I think about received’t be a difficulty on the Ultra, but it surely’s a ache on the Series 8.

If it’s not apparent by now, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a good smartwatch. But in case you’re glad together with your present Apple Watch, there isn’t a lot of a cause to improve.

For starters, a lot of the issues that made my time with the Series 8 stellar come from watchOS 9 — a software program replace. If you have got a Series 4 or later, you’re going to get the overwhelming majority of what makes the Series 8 nice. If you have got a Series 5, 6, or 7, you even have roughly the identical processing energy. Upgrading to the Series 8 isn’t going to make issues zippier or your battery final that for much longer. 

Meanwhile, temperature monitoring remains to be a nascent function. I think about Apple will construct it out sooner or later, however you don’t essentially want it proper now. This is doubly true in case you don’t menstruate, don’t really feel comfy giving tech firms your well being knowledge, or don’t use the Apple Watch for sleep monitoring. 

You additionally don’t want the Series 8 in case you’d like Crash Detection. It’s additionally obtainable on the iPhone 14 lineup. If this can be a function you need and your cellphone is on its final legs, you possibly can at all times simply improve that as a substitute.

When you’re taking all these components into consideration, Series 6 and seven homeowners don’t have any compelling cause to improve. Chill. But it’s a distinct story in case you’ve obtained a Series 3, 4, or 5. (And in case you’re on a Series 2 or older, my buddies, it’s time to get a brand new watch.) Longtime Series 3 homeowners, you positively ought to improve to the Series 8. Trust me, you’re going to benefit from the efficiency positive factors and the always-on show, and watchOS 9 is a a lot better replace than watchOS 8 was. It’s time. For Series 4 or 5 homeowners, I feel the larger show is price it. After a yr with the Series 7 and every week with the Series 8, I’m assured in saying both is a recreation changer for readability. But in case you’ve obtained 20/20 imaginative and prescient, you possibly can in all probability maintain off one other yr.

If you’re shopping for your first Apple Watch, you possibly can go together with both the Series 8 or the marginally cheaper SE, which begins at $249 for GPS solely and $299 for mobile. The SE is the higher alternative for first-time patrons who aren’t bought on the thought of a smartwatch in any respect. You’re gonna get the gist of what makes the Apple Watch so widespread with out breaking the financial institution. (All you’re giving up is the always-on show and superior well being sensors.) From there, you can also make an informed resolution about whether or not you need the fancier model while you improve. But in case you’re already dedicated to the thought of an Apple Watch, you may as properly get the Series 8. 

I nonetheless have to check the Apple Watch Ultra, however I’m 99.9 % sure that the Series 8 is the only option for most individuals. Not solely is it cheaper than the Ultra but in addition it’s the extra versatile watch. It’s higher suited to smaller wrist sizes, and it may be simply dressed up or all the way down to swimsuit all events. Also, except you’re into hardcore endurance sports activities or a supreme klutz of the best diploma, you actually don’t want the Ultra’s additional sturdiness. The Series 8 might sound extra fragile, but it surely’s loads sturdy by itself. (But, if the Ultra is one thing you actually need, don’t let me cease you.) 

Listen, the Series 8 doesn’t revolutionize the Apple Watch as we all know it, but it surely doesn’t need to. Part of the explanation why Apple can get away with yr after yr of incremental updates is as a result of it’s light-years forward of its rivals for iOS customers. We’re seeing extra competitors sprout up amongst Android smartwatches, but when the forthcoming Pixel Watch and Wear OS Samsung watches are any indication, wearable ecosystems will stay siloed for the foreseeable future. When it involves smartwatches, Apple has a successful method. And till somebody comes up with one other smartwatch that iPhone homeowners truly need, it has no cause to repair what isn’t damaged. 

Photography by Amelia Holowaty Krales. Video by Owen Grove.