Comparing the three new Apple Watches and their specs

During its “Far Out” occasion, Apple introduced the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, new AirPods Pro earbuds, and an entire slew of recent Apple Watches. We’re used to seeing an annual refresh of the Apple Watch, the place a Series flagship begets one other flagship — however this yr marks the introduction of three new fashions: the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and a brand new Apple Watch SE. These watches are designed to supply new choices on the entry-level, flagship (for generalists), and specialised markets.

At the underside of the brand new lineup, the brand new Apple Watch SE continues the 2020 SE’s system. It’s the “bargain” mannequin, sacrificing niceties like an always-on show for the sake of a a lot cheaper price. Apple’s SE model of budget-tier merchandise are not often essentially the most thrilling ones, however not less than the arrival of this Apple Watch SE helps finish the decrepit reign of the Apple Watch Series 3.

Higher up the spectrum, the Series 8 carries on the standard development of prior top-tier Apple Watches, now with a brand new temperature sensor inbuilt. And for the primary time, there’s a 3rd mannequin to sit down on the high, one with a completely distinct set of capabilities. Despite the brand new Samsung-sounding moniker, the brand new Apple Watch Ultra is designed to cater to the hardcore outdoorsy crowd — ones that usually flip to manufacturers like Garmin for his or her wants.

So that’s an entire lot of Apple Watch. But how do the options and specs shake out throughout this new lineup? And are there huge enhancements right here over the outgoing Series 7 in case you’re considering selecting up a type of on sale earlier than they’re gone? We’ve solely gotten a quick hands-on thus far, however let’s check out the specs and see the place we are able to discover the largest variations or search for any main omissions in these new items.

Apple Watch SE

Image: Apple

At the finances finish, the Apple Watch SE brings us a principally acquainted method: take among the newest tech and put it in an outdated chassis to promote for much less. That’s what the unique Apple Watch SE did, and that’s what this new SE is doing now. The new SE appears rather a lot just like the prior SE, nevertheless it packs the S8 CPU and crash detection from the Series 8 and Ultra. Oh, and the rear of the brand new SE is color-matched to the remainder of the case, which is a pointy little deal with.

What you lose out on is the always-on show, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring — all of which have been lacking from the earlier SE, too. But what you achieve is more cash in your pocket, as the brand new 2022 Apple Watch SE begins at simply $249 for a 40mm mannequin with GPS or $299 with mobile. That’s $30 cheaper than the beginning costs of the primary SE when it launched in 2020.

Apple Watch Series 8

Photo by Victoria Song / The Verge

In another yr, the brand new Apple Watch Series 8 can be the flagship providing. It continues Apple’s regular growth of its watch system, trying rather a lot just like the Series 7 however now including a sensor to detect your physique temperature in addition to improved interval and ovulation monitoring. It additionally will get the automotive crash detection that’s prevalent on this whole crop of Apple Watches as a result of Apple is outwardly actually into automotive crashes proper now. (The keynote video had an alarming quantity of doom and gloom.)

Unlike the SE, you’re not making any main tradeoffs exterior of the additional rugged options of the Ultra (extra on that in a second). The Apple Watch Series 8 begins on the typical $399 for the 41mm mannequin with GPS or $499 with mobile, or add $30 to both of these for the bigger 45mm model.

Apple Watch Ultra

Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge

Lastly, the brand new child on the block is attempting to deal with an entire new phase for Apple. The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple’s reply to rugged smartwatches and wearables from the manufacturers like Garmin and Polar, designed to be taken to very distant locations for actions like mountain climbing and mountain climbing. The Apple Watch Pro is constructed from titanium and waterproof to 100 meters. Its flat show is 49mm throughout, making it by far the chunkiest Apple Watch. It additionally incorporates a programmable motion button on its facet. On the connectivity facet, it helps multiband GPS with trackback that will help you navigate very distant places and retrace your steps on the return journey. It’s being bought in a single mannequin with pure titanium end and each GPS and mobile for $799.

Which Apple Watch is best for you?

The Apple Watch has been a mainstay in Apple’s backyard for years, however we’ve by no means had this many decisions . In the previous, the query for Apple customers was principally simply whether or not or to not get an Apple Watch in any respect — because it’s the one recreation on the town that has this stage of iOS integration. Now, discovering the best one for you could be one thing that takes a bit extra thought and consideration. Be positive to test our spec comparability desk and tell us within the feedback if one among these looks like the best alternative for you.