The Apple Watch Series 8 is now available, with deliveries and in-store pickups beginning today for the new wearable, which was announced alongside the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro earlier this month. Today, on the first day of launch, The Apple Post has gone hands-on with the Apple Watch Series 8, taking a look at the latest edition in the Apple Watch series.
From a design perspective, the Apple Watch Series 8 is no different to the Apple Watch Series 7 that it replaces. The wearable is available in both 45mm and 41mm case sizes with an edge-to-edge always-on retina display, aluminum and stainless steel finishes, GPS + cellular modes, and the same battery life.
However, what differentiates the Apple Watch Series 8 from its predecessors is the wearable’s new health features, temperature sensor, and updated chip — the S8 — which is around 20% faster than the previous S7 chip, and new aluminum colors.
Image: The Apple Post
The Apple Watch Series 8 overall is a relatively minor upgrade over last year’s Apple Watch Series 7, which packs many of the same features available in this year’s flagship, including Apple’s all-new Low Power Mode, which is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer with watchOS 9.
Apple Watch Series 8: Hands-On First Impressions
We’ve picked up the largest 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 with the silver stainless steel case and new midnight Braided Solo Loop band. The wearable comes packaged with the Apple Watch Magnetic Fast Charger to USB-C Cable, without a USB-C brick.
Apple focused heavily on the new health and safety features available in the Apple Watch Series 8 during its ‘Far out’ special event where the new wearable was announced. One of the key new features of the Apple Watch Series 8 was the new temperature-sensing capabilities, which will be used primarily for checking body temperature during sleep to provide insights into nightly shifts in baseline temperature, as well as to provide retrospective ovulation estimates to help with family planning, expanding Apple’s existing Cycle Tracking capabilities.
Despite temperature-sensing capabilities being one of the Apple Watch Series 8’s top new features, the sensor will only be of use to half (if not less) of the Apple Watch user base. Retrospective ovulation estimates, of course, will be a useful tool for female Apple Watch users, and body temperature detection during sleep will only apply to those who wear their Apple Watch to bed.
The 20% speed improvement with the new S8 chip is a welcomed upgrade but is relatively unnoticeable compared to the Apple Watch Series 7.
Image: The Apple Post
Design-wise, there is no doubt that the Apple Watch Series 8 is well-built. The watch features narrow borders that push the screen right to the edge, resulting in an overflow of the display that follows the curvature of the case.
The bright, always‑on display allows you to check the time without having to raise your wrist, with the display made from a thick front crystal which Apple says is crack resistant, dust resistant, and water resistant.
Image: The Apple Post
I opted for the Midnight-colored Braided Solo Loop. It shocked me how blue-looking this band is compared to Apple’s imagery online. Thankfully, I’m a fan of blue, but if I wasn’t, I’d be in for an unwelcomed surprise.
All in all, in iPhone terms, the Apple Watch Series 8 is very much an “S-syle” upgrade. It would have been more fitting for Apple to name the new Apple Watch the “Apple Watch 7S,” as while temperature-sensing capabilities and minor speed improvements are welcomed new additions, the wearable lacks any significant new features that would justify an upgrade from last year’s Apple Watch Series 7.
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