The Apple Watch Series 8 is the latest iteration of Apple’s flagship smartwatch lineup, and it brings significant upgrades to performance, battery life, and health features. As a follow-up to the highly successful Apple Watch Series 7, the Series 8 aims to further solidify its position as one of the best smartwatches on the market.

Design and Display

The Apple Watch Series 8 retains its predecessor’s sleek and sturdy design, but with some notable changes. The new model features a slightly larger display (41mm or 45mm) and a more robust aluminum case that supports improved durability. The watch also boasts a new ceramic back, which provides better scratch resistance.

The display on the Apple Watch Series 8 is one of its standout features. The Always-On Retina Display offers crisp and vibrant visuals with a resolution of up to 410 x 454 pixels (41mm) or 448 x 502 pixels (45mm). Colors are accurate, and the screen’s brightness is suitable for indoor use, although it may struggle in extremely bright environments.

Performance

The Apple Watch Series 8 is powered by Apple’s S8 chip, which provides a significant boost to performance compared to its predecessor. The new chip features a more efficient design that allows for faster app launching, smoother animations, and improved responsiveness.

For general tasks such as fitness tracking, notification management, and music control, the Apple Watch Series 8 performs admirably. However, demanding applications like gaming or video editing may require some patience due to the device’s limitations. Apple has also included a dedicated Neural Engine for added performance boosts.

Battery Life

One of the key areas where the Apple Watch Series 8 excels is battery life. According to Apple, users can expect up to 18 hours of use on a single charge. In our testing, we achieved around 16-17 hours of mixed usage, which is still quite impressive.

Health and Fitness Features

The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts an impressive array of health and fitness features, including:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) app with FDA clearance
• Fall detection with emergency SOS
• Enhanced Activity Rings with more detailed tracking
• New Mindfulness tools for stress management
• Integration with Apple Health+ for personalized fitness coaching

GPS and Cellular Connectivity

The Apple Watch Series 8 features built-in GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo support for accurate location tracking. It also supports cellular connectivity (optional) for standalone use, allowing users to receive calls, texts, and notifications without their iPhone.

Water Resistance

The Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a new rating of IP6X dust resistance, which provides better protection against dust ingress. The watch is also water-resistant up to 50 meters (164 feet), making it suitable for swimming or water sports.

Conclusion

The Apple Watch Series 8 is an outstanding smartwatch that checks most of the right boxes. Its improved performance, enhanced health features, and robust design make it an excellent choice for users who demand a high-end wearable experience.

While it may not be the best value proposition for budget-conscious buyers, the Apple Watch Series 8 is well worth considering for those who want the latest and greatest in smartwatch technology. With its competitive pricing starting at $399 (GPS model) and going up to $499 (GPS + Cellular model), the Apple Watch Series 8 is definitely a top contender in the wearable market.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: Apple S8 chip
• RAM: 1GB or 2GB
• Storage: Up to 32GB
• Display: Always-On Retina Display, up to 410 x 454 pixels (41mm) or 448 x 502 pixels (45mm)
• Battery Life: Up to 18 hours mixed usage
• Health and Fitness Features: ECG app, Fall detection, Enhanced Activity Rings, Mindfulness tools, Apple Health+ integration
• GPS and Cellular Connectivity: Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo support, Optional cellular connectivity (GPS + Cellular model)
• Water Resistance: IP6X dust resistance, up to 50 meters (164 feet) water-resistant