Review: Apple Watch Series 8
Are you on the lookout for the latest and greatest smartwatch? Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Apple Watch Series 8 to see if it’s worth the investment. In this article, we’ll review the latest addition to the Apple Watch family, its features, and its design.
Design and Features
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a similar appearance to the Series 7, with a rectangular face and rounded corners. You can choose between 41mm and 45mm screen sizes, with prices starting at £419 and £449 respectively for the aluminum case versions. There’s also a 4G version that requires an eSIM (from £529, plus carrier fees).
It comes with a silicone strap, available in various colors, including blue, purple, green, and orange, but other alternatives are available, including leather or metallic linked bracelets, at an additional cost.
The Series 8 has built-in GPS, both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a color OLED display that’s permanently switched on by default. The screen has a resolution of 484 x 396 pixels on the 45mm version and 352 x 430 on the 41mm model, which is still a high resolution for a watch of this size.
To use the Series 8, it needs to be paired with an iPhone running iOS 15 or later. Unfortunately, like all Apple Watches, it isn’t compatible with Android phones.
Fitness and Health Tracking
The Apple Watch Series 8 is a good option for a fitness all-rounder, with a built-in GPS and water resistance up to 50 meters. You can track many different activities, including running, cycling, swimming, rowing, yoga, and more. It also has a built-in altimeter that can track your elevation when you’re out for a hike or bike ride.
The Series 8 has a SpO2 sensor and can take electrocardiogram (ECG) readings. It can also alert you if it detects irregular heart rhythms. Additionally, it has a fall-detection system that will make an emergency call if it believes you’ve had a hard fall and aren’t able to get back up.
Exciting New Features
The Series 8 has several exciting new features, such as an accelerometer that can detect if you’ve been involved in a car crash and automatically call emergency services if you don’t respond within 20 seconds. It also has a sensor that can detect changes in your skin temperature, which you can use to get a better understanding of your menstrual cycle and track when you might be ovulating. Men can also use this feature to learn more about their general well-being.
Smart Features
The Series 8 has a wide range of smart features, including the ability to read and respond to texts, WhatsApp messages, and emails, as well as receive calendar, weather, and social media notifications. You can also use it to make contactless payments via Apple Pay, control music playing from your phone, or store music on the watch itself using its 32GB internal memory.
Setup and Battery Life
The setup process is straightforward, with all the necessary apps already installed. When you activate the watch, your phone will detect it automatically and start the pairing process. You can then choose between different options, such as the font size you prefer, or whether to have the display permanently switched on.
The Apple Watch Series 8 has improved battery life compared to the Series 7, lasting around two and a half days with normal usage. However, it is not as good as some rival models, and using GPS drains the battery considerably. It takes an hour and a half to fully recharge, and the magnetic charging cradle is excellent.
Is It Worth the Upgrade?
In conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a fantastic smartwatch with a sleek design, a wide range of fitness and health tracking features, and exciting new capabilities. Its improved battery life and ease of use make it a great option for those in the market for a new smartwatch. However, it may not be worth upgrading from the Series 7, as the differences between the two are minimal. If you already own an Apple Watch Series 6 or earlier, the Series 8 may be a worthwhile upgrade. Overall, the Apple Watch Series 8 is an impressive device that is worth considering if you’re looking for a new smartwatch.
