The Apple Watch Series 8 replaces the Apple Watch Series 7 in Apple's smartwatch lineup, but how different are the two successive smartwatch generations?
In 2021, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 7, including features like taller casing sizes with larger displays, slimmer bezels, improved durability, and faster charging technology. The Apple Watch Series 7 has now been discontinued by Apple, and as year-old models, prices at third-party resellers are falling. As such, some customers may be weighing up whether to upgrade to a Series 7 or a Series 8.
The Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 share the overwhelming majority of their features, so should you consider buying or sticking with the Series 7 to save money? This breakdown also serves as a way to see all the differences that the new Apple Watch brings to the table.
Differences
| Apple Watch Series 7 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|
| S7 chip | S8 chip (Same CPU as S7) |
| Gyroscope and accelerometer | More powerful gyroscope and high dynamic range accelerometer |
| - | Crash Detection |
| Third-generation optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, and blood oxygen sensor | Optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor for ECG, blood oxygen sensor, and body temperature sensor |
| - | Wrist temperature sensing during sleep |
| - | Cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimates |
| Aluminum casing in Midnight, Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), Blue, or Green | Aluminum casing in Midnight, Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), or Silver |
| Stainless Steel casing in Gold, Silver, or Graphite | Stainless Steel casing in Gold, Silver, or Graphite |
| Titanium casing in Titanium or Space Black | - |
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a very minor upgrade over the Series 7, with the body temperature sensor and Crash Detection being the only significant changes, meaning that it is difficult to recommend upgrading. Many Apple Watch Series 7 users will likely not be able to justify upgrading to the Series 8, but some customers coming from an older model could still have good reason to preference the latest models, namely those who do not have an iPhone 14 model with Crash Detection and women who want to take advantage of the cycle tracking features. The Apple Watch Series 8 is very similar to the Series 7, so customers who have an older Apple Watch model and are looking for an upgrade may prefer to look for a discounted Apple Watch Series 7.
Related Roundup: Apple Watch Series 9
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Top Rated Comments
18 months ago
I’m still rocking the S4 - still have a good 83% battery, runs the latest OS and everything.
I’m looking to upgrade this year, but even for me, the newer sensors make no difference since I won’t personally use them. The thermometer/temp sensor would be the one to look for since it could come in handy.
But I have no issue sticking to the 4 until I see a good redesign or the battery doesn’t hold anymore.
18 months ago
If MacRumors can speculate then I can as well:
If you have a Series 7 then there isn’t a reason to upgrade to the yet to be announced Series 8.
18 months ago
…the watch should be in a 2 year cycle, not much innovation neither features, i might cop on series 8 though.
18 months ago
Why even ask this question... should we upgrade from 7 to 8? Less than 1% of people get a new watch each year. But the question implies that this is a real consideration.
18 months ago
My Watch 7 is fine. I'm sitting on my Apple toy money until the new large screen iMac comes out.
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