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Apple Watch Series 8: Features, release date, body temperature sensor, deals, more

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watchOS 9 Apple Watch series 8

The Apple Watch Series 8 was introduced during Apple’s September “Far Out” event with a new body-temperature sensor, crash detection, and more. Read on as we round up everything new with this Watch.

History

How to pair Apple Watch new iPhone

The Apple Watch was first introduced in 2015 and quickly became the best-selling wearable device of the year, reportedly selling 4.2 million units in Q2 2015. When the company introduced the Apple Watch Series 2 later in 2016, Apple labeled the original Apple Watch as “Series 0” while bringing an updated chip with “Series 1” and a brand new “Series 2” Watch.

When Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017 a lot of things changed. The company started seeing the Watch more like a fitness device rather than a fashion one, although it was available in aluminum, stainless steel, and ceramic models. This Watch had a chip 70% faster than its predecessor, increased RAM, and introduced the LTE cellular connectivity variant with 16GB of storage.

Apple Watch Series 4, which launched a year later, featured a major redesign with a screen that was 30% bigger in both models and a 50% improvement on its processor over the Series 3 version. Speakers and microphones were rearranged so they were louder and more useful, and Series 4 introduced the fall detection feature, ECG capabilities, and the second-generation heart rate monitor.

Why I bought a ceramic Apple Watch Series 5 two years later

In 2019, the Apple Watch Series 5 was a notable upgrade over the Series 4: Apple introduced an Always-On display with an energy-saving LTOP OLED screen, a built-in compass, doubled the storage to 32GB, and brought back the Edition tier with a ceramic model and a brand new titanium version.

In 2020, Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 6. This Watch brought a new S6 processor, up to 20% faster than its predecessor, a brighter Always-On display, a blood oxygen app, and an always-on altimeter, alongside new health sensors.

In 2021, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Series 7 with a more durable and larger display, now with 41mm and 45mm options. The Watch is more crack-resistant and can charge faster than previous models. It has the same processor as the Series 6 and maintains the three finishes: aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium.

In 2022, the Apple Watch Series 8 was announced with a new body-temperature sensor focused on sleep health and cycle tracking. It has the same processor as the Series 6 and only two finishes: aluminum and stainless steel.

Apple Watch Series 8: Specs and features

Apple Watch series 8

Same display as the Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 8 features the same Apple Watch Series 7 display, which has 20% more screen area and thinner borders at 1.7mm, making it 40% smaller than those on Apple Watch Series 6.

This new Apple Watch is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. While the wrist is down, the Always-On Retina display is brighter indoors than the previous Watch, making it easier to see the watch’s face without having to lift the wrist or wake the display.

The Watch has also been certified IP6X dust-resistant and has a water resistance rating of WR50, making it a good choice for swimming performances and making users stay relaxed while on the beach or the desert.

Performance

Apple Watch Series 8 has the same processor as the 2020 Apple Watch Series 6. Even though it has a new name, called S8, it has the same CPU power. It’s not the first time Apple does something like that. With the Apple Watch Series 5, the S5 chip had the same performance as the S4 SoC but brought a Compass feature built-in as well.

The S8 SiP has a 64-bit dual-core processor and features 32GB of storage. As the S6 chip, it’s 20% faster than the processor found inside the original Apple Watch SE.

Body temperature sensor

One of the most important features of the Apple Watch Series 8 is the new body temperature sensor enabling “further insights into women’s health,” according to Apple. The two-sensor design reduces bias from the outside environment and the body itself. With the new capabilities, users can receive retrospective ovlution estimates.

Temperature sensing also enables improved period predictions for users who menstruate. With watchOS 9, Cycle Tracking users can now receive a notification if their logged cycle history shows a possible deviation.

Crash Detection

In addition to the body temperature sensor, the Apple Watch Series 8 feature two new motion sensors and a sensor-fusion algorithm that makes the Apple Watch detect a severe car crash with Crash Detection.

When Apple Watch detects a severe car crash, the device will check in with the user and dial emergency services if they are unresponsive after a 10-second countdown. Emergency responders will receive the user’s device location, which is also shared with emergency contacts.

Apple Watch finishes

These are the Apple Watch Series 8 finishes:

Aluminum

  • Midnight;
  • Starlight;
  • Silver,
  • (PRODUCT)RED.

Stainless Steel

  • Silver;
  • Graphite;
  • Gold

watchOS 9 features

get watchOS 9

Here are the top watchOS 9 features:

  • Apple is bringing four new Watch Faces: Lunar, Playtime, Metropolitan, and Astronomy while revamping older ones; 
  • The new Workout app now lets you see more while working out by showing Activity rings, Heart Rate Zones, Power, and Elevation;
  • With Sleep stages, you can see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep, as well as when you might have woken up;
  • With the new Medication app, you can have reminders for medications, while helping you discreetly and conveniently keep track of your medications, vitamins, and supplements.
  • Low Power mode makes the Apple Watch Series 8 “all-day battery” reach up to 36 hours without being charged.

watchOS 9.1

Apple is currently testing watchOS 9.1.

Release date: When will Apple Watch Series 8 come out?

Apple Watch Series 8 was announced during September’s “Far Out” event. It became available on September 16.

Price: How much Apple Watch Series 8 cost?

Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399. The prices are the same as the last year’s model, as you can see below:

  • Aluminum, 40mm, GPS: $399
  • Aluminum, 40mm, GPS + Cellular: $499
  • Aluminum, 44mm, GPS: $429
  • Aluminum, 44m, GPS + Cellular: $529
  • Stainless steel, 40mm, GPS + Cellular: $699
  • Stainless steel, 44mm, GPS + Cellular: $749

Lower prices may be available from Apple’s official Amazon store.

Deals

Over at 9to5Toys, you can find the best deals on the Apple Watch Series 8 and other Apple products. Download the 9to5Toys iPhone app to receive push notifications for new deals as well.

Comment: 4 reasons to go for Apple Watch Series 8 or earlier

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Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8 vs SE: What’s the best pick?

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There’s more variety than ever in the Apple Watch lineup thanks to the new Ultra model and updated SE. That means there’s a lot to consider between the latest wearables and also their predecessors. Read on for a detailed look at Apple Watch Ultra vs Series 8 vs SE, and more to figure out what’s the best pick for you or someone you’re shopping for.

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Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7 and earlier: What’s the best choice?

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How Crash Detection works: Apple execs explain amid rollercoaster activations

How Crash Detection works | Rescue exercise at night

Apple has explained more about how Crash Detection works, amid reports of the feature being triggered on rollercoaster rides. Two senior executives have said that reliably detecting a car crash is complicated.

The company says that it uses a wide variety of clues, including things as unlikely-seeming as Wi-Fi signals …

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Roller coasters are triggering iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Crash Detection, here’s a workaround

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Crash Detection is a valuable new safety feature that’s arrived with the iPhone 14 lineup and the new Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, and SE 2. But even though Apple uses all-new hardware, an advanced algorithm, and over a million hours of crash data, false positives are still possible. As it turns out, roller coasters have been causing a number of erroneous automatic 911 calls by tricking Apple’s Crash Detection. Here’s what’s happening and a workaround until there’s an update.

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Apple Watch Series 8: Hands-on with the new Hermès Lucky Horse face

You knew it was coming. We couldn’t just sit by when the hottest watch face of all the land came exclusively to Apple’s Hermès line of watches.

That’s why I braved the line, at a UPS customer center no less, to pick up my Apple Watch Series 8 Hermès and give you all a hands-on look at its Lucky Horse watch face.

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Apple Store iPhone 14 photos shared by company as first customers arrive

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The company has so far shown Apple Store photos from Singapore and China, and typically adds photos from stores in other time zones as they open …

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Apple Watch Series 8 and SE 2 reviews: Body-temperature sensor explained, software features praised

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Here are all the new Apple videos, following yesterday’s iPhone 14 launch

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Apple yesterday announced the four new iPhone 14 models, the Apple Watch Series 8, the Apple Watch Ultra, a new Apple Watch SE, and 2nd-gen AirPods Pro – and now has 11 new Apple videos to show them off.

From fast-paced headlines to the full keynote presentation, you can watch them all below …

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Apple Watch Ultra preorders showing up to a 7-week wait, depending on band

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How Apple Watch Ultra battery life compares to the rest of the lineup

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Apple Watch Ultra: Apple unveils new pro Series 8 for extreme sports, pre-order today for September 23 launch

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Samsung drops Classic watch for rugged Pro version ahead of Apple Watch Series 8 Pro

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