The Apple Watch Series 8 is a powerful, feature-packed smartwatch that builds on the success of its predecessors. While it may not bring groundbreaking changes, it refines existing features and adds some useful new ones, making it one of the best smartwatches available in 2024.
Design and Display
The design of the Series 8 is largely similar to previous models like the Series 7. It features a sleek aluminum or stainless-steel body with a bright and clear always-on OLED display. The screen is highly responsive, making navigating apps and checking notifications easy. Though some might argue that the design feels too familiar, the display quality is stunning, especially for a wearable device.
Fitness and Health Tracking
One of the standout features of the Apple Watch Series 8 is its comprehensive fitness and health tracking capabilities. With watchOS 9, the fitness app now provides advanced metrics like heart rate zones, stride length, and ground contact time, handy for runners and athletes. Whether you’re doing yoga, HIIT workouts, or outdoor runs, the GPS and sensors ensure accurate tracking.
For health-conscious users, the Series 8 adds body temperature sensors for improved sleep tracking and menstrual cycle predictions, including ovulation estimates. This feature requires around a month of tracking for accuracy but can be a game-changer for those looking to conceive.
Crash Detection and Safety Features
A noteworthy addition to Series 8 is Crash Detection. Using a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, and advanced algorithms, the watch can detect if you’ve been in a severe car accident and automatically call emergency services. While there have been occasional false alarms (such as when someone was on a roller coaster), it remains a potentially life-saving feature.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, the Apple Watch Series 8 delivers a similar performance to its predecessors, lasting about 18 hours on a full charge. However, the new low-power mode extends this to around 36 hours by limiting some features, which can be helpful during long trips.
Pros:
- Advanced fitness and health tracking with accurate metrics.
- Crash detection for added safety.
- Bright, responsive always-on OLED display.
- watchOS 9 improvements with better workout and medication reminders.
Cons:
- Minimal design changes from previous models.
- Battery life could be better, especially with the always-on display.
- Some features, like temperature-based ovulation tracking, may not be useful for everyone.
Overall Rating: 9.4/10
The Apple Watch Series 8 continues to be one of the best choices for anyone in the market for a smartwatch, particularly if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem. Its blend of advanced fitness tracking, safety features, and user-friendly interface makes it a strong contender, although the incremental upgrades might not justify an upgrade if you already own a recent model.