Major health-tracking upgrades
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I’m so deep into the Apple ecosystem that I’ll need the Apple Watch Backtrack feature (an actual safety feature that gets you back to your starting point if you get lost during an activity, like a hike) to find my way out. But I like it here.
I’ve been testing the Apple Watch Series 8 for the past few months — my first experience with an Apple Watch. I was so late to adoption because I didn’t want another thing to charge. We live in a time of charging over-saturation. Until smart people figure out a better solution to battery lifespans, I limit my needs-charging technology to my phone (iPhone 14, to be specific, read the review).
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But now I charge the Apple Watch because it’s a wonderful extension of my phone and it’s packed with useful fitness and health information. And it tells the time. Always (thanks to the Always-On display).
This is a review of the Apple Watch Series 8, which includes a comparison to the SE and Ultra models that launched at the same time. The review is intended for the average user, because I, the tester, am an average user.
What: Apple Watch Series 8 (also mentioned below, the new Apple Watch SE which starts at $329 and Apple Watch Ultra which starts at $1,099)
Cost: From $529
Where to buy: Apple | Best Buy | Amazon
Release date: Sept. 16, 2022
Specs
Size: Available in 45mm or 41mm
Display: Ion-X glass (aluminum) | sapphire crystal (stainless steel)
Processor: S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor
Battery: Up to 18 hours, fast charging allows you to charge up to 80 per cent in around 45 minutes
Finishes: Aluminum – Midnight, Starlight (light rose gold), Silver, Product(RED) | Stainless steel – Silver, Graphite, Gold
Sensors: Blood oxygen sensor, electrical heart sensor, third-generation optical heart sensor, temperature sensor, Crash Detection, GPS, compass, ambient light sensor and more
Summary
The Apple Watch Series 8’s main differentiators from previous models include fitness and health features and speedy charging. In general, I like how the watch keeps me focused on work and accountable for fitness, It also looks great on my wrist. The Series 8 has more features than the SE but the Ultra has most of all. The SE is less expensive and has almost the same features as the 8, minus a few like the Always-On display and health capabilities. The Ultra costs almost twice as much as the 8 but is packed with features, best suited for extreme adventurers.
New and noteworthy: Quick-charge, temperature sensors and other health features
Many of the Series 8 new features focus on health, wellness and safety. The major upgrades include temperature sensing and advanced Cycle Tracking, Crash Detection, redesigned Compass app, extended battery life and fast charging.
Crash Detection is a feature that detects serious car accidents and subsequently calls emergency services. Gonna trust Apple’s testing on this one. The updated Compass app includes Backtrack, a function that can retrace your steps if you get lost or disoriented. You can turn on Backtrack when you’re starting an activity like hiking or it will automatically start when you lose reception/Wifi.
Quick-charge/extended battery life: As mentioned, I don’t like charging technology, especially a watch, which seems like a step back in technology. But the Watch does charge really quickly, up to 80 per cent around 45 minutes. The battery lasts for up to 18 hours on a full charge and can extend to 36 on Low Power Mode (which is easy to turn on).
For around an hour each day, you’ll need to charge the watch. If sleep-tracking interests you, you may want to set it to Low Power Mode before bed and charge in the morning. I don’t sleep with it on because my wrist likes to be bare when resting, so it gets all powered up overnight. My daily routine is very happy to welcome its most recent addition, charging Apple Watch 8.
Temperature sensors: One watch, two sensors. The watch has a temperature sensor on the front and back to accommodate outside environment bias. If you wear your watch at night and have Sleep Focus and Sleep Tracking enabled, the sensors will take your temperature to help provide insights on your overall health (you must wear it for five nights initially to get your baseline temperature).
The temperature sensors can also share insight with cycle tracking. And it was through this research that I learned that our body temperature rises after ovulation. Apple Watch 8 Series can retrospectively estimate ovulation times based on this data. This could be useful for family planning and period prediction.
ECG and Blood Oxygen apps: The 8 can act as an electrocardiogram (ECG) through the ECG app. It’s so easy to use, too. You just open the app and put your finger on the little spinny wheel (Apple calls it the Digital Crown) on the side of the watch, and in 30 seconds, you get to see if your heart rhythm is normal. The data is stored in the Health app and can be exported as a PDF to share with your doctor.
Key differences between Series 8, SE and Ultra
SE: The SE is similar to the Series 8 minus the extra health capabilities like the ECG app and temperature sensors. It also doesn’t have the Always-On screen which is a function that allows you to always see your watch face. And the SE doesn’t get the “certified IP6X dust resistant” distinction.
Available colours: Midnight (shiny black), starlight (light gold) and silver.
Series 8: Series 8 has all the new features listed above. It’s currently the top-of-the-line model for most wearers. The Ultra is intended for more extreme activities like scuba diving and mountain climbing.
Available colours: Aluminum options are starlight, midnight, silver and product (red), stainless steel options are silver, graphite (shiny grey) and gold.
Ultra: The Ultra can essentially take you higher and deeper. It’s corrosion resistant, perfect for mountainous conditions, and can take water temperature readings up to 40 metres deep, ideal for the scuba diver. The Ultra also has an 86-decibel siren that can be activated to attract attention. It has many more features and can do everything the Series 8 can do too.
Available colours: Only a silver titanium
Favourite features: Fitness tracker, personalization, iPhone integration, focus
Fitness tracker: I feel more empowered to make health and lifestyle decisions. The fitness tracker can do so many useful things like record (approximate) calories burned in a workout and throughout the day. It can tell you what your heart rate is so you can adjust your exertion level. It also gives you little reminders to stand and move. I feel like the watch is giving me attitude when it vibrates and tells me “it’s time to stand” but then I remember to peel myself out of my chair and stand.
Personalization: Ultimately, if I don’t like the look of the watch, there’s a huge chance I’m not wearing it every day. The Apple Watch has so many ways to personalize your experience, from the colour of the watch to seemingly endless face and band options. I’ve spent the last few months testing the watch and convincing myself that I don’t need this Hermès (or this one) band. I’m not fully convinced yet but got the much more affordable scrunchie and leather bands from Amazon and they’re great.
iPhone integration: Though I go on a rant below about how there are too many apps in this world, the Watch-iPhone integration is seamless. Setting up the watch in the first place is super easy. And then the two work wonderfully together, for example, the watch has a teeny tiny keyboard that can’t realistically be used by adult fingers, but a normal-sized one automatically pops up on your iPhone for an ideal typing experience.
Focus: Because the Apple Watch and iPhone are best friends, I don’t need to be attached to my phone. The watch shows all key notifications for work and social (if turned on) so I can stay in the loop without having the opportunity to be distracted by the Instagram and TikToks of the world.
Least favourite feature: Too many apps
Apps on apps: Just like the oversaturation of technology that needs to be charged, too many products require an app. I have an air purifier, toaster and indoor garden that have an app. I’m referring to the apps you need on your phone to optimally use the watch, not the apps on the actual watch. If you want the full functionality of the ECG, health, fitness, sleep and the overall watch, those are five separate apps for your phone.
Overall recommendation
I love the watch. It’s very clear that phone brands should be used with their corresponding watches. So Pixel phones should be used with Pixel watches and iPhones, the Apple Watch. If you’re looking for a smartwatch, you’ll likely want to stay in your phone’s ecosystem.
If you’re interested in an Apple Watch and are deciding among the three new options, I’d recommend the Ultra if you’re an extreme athlete/adventurer, the Series 8 if you’re not and the SE for a more affordable option or if it’s for a child.
What: Apple Watch Series 8 (also mentioned below, the new Apple Watch SE which starts at $329 and Apple Watch Ultra which starts at $1,099)
Cost: From $529
Where to buy: Apple | Best Buy | Amazon
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