Living with the Apple Watch Series 8: A Year in Review

As we anticipate the release of the Apple Watch Series 9, with the possibility of higher costs and incremental upgrades, it's time to evaluate the lasting appeal of the Apple Watch Series 8. After more than six months of daily use, we provide an in-depth review to assist you in deciding whether to wait for the Series 9 or take advantage of potential discounts on the Series 8.

The Apple Watch Series 8 maintains the familiar design cues of its predecessor, bearing a striking resemblance to the Watch Series 7. In this review, we're focusing on the 41mm Aluminum (GPS + Cellular) variant, which shares identical dimensions (41 x 35 x 10.7 mm) and weight (32 g) with the Watch Series 7. As the name suggests, the Aluminum model's case is crafted from 100% recycled aluminum, and the 1.69" display is protected by Ion-X glass (with Sapphire crystal reserved for the stainless steel models).

Located on the Apple Watch Series 8, the left side houses the speaker, while the right side features the microphone, accompanied by the recents/side button and the Digital Crown adorned with a distinctive red accent. These control elements offer a satisfying tactile experience, with the Digital Crown, in particular, providing smooth and responsive scrolling. Even after extended use, both the button and the crown have maintained their tactile feedback. Additionally, the crown serves a pivotal role in ECG measurements, which we'll delve into further in the Performance section.

Apple Watch Series 8 41mm Aluminum came bundled with black-colored Sport Band

The back panel of the Apple Watch Series 8 boasts a glossy ceramic finish and supports magnetic charging. It incorporates a smart design with the heart rate sensor and SpO2 sensor positioned on a raised plate, preventing the build-up of dirt and ensuring consistent skin contact for precise measurements. Additionally, a temperature sensor is cleverly integrated into the crystal, complemented by another sensor beneath the display.

On the rear side, you'll find two buttons designed for easy strap removal. Our review unit came with the standard Sport Band package in black, comprising both S/M and M/L strap pieces suitable for wrists ranging from 130 to 200 mm. These straps are crafted from a "custom high-performance fluoroelastomer," a material Apple touts for its blend of durability, strength, and surprising softness.

Speaker on the left side • Microphone on the right side, flanked by recent button and digital crown

The included straps indeed offer a high level of comfort, particularly considering the watch's weight. Wearing them throughout the night and during workouts proved to be a pleasant experience. However, it's worth noting that these bands feature a pin-and-tuck closure mechanism, which initially posed a bit of a challenge for me and even led to some comical moments. It had been quite some time since I had used straps of this design (the last instance being with the Oppo Watch a few years ago), and the learning curve may be a bit steep for those unfamiliar with this style. However, once you grasp the technique, donning the Watch Series 8 on your wrist becomes a straightforward and speedy task.

However, I encountered some issues with the bundled strap design, which unfortunately caused irritation and rashes on my wrist. As a result, I decided to explore alternative options and opted for a couple of third-party straps that aligned better with my preference for a more traditional style. Given the vast array of accessories available for Apple products, I had no trouble finding suitable replacements.

It's also important to highlight that the Apple Watch Series 8 boasts an IP6X dust-resistant rating and is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it completely "swimproof." This level of water resistance means you can confidently wear it in the shower without any concerns.

Health app

I have a strong appreciation for the overall design of the Apple Watch Series 8. Although it maintains a striking similarity to its predecessor, it radiates a sense of robustness. Remarkably, despite experiencing a few accidental drops over the course of several months, it remains entirely free of any scratches.

Shifting focus to the display, the 41mm iteration of the Apple Watch Series 8 features a 1.69" screen with a sharp 430x352-pixel resolution, while the 45mm model steps up to a 1.9" display boasting a resolution of 484x396 pixels. Both variants incorporate Always-On Retina LTPO OLED panels, capable of delivering up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness and protected by Sapphire Crystal Glass.

The Retina display on the Watch Series 8 is a visual delight, offering a convenient three-level brightness adjustment. Even at maximum brightness, I encountered no difficulties in viewing on-screen content outdoors, even under direct sunlight. Furthermore, the smartwatch comes equipped with an ambient light sensor that adeptly fine-tunes brightness settings, ensuring optimal visibility in diverse lighting environments.

While the Apple Watch Series 8 offers a variety of watch faces compatible with the Always-On Display (AOD), it's important to note that AOD can be easily toggled on or off through the Settings app on the smartwatch or via the Watch app on your paired iPhone. Additionally, the Watch Series 8 incorporates wear detection technology, automatically deactivating the AOD when it detects that you're not wearing the watch.

However, one limitation to be aware of is that AOD cannot be scheduled to activate and deactivate automatically at specified times each day. As a result, the screen remains illuminated during the night, potentially causing disruption to others in the room, even with reduced brightness. Moreover, this continuous display activity can lead to unnecessary battery drainage and an increased likelihood of unintended touches on the screen.

The Apple Watch Series 8 is designed to seamlessly integrate with iPhones from the 8 or later models running iOS 16 or later. At its initial launch, it came equipped with watchOS 9.0, and as of the latest update, it's operating on watchOS 9.6.1. For optimal functionality, the Series 8 utilizes three core apps: Watch, Health, and Fitness, all of which come pre-installed on the iPhone 13 used for this review.

Both the Watch and Fitness apps feature user-friendly and uncluttered interfaces, which I found to be quite intuitive. The Health app, while not overly complicated, could benefit from improved data presentation, as some health information may be less straightforward to access or interpret.

A year down the road, you might be wondering whether to invest in the Apple Watch Series 8 or hold out for the Watch Series 9. If we lend an ear to the rumors, it appears that the Apple Watch Series 9 won't introduce any groundbreaking changes, as it's expected to remain largely similar to the Watch Series 8. The primary anticipated improvement is a new chip based on Apple's A15 SoC, which could potentially enhance the smartwatch's performance and efficiency.

Considering these factors, along with the likelihood that Apple may address the software issues we've mentioned through subsequent updates, there doesn't seem to be a compelling reason to delay your purchase, especially if you come across an enticing deal. As we draw closer to the September 12 Apple event, retailers may be inclined to clear out their existing stock at discounted prices in anticipation of the Watch Series 9 release. So, if you spot a great offer, it's certainly worth considering.