Compare the Apple Watch Series 8 to the Apple Watch Series 7
New: the Apple Watch Series 9
Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 9 in September 2023. This Apple Watch responds faster than the Series 8 and the screen is brighter. You can control the Apple Watch 9 with a tap of your index finger and thumb.
View the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 7
- Battery life up to 36 hours
- Body temperature sensor
- Fall detection and accident detection
- ECG and optical heart rate sensor
- No connection via 4G
- Doesn't work with Android smartphones
- Battery life up to 36 hours
- Body temperature sensor
- Fall detection and accident detection
- ECG and optical heart rate sensor
- Always stay connected via 4G
- Doesn't work with Android smartphones
- Battery life up to 36 hours
- No body temperature sensor
- Only fall detection
- ECG and optical heart rate sensor
- No connection via 4G
- Doesn't work with Android smartphones
- Battery life up to 36 hours
- No body temperature sensor
- Only fall detection
- ECG and optical heart rate sensor
- Always stay connected via 4G
- Doesn't work with Android smartphones
Sports and health functions
Series 8: temperature sensor and accident detection
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a new and extra accurate temperature sensor. This sensor also constantly tracks your temperature at night. This way, your Apple Watch can identify possible deviations in your menstrual cycle. A deviating cycle can indicate that you're ill or that you will be. The Apple Watch also calculates when your fertile windows was. That's useful if you want to start or expand your family. The accident detection is another addition. If you're in a car accident, the Watch automatically sends a notification to emergency services and your emergency contacts.
Series 7: no temperature sensor, only fall detection
The Series 7 doesn't have the new temperature sensor. You can track your menstruation, but you need to enter the data yourself. The notifications for a deviating cycle and predictions of your fertile window are less accurate than with the Series 8. The Apple Watch Series 7 doesn't have accident detection, only regular fall detection. Your Watch does send out an emergency message when you fall, but not when you're in a car accident.
Size and design
Series 8: same design, fewer colors
The Apple Watch Series 8 looks the same as the Series 7, with the same thin bezels. The size also stayed the same. You can choose between 41mm and 45mm. The Series 8 aluminum is available in the 4 colors Midnight (black), Starlight (white gold), red, and silver. Unlike the Series 7, it's not available in green and blue. For the stainless-steel version, there are 3 extra colors. These are black, silver, and graphite. There's no Nike edition with a special sports strap.
Series 7: more colors and a Nike version
The Apple Watch Series 7 has a slightly larger screen than on previous Apple Watch models. The bezels are a bit thinner. This way, you'll have more space to view your health data and to answer messages. The Apple Watch Series 7 aluminum is available in 5 colors. There are also 3 extra colors for the 4G version. In addition, there's a special edition with a Nike sports strap. This strap has extra ventilation holes for extra ventilation while you exercise.
Both models: better battery life
The improved battery life of the Apple Watch Series 8 is a nice change. If you turn on the energy-saving mode, the battery can last 36 hours instead of 18. That way, it's not a problem if you forget your charger on a daytrip. In the battery saving mode, functions like the Always On screen are turned off. Most functions stay enables. The Apple Watch Series 7 and other older models also get this improvement, thanks to the upgrade to watchOS 9.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Series 8 looks the same as the Series 7, but it has a few new functions. The energy-saving mode is useful, but that's also available on the Series 7. The Series 8 has a new body temperature sensor so identify deviations in your menstrual cycle, for example. Thanks to the new accident detection, you can feel safer when you get in the car.
