Apple Watch Series 8 and SE (second generation).
Sofia Pitt
I’m trying something new Apple Watch Series 8 and second-generation Apple Watch SE ahead of Friday’s release.
If you already have an Apple Watch, the $399 Series 8 doesn’t have enough new features to justify the upgrade. Most of the worthwhile innovations are on Watch OS 9, which you can download as long as you have an Apple Watch Series 4 paired with an iPhone 8 or later.
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On the other hand, the Apple Watch SE has had a pretty big makeover. The new SE starts at $30 less than the first-generation SE at just $249. This is Apple’s most affordable watch yet, and it features new upgrades including the new Apple S8 processor – which delivers faster and smoother performance – low power mode, sleep tracking, and more. sleep, accident detectionand you can set up SE for a family member without an iPhone.
The Series 8 and SE are pretty much the same, except for the $150 price difference. The benefits you’ll get from paying a premium for the Series 8 are a few extra health tracking features and a larger screen.
($799 Apple Watch Ultrabuilt for extreme sports enthusiasts, won’t be available until September 23, and we’ll cover that as we get to work.)
Apple doesn’t break down its watch sales the way it does the iPad, iPhone, and Mac. However, the company’s Wearables, Home, and Accessories business — which includes the Apple Watch, HomePod, AirPods, and Apple TV — saw sales decline in Apple’s most recent quarter. $8.08 billion from $8.78 billion a year earlier. The two watches that go on sale on Friday probably won’t have much of an impact on this business segment, but the pricey Ultra – if successful – could help boost wearable sales for the next financial year. company, starting in October. (So does the new AirPods Pro 2, which I’ll review later.)
Here’s why I don’t keep splurging on the Series 8 and why the SE is such a great value.
Series 8 has a larger screen and is always on display
Series 8 comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm. Like the new one iPhone 14″ Pro or Pro Max, Series 8 comes with an always-on display, which means you can see the time even when your watch is inactive. You can choose an aluminum or stainless steel case. Aluminum is available in black, brown, silver and red colors. Stainless steel is available in black, silver and gold colors.
The second-generation Apple Watch SE comes in an aluminum case only in 44mm or 40mm, and it doesn’t have an always-on display. It comes in black, brown and silver colors.
While aluminum looks a bit cheaper, you might feel a little better knowing that the manufacturing process Apple is currently using for the 2022 SE reduces carbon emissions by more than 80%.
Apple Watch SE.
Sofia Pitt
I appreciate the scale of SE. The Apple Watch 8 feels a bit clunky when I use it, which is a complaint I’ve heard from my other female friends. I also found that because the SE is lighter in weight, it’s more comfortable to use for sleep tracking.
Both SE and Series 8 have the same S8 . processor
Despite being the cheaper model, the SE has the latest S8 processor, the same processor inside the Series 8. Apple says the upgrade makes the SE 20% faster than the first generation SE. in 2020.
The Series 8 also has a U1 chip, which the SE doesn’t have. This chip allows you to use location tracking in the Find My app.
I feel both watches operate at the same speed as mine. It’s easy to navigate on the watch between the workout, mindfulness, and weather apps without a hiccup.
Apple Watch Series 8.
Sofia Pitt
SE has fewer health features, but important ones
The SE features heart rate and fall detection, while the Series 8 can measure blood oxygen levels and an ECG app to monitor heart rate.
Series 8 features a new temperature sensor that allows menstrual cycle tracking with retrospective ovulation estimation.
While I appreciate that Apple is incorporating women’s health into its new watch, it’s hard for me to understand how retrospective ovulation would provide the data needed for women trying to conceive. . Instead of giving you data on when you ovulated last month, other wearables like Ava Fertility tell you when you’re actively ovulating so you can take advantage of your fertile window if you are trying to conceive.
Having heart rate notifications on the new SE can alert users to an unusually high or low heart rate, or an irregular rhythm that Apple says has helped save lives.
Apple Watch SE.
Sofia Pitt
There is an advancement in Series 8 that can provide users with important information. It now has AFib monitoring, which helps diagnose people with fibrillation, the most common type of irregular heartbeat. If you have that basic condition, I can understand wanting Series 8.
When it comes to both sleep modes, the watch offers comprehensive sleep tracking, although as I mentioned, the smaller and lighter SE is a bit more comfortable to wear to bed.
The new collision detection feature is available on both the SE and Series 8.
Series 8 has better battery life
Series 8 charges very quickly. Apple says it can recharge from 0 to 80% in 45 minutes and to 100% in about 75 minutes. I definitely noticed a difference when charging my Series 8.
When the Series 8 is in low power mode, the battery life is up to 36 hours. Both of these watches have up to 18 hours of “all-day” battery life.
If Apple wanted me to buy the Series 8, they would give it the same battery life as the new Ultra, which boasts 36 hours in regular mode and 60 hours in low power mode.
Low Power mode on Apple Watch SE.
Sofia Pitt
Having a wearable that only lasts 18 hours or less is disappointing. A few months ago I started using Oura Ring, it gives me many of the same stats as the Apple Watch, except that I forgot I was wearing it and it only needs to be charged from 3.5 to 4 once a day.
Which should you buy?
If you’ve never owned a smartwatch and you just want basic functions like notifications and activity monitoring, the SE is a great value. If you have a medical condition, such as an irregular heartbeat, the Series 8 can give you extra peace of mind.
The SE is also the perfect choice to buy for a child who is too young for a smartphone. You probably don’t want them to be on social media or texting, but setting them up with an SE can allow you to track their location and contact them in the event of an emergency.
If you’ve got a recent Apple Watch model, I’ve barely noticed a difference using the Series 8 versus my Series 7, or even a Series 5, so I wouldn’t recommend an upgrade. New health-tracking features like temperature sensors aren’t worthwhile enough to justify the price, especially since ovulation tracking is being sought-after.
