Smartphones receive yearly upgrades, and we’ve seen that trend continue with smartwatches, including wearables from Apple and Samsung. That means Apple fans may be considering the Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7.
Both smartwatches are among the best on the market, but is the Series 8 worth the upgrade over the previous generation? That’s the question we’re going to answer as we take a closer look at Apple’s flagship smartwatches.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Apple Watch Series 8 | Apple Watch Series 7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | September 23, 2022 | October 15, 2021 |
| Sizes | 41mm, 45mm | 41mm, 45mm |
| Display | 352 x 420, 396 x 484 | 352 x 420, 396 x 484 |
| Processor | S8 SiP 64-bit dual-core | S8 SiP 64-bit dual-core |
| Storage | 32GB | 32GB |
| Connectivity | LTE, UMTS, GPS, Cellular, Bluetooth 5.3 | LTE, UMTS, GPS, Cellular, Bluetooth 5 |
| Battery Life | 18 hours | 18 hours |
| Original MSRP | $399 | $399 |
Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7: What’s the Difference?
Despite leaks, you never know what you’re going to get with a yearly rollout from Apple. While there’s always room for improvement, the company kept things largely the same with the 2022 Apple smartwatch. If you’re trying to decide between the Series 7 or Series 8 Apple Watch, here’s what you’ll need to know.
Crash Detection
- Available in 41 mm and 45 mm sizes
- Battery lasts up to 18 hours or 36 hours on Low Power Mode
- Health features such as the ECG app, heart rate sensors, and blood-oxygen sensors
- Crash detection feature
- Numerous customization options
![Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS 45mm]](https://history-computer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/41lez0Kg9jL._SL500_.webp)
Crash Detection is a new feature from Apple, available on select iPhones and the Apple Watch. As the name implies, it can detect a crash and help the user get assistance. When triggered, a warning screen will give you the option to place a call to emergency services in your area.
You can swipe that away if everything is okay, but if it doesn’t hear from you within 10 seconds, it will contact them for you with some help from Siri. This helpful feature works by using a variety of sensors in the watch, including the gyroscope and accelerometer. It detects “G forces” while the microphone listens for crash sounds.
The sensors work alongside GPS and cellular networks to get help when you need it. The Apple Watch Series 8 has Crash Detection along with the
- Up to 20 percent faster
- Comes with enhanced workout metrics
- Available in a range of sizes and colors, with dozens of bands to choose from and watch faces with complications tailored to whatever you’re into.
- Get help when you need it with Crash Detection, Fall Detection, and Emergency SOS
- Get deep insights into your health, including notifications if you have an irregular rhythm or an unusually high or low heart rate
- Works seamlessly with your Apple devices and services. Unlock your Mac automatically. Find your devices with a tap. Pay and send money with Apple Pay. Apple Watch requires an iPhone 8 or later with the latest iOS version.
- Water-resistant to 50 meters
- Three finishes available and a redesigned, color-matched back case made with a new production process that reduces its carbon emissions by over 80 percent
- Small/medium size
You won’t find that feature on the company’s older watches or handsets – just the iPhone 14 lineup. As it’s built into watchOS 8 and iOS 16, so you can expect Crash Detection to find its way to more devices each year.
Temperature Sensors
Temperature sensors are nothing new on smartwatches. The sensor didn’t make its debut on the Apple Watch until the Series 8, and it’s a feature that’s handy while you’re sleeping or if you’re trying to track ovulation.
The Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch Ultra have two temperature sensors. One is on the back and the other rests just under the display on the front. The two sensors take samples of your temperature every 5 seconds while you sleep, and give you the details through the Health App.
It’s a handy feature, but it’s not a replacement for a thermometer, considering you can’t take your temp on demand. It can give you an idea if there are any changes from day to day and help with family planning, however.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7: What’s the Same?
Now that you know what’s different between the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 7 smartwatches, it’s time to take a look at the similarities.
Design
We still don’t have a round smartwatch from Apple, which has largely kept the design of its smartwatch the same. Not much has changed since its inception in the past few years, although it’s slimmer and sleeker than the previous generations.
Apple switched things up with the Apple Watch 7 and slimmed down the bezels. It’s a little curvier than older models, and so is the Apple Watch 8. Both from a distance and up close, we doubt you’ll be able to tell a difference between these smartwatches.
Design is an obvious draw unless you prefer the Blue and Green colorways from the iPhone 7. They didn’t make the cut this year, but everything else stays the same. That includes the displays and sizes of these watches at 41mm or 45mm.
Performance
Apple added a few new tricks with the Apple Watch 8, but the components didn’t change much from the Apple Watch Series 7. The newer smartwatch is powered by a 64-bit S8 SiP from Apple which is dual-core. It also has the company’s W3 wireless chip and U1 chip for ultra-wideband.
The Apple Watch 7 also has that technology, along with a similar processor. The 64-bit dual-core S7 SiP, was the same chip used in the Apple Watch 6. Both also have 32GB of internal storage and the same amount of memory under the hood.
Connectivity options like GPS and Wi-Fi are standard on both models, although Bluetooth gets an upgrade to 5.2 on the Series 8 smartwatch. In other words, you’re not going to notice a boost in performance between the Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7.
Features
- Midnight aluminum case with sport band
- Track your sleep and your fitness
- Blood oximeter and ECG apps
- Water and dust resistant
- Fall detection
- Listen to music and podcasts
One of the draws of Apple’s smartwatches are the features. There is a wealth of them on both models, whether you’re purchasing the wearable for fitness or simply to keep track of time.
You can keep track of medications, set reminders, or monitor your sleep with the Apple Watch. The digital crown has haptic feedback and a variety of sensors that can give you a quick breakdown of your health. That includes a 3rd generation optical heart rate sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, and an electrical heart rate sensor.
Want to go swimming in the Apple Watch Series 7 or Series 8? That’s not a problem thanks to an IP rating that keeps the smartwatch safe underwater for up to 50 meters. Overall, you can find the same features on older models of the Apple Watch as you will on the newer versions; they just run a little snappier.
The skin temperature sensor is the only significant difference between these smartwatches when it comes to features. It works alongside cycle or fertility tracking, which you can also track to a degree with the Apple Watch 7. It just doesn’t have dual sensors.
Battery Life
The Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 7 smartwatches are the type of wearable you want to show off. That’s only possible if you have enough battery life, and it’s not exactly convenient to remove and charge a smartwatch midday.
According to Apple, users will get around 18 hours of battery life during regular usage with the Always-on display turned on. You can kick that up to more than 40 hours with Low Power Mode at the expense of some functionality.
Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 7 have excellent battery life. You can also charge them back up quickly through fast charging. This feature can bring the smartwatches to an 80% charge in around 45 minutes.
Pricing and Availability
The last area in our Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7 comparison where these devices differ is price and availability. It may seem like a minor consideration, but not once you know how similar these smartwatches are.
Apple released the Series 7 smartwatch on October 15, 2021, almost a year before the Apple Watch 8. While you can’t buy it from Apple anymore, you can purchase the Apple Watch Series 7 through Amazon and other online retailers. How much of a discount you get depends on the retailer, color, and size.
You can pick up the Apple Watch 8 from Apple along with other select retailers. Prices start at $399 for the Series 8 and go up from there, whereas a new Series 7 is around $80 cheaper on average. You won’t find the Series 8 at a discount like you might with the Apple Watch 7, but you won’t have any trouble finding the color or style you want.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7: 4 Must-Know Facts
- Apple uses 100% recycled aluminum for the Apple Watch 7 and 8 cases.
- The Apple Watch Series 8 is the first Apple smartwatch with Crash Detection.
- Nike, Hermes, and other top brands have branded versions of the Apple Watch.
- The size of the Apple Watch changed with Series 4 and Series 7.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7: Which One Is Better?
If you want the latest and greatest smartwatch from Apple, you should pick up the Apple Watch Series 8. Outside of the Apple Watch Ultra, it’s the best smartwatch the company has produced to date. Is it better than the Series 7 smartwatch? Well, that depends on your budget and the color you’re looking for.
We found that the price difference between the Watch Series 7 and 8 is minimal if you’re interested in Crash Detection or the temperature sensor. Overall, we feel the newer Apple Watch 8 is the better option, unless you can find the Series 7 smartwatch at a discount.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock.com.
