With the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple retains all the qualities of the queen of connected watches, bringing some new features and small improvements. Is it enough to crack on this 2022 edition?
We expected a lot – maybe a little too much… – from the Apple Watch Series 8, the new version of the best-selling connected watch in the world. Alas, for this Series 8, Apple preferred to play it with finesse. It is therefore not a revolution but a simple evolution of the previous model, most of the technical characteristics of which are back in service. The few additions made to this new model may even go completely unnoticed by some users. The most important part of the new features is to be found on the side of WatchOS 9, the mobile operating system that drives the tocante. And again, WatchOS 9 isn’t just for Series 8. Even those with a previous Apple Watch (from Series 4 onwards) can install it.
Nevertheless, the Apple Watch Series 8 remains a safe bet for those who were still hesitant to equip themselves or who have an older model (prior to Series 6). And provided however, as usual, to also have an iPhone. Apple still does not offer Android compatibility of any kind.
Apple Watch Series 8: an unchanged but still pleasant design
Everyone who was hoping for a new look for the Apple Watch 2022 is at their expense. The watch still sports a rectangular format and a curved screen at the edges. Available in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, like its Series 7 sibling, the Apple Watch Series 8 still comes in several colors with an aluminum or stainless steel finish. The weight remains contained, from 32 to 42.3 g for the 41 mm version and from 38.8 to 51.5 g for the 45 mm model (the difference depends on the material chosen, aluminum or steel).
The two finishes are also distinguished by the quality of the glass that covers the screen. The aluminum models (the cheapest) have to make do with an Ion-X crystal when the steel models benefit from a sapphire crystal. A criterion to take into consideration since sapphire is less prone to scratches. The watch is thus better equipped to stand the test of time. Nevertheless, whatever the material chosen, the finish remains impeccable. The screen especially, impresses by its size and its excellent readability regardless of the light conditions. It allows you to easily respond to text messages using the keyboard which, even if the keys are tiny, remains perfectly usable.
You can also dictate your messages using the built-in microphone. Simpler and more convenient operation. Finally, note that, as with previous versions, you can wear the Apple Watch Series 8 indifferently on the left or right wrist while choosing the orientation of the buttons (towards the inside or the outside of the wrist). A subtlety that other connected watches do not always provide.
Apple Watch Series 8: always on top precision
One of the strengths of the Apple Watch is its ability to accompany you everywhere and support you throughout the day, whatever your activities. The watch thus still provides as much flexibility for menu navigation even if the processor that drives it has not changed since the Series 6. But it is above all its sensors that impress with their precision. Heart rate monitoring remains at the top and GPS tracking remains very precise and valuable for tracking jogging or hiking sessions.
In addition to these proven sensors on previous versions of the watch, this year two new modules have been added. The first is a body and ambient temperature sensor. However, don’t expect to monitor your temperature hour by hour if you’re not feeling well. These modules are intended primarily for women to monitor their ovulation cycles. One is placed at the base of the case, the other under the screen. They analyze the temperature every 5 seconds (with an accuracy of 1°C) during the night, the most favorable time according to Apple to establish reliable measurements. But they do not deliver the temperature in real time. The information collected is of course encrypted on the device and on iCloud. Please note that the data collected is not immediately accessible. The watch must be worn for five consecutive nights and then wait for two cycles to be followed in order to establish relevant readings. We could not test this function.
The second sensor, which fortunately we were not able to test either, can detect car accidents. Where previous Apple Watches were already able to detect accidental drops, Series 8 pushes the envelope further by applying the same principle. The watch thus embeds an improved accelerometer which, supported by the movement sensors and the microphones of the device, makes it possible to detect accidents, to alert the emergency services and to send your position.
Apple Watch Series 8: a slight increase in autonomy
If there is one area where the Apple Watch has always been singled out, it is autonomy. This Series 8, tested here in its 45 mm version, does a little better than its elders. We were thus able to use the watch without restriction for 27 hours in a row without going through the charging box. During this test, the Always on mode (which keeps the dial permanently on) was activated, we completed a swimming session of just over an hour, followed by an hour of walking monitored by the GPS while maintaining the reading and response to various SMS and the management of podcast reading (from the iPhone) and finally the monitoring of a night’s sleep. The energy saving mode brought by WatchOS 9 allowed us to push the autonomy to 35 hours. In this case, the Always on screen is disabled as well as heart rate monitoring.
A great progression but Apple still has efforts to provide against some other connected watches available on the market, capable of lasting more than 7 days without sacrificing key functions. As for charging, the Apple Watch Series 8 remains delivered with a MagSafe cable (without charger). Count a little over an hour and a half to refuel from 0 to 100%.
Apple Watch Series 8: crack or wait?
The Apple Watch Series 8 ultimately brings very few new features compared to the previous model. If you own an Apple Watch Series 7 or even 6, investing in this 2022 edition is not worth it. On the other hand, if you get tired of your Series 5 or earlier, switching to the Series 8 can be beneficial thanks to its better quality screen and increased precision. However, the year 2023 could see the arrival of a new model with a different design and a little more solid autonomy. As for prices, they remain fairly stable but still low. The Apple Watch thus starts at 499 euros for an aluminum case (GPS) and 619 euros for the same model equipped with a 4G connection.