As someone who started using wearables with the Mi Band and switched to Wear OS watches, I initially found it hard to believe people's claims that the Apple Watch is the best smartwatch on the market. It's the same claim with tablets, where the iPad is the best.
This claim was proven when I started using Apple Watch Series 3, changed to Series 4 and then jumped to Series 7 in 2021. After using it for the past few months and it was taken while performing Umrah. When the Apple Watch Series 8 arrives at the our lab, I want to see what the difference is if any or is it better to migrate directly to the Apple Watch Ultra?
Specifications And Design
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm
1.9” Retina LTPO OLED 396×484 screen
1Hz-60Hz, Ion-X
Apple S8 SiP 64-bit processor
Apple W3 & Apple U1
Memory 1GB RAM + 32GB eMMC 5.1
watchOS Operating System
Waterproof Protection 50 meters, Dustproof IP6X
ECG sensor, Optical pulse scanner
Accelerator (Crash Detection, Fall Detection)
Temperature, SpO2
Other GPS + Cellular (eSIM)
Haptic rotary knob
Speaker, Microphone
Bluetooth 5.3
308mAh battery, reach 18 hours
Fast charging magnetic dock
Construction Materials Recycled aluminum frame
Ceramic back panel and sapphire glass
Tungsten components, recycled cans
Price RM1999
I've always been satisfied with the Apple Watch screen because it uses a bright LTPO OLED panel, vibrant colors and supports an adaptive refresh rate of 1-60Hz. The 1.9-inch screen size is quite large and satisfying with keyboard typing features and an additional watch face that takes advantage of the curved screen design.
This large and wide size is also very interesting to use a watch face with many complications so that health data, weather information, battery and many other things can be displayed to read/see clearly.
Not only that, if you want to play basic games or watch YouTube videos through the WatchTube application, there is no problem. But I don't encourage it because it consumes battery at a high rate. This large screen is also comfortable to use to explore the application field in a grid view without having to use the list order view. Always-on Display support also quickly switches to normal mode and is still beautiful, clear and the data is displayed updated in real time.
The Series 8 is powered by a 64-bit dual-core Apple S8 SiP chip. In fact, it is the same chip as Series 7 which is Apple S7 and also has additional Apple W3 and Apple U1 chips for good Bluetooth 5.3 support and precise Find My support through UWB technology. Memory is still 1GB RAM and 32GB internal storage eMMC 5.1. Despite being eMMC, it doesn't feel slow to install apps or download music for offline use.
The Series 8 design has not changed at all and is easy to recognize. A little disappointed that the once leaked flat screen design was not used on the Series 8 and was only given to the Apple Watch Ultra.
On the right side there is a haptic rotary knob, a microphone hole, and a side physical button to access the Dock which is a list of open applications, activate emergency mode and use Apple Pay. On the left side there is a speaker grille. While above and below are the grooves for the watch strap. Finally, the back of the watch made of ceramic and sapphire glass protects the various health tracking sensors.
The 45mm size has always been my go-to, as it's big enough and fits my wrist best. No itchy skin issues and on the wrist is also comfortable for most official watch straps on offer. My favorites so far are the Nike Sport Loop Game Royal and the Midnight Solo Loop. The issue with these two watch straps is just the fabric construction. If you often sweat, this watch strap is easy to box and smells unpleasant. Sport Band is the watch strap I use when exercising and swimming because it has 50 meters of water protection and IP6X dust resistance.
Usage Experience
watchOS is the most comprehensive smartwatch operating system. From Series 4 to Series 8, this watch is mandatory for me to wear as a daily watch and only use Wear OS watches for the purpose of testing, reviewing or testing Android phone batteries. True, before I said the TicWatch pro 3 is the best Wear OS watch – but with the slow update to the latest version it's hard for me to recommend this watch. But I did test the new Wear OS 3.x prototype watch, which may be a Game Changer in terms of performance and user experience.
Back to watchOS, more specifically watchOS 9.3 on the Apple Watch Series 8 – I dare say this is a real smartwatch!
With watchOS 9 and above, both Series 7 and Series 8 watches receive the same features and functions except for features that require additional sensors such as temperature detection. The Workout app is now better where data is displayed with more details such as Activity rings, Heart Rate Zones, Power and Elevation.
While the Medication application can give reminders to take medicine such as when I have a fever and am still busy writing news and reviews - just enter the medicine information and the time, a notification will be given for when I need to take medicine.
The ability to customize is also deeper with additional watch faces such as Metropolitan which looks pro for going to the office or meeting, Lunar to see the moon, Modular Compact for more data complications displayed neatly and beautifully.
The haptic rotary knob is an iconic feature that is comfortable to use in some applications. It makes using the Apple Watch more practical than relying entirely on the screen.
For the Workout application earlier, among the data displayed such as Heart Rate Zone is for the user's level of exercise intensity where the count will be done automatically or if you want to be more precise enter the data manually. When running, there is now a map that can display the location and running path. At the same time, you can also use the compass application to track back the original location.
Jogging, walking and other sports modes also now display movement rates, but what I don't like is the exercise tracking feature which only works inconsistently. Even sometimes it can be activated without even exercising.
Apple Watch Series 8 with watchOS 9 is a smart watch that is not only worn to look cool but for those who want to take their health seriously. Because more data is displayed, a lot of it is so complicated that I don't understand it. But this is a good thing because it makes me more curious about my own health level and additional knowledge about important health data.
For example, if previously the Apple Watch required a third-party app for sleep monitoring – it's now built right in. Users can monitor the level of deep sleep, light sleep (Core Sleep) and REM cycle. For several months of my usage since my sleep data has averaged only about 4 hours a day, which means I need more rest and make sure my sleep is in a good cycle if I want to stay healthy.
The temperature detection feature built into the Series 8 is for female users, as it is matched to the menstrual cycle. Because the temperature sensor on this watch is specifically for female users, if the Apple Watch still reads the temperature (displayed after 5 consecutive days of wearing the watch while sleeping), the data for normal users is useless because it cannot detect the temperature if there is a fever. It's just health monitoring to see the ups and downs of the temperature estimate only.
So for a user like me, the sensors I can use are pulse scanners, for SpO2 and ECG. As Apple says, this watch is not a replacement for health devices but to aid user understanding and for reference only. So when I see suspicious data, I will not go straight to the clinic but I will check the body temperature first and only if I feel critical will I go to the clinic. But so far not yet.
The Apple Watch Series 8 is also a good watch for productivity, where grouped notification controls can be used, replying to messages by typing or Siri commands, as well as a user-friendly and easy calendar application to see upcoming events or record events yourself. There is also a lot of application support on offer which I feel is better than Wear OS for example the TTLock application which may not be known to many, but it is important to me because I can open the door of the house with just two taps without a password.
Don't forget that Apple Watch supports Apple Pay in Malaysia, just press the side button twice directly Tap & Pay.
What is not interesting?
It is true that the design of this Apple Watch is quite well known, but in my eyes it is starting to look a little boring because there is no significant difference with the old model. The difference is only in size and color. Then what I don't like is the exorbitant price of the watch strap. There is an affordable version from the manufacturer but it makes my skin itch anyway.
I also don't like Apple Watch Series 8 which heats up quickly when charging which I noticed since Series 7. But when in a rush situation, after charging I continued to use it – the skin on my wrist changed color. This issue does not occur when using Series 3-4. I know I don't have sensitive skin, but it seems I have to be careful not to wear the watch right after charging.
Battery
On paper, the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 have the same battery specifications. It can last up to 18 hours of normal use, 36 hours of low power use and fast charging from 0% to 80% in 45 minutes.
I can say that the Series 8 has better battery life compared to the Series 7 because, on the Series 7, I received about 1 and a half days of battery life and can reach two days if there are not many incoming notifications. But on the Series 8, I received roughly the same durability with the added use of an eSIM.
eSIM on the watch uses more power and battery, because it has to constantly search for a signal. But if it has the same durability as the WiFi-only Series 7, it's clear there are minor improvements to this watch. So far, if my clock in the morning is 100% battery, after finishing 8 hours of work, the battery will still be around 55% to 60% which is enough to sleep through the night with the remaining battery around 2% to 10% the next day.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Series 8 is overall the same as the Series 7 with the addition of a temperature sensor and an accident detection feature (which I was unable to test (thankfully). This makes the price which starts at RM150 more expensive than the Series 7 less worth it. If you can still get the Apple Watch Series 7, I'd say that's the best Apple Watch so far.While the Apple Watch Series 8 is specifically for women users who really want to take advantage of the temperature sensor.
But other uses, definitely this Apple Watch Series 8 is the best. Beautiful screen, smooth performance, fast updates, comfortable and easy to use. If the battery could last 1 extra day I would say buy it and upgrade. Where if you use the Series 6 or 7 just stick to the previous model unless you want a battery of up to three days which can be obtained on the Apple Watch Ultra which costs almost twice as much.
Pro
Beautiful, bright and adaptive screen.
Fast, smooth and amazing performance.
Great software and application support.
eSIM support which makes it easy if the iPhone is left behind.
Premium and durable construction materials.
Cons
Poor battery life.
Heats up quickly with fast charging.
Must use iPhone.
The selling price is getting more expensive.