Apple today introduced Apple Watch Series 8 and the new Apple Watch SE, which bring groundbreaking technology and performance, and important safety innovations to the two best-selling smartwatches. Apple Watch Series 8 features the beloved design of Apple Watch, including a large, Always-On Retina display and a strong crack-resistant front crystal. With all-day 18-hour battery life, Apple Watch Series 8 builds on best-in-class health and safety features like the ECG app and fall detection by introducing temperature-sensing capabilities, retrospective ovulation estimates, Crash Detection, and international roaming.
The new Apple Watch SE delivers the core Apple Watch experience, including Activity tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, and Emergency SOS, as well as the new Crash Detection feature and a completely redesigned back case that perfectly matches the three classic case finishes, all at a more affordable price of $249 (US). Both models are powered by watchOS 9, introducing new and more customizable watch faces like Lunar and Metropolitan, an enhanced Workout app, sleep stages, a first-of-its-kind AFib History feature, and an all-new Medications app.
Apple announced the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, new Air Pods Pro earbuds, and a slew of new Apple Watches at its “Far Out” event. We’re used to seeing an annual refresh of the Apple Watch, where a Series flagship is followed by another flagship — but this year brings three new models: the Apple Watch Series 8, the Apple Watch Ultra, and a new Apple Watch SE. These timepieces are intended to provide new options in the entry-level, flagship (for generalists), and specialized markets.
The new Apple Watch SE continues the formula established by the 2020 SE at the bottom of the new lineup. It’s the “bargain” model, where niceties like an always-on display are sacrificed for a much lower price. Apple’s SE brand of budget-tier products is rarely the most exciting, but the arrival of this Apple Watch SE helps bring the decrepit reign of the Apple Watch Series 3 to an end.
The Series 8 continues the usual progression of previous top-tier Apple Watches, now with a new temperature sensor built in. And, for the first time, there is a third model at the top, each with its own set of capabilities. Despite its new Samsung-sounding name, the new Apple Watch Ultra is aimed at the hardcore outdoorsy crowd, who typically turn to brands like Garmin for their needs.
That’s a lot of Apple Watches. But how do the features and specifications differ across this new lineup? And, if you’re thinking about picking up one of those on sale before they’re gone, are there any significant improvements over the outgoing Series 7? We’ve only had a brief hands-on, so let’s look at the specs and see where we can find the biggest differences or major omissions in these new units.
