Apple Watch Series 7 Edition vs. Series 8: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers incremental but meaningful upgrades, particularly with its temperature sensing for cycle tracking and improved crash detection. While the Series 7 remains a fantastic smartwatch, the Series 8's added features and slightly improved performance make it the better overall choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Edition Series 7 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 37 g (41mm), 45.1 g (45mm) (1.31 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | Apple S8 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy) Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Titanium | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 830 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Edition Series 7
- Excellent display
- Smooth performance
- Wide app selection
- Premium design
- Older chipset
- Lacks temperature sensing
- No crash detection improvements
Apple Watch Series 8
- Improved performance (S8 chip)
- Temperature sensing for cycle tracking
- Enhanced crash detection
- Slightly brighter display
- Higher price
- Battery life similar to Series 7
Display Comparison
Both watches feature stunning OLED displays with Always-On functionality. The Series 8 has a marginally brighter display, but the difference is subtle and difficult to notice in everyday use. Both offer excellent visibility in various lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a traditional camera. However, the Series 8's improved sensors contribute to more accurate health data readings, which can be considered a form of 'data capture'.
Performance
The Series 8 boasts the Apple S8 chip, offering a slight performance boost over the S7 in the Series 7. Apps launch a bit faster, and overall responsiveness is improved, though both watches are incredibly smooth and responsive.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two, with both offering approximately 18 hours of typical use. Both charge wirelessly and achieve 0-80% in 45 minutes.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 Edition is a great option for those looking for a premium smartwatch experience at a slightly lower price point, especially if you don't need the latest health features. The Apple Watch Series 8 is ideal for users prioritizing advanced health tracking (especially women's health), enhanced safety features, and the latest Apple technology.