Apple Watch Series 7 Edition vs. Series 8 Aluminum: A Detailed Comparison
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Series 8 Aluminum offers a slight edge with its temperature sensing and improved crash detection, alongside a newer chipset. However, the Series 7 Edition remains a fantastic option, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. Ultimately, the Series 8 is a worthwhile upgrade for those seeking the latest features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Edition Series 7 | Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum |
| 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 | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum 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) | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 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 | Ion-X strengthened 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 | Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Red |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, A2770, A2771, watch6,14, watch6,15, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 830 EUR | About 340 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
- Premium Design & Materials
- Excellent Display
- Fast Performance
- Mature watchOS ecosystem
- Older Chipset
- Lacks Temperature Sensing
- No Crash Detection
Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum
- Latest S8 Chipset
- Temperature Sensing for Cycle Tracking
- Crash Detection
- Improved Battery Optimization
- Slightly Brighter Display
- Higher Price
- Marginal Performance Improvement over Series 7
Display Comparison
Both watches feature stunning OLED displays with excellent brightness and clarity. The Series 8 has a slightly brighter display, but the difference is minimal in most real-world scenarios. Both offer Always-On display functionality.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a dedicated camera. This remains a consistent feature across Apple Watch models.
Performance
The Series 8's S8 chip provides a marginal performance boost over the S7 in the Series 7. App loading times are slightly faster, and overall responsiveness feels a bit smoother. However, both watches are incredibly fast and responsive for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
Both offer similar battery life, typically lasting around 18 hours with moderate use. The 0-80% charging time is identical at 45 minutes. Battery optimization on the Series 8 is slightly improved, potentially extending usage by a small margin.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 Edition is ideal for users who prioritize a premium design and don't need the latest health features like temperature sensing. It's a great value if you find it on sale. The Apple Watch Series 8 Aluminum is best for those who want the most up-to-date technology, including temperature tracking for cycle monitoring and enhanced safety features like crash detection.