Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 8: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 8 offers incremental improvements over the Series 7, primarily with temperature sensing for cycle tracking and crash detection. If you already own a Series 7 and don't need these features, the upgrade isn't essential. However, for new buyers, the Series 8 provides the latest tech and a slightly refined experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum | 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 | Glass front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, aluminum 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 | 32 g (41mm), 38.8 g (45mm) (1.13 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 | Ion-X strengthened 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 | 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 | Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Green, Red | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A2473, A2474, A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,6, watch6,7, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 500 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 Series 7 Aluminum
- Excellent display
- Fast charging
- Wide range of apps
- Mature ecosystem
- More affordable
- No temperature sensing
- No crash detection
- Older chipset
Apple Watch Series 8
- Temperature sensing for cycle tracking
- Crash detection
- Slightly faster performance
- Latest Apple Watch technology
- Bright display
- Higher price
- Battery life marginally lower with temperature sensing enabled
Display Comparison
Both the Series 7 and Series 8 feature a stunning Always-On Retina display with narrow borders. The screen size and resolution are virtually identical, offering excellent visibility and vibrant colors. There's no significant visual difference here.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Series 7 nor the Series 8 have a traditional camera. They rely on the iPhone for photography.
Performance
While both watches use a dual-core processor, the S8 chip in the Series 8 offers a slight performance boost. This is mostly noticeable in background tasks and app loading times, but the difference is subtle for everyday use. Both watches are incredibly responsive.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two models, typically lasting around 18 hours with moderate use. Both offer fast charging, reaching 80% in 45 minutes. The Series 8's temperature sensor does consume a small amount of extra power, potentially reducing battery life slightly during cycle tracking.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminum? Those looking for a fantastic smartwatch experience at a more affordable price point. It still offers all the core Apple Watch features. Who should buy the Apple Watch Series 8? Users prioritizing advanced health tracking (temperature sensing for cycle tracking, crash detection) and the latest Apple Watch technology.