The smartwatch market is bifurcated: Apple’s walled garden versus the broader Android ecosystem. This comparison pits the vivo Watch, a contender aiming for value and compatibility, against the Apple Watch Series 8, the established benchmark for features and integration. We’ll dissect the core differences beyond brand loyalty, focusing on performance, charging, and the user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch Series 8 remains the superior choice due to its seamless integration and powerful S8 chip. However, users prioritizing cross-platform compatibility and potentially a lower price point will find the vivo Watch a compelling alternative.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 23. Released 2020, September 28 | 2022, September 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, stainless steel frame 316L | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 46 x 46 x 10.6 mm (1.81 x 1.81 x 0.42 in) | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | No | eSIM |
| Weight | 46.8 g (1.66 oz) | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) |
| | 5ATM water resistant
50m water resistant
Compatible with standard 22mm straps | IP6X certified
50m water resistant
ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 454 x 454 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.39 inches | 1.9 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Dual-core |
| Chipset | - | Apple S8 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR |
| OS | Proprietary OS | watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 2GB | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC | 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, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, compass, altimeter, SpO2 | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max, temperature (body) |
| | - | Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode)
Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wireless | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 478 mAh | Li-Ion 308 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Brown, Dark Brown, Orange | Graphite, Silver, Gold |
| Models | - | A2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 330 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) |
vivo Watch
- Potentially wider OS compatibility (Android & iOS)
- Likely more affordable price point
- Wireless charging convenience
- Unspecified chipset raises performance concerns
- Slower charging speed (10W)
- Lack of detailed specifications hinders comprehensive analysis
Apple Watch Series 8
- Powerful Apple S8 dual-core chip for smooth performance
- Fast charging (0-80% in 45 minutes)
- Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem
- Limited to Apple ecosystem
- Higher price point
- Potential for planned obsolescence with future Apple Watch releases
Display Comparison
The provided data lacks display specifics for the vivo Watch, making a direct comparison challenging. However, given vivo’s smartphone history, we can infer a focus on vibrant color reproduction. The Apple Watch Series 8 likely benefits from its tighter software-hardware integration, allowing for optimized brightness and color accuracy. The Series 8’s display likely utilizes LTPO technology for variable refresh rates, conserving battery life during static content viewing – a feature not confirmed for the vivo Watch.
Camera Comparison
Neither device features a camera, a trend increasingly common in modern smartwatches. This omission prioritizes battery life and sleek design over a feature with limited practical application on a wrist-worn device.
Performance
The Apple Watch Series 8’s dual-core Apple S8 chip represents a significant performance advantage over the unspecified chipset within the vivo Watch. The S8 is designed for responsive app launches, smooth animations, and efficient background processing of health data. While the vivo Watch will handle basic notifications and fitness tracking, the Series 8 is demonstrably better equipped for complex tasks and future software updates. The lack of RAM specification for the vivo Watch further underscores the performance gap.
Battery Life
Both devices utilize wireless charging, but the Apple Watch Series 8 offers a more defined charging timeline – 0-80% in 45 minutes. The vivo Watch’s 10W wireless charging is slower, suggesting a longer full charge time. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either, the Apple Watch’s optimized power management, driven by the S8 chip and potentially LTPO display technology, likely translates to comparable or better real-world battery life despite potentially similar capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Watch if you need a smartwatch that plays well with both Android and iOS, prioritizing broader compatibility and potentially a more affordable entry point. Buy the Apple Watch Series 8 if you are fully invested in the Apple ecosystem, demanding the most refined user experience, advanced health tracking features, and the fastest performance available in a smartwatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the vivo Watch work seamlessly with iPhones like the Apple Watch Series 8?
While the vivo Watch aims for broader compatibility, it won't offer the same level of seamless integration with iPhones as the Apple Watch Series 8. Features like Handoff, Apple Pay, and tight iCloud synchronization are exclusive to the Apple ecosystem. Expect basic notification mirroring and potentially limited app support on iOS.
❓ How does the performance of the Apple Watch Series 8 compare to other smartwatches in terms of app loading and responsiveness?
The Apple Watch Series 8, powered by the S8 chip, consistently outperforms most other smartwatches in app loading times and overall responsiveness. The dual-core architecture and optimized software contribute to a fluid user experience, even when running multiple apps simultaneously. The vivo Watch, with its unspecified chipset, is likely to exhibit slower performance in demanding tasks.
❓ Is the 45-minute 0-80% charge time for the Apple Watch Series 8 a significant advantage over the vivo Watch's 10W wireless charging?
Yes, the 45-minute 0-80% charge time for the Apple Watch Series 8 is a notable advantage. 10W wireless charging is relatively slow, meaning the vivo Watch will require considerably longer to reach a similar charge level. This difference is particularly impactful for users who frequently need to top up their smartwatch throughout the day.
