The Apple Watch Series 8 and second-generation Apple Watch SE are set to launch this Friday, September 16, and ahead of time, first reviews of the devices have now been shared by select media publications and YouTube channels.
The new models are both very incremental upgrades over the Apple Watch Series 7 and the original Apple Watch SE.
New features for both models include the S8 chip, car accident detection and international roaming. Given that the S8 chip has the same CPU features as the S7 and S6 chips, the Series 8 doesn’t have any significant performance improvements over the Series 7 or Series 6, but the new Apple Watch SE is 20% faster than the original.
The Series 8 also has a new temperature sensor to help with the current seasonal cycle tracking feature, while the second-generation Apple Watch SE has a new color-matched back case and a lower $249 starting price, compared to $279 for the original. Series 8 pricing starts at $399, unchanged from the Series 7.
Both models are eclipsed by the new Apple Watch Ultra, which is set to launch next Friday, September 23, with a larger 49mm titanium case, a larger display, more rugged design, a customizable action button, a new band designed for outdoor use, up to 100m depth. Water resistance, and more. The Apple Watch Ultra costs $799.
We’ve collected both written and video reviews of the Series 8 and the new SE below.
the edgeVictoria Song of the Series 8’s new temperature sensing feature for earlier ovulation estimation and menstrual cycle deviations:
As for accuracy, it’s a little hard to say, because I’ve had Series 8 for about a week. I don’t have two cycles worth of temperature data and have only established a baseline. I have temperature data for a few nights, however, and it basically matches what I get on my Aura Ring. For example, two nights ago, the Ora Ring said my body temperature was 0.5 degrees above normal, while the Series 8 said it was 0.41 degrees.
Song also commented on the Series 8 battery life:
Fair warning: enabling low-power mode won’t magically give you multi-day battery life, and I never got the full 36 hours. With regular use except in low-power mode, I got about 24 hours on my Series 8 charger before it stuck. Low-power mode was mostly a good way to get a bit of extra juice so I could make it home or get me through the last mile of a long run when I forgot to top up the battery before heading out.
EngadgetIts Cheryl Lowe confirmed that the second-generation Apple Watch SE performs on par with the Series 8 because both models have the same chip:
Otherwise, this year’s Watch SE actually packs the same system-in-a-package (SiP) processor as the $400 Series 8, as well as a high-G accelerometer that makes crash detection possible. In my time with it, the SE was, surprisingly, just as responsive as the Series 8, starting workouts and completing heart rate scans at the same time.
Mobile syrupIts Patrick O’Rourke says that Apple may continue to roll out incremental updates to the device year after year because the Apple Watch lacks major competition:
Apple is in an interesting position with its Apple Watch. In the iOS space, there really isn’t any viable competition, especially when it comes to the Apple Watch’s app ecosystem, and even on Android, the closest is Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. That leaves the tech giant with little reason to push the wearable forward with each new release.
More reviews
- The Wall Street Journalof Nicole Gwen (Series 8 and SE)
- TechCrunchBrian Hitter of (Series 8)
- roadof Jacob Kroll (SE)
- Men’s HealthBy Brett Williams (Series 8)
- CNETby Lisa Adicico (SE)
