The Apple Watch Series 9 was unveiled by Apple in September, and it's an absolutely fantastic upgrade on the Series 8. It boasts a new chip, the Double Tap navigation feature, and upgraded Ultra Wideband for better interactivity with your HomePod and iPhone. As is often the case, the Apple Watch Series 8 is still around at some retailers and is even discounted in the Cyber Monday sales. However, having checked all of the deals I can confirm that in many cases the Series 9 is actually cheaper, and even where it isn't, you should still be picking the newer model. 

The Series 9 is the first Apple Watch in several years to mark a real and significant upgrade over the previous model. It's undoubtedly the best Apple Watch the company has ever produced, and one worthy of spending a little extra for. If you know where to look, however, the chances are you might even save money over a Series 8. 

Apple Watch Cyber Monday savings

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)| $399 $329 at Amazon
• Apple Watch Series 8 41mm (GPS) | $399.99 $247.00 at Amazon
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $799 $739 at Amazon
• Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (GPS) $249 $179 at Amazon

Let's have a look at some of the Series 8 deals you can still buy.

Apple Watch Series 8 Cyber Monday deals

As you can see, the 41mm option is quite a good saving here, however, it comes with a caveat. It's only available in one size, 41mm, and one color, the Midnight aluminum option. If you want any other color or size, you're going to be paying as much as $329, the same current price as the Series 9, which brings us to the deals you should really be considering. 

Apple Watch Series 9, the better Cyber Monday alternative

With a discount of 18%, this Series 9 is more expensive than the Series 8, but this comes in both sizes with a hefty saving that makes it much more appealing than the Series 8. 

• Apple Watch deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart 

The Series 9 Apple Watches are lovely. Filled with some new features, new chips, and, well… not much more than that. If you don’t mind that you’ve got an older watch, no one will know that yours is the older one — they look exactly the same. And, at the moment, the slightly older Series 8 from last year has a massive discount, which will see you paying the same for the Cellular model as you might for the GPS model previously.

There’s a $100 discount on the Cellular model of the Apple Watch Series 8, bringing it within $20 firing distance of its previous lowest price. Crucially, that makes the more useful mobile version the same price as the Apple Watch Series 9 with GPS.

Don’t go new: Save some money

• Apple Watch deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart 

The Apple Watch Series 8 is still a fantastic smartwatch. Not only does it look the exact same as the Series 9, but It’s also got all the sensors you need, like a temperature sensor, heart rate monitor, and more. Show it off in the pub with your friends, and they’ll be none the wiser that you saved $100 over the newest one.

Bear in mind that there are only a couple of colors that have been reduced here — the Starlight and Product Red versions. The other two colors, the Midnight and the Silver are both a little more expensive. If you don’t mind too much about the color, you’ll be fine.

The two size options are also reduced, so you’ll save whether you want a big watch or a smaller one — worth clicking around to ensure you find the watch for you at the price you want to pay.

So, the Apple Watch Series 9 — what a stunning piece of wearable tech. It does, however, look an awful lot like the previous version, the Apple Watch Series 8, and the watch before that, the Series 7, and so on and so forth. 

As with every new launch of an Apple product, the old one is now available to buy at a reduced price, and the Apple Watch Series 8 is no different. If you just want a watch that looks like it could be the latest one, then this may just be what you need.

While it may not have that new S9 SiP (or system in package, a fancy way of combining various chips and other bits and bobs that make the watch work) that Apple kept going on about at the Wonderlust event, it does have plenty of power for everyday watch use, and it is great for exercise lovers and casual users alike — and every model has just been reduced by a hefty margin on Amazon.

Massive Apple Watch reductions on Amazon

Buying a Series 8 now — a bad idea?

Not necessarily — after all, there are some massive savings here that make an older watch a much better deal than the newest models. You’re not even going to miss out on any important new features; the latest version of WatchOS is going to come to the Series 8 with all the big updates, and the only real difference is the Pink color option and the S9 chip on the inside. The Series 9 may be marginally faster, and you won't have access to the new 'double-tap' gesture, but other than that the two devices will feel very similar despite the gulf in pricing. The Series 8 is still a top-notch Apple Watch, and if you can live without having the latest thing, then this is an excellent way of saving some money.

We're covering all the Apple iPhone 15 event news and reactions now that Wonderlust is over. Don't miss all our iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, iOS 17and watchOS 10 coverage so far.

Let's get right into it – the Apple Watch Series 8 has dropped to almost its lowest price ever, so you can now buy one at Amazon for the same price that you'll find the GPS version on the Apple website; $399. This watch has only been cheaper last November in a very brief but very impressive Black Friday deal that saw the watch slip down $10 cheaper than it is today – the deal lasted less than a day, so this is absolutely the next best thing.

Be aware that this price is only on the black aluminum version of the smartwatch – if you want one of the other colors, you'll be paying $429 at Amazon.

Apple Watch Series 8 Cellular almost lowest price we've ever seen

• Apple Watch deals: Amazon | Best Buy | Walmart 

The Apple Watch Series 8 is a very, very nice smartwatch – and the cellular version means you can take it out without the need for a phone to be nearby. This means that there is a little extra cost involved, as you need to get a data plan sorted for the watch with your carrier. When buying the watch, it's worth keeping this in mind.

You may be thinking about holding off on this one until Prime Day comes around over the 11-12 of July – this deal is unlikely to be beaten by too much over the sale, so you're not going to get buyer's remorse with this one. It's also likely to sell out quickly as well; the last time there was a deal this good, it only lasted a few hours. If you want a different Apple Watch, there are plenty of great Prime Day Apple Watch deals that might tickle your fancy.

The Apple Watch Series 8 is still the latest Apple Watch model (that isn't made out of titanium and doesn't cost over $700) with its super lovely OLED screen and blood oxygen sensor. It's also, at the moment, $70 off at Amazon for a massive saving where you can get a 41mm variant for $329.

This isn't the lowest price we've ever seen the watch, but it's only $7 more expensive than its all-time low. These deals don't stick around for long, so if you've been looking for a new Apple Watch, then this could well be the best 

Big Apple Watch savings

• Apple Watch deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart 

The Apple Watch Series 8 has loads of cool features that make it a more compelling option than previous models. There is the aforementioned blood oxygen monitor, ECG applications for heart health, and even a temperature sensor for cycle tracking. 

It doesn't look all that different from the Series 7, but it's still one of the best Apple Watches. This deal brings it to the same price as the SE with cellular – although with the latter, you'll be able to take it anywhere without your phone. An Apple Watch is a surprisingly useful device, with all kinds of fitness tracking beyond, you know, telling the time.

As always, at this time of year, we're expecting Prime Day pretty soon – so deals like this might become more frequent!

The Apple Watch Series 8 was unveiled at the Far Out event on September 7, 2022. It's no longer the most powerful smartwatch in the family, having been replaced by the king of the hill Apple Watch Ultra. But even if Series 8 has become something of a middle child in the family, it still has excellent battery life and solid features, and it's more than a worthy successor to the Apple Watch Series 7.

Our review of the Watch Series 8 calls it the "best flagship the company has ever created," and when you look at all the stats and tech inside, you can see why. Sure, the Watch Series 9 is expected to debut in September alongside the all-new iPhone 15, but we're expecting the next model will be a fairly modest upgrade. So if you're looking for a new watch now, Series 8 is probably your best bet. 

Here's everything you need to know about the new Apple Watch, and WatchOS 9.3.1, the latest version of the wearables software.

Apple Watch Series 8: Design

The Apple Watch Series 8 doesn't reinvent the wheel; Apple hasn't moved to a circular design or something like that. In fact, the Series 8 looks exactly like the Series 7 that came before it. That means it's available in both 41mm and 45mm sizes. The Apple Watch Series 8 retains its crack-resistant front crystal and its Aluminum and Stainless Steel finish options. 

It is also certified IP6X dust-resistant and water-resistant up to 50 meters, as well as swimproof.

Apple Watch Series 8: Display

Series 8 features the same 41mm and 45mm display options with an edge-to-edge Always-On Retina display with up to 1,000 nits of brightness. Apple describes The Watch display as an LTPO OLED, a needlessly complicated detail most people won't need to know about. It stands for low-temperature polycrystalline oxide -- an Apple-designed and patented technology that aims to reduce the power consumption of your watch display by varying the refresh rate.

As with other Apple Watch models, the screen is beautiful, colorful, and makes good use of the deep, inky blacks that OLED televisions are famous for.  

Apple Watch Series 8: New Features

The Apple Watch Series 8 can sense your temperature

The rumors were true: Apple added a temperature sensor to the Apple Watch Series 8. The module is sensitive enough to detect a 0.1 degree Celsius temperature change in your body, the company claims, a feat it achieves by taking your wrist temperature during sleep every 5 seconds. A big part of the sensitivity is the two-sensor design — one sensor on the back of the watch, near the skin, and another under the display. Apple says this helps eliminate interference from the outside environment.

The temperature sensor will improve the cycle-tracking feature of Apple Watches by notifying a wearer of potential cycle deviations, as well as through improved ovulation tracking. All Cycle tracking data is encrypted right on the device, for privacy.

Crash detection

Thanks to two new and improved sensors -- a three-axis gyroscope and a G-Force accelerometer -- the Apple Watch Series 8 can tell when you are in a crash.

Crash Detection uses many sensors and features to determine if you've been in a severe crash, including the barometer, GPS, and microphone on your iPhone. This should prevent the Apple Watch from accidentally misdiagnosing a mere drop from your wrist.

When it detects a severe crash, the Series 8 automatically calls 911, provides your location, and notifies your emergency contacts if you don't respond to the on-screen notification in 10 seconds.

Besides these new features, Apple Watch Series 8 retains many of the great features of previous models including ECG, fall detection, the Always-On Retina display, and more. 

Apple WatchOS 9

Apple's Watches are powered by watchOS 9, Apple's iOS software that's specifically built for the wearable devices, and contains functions and features tuned for it. As of this writing, the latest version of Apple's watchOS supported by the Apple Watch Series 8 is 9.3.1, released Feb. 13, along with new versions of Apple's software for iPhones, Apple TVs, and iPads.

Unfortunately, there isn't much to talk about with watchOS 9.3.1. There aren't any new features and Apple's release notes for the new update simply say that the new software version includes "bug fixes and important security updates for your Apple Watch."

Watch OS 9.3 was released on January 24, 2023, adding support for a new Unity wallpaper in celebration of Black History Month. Watch OS 9.1 -- released last October -- was a bigger improvement to the core OS, adding a number of battery life improvements for select workouts, support for Matter, and more.

Watch OS 9 was announced at WWDC 2022 and ultimately released Sept. 19, 2022 -- and in the wonderful words of the incredibly talented Lizzo, "it's about damn time." The latest version of the Watch operating system added sleep stage tracking (at last!) workout enhancements including Heart Rate Zones and customizable workouts, crash detection, medication logging and reminders, a more complete Compass ... and of course, new watch faces. It's a heckuvan upgrade.

Apple Watch Series 8: Battery Life

The Apple Watch Series 8 has the same battery life as the previous model when using it like normal. But there's more to it than that: There's a new low-power mode in this wearable device.

Apple Watch Series 8 has a low-power mode

With your iPhone present, you can get up to 36 hours of battery life using the new and improved low-power mode. While you can do much more with low-power mode than you can on the Apple Watch Series 7, there are still limitations the new low-power mode will impose on you. It will disable and/or limit the use of select sensors and features, for example, most notably the Always-On display and heart health notifications. 

This new low-power mode is also coming to other Apple Watch models from the Series 4 onwards thanks to watchOS 9.

Apple Watch Series 8: Finishes and colors

The Apple Watch Series 8 is available in only two finishes — aluminum and stainless steel — and each of them has different color options.

The aluminum Series 8 is available in four colorways, including Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and PRODUCT(RED), while the stainless steel finish is available in Silver, Gold, and Graphite.

Apple Watch Series 8: Price

These are the base prices of each Apple Watch Series 8 model, but you'll see the price increase slightly depending on which band you buy with your watch. The Braided Solo Loop or certain Leather Link bands can add more cost to your Watch. 

Apple Watch Series 8: Release date

Apple Watch Series 8 is fully available now and has been since its September 16, 2022, release date. You can buy it directly from Apple, or from numerous retailers. Check out our full guide on the latest Apple Watch Series 8 deals and if you can't decide which version to get, read our Apple Watch Cellular vs. GPS guide will help.

Apple Watch Series 8: Review

the Apple Watch Series 8 is an incredibly well-made and capable device, our Watch 8 review notes. It's no doubt the best flagship smartwatch the company has ever made if you consider the SE to be its budget offering and the Ultra to be a specialist device.

Yet there were so few upgrades in this year's model that we found it extremely difficult to recommend. Users of the Apple Watch Series 7 do not need to upgrade, and users of older devices could save more money buying the Series 7 without missing out.

There is no fresh design or display to speak of, and very limited and quite niche new features such as temperature sensing and crash detection. The battery life remains quite frustrating thanks to the aforementioned lack of 24-hour support, which can make battery life feel like a bit of a lottery. There's definitely enough juice to get you through a regular day including multiple workouts and usage, but that will leave you short when it comes to bedtime and sleep tracking, or worse in the morning when you wake. 

watchOS 9 is another solid iteration in the Watch software life cycle, yet paradoxically it makes the Series 8 less enticing thanks to a number of upgrades that breathe new life into older models, notably Low Power Mode.

As I've said, Series 8 is an enigma this year thanks to Apple Watch Ultra and the refresh of the SE. If you're budget conscious or looking to save money and you're in the market for an Apple Watch right now, I'd recommend either the SE or the Series 7. If you truly want the best Apple Watch money can buy, then save up a bit more and go for the Apple Watch Ultra, which despite its rugged appearance and special focus is actually the best Apple Watch for most people. 

This is our Apple Watch Series 8 review. We first tested Apple's flagship wearable back in 2022 when it was first released. But since then, Apple has released its new headline wearable, the Apple Watch Ultra and, more recently, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

This means that if you want the newest and best wearable Apple has to offer the Apple Watch Series 8 is no longer the top choice. However, there are still plenty of reasons to consider last year's Series 8. So read on to find out what we thought of the wearable after testing it for several weeks. 

Make no mistake that the Apple Watch Series 8 is an excellent piece of kit. But if you have an older model it represents only an incremental upgrade – especially now we have the Apple Watch Series 9 to compare it to. Then again, now we have new Apple Watches on the market, it might make a lot of sense to pick the older Series 8 as it's likely to be reduced. With all of this in mind, read on for our full Apple Watch Series 8 review.

Apple Watch Series 8: Price and availability

The Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399, or £419, while the larger 45mm model starts at $429. As is always the case with Apple Watch, there are a multitude of configurations, finishes, and bands that will affect the price. Adding cellular capability to your watch usually costs about $100 extra, and the Stainless Steel finish starts at $699. More premium bands such as the Leather Link will also increase the price, as will choosing a very pricey Hermes option.  

Apple Watch is available from Apple.com, all the usual premium resellers, and certain mobile carriers who offer it as part of mobile phone plans or on separate Apple Watch plans, although you usually need a phone plan with the carrier to take advantage of this. 

Apple Watch Series 8: Design and Display

If you like the design of the Apple Watch Series 7 I have great news, the Apple Watch Series 8 is identical to the previous model. That means the same edge-to-edge front crystal and both aluminum and stainless steel finishes. The Series 8 remains crack and dust-resistant and water-resistant as well as swim-proof. 

Apple Watch Series 8 sports the same tried and trusted design as all of its predecessors, with a screen, the Digital Crown, and one easy-to-use side button. The Digital Crown remains the best way to navigate on Apple Watch, with tactile scrolling that makes quick navigation a breeze. 

The biggest thing I've noticed about the new Apple Watch Series 8 display is that it scratches very easily. I've had it for about five months now and my screen is absolutely littered with scratches in a way Series 6 and Series 7 just weren't after this much use. I haven't changed anything about my Apple Watch use habits, if anything I wear a watch less now than I ever did using previous models, yet the glass seems softer than ever before. This is the price you pay for shatter and crack resistance, but I've been pretty disappointed with just how vulnerable the screen has proved this year. 

The Series 7 had an excellent design thanks to the major upgrade in screen real estate. If you passed on that upgrade last year, this is an excellent reason to buy Series 8. The larger screen transforms the user experience, with buttons much easier to press and information much easier to read. Everything you do on the Watch is done through its display, so having a larger display is a dream when it comes to reading and using it. As I noted in our Series 7 review, I used to even struggle to enter my four-digit passcode on Apple Watch, but now it has an almost-usable QWERTY keyboard and Watch Faces that display a wealth of information. Apple Watch stands out against a lot of competitors thanks to its squarer design, which in my opinion gives a much better user experience than something like a circular Pixel Watch when it comes to displaying information. Aesthetic wise I also prefer this. 

The design of Series 8 isn’t disappointing, but it hasn’t really improved. Indeed, there’s no reason here to move beyond Series 7. However, it is a more considerable update on Series 6 and other older models. 

There's one new Silver aluminum color to speak of, otherwise, color options remain the same as last year with Midnight (reviewed here), starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. There are four Stainless Steel options of Gold, Graphite, Silver, and Space Black. Don't be put off by Midnight's technically-blue shades, this is basically a black Apple Watch that is as neutral as neutral can be. Despite being the budget option the aluminum finishes remain of very premium quality. 

Like the Series 7, the Apple Watch is a bit bigger than its predecessors such as the Series 6 and SE. However, you'd be surprised how little the extra screen real estate actually intrudes on your wrist. 

The 41mm model retains the same 352 by 430 pixels and 904 sq mm display as Series 7, likewise, the 45mm version offers a 396 by 484 pixels 1143 sq mm display. 

If you're coming from a 40/44mm watch you're getting around 20% more screen real estate, and 50% more than the Series 3 you should have ditched years ago. 

The Series 8 remains a fantastic piece of design, like the Series 7 before it, mostly thanks to the excellent display. But if you're expecting big changes, this isn't the watch for you.

Apple Watch Series 8: Health and Safety

Apple Watch Series 8 offers all of the same health functionality as Series 7. That means you’re getting potentially life-saving features like ECG, fall detection, blood oxygen monitoring, and more. However, it also adds a couple of new features exclusive to Series 8 this year, which represent the stand-out elements of this year’s watch.

The first is Crash Detection. Apple Watch Series 8 features a new gyroscope and accelerometer that can detect car crashes of up to 256Gs, including head-on, rear-end, side-impact, and rolling your car over. This couples with the microphones on iPhone 14 to establish if a car crash has actually taken place before automatically contacting emergency responders with your location. Luckily, we didn't have the chance to test this, however, there have been early instances of the feature triggering 911 calls on rollercoasters, possibly indicating it may not be foolproof. 

The other big upgrade is temperature sensing with a specific focus on women’s health. The Apple Watch Series 8 features not one but two temperature sensors, one near the skin that can measure your body temperature, and another under the display that measures the temperature of your environment to detect bias. Now it’s important to note that this can’t deliver an instant temperature reading like it can a heart rate. Rather, it samples your temperature overnight to give you tracking while you sleep. Not only can this pick up shifts in temperature caused by illness and jet lag, but it can also give users retrospective ovulation estimates to help with family planning and period predictions. This could be a standout feature for some users, and as noted temperature and crash detection are two of the only main new features on Apple Watch Series 8. 

Apple Watch Series 8: Battery and Performance

The Apple Watch Series 8 offers exactly the same battery life performance as the Series 7, which Apple says is 18 hours on a full charge. This obviously depends a lot on what you use your watch for, but 24-hour use including tracking your sleep continues to elude Apple Watch. This means that at some point during your day you will have to remove your watch and charge it, which is probably fine if you work from home, but probably less convenient if you spend a lot of time traveling or away from a charger.

Apple Watch Series 8 does benefit from a new Low Power mode in watchOS 9 and I have really enjoyed using this feature. This is a long-awaited upgrade that turns down some power-hungry features without totally compromising the functionality of the watch like Power Reserve. However, this is a setting now be available on Apple Watch models from the Series 4 onwards through the software tweaks, so simply isn’t a reason to upgrade. If you’ve got a Series 7 then you won’t notice any improvements in battery life over the previous model. 

In fact, after a few weeks of use, the Apple Watch Series 8 battery, like the Series 7 before, remains something of an annoyance. Not bad, just annoying. It is pretty much good for about the 18 hours that Apple says it is, but then this leaves users with the difficulty of judging when to charge it. If you don’t wear your watch for sleeping, this is not an issue — you can get a full day’s use and charge it overnight, rinse and repeat. 

However, Apple touts sleep tracking, especially with Apple Watch Series 8’s new temperature sensor, as a fundamental health benefit of having an Apple Watch. Users who want to sleep with the Watch on will need to charge it before bed, which is fine as long as they remember to do this (Apple Watch does have helpful alerts for charging). If you don’t, you can still rely on fast charging to get just enough juice to see you through the night, but then you’ll be left wanting for battery in the morning. I like to wake up and go straight to the gym, using my Apple Watch to track my workout, so waking up to a dead or dying Apple Watch is a huge pain and seems to happen to me far too often. 

Maybe I’m just careless and don’t charge my watch enough, but I think it would be a much simpler and better experience if the Watch put out 24 hours of battery life. This is another reason why the Apple Watch Ultra far outshines the Apple Watch Series 8 as an upgrade choice this year, with users reporting a battery life of two or even three days of full usage. 

Battery aside, the Series 8 remains as snappy in performance as its predecessor, but there aren’t any hardware acceleration upgrades to speak of, so there is no performance benefit to be gained by upgrading. If you have an Apple Watch Series 5, SE, or earlier, buying a Series 8 will definitely see a notable jump in snappiness and performance because the chip is 20% faster than its predecessors.

Out of the box, the Apple Watch remains very simply to set up and pair with your iPhone, if you have a Watch already, you'll be able to call on your backup of a previous device, and new users will be walked through a very straightforward setup process. 

Apple Watch Series 8: watchOS 9

You can read the ins and outs of what's new and cool with the Apple Watch software in our watchOS 9 review, so I'll direct you there rather than cover too much old ground. However, suffice it to say that watchOS 9 is arguably a much bigger upgrade for Apple Watch this year than the Series 8 hardware itself is. 

It brings international roaming, a new compass feature, Nike Apple Watch faces (FINALLY), AFib history, and a brilliant new Low Power Mode. The latter lets users put their watch into a low-power state while retaining at least some functionality of the watch such as activity tracking. It is a huge breath of fresh air after the bane of Power Reserve and adds a huge chunk of battery life to any Apple Watch from the Series 4 onwards. 

However, because it is available for the Series 4 onwards, it gives a huge new lease of life (especially battery life) to all of Apple’s recent Apple Watch models. This is arguably one more reason not to buy the Series 8 and instead stick with the Apple Watch you already have. It could be time to remind yourself of some Apple Watch tips and tricks too if you're new to the concept. 

Apple Watch Series 8: Competition

There isn’t much in the way of competition for the Apple Watch, mostly because it is inextricably linked to the iPhone. If you’re an iPhone user, you aren’t going to want to buy an Android-based alternative, and likewise, Android users won’t be able to use Apple Watch. That means the Apple Watch Series 8 mostly competes with other Apple Watch models, notably the new Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch SE. 

As you can read in our Apple Watch Ultra review, the new Ultra model is actually a fantastic model for almost everyone, not just those focused on the great outdoors and rugged durability. It’s arguably cooler than the Apple Watch Series 8, has much better battery life, lots of unique features, and has a lightweight Titanium design. Yes, it is rather more expensive than the Series 8, and 49mm is a larger form factor, but the Apple Watch Ultra is a huge leap on anything wearable Apple has made in several years. If you’re in the market for an Apple Watch right now and can afford to push the boat out, I would certainly recommend the Apple Watch Ultra over the Series 8 right now, especially if battery life and durability are important to you. If you prefer the design of the Series 8, you can also save by buying the Series 7.

On the other end of the spectrum is the new Apple Watch SE, which delivers some but not all of the great features of the Apple Watch at considerably lower prices. You won’t get Sapphire crystal or the choice of stainless steel, and the SE is missing blood oxygen sensing and the ECG function, as well as temperature sensing and the new accelerometer for crash detection. However, you will get workout tracking, the same battery life, the same chip, and a broadly similar design, albeit with a slightly more dated design and larger borders around the screen. 

Given the fairly incremental upgrades, you could also save yourself some money by getting the Apple Watch Series 7, which is certainly a great choice for most users. The problem with Apple Watch Series 8, like iPhone 14, is that Apple offers better products for all types of needs. If users can afford it, there is a more expensive, high-end option with far more capability, and if users want to save money and are budget conscious they can spend far less with very little compromise. The Series 8 is an incredibly niche device this year, and almost impossible to recommend as a result. 

If your primary concern is fitness, you could save even more money by buying a fitness tracker that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a smartwatch, such as one of the best fitness trackers.

Apple Watch Series 8: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

You can’t afford the Apple Watch Ultra or new Apple Watch Series 9

If you’ve got the money, go for the Ultra or the newer Apple Watch. With its incredible battery life and funky design, the Ultra shines as the standout Apple Watch in this year's lineup. 

The Apple Watch SE doesn’t quite cut the mustard

If the Apple Watch SE is too much of a compromise, you could just about justify the Apple Watch Series 8, even then, I would recommend the Series 7. 

Temperature sensing and ovulation tracking are important to you

This is a key upgrade to Apple Watch this year, and you won’t find it on previous models. But remember, it can't provide your temperature on the spot. 

You want the safest Apple Watch without the price of the Ultra

Apple Watch Series 8 delivers key new safety features including Crash Detection which you won't find on older devices. 

You should not buy this if:

You want the best Apple Watch money can buy

The Apple Watch Ultra is the best Apple Watch going from last year and improves on Series 8 in several key ways. But now the Apple Watch Series 9 is here, you should consider that first and foremost. 

You’re on a budget

You could save money buying either the Apple Watch Series 7 or Apple Watch SE, there simply isn’t enough in Apple Watch Series 8 to justify spending more. 

You don’t have an iPhone

You can’t use an Apple Watch without an iPhone, but there are plenty of great Android smartwatch options out there. Just remember, Apple Watch needs an iPhone to work. 

You're only interested in fitness

You could also save money by picking a fitness tracker if you won't need any extra functionality. 

Unlike Apple Watch Series 7, the Apple Watch Series 8 really struggles to stand out in the lineup this year. It’s a great piece of kit, no doubt the best flagship Apple Watch the company has ever made. Yet it has been completely overshadowed by the Apple Watch Ultra this year, while budget-conscious users will definitely want to look elsewhere. Strangely, one of the best Apple Watches ever made, yet totally unremarkable. 

Apple Watch Series 8: Verdict

As I've hinted at multiple times, the Apple Watch Series 8 is an incredibly well-made and capable device, no doubt the best flagship smartwatch the company has ever made if you consider the SE to be its budget offering and the Ultra to be a specialist device. 

Yet there are so few upgrades in this year's model that it is extremely difficult to recommend it to really anyone. Users of the Apple Watch Series 7 do not need to upgrade, and users of older devices could save more money buying the Series 7 without missing out. 

There is no fresh design or display to speak of, and very limited and quite niche new features such as temperature sensing and crash detection. The battery life remains quite frustrating thanks to the aforementioned lack of 24-hour support, which can make battery life feel like a bit of a lottery. There's definitely enough juice to get you through a regular day including multiple workouts and usage, but that will leave you short when it comes to bedtime and sleep tracking, or worse in the morning when you wake. 

watchOS 9 is another solid iteration in the Watch software life cycle, yet paradoxically it makes the Series 8 less enticing thanks to a number of upgrades that breathe new life into older models, notably Low Power Mode.

As I've said, Series 8 is an enigma this year thanks to Apple Watch Ultra and the refresh of the SE. If you're budget conscious or looking to save money and you're in the market for an Apple Watch right now, I'd recommend either the SE or the Series 7. If you truly want the best Apple Watch money can buy, then save up a bit more and go for the Apple Watch Ultra, which despite its rugged appearance and special focus is actually the best Apple Watch for most people. 

The Apple Watch Family was completely refreshed quite recently, so any deal we receive now is something of a big surprise. It's even more surprising when it's a deal like this: $110 off an Apple Watch Series 8 41mm GPS+ Cellular. That is only on the Aluminum case variant, and there's no reduction on the GPS model. This price does bring the Cellular down to the same price as the GPS variant, however, so you're going to get more watch for the money.

Remember that Black Friday is on the way - so make sure you're keeping an eye out for the best Black Friday Apple Watch deals.

Massive Apple Watch savings

• More Apple Watch deals: Amazon | Best Buy | Walmart

While many of the updates to the Apple Watch Series 8 seemed iterative and small, it is still one of the best Apple Watches. The temperature sensor is an exciting new feature, used for cycle tracking and improved heart monitoring. Battery life should also be better on the new model, although the case of the watch remains largely unchanged. Don't forget to pick up one of the best Apple Watch cases to go with your new Watch, as well as one of the best Apple Watch screen protectors to make sure that the screen stays scratch free.

Not sure if the GPS + Cellular Apple Watch is the model for you? We've compared the Apple Watch GPS VS Apple Watch GPS + Cellular to see which one is the watch for you.

There's no doubt in our minds here at iMore that the newest wearable from Apple is a good smartwatch; our review of the Apple Watch Series 8 called it "an excellent piece of kit," and "the best flagship watch the company has ever created." But when you compare it to the Apple Watch Series 7 from last year, you notice very quickly that the devices are nearly identical.

They both have a ton of health features, fitness-tracking capabilities, and function as extensions of your iPhone to help you get more done. Of course, the Series 8 has a couple of new features, colors, and finishes, all of which may play into your decision to upgrade. Here's what you need to know when you compare the Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 8. 

Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7: Design, finishes, and colors

If you just glanced at the two models, you might be unable to tell them apart since the design is the same. Both models come in two case sizes —  41mm and 45mm — and are the same weight, meaning those extra temperature sensors in the Series 8 don't mean you need to deal with a heavier watch.

The models differ in the options you have when it comes to finishes and colors. The Apple Watch Series 8 only comes in aluminum and stainless steel finishes, whereas the Series 7 also offers a titanium option. Of course, we know now that's because the titanium finish is now reserved for the new Apple Watch Ultra.

The Series 7 also had more color options on the aluminum models, offering blue, green, red, Starlight, and Midnight. The Series 8 has dropped the green and blue options but kept the red, Starlight, and Midnight, while also adding a silver option. Both models have the same color choices when it comes to the stainless steel models. 

Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7: Spec sheet

Once you get into the finer details, the differences between the two devices do become a little clearer and less cosmetic. The Apple Watch Series 8 has a few new big features, but it's also got a big upgrade inside.

The Series 8 is an upgrade over the Series 7, and the brain that powers the device has a lot to do with it. The internal chip, the S8, is about 20% faster than the previous chip in the Series 7. You'll get more done and a lot quicker on a Series 8, but that likely will only be noticeable to the select few who use their Apple Watch very heavily for communication, music, fitness tracking, and everything else.

Regarding features, the Series 8 packs in a few new heavy hitters that are worth noting. On to the next section!

Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7: Features

First things first, the Apple Watch Series 8 can do everything the Series 7 can do. That means the Always-On display makes a comeback, fall detection hasn't gone anywhere, and all the watch faces you're used to having on your Series 7 are compatible with the Series 8. It's the Series 7 that ow nlacks a few new key features.

Temperature sensing

Apple has included a temperature sensor in the Apple Watch Series 8, which is sensitive enough to sense a 0.1 degree Celsius temperature change in your body. The Series 8 takes your wrist temperature during sleep every five seconds, which Apple says can help you detect illness early and help a lot with ovulation tracking.

Crash detection

Thanks to two new and improved sensors — a 3-axis gyroscope and a G-Force accelerometer — the Apple Watch Series 8 will be able to tell when you are in a crash. Crash detection uses many sensors and features to determine if you've been in a severe crash, including the barometer, GPS, and microphone on your iPhone. When it does detect a severe crash, the Series 8 will automatically call 911, provide your location, and notify your emergency contacts if you don't respond to the on-screen notification in 10 seconds. It's very similar to fall detection, but for crashes instead.

Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7: Battery life

While Apple announced a new Low Power Mode alongside the Apple Watch Series 8, it is a feature that will make its way down the lineup in watchOS 9. Any Apple Watch Series 4 and later will be able to take advantage of Low Power Mode as part of watchOS 9, meaning the Apple Watch Series 7 can take advantage of it too.

In Low Power Mode, the Apple Watch Series 8 and presumably other watchOS 9 devices could extend their battery life up to 36 hours depending on use — twice as long as using the Apple Watch in normal mode.

What exactly does it do to make the Apple Watch more power efficient? Apple has stated it temporarily disables or limits select sensors and features, including the Always-On Retina display, workout autostart, heart health notifications, and more.

Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 7: Should you upgrade?

If you just bought a Series 7, I'm not convinced the Series 8 is necessary to run out and grab right away for most people; however, a couple of new features could make it worth it to some.

If you're someone who menstruates and you want better Cycle tracking and more precise indications of when you might be ovulating, the Series 8 might be worth it to you. Or, if you absolutely want the most features, you can get on your Apple Watch and think a temperature sensor and Crash Detection are worthy of your money.

Overall, I think there's no question the Apple Watch Series 8 will take the mantle of best Apple Watch over the Series 7, but whether you want to ditch your Series 7 in favor of the Series 8 is up to you. 

Once you've decided on which iteration to get, it's time to decide between the Apple Watch cellular vs GPS versions of your chosen device.

It's been less than a month since the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE 2, and Apple Watch Ultra went on sale. Although finding the last wearable on that list is still challenging, the first seems to be in plentiful supply, depending on the model. Better still, the Apple Watch Series 8 is already on sale thanks to Amazon's Prime Day. 

Until the end of today, October 12, the Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm and 45mm) are available for $50 off, pushing the starting price to $349 or $379, respectively. 

Announced on September 6, the Apple Watch Series 8 offers important updates from the previous model, including temperature sensing, crash detection, and emergency SOS. In addition, it is available in aluminum or stainless steel in various colors such as Midnight, Starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. 

Besides the Apple Watch Series 8, Cupertino introduced the all-new 4-star Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch SE 2. 

Prime Day also has deals on older Apple Watches. For example, the Apple Watch Series 7 Cellular is now $419 at Amazon, while the Apple Watch SE 2021 Cellular is priced at $279. 

There are other Apple deals as part of Prime Day, including an incredible deal on the M1 MacBook Air and many more, as you can see on our official live blog for the event. 

Tech products tend to run into issues every now and then, and the latest victims seem to be the new Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra. These watches launched recently alongside the new iPhone at the Apple September event, and users have been reporting microphone problems with these watches.

A new report by MacRumors claims Apple is aware of these issues and is investigating them. A fix may be coming soon, given that Apple usually releases quick fixes for issues similar to this one.

Apple memo hints a fix for Series 8 and Ultra microphone issues may be on the way

We at iMore are fans of the new wearables; our Apple Watch Series 8 review calls it "an excellent piece of kit," noting that "it’s the best flagship watch the company has ever created." (We also said it pales in comparison to that hot new Ultra.) But even the best products can have bugs, right?

We reported about microphone issues in the Watch 8 and Ultra issues a few days ago. Multiple users have claimed in forums and chat boards that their devices had microphone problems that disabled some features, including Siri and other apps. The microphone reportedly stops working after some time, and the watch displays an error. 

A demonstrated example was the Noise app, which shows an error that says "Measurement suspended," followed by "The Noise app cannot check sound levels when Apple Watch is in Water Lock or while the microphone or speaker is in use."

MacRumors says it has obtaind a memo from Apple which says that the company is aware of the issues. Apple also said that restarting the watch can get rid of the issues, although only temporarily. Thankfully, this means that the issue likely isn't hardware related.

Apple also recommends that users should ensure their watch is on the latest version of watchOS. This could mean that Apple is working on a fix which may arrive soon, especially since the bug is limiting features. We can expect these issues to be fixed in the next watchOS update now that Apple has acknowledged the issue, even though it doesn't seem to have said so explicitly in the memo.

Both the watches are among the best Apple watches you can get right now, but if microphone features are important to you, you might want to hold off on your purchase until a fix is out.

What makes this case different than older series?

Ever since the Apple Watch Series 7 was released in 2021, the two available sizes are 41mm and 45mm. This is slightly bigger than the 40mm and 44mm options from years before. For that reason, cases for Apple Watch 6 and earlier will not fit the Series 7 or Apple Watch 8 models. However, if your cases were made for Apple Watch Series 7 at 41 or 45mm, then they will also fit the respective sizes of the Series 8. 

Why do some brands advertise cases that fit all Apple Watch series?

If you search hard enough, you may find some brands advertising Apple Watch cases that can fit any Apple Watch, even the Series 8 model. In almost all cases (pun intended), this is not completely true. You may be able to stretch, force, and manhandle a smaller case onto your bigger Apple Watch 8, but that doesn't mean it will fit perfectly. 

The rounded edges of the Apple Watch Series 7 and 8 have a slightly softer curve, and the buttons are slightly larger. So even if you can force an old case onto one of these newer models without damaging it, it won't look quite right, and the buttons may not fit or function properly. Your best bet is to buy a new case that's made for the Apple Watch Series 8 or at least the Series 7. 

If you don’t yet have that newest Apple Watch Series 8, then be sure to visit our Apple Watch Deals section to make sure you get the best price when it comes time to purchase. Keep in mind that there’s also a new Apple Watch in town; the Apple Watch Ultra is the biggest, best Apple wearable ever, although it may be best suited to outdoor enthusiasts. But if you have to buy a new case anyway, this could just be your next ‘Why not?” splurge! 

The Apple Watch Series 8 is prime for a major shakeup when it comes to its colors and finish materials on the base model, according to one leaker.

Apple leaker ShrimpApplePro, who previously called some of the changes on the Apple Watch Series 7 correctly, is out with some predictions for the base model Apple Watch Series 8. According to the leaker, the regular version of the Series 8 will feature the same design as the previous model.

In addition to the same design, the Series 8 will drop its Blue and Green color options for the Aluminum model but add in a Silver option. Midnight, Starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED will stick around.

The Stainless Steel version will drop the Gold colorway but maintain the Graphite and Silver options. Titanium options will reportedly be dropped altogether for the regular version. They also note that there do not appear to be any new sensors in the standard model either, calling into question any new health features.

Where is all of that titanium going?

Why is Apple dropping titanium from its options for the standard Apple Watch Series 8? Well, that material may be reserved for the rumored Apple Watch Pro. Multiple reports indicate that Apple is planning to release a more durable version of the Apple Watch for those looking to take it into more extreme conditions and, to do so, the company is planning to use titanium as its stronger material for the new model.

The Apple Watch Pro, in addition to coming in a more durable material, is also expected to feature a larger display, longer battery life, and potentially even satellite communication.

ShrimpApplePro says that the "mass production date is late August," so it appears that at least the regular Apple Watch Series 8 models will be released on schedule at Apple's event in September.

What you need to know

• Apple's upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 is rumored to use the same chip as the outgoing Apple Watch Series 7.
• The Apple Watch Series 7 used a chip based on the previous Apple Watch Series 6.
• Next year's Apple Watch is expected to get a new chip, according to reports.

Apple's upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 won't get a big chip revision, according to a new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. That means that the watch will continue to use a slightly modified version of the chip that debuted in Apple Watch Series 6.

Writing as part of the weekly Power On newsletter, Gurman says that the rumored Apple Watch Series 8 won't get a big new processor, but will instead use the same one that already powers Apple Watch Series 7. That wearable's S7 chip already borrowed heavily from Apple Watch Series 6's S6, something that caused a furore a year ago.

Thankfully, Gurman says that next year's models will get a more notable upgrade in the silicon department.

Realistically, the lack of a big Apple Watch silicon upgrade this year isn't a huge problem, not least because the Apple Watch Series 7 was already sufficiently performant while offering battery life that gets people through a day at least. However, with more sleep tracking set to be part of this year's watchOS 9 update, more people will need their watch to last for longer between charges.

While the lack of a new chip will be disappointing to some, there's some good news in the form of an Apple Watch Series 8-exclusive feature. An advanced low-power mode was expected to be announced as part of the watchOS 9 unveiling at WWDC22 earlier this month, but that didn't happen. Gurman now believes that will be a feature held back for the new hardware.

If all goes according to previous years we can expect Apple to share more Apple Watch hardware details towards the end of the year, although the ongoing chip shortages and worldwide inflation issues could see things change somewhat during the remainder of 2022.

For now, Apple Watch Series 7 remains the best Apple Watch you can buy.

What you need to know

• A second report says Apple has three watches on the way in 2022.
• Ming-Chi Kuo says we'll get a Series 8, SE, and 'Extreme Sports' edition.
• It follows a similar report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

A new report says Apple will replace the Apple Watch Series 7 with a new Series 8 in 2022, alongside a new Apple Watch SE and an all-new 'Extreme Sports' edition of the watch.

In a note seen by iMore Kuo writes:

The note corroborates previous reports, most recently from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman earlier this week. From the weekend:

Gurman again reiterated Apple's plans to release a new rugged version of its watch which he says is sometimes internally referred to as the 'Explorer Edition.' Gurman says it would function like a normal Apple Watch but feature added impact resistance and protection for use in the great outdoors.

If Kuo and Gurman are right (and they usually are), it stands to reason that in the second half of 2022 we'll get three new variants of Apple Watch to replace Apple's current lineup, including a brand new rugged model.

Kuo also reported today that a second-generation Apple VR headset may debut in 2024 and that the iPhone SE is coming in a bigger more powerful format in 2023. He also says that new AirPods Pro will debut at the end of next year.