What’s new in the Apple Watch Series 8 and SE
It’s not often you introduce a new product at the same time as superseding it, but this is what Apple has done with Apple Watch Series 8 and the new (and great value) Apple Watch SE – because every couch potato anywhere now wants an Apple Watch Ultra. Apple Watch Series 8 starts at $399 (US) and Apple Watch SE starts at $249 (US). So,, what’s new?
The TL;DR intro
Apple Watch Series 8 delivers best-in-class health features, including an innovative temperature sensor that enables advanced features for women’s health, and Crash Detection for severe car crashes.
The redesigned Apple Watch SE delivers a really good selection of the features that made the product a success, and is now a little bit cheaper. Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE are available to order today, with availability beginning Friday, September 16.
Let’s get to the detail a little, shall we?
What Apple said
“We hear from customers how Apple Watch helps them stay connected with loved ones, be more active, and live healthier lives,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
“Apple Watch Series 8 reinforces our commitment in these areas with the addition of pioneering technology, while Apple Watch SE brings advanced core features at a new starting price. Powered by watchOS 9, the best smartwatches deliver more capabilities than ever before.”
What’s new in the Apple Watch SE?
I want to start with the entry-level product, which looks like really good value at this point. It’s certainly caught up with Apple Watch Series 4. So, what’s new?
The new Apple Watch SE delivers the core Apple Watch experience, including Activity tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, and Emergency SOS, as well as the new Crash Detection feature and a completely redesigned back case that perfectly matches the three classic case finishes, all at a more affordable price (from $249).
The device includes the S8 SiP advanced dual-core processor, the same processor that is in Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra, making the SE 20 percent faster than the previous generation, along with Crash Detection and international roaming.
Apple Watch SE maintains the same case design, but features a redesigned matching back case made of a nylon composite material, making it lighter than ever.
Apple Watch SE is available in 40mm and 44mm aluminum cases, in midnight, starlight, and silver finishes, and is compatible with all bands and runs WatchOS 9.
What’s new in the Apple Watch Series 8?
Apple Watch Series 8 features a large, Always-On Retina display and a strong crack-resistant front crystal.
Apple promises an all-day 18-hour battery life. It builds on health features such as the ECG app and fall detection by introducing temperature-sensing capabilities, retrospective ovulation estimates, Crash Detection, and international roaming.
With an eye on over 50% of the human race, the device also offers temperature-sensing capabilities that give women further insights into their health, designed with the same privacy protections as with all other health data.
Introducing the device, Apple explained that nighttime wrist temperature can be a good indicator of overall body temperature. The sensors in Apple Watch Series 8 sample the wrist temperature during sleep every five seconds and measure changes as small as 0.1° C. In the Health app, users can see nightly shifts in baseline temperature, which can be caused by exercise, jet lag, or even illness. This is useful for period and ovulation prediction, and may be of use when spotting other inherent health conditions.
Apple has also introduced a new Low Power Mode that can extend battery life to reach up to 36 hours for Apple Watch Series 8 with iPhone present. This new mode limits select sensors and features, but ensures the device’s key features remain operational.
Apple Watch Series 8 comes in aluminum and stainless steel cases in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, and is compatible with all bands. Aluminum case colors include starlight, midnight, silver, and (PRODUCT)RED, while the stainless steel case offers silver, graphite, and gold.
Apple Watch Nike and Apple Watch Hermès also debut new bands and watch faces this fall.
The new Hermes Lucky Horse face.
New features across the Apple Watch range
Crash Detection is a powerful feature Apple says it hopes none of its customers ever need. To build it, Apple developed an advanced sensor-fusion algorithm that exploits the gyroscope and accelerometer on Apple Watch to identify when (or if) a crash has taken place.
To create the algorithm, data was collected from these new motion sensors at professional crash test labs with common passenger cars in simulated real-world accidents, including head-on, rear-end, side-impact, and rollovers. In addition to motion data, Crash Detection uses the barometer, GPS, and the microphone on iPhone as inputs to detect the unique patterns that can indicate whether a severe crash has taken place.
When Apple Watch detects a severe car crash, the device will check in with the user and dial emergency services if they are unresponsive after a 10-second countdown. Emergency responders will receive the user’s device location, which is also shared with the user’s emergency contacts.
Additional features in watchOS 9
The latest software brings new features and enhanced experiences, not least the capacity to remain connected to a cellular network while traveling abroad. Plans can be extended to Apple Watch from iPhone for little or no additional fee and will be available with over 30 carriers worldwide.
Users who are diagnosed with AFib can turn on the FDA-cleared AFib History feature and access important information, including an estimate of how frequently their heart rhythm shows signs of AFib, providing deeper insights into their condition. The feature will be available in more than 100 countries and territories, including the US, Australia,6 Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, and more.
A better Compass app
The completely redesigned Compass app in watchOS 9 surfaces more in-depth information and three distinct views. The app displays a new hybrid view that simultaneously shows both an analog compass dial and a digital view. Turning the Digital Crown reveals an additional view that includes latitude, longitude, elevation, and incline, as well as an orienteering view showing Compass Waypoints and Backtrack.
Backtrack uses GPS data to create a path showing where the user has been, which is useful if they get lost or disoriented and need help retracing their steps. It can turn on automatically in the background when off the grid. Compass Waypoints are a quick and convenient way to mark a location or point of interest directly in the app. Tapping the Compass Waypoint icon drops a waypoint. Selecting one provides a targeted view of the direction of the waypoint and an approximation of how far away it is.
The Workout app in watchOS 9 includes new in-session views, such as Segments, Splits, and Elevation, that offer more precise workout data. Users can also improve their training with advanced workout experiences, including Heart Rate Zones, Custom Workouts, Pacer, and, coming later this year, Race Route.
Improved sleep tracking
Sleep tracking in watchOS 9 provides even more insights with the introduction of sleep stages. Apple Watch uses signals from the accelerometer and heart rate sensor to estimate when users are in REM, Core, or Deep sleep. Sleep stage data can be viewed directly on Apple Watch in the Sleep app, and users can view more detailed information in the Health app on iPhone, including interactive sleep stages charts, as well as time asleep alongside heart rate or respiratory rate, in sleep comparison charts.
A Medications feature helps users manage and track their medications, vitamins, and supplements, allowing them to create a medications list, set up schedules and reminders, and view information on their medications in the Health app.
The green slide
Both models are made with 100 percent recycled aluminum in the case, 100 percent recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine, and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. Both also feature 100 percent recycled gold — in the plating of multiple printed circuit boards on Apple Watch Series 8, and in the plating of the SiP on the new Apple Watch SE. Both models are free of mercury, BFRs, PVC, and beryllium.
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