The Apple Watch Series 8 appears to be on track for a typical fall release this year, and while it will undoubtedly cater only to iPhone users again, that’s unlikely to stop it from repeating itself as the most popular smartwatch on the market.
While Apple won’t comment on new hardware until it takes the stage to announce it, a slew of leaks and rumors about the Apple Watch Series 8 go all the way back to the years before the Apple Watch 7 was last released. Here’s everything we know about the Apple Watch Series 8 so far, including expected release date, pricing, specs, and more.
Apple Watch Series 8: release date
When it comes to Apple Watch releases, Apple has no suspense if it doesn’t, so we’ve always known that the early September release was a virtual guarantee. This year is no different, with Apple sending out invites at its “Far out” event on September 7 starting at 10 a.m. ET. Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and the iPhone 14 should debut.
Apple Watch Series 8: Price
Apple is expected to stick with current Apple Watch pricing, which starts at $399 for the base model. Upgrading to cellular should add another $100, whether you get the base Apple Watch or on top of the $30 premium you pay for the larger model. Pricing for different case materials like stainless steel or titanium will push the price up, possibly matching the current $699 and $799 price points again.
Apple Watch Series 8: Design
The Apple Watch’s design has changed only marginally over the years, and last year’s larger display represented one of the most significant updates, but this year could see even bigger changes. Jon Prosser released a series of leaks in conjunction with @IanZelbo ahead of the release of the Apple Watch Series 7, followed by a series of leaks from PhoneArena showcasing the new design of the Apple Watch.
These renders, along with the leaked schematics they are allegedly based on, reveal an Apple Watch that follows the flat-edged design language Apple currently finds across much of its product lineup. These leaks may be premature, and the schematics are actually for the Apple Watch Series 8.
One exception is the larger rugged model mentioned earlier. In addition to Mark Gurman’s leak, DSCC’s Ross Young and Haitong International Securities’ Jeff Pu have independently claimed a 2-inch Apple Watch display will be available this year. That’s about a 5% increase in size over the largest Series 7 monitor. Gurman claims the Pro model will feature an “evolution of the current rectangular shape, rather than a circle,” but also dismisses the flat-edge design, saying it will use a titanium chassis and a more shatter-resistant display.
As for the color of the Apple Watch 8, according to well-known leaker ShrimpApplePro on Twitter, the standard Apple Watch 8 is coming in a new red color. However, this may be the only new color option available, as the Series 8 has a limited range of colors.
The aluminum frame is expected to come in Midnight, Starlight, Silver and (PRODUCT) RED, while the stainless steel frame will come in Silver and Graphite. That means there won’t be any blue or green options, or space black titanium and gold stainless steel.
Apple Watch Series 8: Features
While watchOS 9 will bring many new features to current Apple Watch users as well as Series 8 buyers, there are also some potential new features that are unique to the Series 8. Most notable of these are temperature sensors, while Gurman thinks blood pressure sensors and blood sugar sensors that some have suggested may not be available until 2025 and beyond.
Appearance
The Apple Watch excels both as a smartwatch and as a fitness and health tracker, with features such as new prescription tracking that further enhances its usefulness for a wide range of users. The feature I most want to see improved is battery life. Especially with Apple pitching it as a health tool that could make a big difference for some users, the need to charge every day feels like the most obvious Achilles heel for other leading smartwatches.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Apple Watch battery