If you’re looking for a new Apple Watch, you have three options. There’s the $399 Apple Watch Series 8, the $249 Apple Watch SE, and the brand new $799 Apple Watch Ultra.
Which one is right for you depends on the smartwatch you want. The biggest reason for choosing the Series 8 over the SE now is its additional health-tracking smarts, such as new wrist temperature measurements, blood oxygen saturation readings, and electrocardiogram capabilities. But those who want to share more data about their heart and respiratory health with their doctors may find the Series 8 a better choice. Let’s take a look at it in detail below!
Larger screen with always-on display
If you were to ask what I miss the most while using the Apple Watch SE, it’s the always-on display on the Series 8 and other flagship Apple Watches since 2019. Without the always-on display, the Apple Watch SE’s screen just becomes a black box on my wrist, which isn’t the most appealing look.
When wearing the Series 8, I can view my watch face at any time without having to lift my wrist or touch the watch. The Apple Watch Series 8 also has a larger display compared to the 40 or 44mm SE and is available in 41 and 45mm case sizes. It’s nice to have a larger display, but the only thing I miss is the Series 8’s QWERTY keyboard for typing responses to text messages. On SE, you can still doodle letters, dictate words, or send canned responses. Those who prefer larger text sizes may also want to opt for the Series 8 over the SE. The Series 8 is also available in a pricier stainless steel finish, and the aluminum version offers an extra product red option not available on the SE.
More health tracking
Apple’s flagship watch has evolved into a full-blown health-tracking device capable of taking an electrocardiogram and monitoring blood oxygen levels from the wrist. Series 8 and Ultra were the first to feature temperature sensors, allowing them to check your wrist temperature overnight and show if you’ve strayed from your baseline. It takes five nights to set up temperature sensing, as the watch needs enough time to establish your baseline wrist temperature.
Apple says nighttime wrist temperature can be used as an indicator of overall body temperature, and changes can be caused by illness, jet lag or exercise. Since the Apple Watch doesn’t have readiness scores like Oura or Fitbit, I can see this information to help me decide if my body needs extra rest.
The Apple Watch isn’t a medical device and can’t alert you when you’re sick, so it’s hard to know how to use this data.
Probably the biggest application for the Series 8’s temperature sensing right now is fertility tracking. Apple says the Series 8 and Ultra can offer retrospective ovulation estimates and improved period tracking, which could make the Series 8 a better choice for those interested in using it for family planning. This information may be helpful because it provides users with data from their own bodies, rather than just an estimate based on their cycle length.
Apple says data stored in the Health app — including women’s health statistics such as ovulation estimates — is encrypted when your iPhone is locked with a passcode, Face ID or Touch ID. The same goes for data backed up to iCloud.
You also need to make sure that two-factor authentication is enabled for your iCloud account, which should be enabled by default. This ensures that health data is end-to-end encrypted, which means Apple cannot read or access your data. To make sure two-factor authentication is turned on, open the Settings menu on your iPhone, tap your name and select the Passcode & Security option.
Other extras like faster charging and ultra-wideband
While the Series 8’s extra health sensor is probably the biggest reason to choose it over the SE, there are a few other extra factors to consider. The Series 8 charges faster than the SE because it inherits the fast-charging capabilities of the Series 6 and 7. The Apple Watch Series 8 charged from 70% to 80% in 10 minutes, while the SE charged from 70% to 77% over the same period. For each watch, I used the included charging cable and the same power adapter that plugs into the same outlet. Both watches feature Apple’s new Low Power Mode, which dials back certain features, such as automatic workout detection, for better battery life.
The Series 8, like the Series 6 and 7, has Apple’s U1 ultra-wideband chip. Ultra Wideband is a wireless protocol for proximity sensing that is becoming common in new flagship phones and smartwatches. Ultrawideband is primarily used to find misplaced items and gadgets using Apple’s Find My service, or to unlock your car with more precision than Bluetooth.
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