Apple Watch Series 8 release date, price, and features
On September 7th, 2022, Apple's latest iteration of its signature Apple Watch wearable debuted alongside the iPhone 14 lineup.
- By the way, we're now waiting for the next generation of the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 9, so if you're interested, check it out!
In 2022, Apple announced three separate devices: an Apple Watch 8, a more affordable Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen, and finally, stole the show with the rugged Apple Watch Ultra, the first of its kind. The latter is a more durable and long-lasting version of the Apple Watch, suitable for more adventurous individuals.
The Apple Watch is currently the most popular smartwatch across the globe, and by a wide margin at that. In 2021 alone, Apple had a 30% share of the smartwatch market, with Samsung trailing as the second-best company with a smaller, 10% share. This is huge and makes the Watch Series 8 generation that much more important.
We've included all the relevant information on the Apple Watch Series 8, the Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra, including our reviews, right below!
watchOS 11 is now available for the Apple Watch Series 8, delivering many new features like the Vitals app, new watch faces, etc.
The Apple Watch Series 10 was announced in September 2024, and that one is a pretty big update to the Apple Watch, with a visual redesign, faster charging, and new health features like apnea detection.
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Apple Watch 8 release date
The Apple Watch 8 was unveiled on September 7, 2022, at Apple's Far Out event, alongside the iPhone 14 series and the AirPods Pro 2. The Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch SE went on sale on September 16, while the Apple Watch Ultra will be available slightly later on September 23. All new Apple Watch models were available for pre-order immediately after the Far Out event concluded on September 7.
Apple Watch 8 price
The Apple Watch 8 starts at $399 for the regular, GPS-only version, and at $499 for the base GPS + cellular version. It should be noted that these are the prices of the 41mm version. In comparison, the Apple Watch SE begins at $249 for the GPS-only model, while the GPS+Cellular one will cost you $299. The Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's most expensive wearable to date - it is priced at a whopping $799, with only one variant available.
| Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen | Apple Watch Series 8 | Apple Watch Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small size (41mm AW8, 40mm SE) | $249 | $399 | - |
| Large size (45mm AW8, 44mm SE) | $279 | $429 | - |
| Extra-large size (49mm) | - | - | $799 |
Apple Watch 8 versions
- Apple Watch 8 (41mm)
- Apple Watch 8 (45mm)
Speaking of completely different models, as mentioned already, we have:
- Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (40mm)
- Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (44mm)
- Apple Watch Ultra (49mm)
And what are the differences between the aluminum and stainless steel versions? Mainly, the feel and overall sturdiness of the smartwatch's case, the available colors, as well as the pricing, of course—the stainless steel is more expensive than the standard aluminum one.
Apple Watch 8 specs
Here are the specs for the Apple Watch 8, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra.
| Apple Watch 8 | Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen | Apple Watch Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Models (Size, Weight) | 45mm: 45x38x10.7mm 38.8 grams (Aluminum, GPS) 39.1 grams (Aluminum, GPS + Cellular) 51.5 grams (Stainless Steel) 41mm: 41x35x10.7mm (41mm) 31.9 grams (Aluminum, GPS) 31.9 grams (Aluminum, GPS + Cellular) 42.3 grams (Stainless Steel) | 44mm: 44x38x10.7mm (44mm) 32.9 grams (GPS) 33.0 grams (GPS + Cellular) 40mm: 40x34x10.7mm (40mm) 26.4 grams (GPS) 27.8 grams (GPS + Cellular) | 49mm: 49x44x14.4mm 61.3 grams |
| Colors | Aluminum: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Product (RED) Stainless Steel: Graphite, Silver, Gold Hermès version: Silver, Space Black | Midnight, Starlight, Silver | Natural Titanium |
| Display | 45mm: 396x484 pixels 41mm: 352x430 pixels Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display | 44mm: 368x448 pixels 40mm 324x394 pixels Retina LTPO OLED display | 410x502 pixels Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display |
| Processor, RAM, Storage | S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 wireless chip, U1 wideband, 32GB storage | S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 wireless chip, 32GB storage | S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor, W3 wireless chip, U1 wideband, 32GB storage |
| Software | Watch OS 9 | Watch OS 9 | Watch OS 9 |
| Battery and Charging | Up to 18 hours, USB-C Magnetic fast charging | Up to 18 hours, USB-C Magnetic charging | Up to 36/18 hours, USB-C Magnetic fast charging |
| Sensors | L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou Compass, always-on altimeter Blood Oxygen sensor, ECG, third-gen heartrate sensor, 256G fall and crash detection | L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS Compass, always-on altimeter, second-gen heartrate sensor, 256G fall and crash detection | L1 and L5 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou Compass, always-on altimeter Blood Oxygen sensor, ECG, second-gen heartrate sensor, 256G fall and crash detection Depth gauge, dive-ready, water temperature sensor |
| Connectivity | LTE+UMTS, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 | LTE+UMTS, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 | LTE+UMTS, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Durability | Water-resistant 5ATM | Water-resistant 5ATM | Water-resistant 10ATM |
Apple Watch 8 Reviews
Our Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch Ultra reviews are live. Here's where to find them:
- Apple Watch 8 review — The new Apple Watch flagship, comprising most of the new features with still acceptable pricing.
- Apple Watch SE 2 (2022) Review — The affordable new Apple Watch comes with slightly refreshed hardware but still uses the same old design.
- Apple Watch Ultra review — Apple's most advanced wearable, suitable for adventurous individuals that often push it to the limit.
Apple Watch 8 comparisons
When it comes to comparisons, we've got the Apple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Series 7, which will show you a possible upgrade path.
- Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 7 — With few improvements and mostly an evolutionary upgrade, the Apple Watch 8 is not a mandatory upgrade for sure.
- Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 6 — Is the new wearable worth the upgrade?
- Apple Watch Ultra vs Apple Watch 8 — What are the main differences between the rugged and regular Apple wearables?
In what colors is the Apple Watch 8 available?
The Apple Watch 8 comes in a slew of colors, depending on the material that makes up the case. For example, the entry-level aluminum version is available in Midnight, Starlight, Product RED, and Silver. Meanwhile, the stainless steel version is available in Graphite, Silver, and Gold. Finally, the Hermes edition is available in Silver and Space Black.
The Apple Watch SE will be available in Midnight, Starlight, and Silver.
Finally, the superb Apple Watch Ultra comes in Natural Titanium only. Hopefully, Apple would release a new color option at its traditional spring events early in 2023. As a reminder, the iPhone 13 scored a hot-new color in early 2022, so there's hope that the Apple Watch Ultra could do the same.
What are the best Apple Watch deals?
Some of the best Apple Watch deals right now can shed a significant amount off the wearables, with a trade-in required. We've rounded up the best Apple Watch Series 8 deals available right now for all the juicy details.
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