TechSmartwatchesApple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Series 7: do you need to upgrade?Is the latest Apple Watch 8 or the slightly older Apple Watch 7 best for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechSmartwatchesApple Watch Series 8 vs Apple Watch Series 7: do you need to upgrade?Is the latest Apple Watch 8 or the slightly older Apple Watch 7 best for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Is the latest Apple Watch 8 or the slightly older Apple Watch 7 best for you?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: T3 / Apple)
(Image credit: T3 / Apple)
TheApple Watch Series 8has just been announced but with theApple Watch 7still available, do you really need it?
If that’s the decision you’re grappling with, we’re here to help. Both watches look similar, but it’s a bright idea to weigh up if you need to pay the extra for the latestApple Watch8 or if the olderAppleWatch 7 will suffice.
Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 7: price and availability
At launch, it cost from $399/£369/AU$599 for the 41mm version or from $429/£399/AU$649 for the 45mm version. Prices increase depending on the watch band you choose and the casing. You may see more discounts now that it’s the older version.
The Apple Watch 8 launches on 16 September. It starts at $399/£419/AU$679 for GPS and $499/£529/AU$789 for cellular. Again, prices vary depending on your watch strap and casing configuration.
Winner: The Apple Watch 7 is the cheapest, but that’s because it’s the older model and one that may become trickier to find.
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Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 dealsApple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 dealsApple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 dealsApple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 deals
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel
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Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
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(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 7: design
The Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch 7 share the same design. They both offer a distinctive rectangular screen with a choice of 41mm or 45mm model. Depending on the size you choose, the screen is either 1.57-inch or 1.73-inch with a resolution of either 352 x 430 or 396 x 484 and up to 1,000 nits of brightness. Both have an always-on OLED display.
There are dozens of watch straps to choose from, both from Apple and third-party sellers. The Apple Watch 8 comes in one of four colors - midnight, starlight, silver and product Red, with three stainless steel finishes also available if you want to pay more. The Apple Watch 7 has slightly more options thanks to having been around longer.
Both watches have a tougher display than some competitors, with IP68-certified protection against dust and water and swim proofing up to 5 ATM.
Winner: Tie. Design-wise, these are identical smartwatches.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 7: features and performance
On the surface, both Apple Watch 8 and Apple Watch 7 are pretty similar in terms of features. They will both run WatchOS 9 when it’s released. Both also have standard fitness and workout tracking, plenty of notification support, and Apple’s Activity Rings system, which is always a hit when it comes to motivating you to do more each day.
Both watches will also benefit from WatchOS 9’s new low-power battery mode, where an ‘all-day’ life of 18 hours should increase to 36 hours if you cut back on some features.
There are some differences, though. The Apple Watch 8 has an S8 SiP processor, while the 7 has the older S7 chip. It won’t make a tremendous difference in real-world use, but if you need the fastest performance, you’ll like it.
The Apple Watch 8 also has a new crash detection function. If you’re in a serious car accident, it can automatically connect you to emergency services and notify your emergency contacts. Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but it could be a lifesaver.
Winner: Both watches are similar, but the Apple Watch 8 is slightly faster and has a car crash detection feature.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 7: Sensors
Again, there’s a lot of overlap here with the Apple Watch 8 adding to the fold. Both watches have a blood oxygen sensor, ECG facility, and notifications if your heart rate suddenly becomes unusually high or low.
The car crash detection feature also relies on improved sensors. The Apple Watch 8 has new motion sensors to detect extreme impact, while the microphone spots unusual sounds.
Winner: The Apple Watch 8 has slightly more sensors than the Apple Watch 7, but it’s not essential if you don’t need to track ovulation.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 7: interface and user experience
You guessed it – these are Apple Watches that run the same version of WatchOS, so you’re getting a pretty much identical experience.
Both watches will now support international roaming. WatchOS also means you’ll be able to track your stride length and ground contact time and race against your past self.
They also require you to use aniPhonealongside it, soAndroidowners will want to steer clear. There’s no change in battery life, although the new low-power mode should help both last longer throughout the day and beyond.
Winner: Tie. Your daily experience will be exceptionally similar, whichever watch you choose.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
Apple Watch 8 vs Apple Watch 7: verdict
There’s not much difference between the Apple Watch 8 and the Apple Watch 7. The 8 is slightly faster and has a new temperature sensor and car crash detection. For most people, though, these won’t be features you need all the time. Instead, they’re nice extras if you don’t already own an Apple Watch or you own a much older model.
If you already own an Apple Watch 7, there’s not much point in upgrading. Similarly, if you’re on a tight budget, many people will be happy with the 7 rather than paying the extra for the Series 8.
Still, if you need the latest model and can afford it, you might as well go for the 8. Don’t count on it being significantly different to the older version, though.
Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 dealsApple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 dealsApple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 dealsApple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 deals
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all pricesApple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel$10.99$8.99ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel
Apple Watch Series 7 - stainless steel
$10.99$8.99View
$10.99$8.99
$8.99
See all prices
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular$193.65ViewSee all prices
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm GPS + Cellular
$193.65View
$193.65
$193.65
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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