Apple Watch Series 8, Is it Worth It?

The Apple Watch Series 8 remains the best smartwatch in the market, and while it sports the same design as last year, it continues to set the standard in the segment.

Apple has for the past few years been the world’s largest watch company. It has also started creating product lines similar to watch companies where models don’t change with time as it does in the smartphone industry.

This could be why the Apple Watch Series 8 doesn’t appear to be much of an upgrade in comparison to last year’s Series 7.

Apple Watch Series 8 specifications

• Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display
• 41mm: 352 by 430 pixels, 45mm: 396 by 484 pixels
• 1000 nits brightness
• S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor with 32GB storage space 
• W3 Apple wireless chip
• U1 chip (Ultra-Wide-band)
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz and 5GHz
• Bluetooth 5.3
• Up to 18 hours of battery life
• USB-C magnetic fast charging cable
• GPS: L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou
• Up to 256 g-forces with Fall Detection and Crash Detection 

Apple Watch Series 8 price in India is Rs 45,900 for the 41mm version.

Like the latest iPhones, the Series 8 price hike over its predecessor, costing from ₹55,900 for 41mm, and ₹58,900 which goes up to ₹84,900 for the Gold Stainless Steel Case With Gold Milanese Loop

Apple Watch Series 8: What’s different, does that temperature sensor work for everyone?

• The key feature of the Apple Watch Series 8 for me is the new temperature sensor which is supposed to help detect the body’s basal temperature.
• This is new to the Apple Watch and available only on Series 8 and the Ultra. 
• The feature helps improve menstruation cycle tracking for women by alerting them about their possible ovulation dates, claims Apple.
• Apple is using two sensors for this; one located at the back of the watch near the skin and a second one under the display. Basal temperature, or body temperature when at rest, shows a slight increase soon after ovulation. Sometimes the rise is less than 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Further, factors such as stress, jet lag, lack of sleep, etc., also impact basal body temperature.
• The temperature sensor is not meant to test body temperature if you suspect you have a fever. It is not calculated in real time. But if you are using this daily, you will get some indication as the Health app does let you see the temperature data at length. 
• You need to wear the watch at night to sleep for Apple to accurately detect this basal temperature. The Watch needs to work for a minimum of five nights for the data to start showing. Keep in mind that Apple is giving retrospective data on ovulation. 

Apple Watch Series 8: What’s improved?

• The bigger screen size compared to the older Series 3, means more space to view content. But, this is not much of a change for someone on the existing Series 7. Of course, the Apple Watch fulfills a lot of smart functions and remains ahead of its rivals.
• From replying to WhatsApp notifications and text messages to taking calls, this is a smartwatch that fulfills every single function without slowing down.
• What also impressed us was the battery life. And this is when been wearing the watch at night as well, during my sleep hours. Apple promises around 18 hours of battery life. There’s also a new Low Power mode on WatchOS 9, which ensures you can extend the battery life further.
• You will need to switch on Sleep focus on the Watch itself when sleeping for the temperature data to get collected. After five nights, with the Sleep focus turned on, the data appears in the Health app. One can see the wrist temperature as an option in the Body Measurements segment of the app.
• But this data could certainly serve as another useful indicator for women who might not have the most regular period cycle. Very often women find their symptoms ignored by doctors but perhaps clubbed with data it might make for a more persuasive case.
• Apple Watch Series 8 remains the best option when it comes to other forms of exercise and workouts. But the Series 8 is also capable of ECG and detecting blood oxygen. The ECG feature is not something everyone needs, but might be relevant in this post-COVID world, where many of us have seen our physical health take a hit.
• The Apple Watch Series 8 can also detect loud sounds and noise, which might be detrimental to our hearing. So far it has been accurate in detecting these.

Apple Watch Series 8: Who should upgrade?

• The Apple Watch Series 8– like previous generations– remains the smartwatch to beat for other brands.
• If you are an iPhone user and have been wondering if it is time to get an Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 8 is certainly an excellent choice.
• if you’re someone who is more conscious about their health and doesn’t mind paying for the extra sensors such as the temperature one, ECG, and blood oxygen monitoring, then it makes sense to get the Series 8. 

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