Gather around for a thrilling debate in the world of wearable tech! In the blue corner, we have the reigning champ, Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 9, known for its incredible features and reliability.
And in the red corner, the challenger, the Apple Watch Series 9, is here to prove it’s the new king of the smartwatch arena.
Get ready to witness an intense face-off where we’ll dissect every aspect, from specs to style, to help you decide which one deserves a place on your wrist. We’ll dive deep into the technology behind their dazzling displays, dissect their powerful processors, and examine their health-tracking capabilities.
But the battle doesn’t end there – we’ll also reveal their prices and availability because, let’s face it, budget and accessibility matter! now, get comfy, grab your popcorn, and equip for a tech showdown to determine the smartwatch supremacy. The Apple Watch 9 vs. Apple Watch 8 are about to go head-to-head, and we’re here to guide you through it all!
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Apple Watch Series 9: Features
Materials:
- Watch Series 9: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
- Watch Series 8: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
Sizes:
- Apple Series 9: 41mm, 45mm
- Apple Series 8: 41mm, 45mm
Colors:
- Apple Watch Series 9 (Aluminum): Midnight, Silver, Red, Starlight, Pink
- Apple Watch Series 9 (Stainless Steel): Silver, Gold
- Apple Watch Series 8 (Aluminum): Starlight, Silver, Midnight, Red
- Apple Watch Series 8 (Stainless Steel): Graphite, Gold, Silver
Display:
- Apple Watch Series 9: Always-on Retina LTPO OLED, 2,000 nits peak brightness, one nit lowlight
- Apple Watch Series 8: Always-on Retina LTPO OLED, 1,000 nits peak brightness, one nit lowlight
Processor:
- Apple Watch Series 9: S9
- Apple Watch Series 8: S8
Double-tap gesture:
- Apple Watch Series 9: Yes
- Apple Watch Series 8: Accessibility only
Siri:
- Apple Watch Series 9: On-device
- Apple Watch Series 8: Wi-Fi or cellular data required
Sensors:
- Both Series 9 and Series 8, as well as electrical heart sensors and new-gen optical heart sensors, are equipped with heat sensors.
Battery Life:
- Apple Watch 9: for 18 hours
- Apple Watch 8: for 18 hours
Fast Charging:
- Apple Watch Series 9: Yes
- Apple Watch Series 8: Yes
Ultra Wideband (UWB):
- Apple Watch Series 9: Second-generation UWB chip with Precision Finding for iPhone 15
Though there exist several similarities between the Apple Watch 9 vs Apple Watch 8, some notable distinctions deserve attention. In particular, the Series 9 debuts the advanced S9 chip, featuring improved performance, on-device Siri processing, and the innovative Double Tap gesture. Furthermore, its display achieves a pinnacle brightness of 2,000 nits, enhancing visibility in bright daylight. Nevertheless, both models maintain identical battery life and fast-charging capabilities.
Watch Series 8 vs. Watch Series 9: Design
The design philosophy of the Apple Watch Series 9 closely aligns with that of the applewatch series 8, upholding Apple’s longstanding commitment to preserving the fundamental design principles within its primary Apple Watch Series. Both iterations share the iconic square design characterized by elegantly curved edges and provide options for either aluminum or stainless steel casings. Furthermore, customers have the flexibility to select between the 41mm and 45mm sizes, ensuring a comfortable and personalized fit on the wrist.
In terms of color options, the aluminum variant of the Apple Watch Series 9 offers Midnight, Starlight, Silver, Product Red, and the new Pink color. The stainless steel version maintains its Gold, Silver, and Graphite choices.
Overall, the design remains consistent, providing a sense of continuity in Apple’s smartwatch lineup.
The Apple Watch 8 vs. Apple Watch 9: Screen
The Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Applewatch Series 9 display technology is based on the Always-on Retina LTPO OLED. However, there is a notable difference in peak brightness levels.
- Apple Watch Series 9: Boasts a remarkable 2,000 nits peak brightness, offering improved outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. It can also dim down to just one nit in low-light conditions, reducing eye strain during nighttime use.
- Apple Watch Series 8: Offers a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which, while still impressive, falls short of the Series 9’s brightness capabilities. It also has a one-nit lowlight mode.
This increase in brightness levels in the Apple watchseries 9 makes it the preferred choice for users frequently exposed to bright outdoor environments.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 9: Processor and Software
This is where the Apple Watch Series 9 distinguishes itself with significant advancements:
- Processor: The Series 9 is equipped with the S9 chip, a notable departure from the S8 chip in the Series 8. The S9 chip incorporates 5.6 billion transistors and a GPU that is 32% quicker than its predecessor. Furthermore, it features a four-core Neural Engine capable of machine knowledge assignments twice as speedy as the S8.
- Siri: Thanks to the S9 chip’s capabilities, Siri requests can now be handled directly on the Apple Watch. This enhancement eliminates the previous Wi-Fi or cellular data requirement when making basic Siri requests, such as setting a timer or initiating a workout.
- Multiple Tapping Gesture: The Double Tap gesture is a unique and innovative feature introduced in the Series 9. This allows users to control the watch without touching the display directly. By quickly tapping the index finger and thumb of the watch hand together twice, users can complete various actions and guide through watchOS 10.
- Ultra Wideband (UWB): The Series 9 also incorporates a second-generation UWB chip, enabling Precision Finding for iPhone 15. It also enhances integration between the Apple Watch and HomePod.
The Series 9’s S9 chip represents a significant leap in performance and functionality, making it an attractive option for users looking for enhanced capabilities and responsiveness in their smartwatch.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 9: Battery and Charging
Image Source: Android Authority
Even with the S9 chip debuting in the Apple watchseries 9, there’s no substantial alteration in battery life compared to the Series 8. Both models maintain the same 18-hour battery life, consistent with the performance of previous Apple Watch iterations.
Furthermore, both the Series 9 and Apple watchseries 8 retain support for fast charging, enabling them to reach an impressive 80% charge in around 45 minutes.
Despite the enhancements brought by the S9 chip, it’s essential to note that this improvement does not extend to prolonged battery life in the Series 9. Therefore, users can expect a similar battery experience as provided by Apple watchseries 8.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 9: Fitness and Health Tracking
The Apple Watch Series 9 maintains continuity with the Watch Series 8 regarding fitness and health tracking capabilities. Both models offer a range of health features, including:
- Electrocardiography (ECG)
- Continuous monitoring of heart rate with alerts in case of high or low heart rate
- Alerts regarding irregular rhythms
- Fitness notifications for low cardio
- climate sensors
- Slumber tracking
- Tumble detection
- Collision Detection for car calamities
Both the Watch Series 9 and Watch Series 8 can run watchOS 10, which introduces new features tailored for cyclists and hikers, including additional metrics, views, and experiences specific to these activities. Mood tracking and ambient light sensors for monitoring daylight exposure also enhance overall health-tracking capabilities.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Series 9: Price and Availability
Apple Watch Series 9 Pricing:
- The Apple Watch Series 9 base model, with an aluminum case, begins at $399.
- For those preferring stainless steel casings, pricing begins at $749.
- Apple offers a monthly payment option, allowing consumers to pay approximately $33.25 per month for 12 months for the $399 model.
Availability:
- Preorders for the Apple Watch Series 9 were made available to the public.
- The official release date for the Series 9 is September 22, marking its widespread accessibility.
Discontinuation of Apple Watch Series 8:
- Apple has chosen to discontinue the Apple Watch Series 8 with the takeoff of the Series 9.
- The Series 8 will no longer be part of Apple’s official product lineup.
Discounted Prices for series 8 Apple watch:
Retailers may still have an existing stock of series 8 Apple watch watches.
These retailers might offer discounted prices, promotions, or bundle deals to clear Series 8 inventory.
The expected price of the Apple Watch Series 8 in the USA at its release in September 2022 was approximately $549.
In conclusion, the pricing and availability of the Apple Watch Series 9 and the discontinuation of the Series 8 offer consumers various options. The watch series 9 caters to different budgets with financing choices and becomes widely accessible on September 22.
With the Series 8’s discontinuation, consumers may find discounted Series 8 models at various retailers, providing a more budget-friendly smartwatch alternative. These factors empower consumers to select options that match their tastes and monetary concerns.
However, those looking for a more cost-effective smartwatch may still find Series 8 models at discounted prices from various retailers, presenting a viable alternative to the latest and most expensive options. Ultimately, these factors give consumers options that align with their priorities and monetary concerns.
Verdict: Is the Upgrade to the Series 9 Apple Watch Worth It?
Image Source: iDrop News
The Apple Watch Series 9 is a notable advancement in Apple’s wearable technology lineup, featuring the powerful S9 chip that significantly enhances performance and capabilities compared to the Series 8.
Introducing the S9 chip brings on-device Siri processing, the convenient Double Tap gesture, and a second-generation UWB chip for Precision Finding, all contributing to a more innovative and responsive smartwatch experience.
Notably, the Series 9 boasts a remarkable display with an impressive peak brightness of 2,000 nits. This makes it exceptionally suitable for outdoor use, guaranteeing outstanding visibility even in luminous daylight.
However, a limitation of the Series 9 Apple watch lies in its battery life, which remains at the same 18-hour mark as the Series 8. Additionally, there are no improvements in charging speeds, which might disappoint some users.
For those already owning an Apple Watch Series 8, upgrading to the Series 9 may hinge on individual preferences and priorities. While the S9 chip introduces significant enhancements, the Series 8 remains a capable and satisfying option for users, far from being outdated.
Ultimately, choosing between the Apple Watch Series 9 and Series 8 depends on your specific requirements and allocation. The Series 9 undoubtedly presents an enticing upgrade, particularly for tech enthusiasts seeking the latest features. However, the Series 8 is a reliable choice for smartwatch enthusiasts, offering a tried-and-true performance.
Conclusion
To conclude, Apple caters to a diverse audience by offering the Series 9 with its cutting-edge features and the Series 8 with its dependable performance. Whether you opt for the technological advancements of the Series 9 or the consistent reliability of the Series 8 depends on your individual needs and preferences. We hope this blog on Apple Watch 9 vs. Apple Watch 8 helped you make your decision.
