Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch Series 8: What’s the Difference? Apple’s dominance in the smartwatch market was virtually undeniable in 2021, with the Cupertino-based manufacturer accounting for over 30% of sales in the segment. And few people can change this situation. The released models of Samsung look certainly technological and attractive, but, frankly, only the Apple Watch Series 8 can overthrow the Apple Watch Series 7 from its pedestal.
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However, this mainstream model seems in many ways a minor update to its predecessor. So what are the differences between Apple watches of the last two generations and what are the advantages of the novelty? We will talk about this in more detail.
External differences between Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8
And while there have been rumors about a possible major redesign of the Watch Series 8, it looks like they were referring to a different model, the Ultra. And the main model of 2022 retained the features of its predecessor. The design, like the dimensions, has not changed. Case dimensions were 252 x 430 mm (model with 41 mm display) and 396 x 484 mm (45 mm model).
Almost the entire front side is given to the screen, the frames are as thin as possible. The corners and edges of the watch are rounded, the style can be called unisex. The right side is given to the Digital Crown and the power button. The version of the Apple Watch equipped with Cellular has a red ring on the Digital Crown (see image above).
Both models come in recycled aluminum, but stainless steel options are also available. Even the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 weigh the same – 32 grams in the 41mm case and almost 39 grams in the 45mm case.
You can distinguish the watches from each other, perhaps, with the help of color options. The Apple Watch Series 7 and Watch Series 8 received the same stainless steel color options: silver, gold, and graphite. But the more popular and popular aluminum case of the Apple Watch Series 7 is available in colors: black (dark night), white (shining star), green, blue and brand red (PRODUCT) RED.
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a slightly more modest set of colors: black, white, gold and signature red.
Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 displays
The display is perhaps the main part of all smart watches. The Series 7 screen has become 20% larger than the previous model, this was achieved by reducing the thickness of the frames. Apple Watch Series 8 retained a successful design. In fact, the screen remained exactly the same.
This is a fairly high-quality OLED LTPO Retina display, the brightness reaches 1000 cd / m². The colors are rich and the characters are crisp. The screen resolution of the 45 mm model is 396 × 484 pixels and its area is 1,143 mm², while the 41 mm model has 352 × 430 pixels and an area of 904 mm².
Both models support the Always-On function. Thanks to it, the screen can always remain on, displaying the most necessary information. You do not even need to make any special hand movements to activate the picture.
The aluminum models received an Ion-X protective glass on the front side, while the more status steel models are already protected by a sapphire crystal. In any case, the oleophobic layer is present.
Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 performance
The new watch also received an updated processor, the Apple S8. But in fact, this is still the same 64-bit and dual-core processor that was installed in the previous model. You obviously will not see an explosive increase in productivity. Moreover, the Apple S7 did an excellent job with its tasks. And while Apple is talking about a 20% increase in power, this applies to certain tasks, under certain conditions.
The Apple W3 coprocessor is responsible for the wireless interfaces in both models. Watch Series 7 and Watch Series 8 use 1 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage is offered for user needs.
Health features and monitoring on Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch Series 8
A very important part of the functionality of modern smartwatches is dedicated to monitoring the health of the user. Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8 can not only measure heart rate, but also measure blood oxygen saturation. This allows you to evaluate the work of the lungs. Measurements are made using a cluster of LEDs and photodiodes on the back of the device.
An electrical heart rate sensor is also located there, the secondary electrodes are located in the Digital Crown. The watch software helps you create an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Another important opportunity to monitor health is an optical heart rate sensor. Both models have the third generation of the sensor.
Both watch models run watchOS 9. But if the Series 8 gets this system out of the box, then the predecessor can be updated to this software version. So you will not find software differences either. The system received many new watch faces, improved sleep tracking, women’s health monitoring. But the last feature is a highlight of the Series 8. The new sensor in this model is able to track body temperature, taking measurements every 5 seconds, and report ovulation periods, track women’s cycles more accurately.
Another notable difference is the introduction of the Series 8 crash detection system. The watch, analyzing information from all sensors, detects a sharp overload and its type. An alert will be immediately sent to relatives and emergency services.
This was in addition to the Series 7’s ability to detect a user’s fall and send an appropriate signal.
The rest of the set of functions is repeated: the ability to read notifications from the phone, communicate with Siri and listen to podcasts, keep diaries of training and fitness, and watch activity rings.
Other Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch Series 8 Features
Both watch models received a good set of sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, always-on altimeter, ambient light sensor, microphone and speaker. Series 7 and Series 8 are compatible with GymKit machines. There are models that support both GPS (GLONASS/Galileo/QZSS) and GPS + Cellular (mobile networks). Wi-Fi operates at a frequency of 2.4 and 5 GHz, this is 802.11 b / g / n, but in favor of the new model, support for Bluetooth 5.3. Series 7 work with protocol version 5.0. What will it give in practice? Perhaps a little better pairing with the new smartphone, which should also support the new Bluetooth protocol.
Both models received full protection from water, they can dive to a depth of 50 meters and engage in water training and related sports.
There is IP6X dust protection. The new model did not get any better in this aspect, but everything was in order with the protection of the device.
Battery in Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch Series 8
The autonomy of these two models is the same, the new processor did not affect it in any way. Series 7 and Series 8 are capable of running up to 18 hours in mixed mode, including using the Always-on display mode. But the power saving mode also did not become unique, because this feature is implemented using watchOS 9, which will work on the last two generations of Apple Watch. Both models support fast charging. They can recharge the capacity from 0 to 80% in just 45 minutes, and 8 minutes of charging will be enough to track the next 8 hours of sleep.
