Taken as an entire, the Apple Watch is a formidable piece of expertise. It stays probably the greatest smartwatches on the market, and it’s by far essentially the most sensible choice for iPhone homeowners.

Each 12 months, the Apple Watch features small enhancements that Apple undoubtedly hopes can be sufficient to attract new prospects into the fold. However, these year-over-year enhancements aren’t sufficient for many present Apple Watch homeowners to justify upgrading to a more recent mannequin.

To be clear, there’s nothing inherently unsuitable with that. Sometimes we’ve got unrealistic expectations that tech merchandise at all times should be thrilling and progressive. But when a product is already forward of the curve to start with, there’s solely a lot farther it might go.

It’s additionally not a nasty factor that Apple Watch homeowners might be pleased for for much longer with the wearable that’s already on their wrist as a substitute of feeling that they’re lacking out on the subsequent large factor. This is exactly how I’ve felt about my Apple Watch Series 5 for the previous few years, and seeing the brand new Apple Watch Series 8 did nothing to vary that.

The Apple Watch hit its stride three years in the past

As far as I’m involved, the Apple Watch Series 5 is the candy spot in Apple’s smartwatch lineup; it was the mannequin the place the Apple Watch hit its stride.

The Apple Watch had grown up with the Series 4 the 12 months earlier than, including improved coronary heart price sensors, an ECG app, and fall detection. The Series 5 accomplished that journey with an always-on show — a quality-of-life enchancment that made it a considerably extra sensible timepiece.

Since the Series 5, Apple’s annual upgrades have been centered on iterative enhancements and extra area of interest options. The Series 6 gained a blood oxygen sensor and always-on altimeter, together with under-the-hood enhancements to the optical coronary heart sensor and Apple’s extremely wideband U1 chip. The Series 7 grew barely bigger, making room for a full QWERTY keyboard whereas additionally including 33% quicker charging. This 12 months’s Series 8 provides a temperature sensor and emergency crash detection.

These are all stable options, to make certain, however it’s clear that the Apple Watch has already reached maturity as a client product. That’s excellent news, because it means you might be assured that any Apple Watch mannequin you purchase as we speak will stay related and helpful for years to come back.

Why I upgraded to the Apple Watch Series 8

Despite being fairly proud of my Apple Watch Series 5, I took the plunge and picked up a Series 8. However, my choice to improve wasn’t for any of the brand new options that the Series 8 promised and even options from the previous two generations of Apple Watch. In reality, it was really extra in regards to the Series 5.

My father, who’s in his mid-70s, has been sporting an Apple Watch Series 3 for the previous few years, which itself was a hand-me-down after I picked up the Series 5 in 2019. In addition to being smaller, the Series 3 lacks helpful well being options just like the ECG app, fall detection, and improved coronary heart sensors. Further, WatchOS 9 alerts the top of the street for the Apple Watch Series 3, which is able to now be left behind on WatchOS 8.

When the Apple Watch Series 7 got here alongside final 12 months, I started considering upgrading to that one for the only real objective of handing off my Series 5 to my dad. While he was not too long ago visiting from out of city, I made a decision it was a really perfect time to make the transfer. So, I picked up a Series 8 and despatched him house with my previous Series 5.

He’s been thrilled with the improve, significantly the bigger display and always-on show, whereas options like fall detection and higher coronary heart sensors additionally present me with some additional peace of thoughts.

As for me, although, I discover it simple to neglect that I’m sporting a brand new Apple Watch.

Adapting to the Series 8 was easy

Were it not for the bigger show, I wouldn’t discover any distinction between the Series 5 and Series 8. They’re related in each different manner, and the Series 8 doesn’t add any new apps or user-facing options that I’d encounter often.

Of course, the bigger show is a pleasant change. While the Apple Watch Series 8 is just a millimeter bigger than the Series 5, the display grew by twice that in every course. It’s a noticeable distinction, and the looks of the QWERTY keyboard on these uncommon events after I’m replying to a textual content is one other reminder of that.

The new temperature sensor and quick charging additionally prompted me to revisit the sleep-tracking options, and I’m fairly impressed with how a lot these have improved with current WatchOS variations. I’m nonetheless not bought on the concept of sporting my watch to mattress at night time — it simply feels bizarre to me — however it’s nonetheless good to know that I can cost it again up whereas I’m having a shower and having my morning espresso.

Still, even with these new experiences, the Apple Watch Series 8 doesn’t really really feel “new” to me in the identical manner that my iPhone 14 Pro Max does. However, that’s a superb factor, and it’s a testomony to how well-thought-out the Apple Watch is that every new mannequin nonetheless looks like an previous acquainted buddy and never one thing to get enthusiastic about. After all, nice expertise ought to mix in seamlessly with our lives, and that’s very true in the case of wearable expertise. By that commonplace, the Apple Watch fully nails it.

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