We tested the Apple Watch Series 8 — why it’s worth the hype

What time is it? Time to learn about the Apple Watch.

It really is the best time to look into the device. Why? If last year’s Prime Day is any indication, this year we should expect to see the Apple Watch Series 8 at one of the best prices to date.

We also think the holidays are a perfect time to buy, should you need a little more time to consider this timepiece.

RELATED: Cyber Monday Friday Apple Watch deals

Unless you’ve been off the grid, you’ve seen Apple Watches all over, paired with athletic outfits at the gym, at the workplace taking calls and even at formal events, to the joy and also displeasure of many.

Since the Apple Watch has really become an extension of one’s limb over the years, we wanted to test one for ourselves, not only to see what the hype was about but also to see how it compared to the Google Pixel Watch we tested in the first part of 2023, as well as its capabilities for tracking sleep, activity and more.

• Where to buy the Apple Watch 8 now
• Apple Watch 8 specs
• Apple Watch 8 fitness tracking
• Apple Watch 8 sleep tracking
• Apple Watch 8 compared to other smartwatches

Limited time: The best Black Friday deals on Apple Watches

Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS 41mm]

The Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm) prioritizes efficiency and functionality, catering to users seeking core GPS-based features in a compact size. Its streamlined design, essential health tracking, and compatibility with various apps make it an ideal companion for daily activities and fitness monitoring.

Apple Watch SE 2nd Generation (GPS) 40mm

The Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen (GPS) in 40mm size combines convenience and performance, offering a spectrum of features like fitness tracking, notifications, and seamless integration with iOS, all within a compact, stylish frame. Its bright display and diverse watch faces cater to varied preferences, ensuring an engaging experience for users seeking a balance between functionality and portability.

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Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS + Cellular 40mm]

With an amalgamation of GPS and cellular capabilities, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) in a 40mm size allows uninterrupted connectivity and enhanced independence from your iPhone. Its compact design, comprehensive health tracking features, and compatibility with a vast range of apps make it an ideal companion for those seeking a versatile, connected lifestyle.

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Where to buy the Apple Watch 8 now

You know us — we love a good deal and helping you shop with ease. That’s why we are kicking this off with all the retailers that sell the Apple Watch 8, as well as some that sell other models. Click the retailer in red below to be taken to the site to shop ASAP, and then come back for the full review.

• Amazon — starting at $329
• Best Buy — starting at $309
• Target — starting at $329
• Walmart — starting at $324
• Verizon — $449.99, or $12.49/month for 36 months
• Ebay — prices vary, starting at $250 at time of publication

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Apple Watch 8 specs

When looking at the Apple Watch Series 8, or really any series, there are a few variables at play. First, you must decide if you want the GPS version or the GPS + Cellular. Both versions allow you to make calls and send messages over your phones cellular network, but the GPS only device requires your phone to also be present or a WiFi network to connect to, while the + Cellular version can operate anywhere, without your phone or a network.

Once you’ve chosen a version, then you need to think about the watch face size and the band. The watch faces come in a 41 millimeter size and a 45, while band options are varied. Typically the sport bands (the silicone ones) cost a bit less, while the stainless steel bands cost more and look more like a luxury watch.

Other specs include:

• Battery life: 18 hours with normal use, up to 36 hours in low power mode
• Storage: 32GB 
• Durability: Swim-proof and IP6X dust resistant

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Apple Watch 8 fitness tracking

The main reason why many jumped on the Apple Watch bandwagon is for the fitness tracking capabilities. If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I closed all my rings today,” and been confused, we got you.

The Activity app on the apple watch is broken down into three rings — move, exercise and stand. Move is all about calories, and it measures your active calories burned through movement throughout the day. Exercise measures any activity at a brisk walk or above that gets your heart rate up. This ring is closed after 30 minutes, or you can change that goal. Lastly, stand is very simple, as it measures if you’ve gotten up and moved for at least a minute each hour of a 12 hour day. Work-from-home people, this is great!

After the rings, there is also other fitness tracking available to log your exact workout. The watch can sense if you are walking briskly, on a bike or on a run with ease, and it may pop up on your wrist, asking if you’d like to log that workout. You can also set this up manually as you start your workout by tapping the Workout app and selecting what you plan to do. There are a ton of options from an indoor or outdoor run to rowing, swimming, hiking, kickboxing, yoga, pilates and even dance.

More fitness tracking includes a heart rate monitor, temperature sensing, ovulation and mensuration tracking and Fitness+ subscriptions available for even more.

Our review: I tried the Apple Watch 8 for about two months ahead of this review (at time of initial publication) and was curious to see how sensitive it was to my movements. To my delight, it picked up on my brisk walks through the subway stations to and from work, in addition to my workouts, making it also pretty easy and fun to close my rings.

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Apple Watch 8 sleep tracking

Aside from fitness, sleep tracking is a huge reason why people have been incorporating smart watches and trackers into their daily (and nightly) lives.

The sleep tracking on the Apple Watch 8 is pretty comprehensive and includes the time you fall asleep and wake up, but also breaks down those hours and minutes into time spent awake in the night, REM sleep, core sleep and deep sleep. It then takes that data and converts it into a chart, so you can see your sleep pattern over the week.

Speaking of patterns, you can also set a bedtime and a wake-up time that will then connect to your cellphone. The bedtime is extremely helpful for those that want to learn how to wind down at night without their phones, as the watch will buzz ahead of your set bedtime to warn you and then again when your bedtime begins and your phone automatically shifts into Do Not Disturb.

Our review: As a night owl, I was worried. As someone who loves data and accountability, I was impressed. Wearing the Apple Watch at night was a bit of a challenge at times, as I like to be free of jewelry as I sleep, but I quickly got used to it. Also, finding time to charge the watch was tricky, as I wore it all day and then needed to have a charge on it to last the rest of the night, too. I eventually started carrying the charger in my work bag and would do a quick charge while sitting at my desk so no data was lost, and a pro is that the watch only needs about 30 minutes to charge back up.

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Apple Watch compared to other smartwatches

Brand	Apple Watch	Google Pixel Watch	Samsung Galaxy	Garmin Smart Watch
Price	$249 – $799	$350 – $400	$169 – $450	$80 – $1,000+
Phone Compatibility	iPhone	Google Pixel	Android and some Apple devices	Android and Apple devices
Battery Life	up to 18 hours, 36 hours in low battery mode	up to 24 hours	up to 40 hours on select models	up to five days on select models
Sleep Tracking	Yes; REM, Deep Sleep, sleep trends and more with Apple Health	Yes; REM, Deep Sleep, more with Fitbit paid membership	Yes; REM, Deep Sleep, sleep trends and more with Samsung Health	Yes; REM, Deep Sleep, sleep trends and more with Advanced Sleep Monitoring
Heart Rate Monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
WiFi or LTE	Option for either	Option for either	Option for either	Option for either
Buy Now	Shop Here	Shop Here	Shop Here	Shop Here

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