Apple held its ‘Far Out’ event on Wednesday to announce the iPhone 14. But the new smartphone wasn’t the only thing announced. Apple took its game to the next level and showcased a bunch of new tech. The numbers are far larger than seen ever before.
New iPhones! New Watches! New AirPods! We’ve got way too many things to talk about this time around. Let’s start with the Apple Watches. Apple revealed three new watches; the Series 8, the Ultra and the second-gen SE. We’re going to dive into each one separately and talk about them in detail.
So let’s get right to it!
Table of contents
The Series 8
Apple’s flagship line continues on with the Series 8. You won’t see many changes in the basic watch design; it’s quite similar to the Series 7. But Apple has added many new features that make it worthwhile. On top of the list is a new temperature sensor. There are two, actually. One on the back near your skin and another under the display. By isolating outside temperatures, these sensors have much more accurate readings.
You can do so much more with the Series 8 now. The Health app now tracks different phases of your sleep, REM, Core, or Deep sleep, and shifts from your base temperature. With more accurate readings, your Apple Watch Series 8 will now create real-time ECGs. The watch also has improved Cycle Tracking. The improved temperature sensors mean it will accurately be able to predict your ovulations. You’ll be notified of any deviations, which would be helpful in detecting pregnancies faster.
Series 8 introduces Crash Detection. With a 3-axis gyroscope and a new g-force accelerometer, Series 8 will be able to detect if you’ve been in a severe crash. The accelerometer has a high dynamic range of up to 256 Gs of force. If you don’t respond to the watch within ten seconds, emergency contacts and services will automatically be notified.
The 41mm model is priced at $399 with GPS and $499 with cellular connectivity. The 45mm model is available for $429 and $529, respectively. Series 8 is due to be released on September 16.
Apple Watch Ultra
Next up in line is the Ultra model. The latest Apple Watch Ultra is larger and more rugged than ever before. The design pushes the crown and side button into an elongated side. The Ultra model is now 49mm, and has a titanium case and sapphire flat front crystal. It’s much more rugged than before, making it the ideal sports gear.
The biggest feature is a significantly larger battery. The Ultra model still has an 18-hour battery life like previous models. The watchOS 9 introduces a reduced-function low-power mode. While the other two models will only double the standard life, Watch Ultra will increase it upto 60 hours.
All the new features from the Series 8 are continued with the Ultra model. Apple Watch Ultra is quite expensively priced at $799 and will start shipping on a later date, September 23.
Apple Watch SE
Last but not least, we have the second generation Apple Watch SE. This is Apple’s entry-level smartwatch that makes for the perfect gift. Not too pricey, but still quite the spectacle.
The Watch SE has most of the integral features introduced this time around, like Crash Detection and the S8 CPU. But for the price reduction that it boasts, you won’t be getting a lot of extras like Always On Display. It also skips on the Blood Oxygen and ECG app. There’s no Temperature Sensing in the SE, but you still get the Cycle Tracking of old.
The base 40mm GPS model is set at $249, while the 44mm Watch SE will be available for $279. The cellular configuration model will retail for $299 for the 40mm and $329 for the 44mm size. The Watch SE is also set to ship on September 16.
Let’s Compare Now!
These are just too many features and numbers to keep track of. We were confused too. So let’s break it down to the basics and compare each of the new watches in a simpler way. Have a look!
| Features | Series 8 | Ultra | SE (2022) |
| Processor | S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor | S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor | S8 with 64-bit dual-core processor |
| Dust Resistance | IP6X-rated | IP6X-rated | N/A |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel | Titanium | Aluminum |
| U1 Ultra Wideband | Yes | Yes | No |
| Temperature sensor | Yes | Yes | No |
| Case sizes | 41mm, 45mm | 49mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display | Retina LTPO OLED display |
| Screen brightness | Up to 1000 nits | Up to 2000 nits | Up to 1000 nits |
| Night mode | No | Yes | No |
| Price (Starting) | $399 | $799 | $250 |
Now, wasn’t this much easier?
Getting an Apple Watch?
The big question is, which Apple Watch is right for you? There’s a lot to consider here. Our breakdown into the new Apple Watches makes it easier to compare them on price and specs. Have a look at our comparison table and make your choice.
Let us know in the comments which one speaks out to you the most!
