Any comparisons of hardware/features on AW? (6 vs 8)

[MrMister111]

Is there a listing of comparing models of AW comparing hardware and features?

Most WatchOS versions (if AW supports) are the same, but I want to see a chart with which sensors each have, and what features they do/don’t have.

I have a 6 at moment, missed 7 as seemed nothing really updated, and now want to see if worth from an 8.

Thanks

 

[deeddawg]

Is there a listing of comparing models of AW comparing hardware and features?

See https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/ and click on Compare All Models.

 

[nippyjun]

Bigger screen. Temp sensor. Fast charging. These are the main things you would get with the 8.

 

[deeddawg]

Bigger screen. Temp sensor. Fast charging. These are the main things you would get with the 8.

Yep, and two of them would be present on a sale-priced/refurb/used S7.

Speaking for myself, I'm planning to stick with my S6.

Fast Charging appeared in the S7. 0-80% in 45 minutes if you have the puck attached to a USB-PD power supply.

While it might make a difference for some, it's immaterial in my usage - my watch lasts from wake up to bedtime and sits on the old style charger overnight.

Bigger screen - again speaking personally the screen size increase of the S7 didn't draw me from my S6. "about 20% bigger" translates to about a 9% wider and 9% taller display. Even comparing side by side, it just didn't seem like much to me. Others may feel different.

Temperature Sensor - the new thing in the S8 - well, there is zero chance I will ever ovulate, and thus the currently published benefit of the temp sensor has no benefit to me.

 

[MrMister111]

Yep, and two of them would be present on a sale-priced/refurb/used S7.

Speaking for myself, I'm planning to stick with my S6.

Fast Charging appeared in the S7. 0-80% in 45 minutes if you have the puck attached to a USB-PD power supply.

While it might make a difference for some, it's immaterial in my usage - my watch lasts from wake up to bedtime and sits on the old style charger overnight.

Bigger screen - again speaking personally the screen size increase of the S7 didn't draw me from my S6. "about 20% bigger" translates to about a 9% wider and 9% taller display. Even comparing side by side, it just didn't seem like much to me. Others may feel different.

Temperature Sensor - the new thing in the S8 - well, there is zero chance I will ever ovulate, and thus the currently published benefit of the temp sensor has no benefit to me.

Exactly. That’s what I want to check. In UK prices are up again…now £449 for 45mm GPS. Whereas a refurb 7 45mm GPS is £339.

Also wondering what else the temp sensor will do for me, as like you don’t think I’ll be ovulating!

 

[kkclstuff]

Also wondering what else the temp sensor will do for me, as like you don’t think I’ll be ovulating!

Along with bigger screen, temp sensor, and fast charging; differences on W8 and Ultra also include

• Dust resistant (IP6X)5 —a nice addition IMHO for those outdoor-types, without having to go 'all-in' on the Ultra

While the W8's temp sensor has been marketed for 'women's health', its really a 'future-feature' for everyone else meaning; when applicable, that sensor will be incorporated into other apps etc. While that sensor was introduced for one process, it may/will lead to other uses in a future update. I would hope it could be used for general body temp data and eventually replace a regular thermometer. Tracking body temps for sleep quality would also be great, among others.

I personally wouldn't buy an W8 @$499 just for the temp sensor/Fast charge, but the refurb W7 are only discounted to $409.

SO YMMV— is $90 worth those four features, or save ~18% now knowing you'll inevitably upgrade to a newer device in the future?

 

[MrMister111]

Not too bothered on the IP rating either to be fair, and fast charging doesn’t matter to me.

So it looks like just the temp sensor from S7 to 8. I would hope, like you’ve suggested, the temp sensor works across more apps.

But the extra sleep tracking, etc seem to be for most AW anyway.

I’m not knocking the 8, but apart from temp sensor (if they unlock for more apps) seems to be very little update to the 7.

I’ve tried to look at the compare but it’s not the same as iPhone compare list.

Refurb S7 44mm is about 30% less in UK to a new S8. Presume you get a new battery in AW refurbs?

 

[Neodym]

SO YMMV— is $90 worth those four features, or save ~18% now knowing you'll inevitably upgrade to a newer device in the future?

There won't be too many developers offering to support the temp sensor, as the installed base of AppleWatches without that sensor is still huge - and the amount of devices with sensor is comparably small and thus likely not worth bothering.

Thus, for the time being, the benefit of the temp sensor is probably rather marginal. And the other "news" in the S8 (crash sensor) is also not worth the price difference to me.

So when a friend was interested in my release-day S6 and the discounted price for a new S7 was about 30% lower than the S8 price over here, I decided to upgrade to S7 (interested in fast charging, bigger screen and fresh battery), as stop-gap solution until next year.

If S9 would be a similarly pathetic upgrade, it's easier to stick another year to a one-year old S7 than to a 3-year old S6. If it's a good update, however, selling the one-year-old S7 should be easier than selling a 3-year-old S6.

 

[james2538]

Is there a listing of comparing models of AW comparing hardware and features?

Most WatchOS versions (if AW supports) are the same, but I want to see a chart with which sensors each have, and what features they do/don’t have.

I have a 6 at moment, missed 7 as seemed nothing really updated, and now want to see if worth from an 8.

Thanks

Go to the hardware section on the AW Wiki to see what each version added:

Apple Watch - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[MrMister111]

Still wondering wether to sell S6 and get a S7 or S8. Seems a decent jump to S7 even form my S6. Does the bigger face look bigger? I know its only 1mm but does it look better in practice and neater with better edge to edge for people who went from S6 to S7?

Spec wise not much different is there. I was hoping to read reviews for S8 but they must be out later than the iPhone 14 ones

 

[deeddawg]

Still wondering wether to sell S6 and get a S7 or S8. Seems a decent jump to S7 even form my S6. Does the bigger face look bigger? I know its only 1mm but does it look better in practice and neater with better edge to edge for people who went from S6 to S7?

Spec wise not much different is there. I was hoping to read reviews for S8 but they must be out later than the iPhone 14 ones

To put some objective data out there - the claimed "20% larger display" translates to approximately 9% linear increase in width and height.

Side by side you can discern the difference; comparing with friends S7 or viewing myriad youtube comparisons.

Yet in practice I've not found myself feeling my S6 display needed to be larger.

Yes, there's a draw to New! Shiny! Bigger! -- but step back and consider carefully what specific things you find your S6 doesn't do or doesn't do well enough that an S7 or S8 would improve upon. Then consider the cost to move from an S6 to S7 or S8 and compare the perceived value of the things you'd be able to do / do better against the impact on your lifestyle the upgrade cost would impose.

 

[james2538]

Still wondering wether to sell S6 and get a S7 or S8. Seems a decent jump to S7 even form my S6. Does the bigger face look bigger? I know its only 1mm but does it look better in practice and neater with better edge to edge for people who went from S6 to S7?

Spec wise not much different is there. I was hoping to read reviews for S8 but they must be out later than the iPhone 14 ones

Supposedly S8 reviews will be out tomorrow.

I’m in the same situation. Highest price it seems you can net from selling/trading in an S6 GPS-only is $180.

Cheapest price I’ve seen for new/refurbished S7 is $300. S8 starts a $399. So looking at anywhere from $120-$220 to upgrade.

Is that worth 20% larger display, brighter screen when watch is face down, fast charging, dust resistance in the S7? Or temperature sensor (only used for ovulation and sleep tracking) and car crash detection in the S8?

Keep in mind last year we saw the S7 go on sale multiple times throughout the year. I’d imagine the S8 will get some discounts during Black Friday with most enthusiasts going for the Ultra.

We may also see the Ultra hit the refurbished store quickly as people return it after deciding it’s too bulky.

 

[DSTOFEL]

Supposedly S8 reviews will be out tomorrow.

I’m in the same situation. Highest price it seems you can net from selling/trading in an S6 GPS-only is $180.

Cheapest price I’ve seen for new/refurbished S7 is $300. S8 starts a $399. So looking at anywhere from $120-$220 to upgrade.

Is that worth 20% larger display, brighter screen when watch is face down, fast charging, dust resistance in the S7? Or temperature sensor (only used for ovulation and sleep tracking) and car crash detection in the S8?

Keep in mind last year we saw the S7 go on sale multiple times throughout the year. I’d imagine the S8 will get some discounts during Black Friday with most enthusiasts going for the Ultra.

We may also see the Ultra hit the refurbished store quickly as people return it after deciding it’s too bulky.

I was able to sell a 1 yr old S6 (product Red)…GPS only…a month ago on Facebook Marketplace (locally…so no shipping) for $210.

 

[james2538]

I was able to sell a 1 yr old S6 (product Red)…GPS only…a month ago on Facebook Marketplace (locally…so no shipping) for $210.

Everything has taken a hit now that the Series 8 is out. Anything still under warranty will also fetch a higher price.

 

[MrMister111]

I could get £170 to a recycle sit for my S6, and refurb S7 is £340, so a £170 cost upgrade.

My battery Heath on S6 is at 86% now, had it 2 years, so getting on a bit, still in perfect cosmetic condition.

The extra from S6>S7 seem a lot better than S7>S8.

Is it confirmed that the temp sensor works for sleep tracking to? I thought was just for woman’s cycle tracking at the moment?

I still need to confirm that the Apple refurb have a new battery placed in them or not, if not I’m. It sure on a refurb.

 

[deeddawg]

I still need to confirm that the Apple refurb have a new battery placed in them or not, if not I’m. It sure on a refurb.

Frankly, I doubt you're going to confirm this without buying one and observing the Battery Health. Return it if unsuitable.

 

[Saturn007]

See https://www.apple.com/watch/compare/ and click on Compare All Models.

Unfortunately, Apple only shows the new SE, 8, and Ultra there. It's not the same as with the iPhones, where you can pull up years-old models and compare.

In other words, long story short, Apple's Compare site does NOT allow you to compare Series 7 and 8 — or previous versions of the Watch, including the older SE.

 

[deeddawg]

Unfortunately, Apple only shows the new SE, 8, and Ultra there. It's not the same as with the iPhones, where you can pull up years-old models and compare.

In other words, long story short, Apple's Compare site does NOT allow you to compare Series 7 and 8 — or previous versions of the Watch, including the older SE.

Did you not click on Compare All Models or did you not scroll down?

The page shows Ultra, S8, (new) SE, S7, S6, (old) SE, S5, S4, S3, S2, and S1.