Apple Watch Series 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: 20 Major New Features and Changes for Customers Upgrading

[arkitect]

I wonder why we are not getting a comparison with series 7. Is it that there aren't that many changes?

I asked the same question in yesterday's SE vs 8 article here…
Strange that MacRumours "Bot" or whomever writes this stuff hasn't gone back to 1… I mean that's a whole 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, SE… wow! 8! Eight articles that just write themselves. 🤣

Edit: Maybe that's tomorrow's article. 4 vs 8…

A bit like opening Advent calendars before Christmas. Except, no choccies behind these windows.

 

[arkitect]

I currently have a Series 6 cellular model. I have to wonder whether it would be worthwhile to step up to an 8.

Just wait a day or so… I think MacRumours are writing that article as we speak.

 

[Tevosn]

I hope you can disable “always on” display, I like “raise to wake” gives a bit of privacy and saves battery life.

 

[GMcKenzie]

Contemplating upgrading from my daily Series 0. Was holding out for the blood glucose sensor, but it doesn't seem to be coming soon.

 

[Robin Bonathan]

And the difference between 7 & 8 is........

 

[Robin Bonathan]

I hope you can disable “always on” display, I like “raise to wake” gives a bit of privacy and saves battery life.

Dont you want people to know the time ?

 

[arkitect]

Contemplating upgrading from my daily Series 0. Was holding out for the blood glucose sensor, but it doesn't seem to be coming soon.

That is a long way off I would think.

Even the smallest CGMs like the Freestyle Libre needs a microscopic subcutaneous needle for it to work.

Not saying it's a bad idea, just, well, the technology is a way's off.

 

[vondo]

Poor folks running S3's - Apple should not be selling that thing and should not have been for 3 years?

I believe you have to wipe it like its a new watch to get each individual update on it (least it was that way several years ago when I got my Series 6, my gosh was that update experience terrible - something I think former leadership would not have tolerated).

You can believe that, but you're wrong. A year ago, that was true. Now it's not.

I bought a S3 18 months ago as a fitness and sleep tracker for $160 or so and it was a great purchase.

 

[vondo]

I still have my S3 and not only do you usually have to wipe it to update it, but it's also super slow. There's a noticeable lag when interacting with the UI, so an update will definitely be welcome.

Remove any 3rd party apps and you don't have to wipe or unpair it.

 

[sorgo †]

So the processor in the 8 is the same as the one in the 7 which was the same as in the 6 before it…yawn. Guess I may not be upgrading from my Series 6 this year after all.

 

[polyphenol]

Next up: upgrading from a Toyota Yaris to a Supra. Will you notice a difference?

A Yaris is much less expensive to run.

 

[JM]

I went series 0 to series 6. SOOOOO so so so worth it. Amazing night and day experience.

It would be easy to recommended “you won’t regret it”.

 

[Shifts]

Even considering the rumoured functionality of S8, I still have no clue what value an Apple Watch would add to my life. That is saying something considering I am knee-deep in everything else Apple.

Count daily steps more reliably than my phone does perhaps, but I take those steps regardless. 🤔

 

[Tofupunch]

This seems mostly (all?) S3 vs. S7, not 8.

That’s fine, but most of us with a S3 did this calculation a while ago. I’m more interested in what’s new in S8, to see how that changes things.

The most important spec for me is the chip. If it's the same as the 7, I'll either get a 7 on discount or wait til the next model. After enduring the sluggish performance of my S3 for the past few years, I want to maximize performance for as long as possible.

 

[OSXphoto]

My watch series 3 still dependably performs workouts, shows time, notifications and weather.
Thankfully, I will never need to upgrade watchOS again.
All perfect watch for me.

 

[arkitect]

Even considering the rumoured functionality of S8, I still have no clue what value an Apple Watch would add to my life. That is saying something considering I am knee-deep in everything else Apple.

Count daily steps more reliably than my phone does perhaps, but I take those steps regardless. 🤔

I can definitely relate to this. 👍

Though I am knee deep — chin deep even — in the Apple eco-system, I have tried and tried to like the Apple Watch.

I have even bought the damn things 3 times: a 6… returned it. An SE, gave it to my Mom. A 7… returned it.

I would sleep with it, cycle with it, do Yoga with it, text on it, try to control my music on it… unlock my Mac, get a thrill when I get a little tap on my wrist to remind me of something, send little heartbeats to my husband… I mean, hell! I tried everything to make myself love the damn thing.

No go. Nothing made it indispensable to my lifestyle.

Each time I reverted to wearing my traditional watches. The issue is I always have my iPhone near me, so the Watch was just another appendage.

I am sure with the 8 I'll dive in again and try again… *sigh*.

 

[Tevosn]

Dont you want people to know the time ?

Messages/mails tick in too.

 

[AirunJae]

I hope you can disable “always on” display, I like “raise to wake” gives a bit of privacy and saves battery life.

I believe AOD was added on the Series 5 and yes, you can disable that feature. On the S5 I practically had to if I planned on doing any workouts and having enough battery to get through the day. Got better on the 6, and the 7 it isn't an issue, although if one does have a heavy use day, the fast charging is so nice. But if you prefer to use raise to wake, go for it!

 

[MrMojo1]

The S5 still works and it should last another year before a new battery is needed unless Apple decides not to support it in future WatchOS updates.
Will upgrade if the newer models include health features like blood pressure monitoring or glucose monitoring.
It's basically a fitness and sleep function tracker, albeit a higher priced one.

 

[terrapin_nation]

Series 4 as well. I would need a feature that adds to my life in some way. At this point, I wear my watch during workouts only, so I’ll likely be using this Series 4 for awhile.

Is the word 'need' losing its definition by the tell-me-what-I-need consumption style?

 

[Tevosn]

I believe AOD was added on the Series 5 and yes, you can disable that feature. On the S5 I practically had to if I planned on doing any workouts and having enough battery to get through the day. Got better on the 6, and the 7 it isn't an issue, although if one does have a heavy use day, the fast charging is so nice. But if you prefer to use raise to wake, go for it!

You see the display almost instantly using raise to wake, even on an old S4, so for me the extra battery life is a no brainer. Nice to hear the battery life is much improved with S7.

 

[The1Biz]

I hate the size of the newer large watches. If the smaller comes in at 42, I'll probably downsize.

The 42mm S3 fits perfectly on my wrist, and I love the screen size.
The 44mm S6 feels too big and clunky.

 

[Octavius8]

I wanted to upgrade my S6 to an S8, but it seems there are no compelling reasons. So, wait another year. Just hope the battery holds well the full day.

 

[lovehateapple]

Seven, almost eight generations in and I still don't have one. Finally found a use case that might justify spending the money, but I think I'm going to hold out another year. The health monitoring features are compelling, but definitely don't want to have another expensive gadget that needs to be replaced every 5-6 years.

 

[GuruZac]

Same. The S8 update looks weak and my battery is thankfully still fine.

Yeah the more rumors I see about how the focus is only on the larger expensive Pro model, the more I’m inclined to wait another year for a cellular model. My battery on my S5 44mm is still good.