I'm also on a Series 4 and with power saving features such as turning off the display, I can still go on a 3 day camping trip and have battery life left over.
18 hours is honestly cringe.
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Apple Watch Series 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: 20 Major New Features and Changes for Customers Upgrading
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18 hours is honestly cringe.
Will be a huge upgrade from Series 3. The always on display and larger screen are great!
I want a front facing cam for facetime calls, i use my watch for calling, and long for a long time to be able to do facetime calls with the wife and kids from my AW.
Silly? Yes but that would sway me from parting with my AW4 which still works perfectly fine.
Silly? Yes but that would sway me from parting with my AW4 which still works perfectly fine.
Happy enough with S3. Was hoping for a proper redesign before upgrading Ala the squared watch everyone got me hyped for!!!
It's crazy to think about, but next month will mark five years since Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 3. Despite being a severely antiquated smartwatch, the Series 3 has remained at the bottom of Apple's lineup for $199.
Suppose you're still holding on to your Apple Watch Series 3. In that case, this article will list all the major new features and changes you'll get if you decide to upgrade to the newer Apple Watch Series 8 next month or even the current latest-generation Apple Watch Series 7.
We've broken up the changes into categories: hardware, health and fitness, performance, battery life and power, software updates, and features.
Hardware
- A completely redesigned display: The Apple Watch Series 3 features an outdated, squared-off display with considerable borders. The upcoming Series 8 is not expected to gain a redesign compared to the Series 7. Either way, Series 3 customers will enjoy a 50% larger display with rounded corners and massively smaller bezels.
- More durable and stylish case options: The Series 3 is currently only offered in the aluminum case options, which have an Ion-X front glass. Newer flagship Apple Watches come in aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. Stainless steel and titanium models are protected with sapphire front crystals, which is more durable than Ion-X glass.
- Larger options to choose from: The Series 3 comes in only 38mm and 42mm case options, with much of the space being taken up by larger bezels around the display. The Series 8 is rumored to come in larger case options than the Series 7, which is already offered in 41mm and 45mm sizes. Either way, Series 3 customers will benefit from a larger watch with a larger display.
- New Digital Crown with haptic feedback: The Series 3, like all Apple Watch models, features a Digital Crown which serves as a primary way of interacting with the device. Newer Apple Watch models, however, have an updated Digital Crown that features haptic feedback. Haptic feedback with the Digital Crown offers subtle vibrations as users scroll a list and make nimble adjustments.
- Redesigned speaker layout with louder speakers: The Series 3 has very small speakers on the right side that are stacked on top of each other. Since the Series 7, Apple has redesigned the speaker system to run almost across the entirety of the right side, making the speaker both physically larger and, as a result, up to 50% louder.
- An always-on display that's now brighter: A massively larger display is not the only benefit Series 3 customers have to look forward to when upgrading to a newer model. Since the Series 5, Apple Watches have featured an always-on display, which always displays information such as the time and complications, even when a wearer's wrist is down. On newer models, the always-on display is now 70% brighter outdoors.
Health and Fitness Features
- How much oxygen is in my blood?: If you've ever wanted to know without taking a trip down to your local clinic, newer Apple Watch models are for you. With the Series 6 in 2020, Apple introduced a blood oxygen sensor into the watch, which reads the amount of oxygen in a wearer's blood by having them stay still for 15 seconds.
- Ouch. You've taken a nasty fall: In the unfortunate event you take an unexpected and hard fall to the ground, newer Apple Watch models will be able to notify local authorities and your close friend and family unless you tell the watch you're fine and do not require any assistance. Fall Detection is only available for users 18 years old and above.
- Improved heart rate sensor: Newer Apple Watch models have a new and improved heart rate sensor and an electrical heart sensor. Compared to the optical heart sensor in Series 3, newer models, such as the Series 7 and Series 8, can provide more accurate heart rate readings to a wearer.
- Hey Siri, do I have a fever?: It may seem like a sci-fi scenario, but it could be a reality. Rumors suggest that the upcoming Series 8 will feature a body temperature sensor, able to measure the temperature of a wearer's body. It's unclear if the watch will provide users a direct temperature reading, like normal thermometers. Still, it may offer insight into whether it believes the wearer could potentially have a fever and if they may need to seek medical attention.
- Take an ECG on your wrist: Taking an ECG (electrocardiogram) usually requires a trip to a hospital, paperwork, and a plethora of sensors. Thanks to the Series 4 and newer, users can take an ECG using just their Apple Watch on their wrist by placing their finger on the Digital Crown. The results can be found within the Health app on the paired iPhone and can then be shared with your doctor.
Performance and Battery Life
- New processor and faster performance: The dual-core S3 SiP (system in package) of the Series 3 has reached its limit with performance, as customers often complain of laggy performance and jittery animations. The dual-core processor in the Series 7, and expected for Series 8, offers more than double the performance in day-to-day use.
- Faster and more reliable Bluetooth connections: The Series 3 is so old it even relies on outdated Bluetooth technology. The Series 3 uses Bluetooth 4.2, while newer Apple Watch models and iPhones use Bluetooth 5.0. The newer Bluetooth standard is more reliable and supports a higher bandwidth for wireless transmission.
- U1 chip: The Series 3 does not feature the U1 Ultra Wideband chip, which helps enable close proximity features to the iPhone and other products. The Series 6 was the first Apple Watch to feature the chip.
- The same all-day battery life, now with fast charging: On its website, Apple promises the same 18-hour all-day battery life for the Series 3 compared to the latest Series 7, and we presume the Series 8. In practice, however, due to more advanced software and outdated hardware, Series 3 customers may be looking for better battery life. On newer Apple Watch models, Apple supports fast charging, so you can recharge your watch faster even if it doesn't last as long as you'd like.
Article Link: Apple Watch Series 3 vs. Apple Watch Series 8: 20 Major New Features and Changes for Customers Upgrading
My Series 3 is still going strong, good battery health, but no WatchOS 9 update will probably compel an upgrade. Extra sensors and bigger display will be nice too.
FYI the cellular Series 3 has extra memory and updates just fine without having to be wiped. If I had to wipe to update I would have upgraded long since!
FYI the cellular Series 3 has extra memory and updates just fine without having to be wiped. If I had to wipe to update I would have upgraded long since!
It's crazy to think about, but the Apple Watch looks like a severely antiquated smartwatch.
- Weak battery
- Weak feature for fitness tracking (may improve with the new WatchOS)
- Does the oxygen sensor now work as it should, do still have to rest you arm, start measurement, wait .... ?
- You can not connect the hr monitor to other devices like a cycling computer (just because Apple doesn't want you to, not because this wouldn't be possible)
- The AW doesn't support ANT+ (guess Apple doesn't like ANT+, since it is a is a open standard for fitness devices)
While other SnartWatches have evolved. AW didn't ...
https://www.garmin.com/de-DE/p/760778/pn/010-02582-30
- Weak battery
- Weak feature for fitness tracking (may improve with the new WatchOS)
- Does the oxygen sensor now work as it should, do still have to rest you arm, start measurement, wait .... ?
- You can not connect the hr monitor to other devices like a cycling computer (just because Apple doesn't want you to, not because this wouldn't be possible)
- The AW doesn't support ANT+ (guess Apple doesn't like ANT+, since it is a is a open standard for fitness devices)
While other SnartWatches have evolved. AW didn't ...
https://www.garmin.com/de-DE/p/760778/pn/010-02582-30
It sounds like you don't need an Apple Watch.
That's okay, not every product is for everyone!
I started with the first apple watch, and have had 3 or 4 of them My current one is a series 5. And I love it! It actually gets more usage than my iPhone throughout the day. (unless you count gaming occasionally on the iPhone)
I mainly use it for, er, telling what time/date/weather is, the notifications, email and txt's. I can read them and see if there is something I actually have to deal with. I actually take calls with it as well if I'm the only one in the room, which is quite often, private office. I got used to using it when I carried the iPhone 11 Pro Max, that was just so big and heavy to take out that it was just easier to use the watch unless I actually had to do something like answer and email. Even short answers txt'ing was just easier on the watch.
I don't do sleep tracking, or exercise tracking, but the safety features are nice to have on my wrist, and I used the O2 sensor a lot during the pandemic. (I have weak lungs anyway, so I always watched function to make sure I didn't have covid.) I actually did fall down one time, and my watch acted appropriately, so I knew it worked.
I might give up the iPhone eventually, android is getting pretty good these days and I really like the flip form factor, but I'm not giving up on wearing a smart watch, probably an Apple watch too... (I have both a Flip3, soon Flip4, and an iPhone 13 Mini.)
I would hope that the option for always on would stay. There's no way I'd wear my Apple watch if I couldn't see it from any angle. That was the thing I hated the most with the first version.
I am another person with an OG S3. It is still great, and the battery life is AOK apart from after the longest hikes, where it may not make it to bed time Without a 10 minute charge in the evening. It is so useful for controlling podcasts and music, answering calls and messages, and of course the fitness functions. I am likely to upgrade this autumn and pass it on to a family member. It’s been a great purchase, really good value for money, for me.
Exactly! Team OGS3! The Apple Watch is the sci-fi dream of my childhood made real and on my wrist.
What?
- the battery isn't "weak". You don't think Apple would have made it last longer if they could? Design decisions and compromises were made - battery life is probably the strongest argument for a Garmin/Suunto/Coros but it's a really different audience. I run ultras - my Apple Watch easily lasts the typical 5-6 hours tracking an activity. If I go longer or the conditions are gnarly then I break out my Garmin, which is frankly a bit weak for every day stuff.
- Which features are weak here? The metrics out of the watch are fantastic, especially the later ones with more sensors. Also AW4 arguably set the standard in accuracy for wrist mounted OHR.
- I know nobody who has had issues with the SpO2 sensor, truly first I've heard of it. Jumping around while trying to measure anything with a watch will cause problems...
- If you want to do this then I think it's reasonable to buy an HRM strap. It's an edge case and often there IS a Watch or Phone app that will pass this data through but perhaps not realtime.
- ANT+ is owned by Garmin, a competitor, even though it is an open standard. I suspect the % of people owning the 180 million Apple Watches seeking ANT+ support is vanishingly small and for those who do want it, Bluetooth is there. And if you really need it, then there are various passthrough gadgets like heartbeatz although I don't know if it does power and cadence etc...
It looks like you prefer a different focus and setup to that catered for by Apple. But calling it "severely antiquated" is ridiculous!
the apple watch has a 5 year life cycle, after that it is no longer supported (AW3 is this years example) You can try to let your AW last 5 years before swapping it out but the battery will not last that long.
My release date AW4 is at 81% battery capacity, i can still get through the day for now but once the battery dips under the 75% i will have a device that is no longer capable to be used a full day without extra charges in between.
Easy to fix with a 75 dollar fee to have the battery replaced/refurbed AW, the problem is though spending 75 dollar when the watch is 4 years old you know you only get 1 more year of software support from AW, and then the watch is Done accordingly to apple. no more software updates, watch get vaulted by apple.
Yes you can still use it as long as you want and keep replacing batteries but you end up having no more software/security support on a device monitoring really private stuff.
So all in all the AW is a hardware device that you will have to replace every 5 years max.
75 dollar battery replacements will quickly add up and you will basically end up with buying a new AW every 2/3 years as that is economically cheaper.
My release date AW4 is at 81% battery capacity, i can still get through the day for now but once the battery dips under the 75% i will have a device that is no longer capable to be used a full day without extra charges in between.
Easy to fix with a 75 dollar fee to have the battery replaced/refurbed AW, the problem is though spending 75 dollar when the watch is 4 years old you know you only get 1 more year of software support from AW, and then the watch is Done accordingly to apple. no more software updates, watch get vaulted by apple.
Yes you can still use it as long as you want and keep replacing batteries but you end up having no more software/security support on a device monitoring really private stuff.
So all in all the AW is a hardware device that you will have to replace every 5 years max.
75 dollar battery replacements will quickly add up and you will basically end up with buying a new AW every 2/3 years as that is economically cheaper.
"all day battery life" is all I care about any new apple watch. I can not believe people are not demanding more and more at least 4-5 days of battery life.
I think you were mistakenly at the wrong website. This is macrumors.com, not macfacts.com.
I'm surprised that the article doesn't mention the additional cellular bands that the newer watch have vs the Series 3. I don't know about all carriers, but I know that the 5 & onwards (I believe the 4 as well, but can't seem to find that info online any longer) have support for Cellular Band 66 which T Mo takes advantage of. It gets better reception than the 3 for sure. In addition to that, the 4+ have the ceramic back which was designed to enhance cellular reception.
While I love my Series 3, my 5 gets noticeably better cellular reception, which is kind of a big deal (to me at least). Here's hoping that the 8 is the first Apple Watch to support Band 71!
While I love my Series 3, my 5 gets noticeably better cellular reception, which is kind of a big deal (to me at least). Here's hoping that the 8 is the first Apple Watch to support Band 71!
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I've had the series 0 and series 3. My series 3 died after a swim in a salt water pool. The series 7 was a huge upgrade for me. The display difference with the larger and brighter screen is impressive. My son's series 3 looks puny compared to my display. If the series 7 is significantly discounted after the 8 comes out, all of you with the 3's and 4's wouldn't be disappointed if you made the upgrade. The faster charging is nice too.
I’m really looking forward to the series 8 so I can use it with Apple fitness plus. I desperately need to do some serious fitness work. Never had an Apple Watch before.
What I described is exactly the market Apple tries to enter with the new AW pro - Apple may call it pro, while other smartwatches call it a standard.
ANT+ consumes less power compared to BLE, that is why it is often used in wearable devices and sports equipment.
The only reason Apple is so bad when it comes to connectivity is MFI - or simply call it money. Money is the only thing Apple cares about.
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you sir, or madam, are hil-ar-i-ous - surely a grammy award awaits....
Actually its more like mactotallymadeup.com
I‘m on a S4 and can’t wait for the S8. I am so sick and tired of charging twice a day, the battery being at 76% capacity…
havent they just dusted off last years article comparing S3 to S7 and changed the number 7 to an 8 through it?