I only switched to Apple because of the AW. Im using it for sports tracking and nothing comes close to the accuracy of the AW. Especially for indoor Running.
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Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch Series 8 Buyer's Guide: Should You Upgrade?
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Of course the discussion is about thrift. The watch isn’t (shouldn’t be) a downgrade year over year. If you don’t care about the cost and whether the new model provides value proportionate to that cost, you will get something slightly better than what you had… it’s an iterative update after all. There’s not much interesting to discuss there.
That said: here’s two reasons why I’d suggest you shouldn’t buy every year, besides thrift.
1: it generates ewaste. It doesn’t matter if you re-sell the old watch or Apple recycles some of it. Waste is generated when the product is produced, it just might take some time to get there. Your purchase is a signal to Apple to make 1 more device destined to eventually become waste.
2: Capitalism. You are speaking with your dollars. If you mindlessly upgrade every year, you’re telling Apple that no matter what they do, you’ll buy it. That doesn’t incentivize them to invest more in development to create a better product.
I kept a series 2 until this year because they weren’t delivering the feature I want (battery life). I bought a refurbished series 6 this year because of wanting a sensor to monitor a health issue. I’m still not buying a new watch from Apple until they deliver on battery life.
Go with the SE. The second-gen is expected to basically be on par with the Series 6, 7, and 8 performance-wise. It honestly depends on what sensors you want, but the SE is good for most.
You’re sure they did the R&D? It looks and functions like that because they put as little R&D into it as possible… That’s why it hasn’t changed until this upcoming update.
If they had done proper R&D after releasing the series 0, we could have at least had something like the iPhones low power mode, which still offers a functional smart watch.
I actually just bought a heavily discounted, open box Series 7 last night. I have a 4 and the battery is at 72% now and it has a few scratches on the screen so I think a 7 for $320 is a good upgrade. Not worth another $100 for an 8 IMHO.
So like someone said earlier, the real question is if it is worth upgrading a 4/5/6. To me that depends on battery health and condition of the watch. Certainly, the always on screen is a factor for some 4 owners.
So like someone said earlier, the real question is if it is worth upgrading a 4/5/6. To me that depends on battery health and condition of the watch. Certainly, the always on screen is a factor for some 4 owners.
Same poor battery, with just adjustments for it to survive longer in watch-only -mode when the battery runs out in the middle of the day. And that "all day" battery is probably reachable only if you don't actually do anything with it. I don't even use it for calls and still run out of juice during day. One charge in the late afternoon/early evening, another during night to get through it all. Would be nice to be able to wear it while sleeping but then I'd have to stick it in the charger again the first thing in the morning.
I've no use for another Apple Watch until it can take a full 24h WHILE IT'S ACTUALLY USED during that time. It does so little as it is and still runs out of juice, it's the biggest Apple disappointment I've had so far.
I've no use for another Apple Watch until it can take a full 24h WHILE IT'S ACTUALLY USED during that time. It does so little as it is and still runs out of juice, it's the biggest Apple disappointment I've had so far.
Exactly.
The upgrade discussion always revolves around money, but that shouldn’t be the only consideration.
Out of curiosity, I checked out the battery health on my 4.5 - 5 year old S3, which I very rarely do. It’s 76%. 🤯🤯
Not only that, but the S3 with Cellular has the biggest battery ever used in an Apple Watch, so as of today, my S3’s battery capacity is comparable to a brand new S7. 🥶 I know efficiency gains have been made, but even so.
It’s very slow, but the screen is in perfect condition, and I don’t need all the newest health features.
I may have just talked myself out of upgrading this year. 😂😂
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I’ve decided to wait until Verizon announce a promo for the S8 or even the S7. I might not get it on delivery day, which is fine. The 14 Pro Max is more of a priority to me.
The battery health on my AW4 is at 81%. Still lasts me throughout the day. I think, when I do upgrade, I'm going to get cellular on this one. I can add it to my plan for $5/month. I didn't think I would have a need for it, but I've found a few use cases for having cellular.
You just reminded me that I can pay $5/month for the cellular plan with Verizon. I’m going for the stainless steel version this year.
I would love to see a BGL as part of the Watch but I don't see how it can be done in a non-invasive way. Still, if it comes at some point, I'll be all over it, because my Freestyle Libre is costing me $185AUD a month and its too much.
Starting to get annoyed at these lame updates. I’m coming from a S6 that I use a lot for notifications if I can find a SS 7 I may just get that instead of the 8
Ok I can respect that perspective but I do think about it differently. I can hand down the old model Watch to someone and it might prevent a costly hospital trip for them, or it might cause them to pursue a fitness program. On and on like that.
I see only good things coming from refreshing my iPhone and watch with every new release
Simply by being an early adopter and Apple fanboy probably led me to having good ideas for my own business. Without my own person having experienced the latest Apple tech there might be 20 less people employed. All that could apply to you too. You might come up with the next great idea, or the watch might tell you something about your own heart or haemoglobin oxygen saturation in a way that enables you to do more good things in this world.
I guess I forgot. I do seem to remember using the Apple Watch for lane swimming all the time even though they didn’t rate it completely IP 67 or whatever I had no problem swimming
Yeah it’s true they are all good.
I’m blown away every year by the improvements though, and thats part of why I’m such an evangelist for the latest.
Lol so true OMG I was truly sucked into the Apple upgraditis for a second. my family gave me a Watch 7 for my birthday this year & there I am checking out the upgrade
I see no reason at all but I might get my wife one.That's not what these comparisons are good for.
They are good for people upgrading from either an older AW or no AW at all to decide if they should get a refurbished 7 or new 8.
holy heck the AW8 LTE costs 650 euro in europe that is INSANE!
I paid 350~ euro for my AW4 LTE when it came out and the 8 is only marginally better but still the same battery capacity.
big OOF, secondhand is too iffy for me with the battery life in mind.
I paid 350~ euro for my AW4 LTE when it came out and the 8 is only marginally better but still the same battery capacity.
big OOF, secondhand is too iffy for me with the battery life in mind.
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I do believe the Apple Watch Series 8 is a compelling upgrade for everyone. Improved sensors, fitness tracking, and life-saving crash detection are all giant leaps forward. I'm upgrading.
My Series 7 is functionally fine. The only reason I’d consider upgrading is to go back to a stainless steel model. I have a very noticeable scratch on the screen. When I had SS models before, I’ve never had a single scruff, scratch or dent on any of them.
Giving this a different model number is a bit of a joke really. Such a minor upgrade.