We're just a few days away from the rumored September 7 launch of the Apple Watch Series 8, and we've been hearing plenty of details about Apple's next-generation wrist-worn device.
This guide aggregates everything we know about the Apple Watch Series 8 so far based on rumors. Note that these features have yet to be confirmed, and Apple's plans could change.
Design
Prior to the release of the Apple Watch Series 7, multiple rumors suggested Apple was working on a refreshed design with flat edges similar to the flat edges of the iPhone 13 and iPad Pro, but that didn't end up happening.
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Rumors now suggest that the higher-end version of the Apple Watch Series 8 could feature a similar sort of design with a flat display, but the device is not expected to get flat edges. Leaker ShrimpApplePro recently said that "there is a flat front glass display" being developed for the Apple Watch and there's a "high chance" that it's destined for the Apple Watch Series 8.
The standard Apple Watch Series 8 models are expected to feature the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7 with no updates to the chassis.
Size Options
One Apple Watch Series 8 model coming in 2022 will feature a five percent larger display, according to display analyst Ross Young. The Apple Watch is said to have a display size of 1.99 inches diagonally, which would be slightly larger than the 1.901-inch diagonal size of the 45mm Apple Watch Series 7. The watch could measure in at 47mm, making it 2mm bigger than current largest Apple Watch. Other rumors have indicated that it could be as large as 49mm.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the larger Apple Watch will be the "rugged" model that's in the works.
Colors
The Apple Watch Series 8 could be available in Midnight, Starlight, PRODUCT(RED), and Silver, according to rumors.
Rugged "Pro" Apple Watch
Apple is working on an "extreme sports" version of the Apple Watch that will feature a larger screen and a metal casing that's better able to stand up to abuse.
Aimed at athletes, hikers, and others who experience more extreme conditions when wearing their Apple Watches, the new device will be Apple's biggest to date. The display will measure in at almost two inches diagonally, which is larger than the 1.9-inch diagonal screen size of the current Apple Watch Series 7 and the planned Apple Watch Series 8.
It will have approximately 7 percent more screen area than the 45mm Apple Watch Series 7, and a display resolution of 410 x 502 pixels. Gurman speculates that Apple may use the extra display area to provide more fitness metrics on the Apple Watch face at one time. Apple is expected to make the new Apple Watch out of titanium, which means that it could replace or become the Apple Watch Edition that currently exists.
There is no word on what Apple will call this new watch, but it will include improved impact resistance and protection thanks to the new titanium alloy. It will include a more shatter-resistant screen and it's also going to have a larger battery to accommodate longer workout times. The higher-end rugged version of the Apple Watch could be priced at around $900, making it more expensive than the current Apple Watch models.
Because of its high price tag, Apple is expecting to ship just one million units of the larger Apple Watch Series 8 model.
S8 Chip
The Apple Watch Series 8 will feature an S8 chip that will have the same specifications as the S7, which means no major improvements to speed or efficiency. Apple's 2023 Apple Watch models will instead get an all-new processor.
Low-Power Mode
The upcoming Apple Watch may feature an updated low power mode that would allow more functions to work while battery life is being preserved.
Possible Health Features
According to The Wall Street Journal and other sources, Apple is developing several new health features for future Apple Watch models. These include blood-pressure monitoring, a thermometer for fertility and sleep tracking, sleep apnea detection, and diabetes detection.
Some of these features could be introduced in the Apple Watch Series 8, but it is not clear if all of these sensors are ready so Apple could also hold the functionality until a later date.
Women's health features, sleep updates, new fitness options, and medication management are all features that are set to launch prior to blood pressure and glucose monitoring, features not expected until 2025 or later.
Temperature Sensor
A body temperature sensor could be added to the Apple Watch as soon as 2022, the temperature sensor would initially be used for fertility planning. In future versions of the Apple Watch, it could be used to determine if a user has a higher than normal body temperature, but it is unlikely to show an actual measurement.
Apple initially intended to put temperature monitoring in the Series 7, but was unable to get it to work accurately enough. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that if Apple has improved its algorithm enough, the series 8 could include the body temperature monitoring feature.
Skin temperature can vary based on the environment, and because a smart watch is unable to monitor core body temperature, it is difficult to get an accurate reading without the proper algorithm.
Apple in August was granted a patent for a "high-accuracy" temperature sensor that would be used in the Apple Watch, and the patent may provide some insight into the temperature sensing capabilities of the Series 8.
The system uses a temperature sensor and a differential temperature probe, calculating the difference between the two ends of the probe. One end touches the surface measured, while the other is connected to a sensor. Apple's patent describes a probe that is located on the "back crystal of a smart watch" and says the system offers "high-precision" and "high-accuracy."
Sleep Apnea Detection
Apple is aiming to use the existing blood oxygen sensor to detect sleep apnea, but there are issues with taking frequent readings without significantly impacting battery life, so it's not clear if this feature will make it to launch.
Car Crash Detection
Apple is developing a crash detection feature for the iPhone and the Apple Watch, which could come out in 2022. It will use sensors like the accelerometer to detect car accidents when they occur by measuring a spike in gravitational force.
When a car crash is detected, the iPhone or the Apple Watch would automatically dial emergency services to get help. Since it's planned for 2022, this could be a feature designed for the iPhone 14 models and the Apple Watch Series 8, though it's not likely to be limited to those devices. It will be an expansion of the Fall Detection feature that's in existing Apple Watch and iPhone models.
Atrial Fibrillation Improvements
In watchOS 9, Apple is expanding atrial fibrillation detection to calculate "burden," or how often a person is in a state of atrial fibrillation across a certain period of time.
Activity Tracking Update
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the Apple Watch Series 8 will include "major updates" to activity tracking. There is no word on what specifically might change.
Apple Watch Patents
Apple has patented several interesting technologies that could potentially be used in future Apple Watch devices, such as a biometric authentication feature that authenticates identity based on the wearer's skin pattern. Such a feature would eliminate the need for a passcode when wearing the Apple Watch.
Another patent describes a self-tightening Apple Watch band that would adjust during intensive activities like running or working out for accurate heart rate readings, and loosen up afterward. The tightening could also be used for directions, workout reps, and more.
A third patent describes an Apple Watch band with an LED indicator that would visualize the progress of an activity or task, providing a visual indicator when completing a workout or an Activity ring, for example.
Apple in December 2019 published a patent describing how the Apple Watch could help doctors monitor the symptoms of Parkinson's patients using sensors to keep track of tremors. Apple believes this method of data tracking will allow users to better track their symptoms so they can plan activities around symptom patterns.
A 2020 pair of patents suggest Apple is researching Touch ID and an under-display camera for the Apple Watch. Apple describes a side button with an integrated Touch ID fingerprint sensor that could be used for user identification and device unlocking. Currently, the Apple Watch unlocks with a passcode and also when the paired iPhone is unlocked.
As for an under-display camera, the patent describes a two-stage display technology that includes a camera that is externally visible only when engaged. In 2021, Apple outlined a radical redesign of the Apple Watch in a patent filing, featuring a rounded watch face, wrap-around flexible display, and digitally-customizable watch bands.
Apple has filed several other patents covering the possibility of moving hardware into the Apple Watch's band, including batteries, speakers, kinetic power generators, haptic feedback devices, and even cameras.
There's no word on whether these patented features will make it into an actual Apple Watch in the future, but it's interesting to see what Apple is working on and considering behind the scenes.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch Series 8 will launch alongside a new rugged model and also a new version of the low-cost Apple Watch SE. We don't yet know what will be added to the Apple Watch SE, but it is likely to have a faster processor.
Series 8 Launch Date
Apple is holding a "Far Out" event on Wednesday, September 7, where it is expected to unveil the Apple Watch Series 8 alongside new iPhone 14 models.
Future Apple Watch Features
Blood Glucose Monitoring
Apple is rumored to have a team of biomedical engineers working on a method for non-invasively monitoring blood glucose levels using optical sensors, technology that could potentially make its way into the Apple Watch at some point in the future. Such a feature would make diabetes management much easier because it would not require puncturing the skin.
Blood glucose monitoring has been a feature that Apple has been working on for years, based on rumors, but it is a serious health feature that would likely require regulation.
DigiTimes claims that Apple is working on short wavelength infrared sensors, which could allow the Apple Watch Series 8 to monitor blood glucose by measuring the amount of sugar in the blood. DigiTimes isn't always the most reliable source, and Bloomberg says that blood glucose monitoring is still many years away.
Noninvasive blood sugar monitoring is a feature that is several years away and does not have a target launch year as of yet. In the meantime, Apple could add improve support for third-party glucose monitors.
Blood Pressure Measurements
Blood pressure monitoring technology won't be ready until 2024 at the earliest, and a launch could slip to 2025. Apple is working on an updated sensor and accompanying software that would be able to detect high blood pressure, but in testing, it has not been accurate.
Apple is testing blood pressure monitoring with employees. The feature will not provide specific systolic and diastolic readings, but will instead warn Apple watch users that they may have hypertension that should be investigated further.
Apple supplier Rockley Photonics is working on an advanced digital sensor system that allows wearable devices to monitor biomarkers like core body temperature, blood pressure, body hydration, alcohol, lactate, glucose trends, and more, using optical sensors. This technology could eventually make its way to the Apple Watch given the partnership between Apple and Rockley, and rumors suggest we will see blood pressure monitoring capabilities introduced at some point.
Satellite Connectivity
In the future, Apple plans to bring satellite connectivity to the Apple Watch, which will allow for emergency texting and SOS response features right on the wrist. Satellite connectivity is coming to the iPhone 14, and later, it will expand to the Apple Watch.
Guide Feedback
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Article Link: Apple Watch Series 8 (2022): Everything We Know
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