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Mark German says Series 8 will have the same processor as the current Series 7 etc.

Apple_Robert

Apple_Robert

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Sep 21, 2012
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I didn't see an article about this and thought many here might be interested. If this rumor is ends up being true, it really doesn't bother me. I was planning on upgrading anyway. I also don't have a problem with the current speed of the Series 7.

"After previous reports saying Apple would bring a faster S8 chip for the Apple Watch Series 8, Gurman says he’s told that the “S8 chip will have the same specifications as the S7.” But here’s the catch: the S7 chip is the same as the S6, which was introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020."

9to5mac.com

Gurman: Apple Watch Series 8 chip to have same specification as Series 6

Mark Gurman is back with more information about the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 and second-generation Apple Watch SE. In...
9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com
 
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Yeah, processor speed is fine right now. Still, I keep wondering what the „tentpole“ feature of Series 8 is going to be. Rumours are very sparse …

S0: new shiny Apple gadget
S2: much faster (i.e. useable)
S3: cellular
S4: bigger screen (smaller bezels) + ECG
S5: always-on screen
S6: blood oxygen sensor
S7: bigger screen (smaller bezels) + fast charging
S8: ???
 
Last edited:
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the future said:
Yeah, processor speed is fine right now. Still, I keep wondering what the „tentpole“ feature of Series 8 is going to be. Rumours are very sparse …

S0: new shiny Apple gadget
S2: much faster (i.e. useable)
S3: cellular
S4: bigger screen (smaller bezels)
S5: always-on screen
S6: blood oxygen sensor
S7: bigger screen (smaller bezels)
S8: ???
Click to expand...
I think the "tentpole" feature for S8 will be better battery life.

When Apple introduced all of the new running metrics in the Workout app at WWDC, the top reason I saw for people refusing to contemplate making the switch from Garmin and other traditional running watches was battery life.
 
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PatrickNSF said:
I think the "tentpole" feature for S8 will be better battery life.
Click to expand...

I don‘t think so. I mean, it would be nice, but how could they make it happen? No new (i.e. more efficient) sensor, no battery tech breakthrough … Maybe the rumoured new rugged version will be bigger than the regular Watch and have more space for a bigger battery.
 
PatrickNSF said:
I think the "tentpole" feature for S8 will be better battery life.

When Apple introduced all of the new running metrics in the Workout app at WWDC, the top reason I saw for people refusing to contemplate making the switch from Garmin and other traditional running watches was battery life.
Click to expand...
I don't think technology is there for any dramatic battery life increase.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
I didn't see an article about this and thought many here might be interested. If this rumor is ends up being true, it really doesn't bother me. I was planning on upgrading anyway. I also don't have a problem with the current speed of the Series 7.

"After previous reports saying Apple would bring a faster S8 chip for the Apple Watch Series 8, Gurman says he’s told that the “S8 chip will have the same specifications as the S7.” But here’s the catch: the S7 chip is the same as the S6, which was introduced with the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020."

9to5mac.com

Gurman: Apple Watch Series 8 chip to have same specification as Series 6

Mark Gurman is back with more information about the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 and second-generation Apple Watch SE. In...
9to5mac.com 9to5mac.com
Click to expand...
I don't see an issue here as watchOS isn't that demanding and there is a limit to what you can add software wise to a watch. As long as the watch provides better battery life with the new features, I'm fine.

I am due for an upgrade this year from my S4.
 
Apple_Robert said:
I don't think technology is there for any dramatic battery life increase.
Click to expand...
I'm optimistic about this line quoted from your linked article –

"I’d also expect the low-power mode I’ve long discussed as part of watchOS 9 to show up as a new hardware-exclusive feature."

And from his earlier article –

"For watchOS 9, Apple also is planning a new low-power mode that is designed to let its smartwatch run some apps and features without using as much battery life."
 
I did notice a significant speed boost with Siri when the processor was upgraded in the Series 6. So I was hoping there would be another speed bump for the 8 because I use Siri a lot when I’m out running.
 
My gfs s4 still seems pretty fast to me, so I’d imagine the current processor is more then adequate (though admittedly neither is use Siri as after 10 years it doesn’t work very well still).

As a few others have said, it’s additional sensors and better battery life that’s more important now - and the software functionality, UX & case design.

The watch isn’t really an app centric device, so it doesn’t need additional speed YoY.
 
I do not recall observing a performance increase when I went for my S4 to the S7, other than updates are faster for sure.
IF the S8 specs are the same (what specs are we talking here anyway) my only concern would be no new sensors as that would put load on the SOC, no new sensors would mean Apple is giving up on its lead from a “health device” perspective, that would be disappointing…
 
My concern isn’t necessarily about year one performance, but year five performance. I am finally looking to upgrade my S2 this year, but worry about future-proofing on a two year old processor. Will the S6 chip really be able to run WatchOS 13?
 
I was planning on getting the S8, but if this turns out to be true then I might go for the Epix2, battery on my S5 is getting bad.
 
the future said:
No, it would mean new sensors are a hard, multi-year project (in the real world).
Click to expand...
Body temp is already available in a Samsung watch and so is blood pressure, Apple has nothing to offer, yet. No new sensors on the 7, and if there are no new sensor on the 8 - that’s what I was referring to. And yes it takes time, and in some cases FDA clearance which is why CGM will never come to AW.
 
jz0309 said:
Body temp is already available in a Samsung watch
Click to expand...

This has actually been rumoured for Series 8 as well.

jz0309 said:
and so is blood pressure, Apple has nothing to offer, yet.
Click to expand...

How accurate is it, though? You may be aware that Samsung et al. follow a “spec sheet checkbox“ approach and put half-baked stuff in their devices all the time. Apple does not.
 
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I asked a similar question on a YouTube video recently released, but I thought I might throw it out here as well:

Was really, really looking forward to the Explorer/Rugged Edition. Do you tend to think that if they release a rugged version with advertised longer battery life and the chip being essentially the same as the Apple Watch 6........that the rugged version will simply last a bit longer battery-wise b/c they will "dumb-down" some features that may not be considered essential ?
 
Samsung blood pressure is reported to be sketchy plus in needs to be calibrated against a standalone machine.
 
This certainly works for me as I'll just keep my S7, especially since it works just fine and I doubt watchOS 9 will cripple the device.
 
the future said:
Yeah, processor speed is fine right now. Still, I keep wondering what the „tentpole“ feature of Series 8 is going to be. Rumours are very sparse …

S0: new shiny Apple gadget
S2: much faster (i.e. useable)
S3: cellular
S4: bigger screen (smaller bezels)
S5: always-on screen
S6: blood oxygen sensor
S7: bigger screen (smaller bezels)
S8: ???
Click to expand...
Small change request from me :)
S7: bigger screen (smaller bezels) + fast-charging (game changer for me)
 
addamas said:
Small change request from me :)
S7: bigger screen (smaller bezels) + fast-charging (game changer for me)
Click to expand...

I wanted to quote just one „tentpole“ for each gen, but I agree that fast charging the Watch is very awesome. Also while we’re at it – S4: bigger screen (smaller bezels) + ECG
 
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