Apple Watch Series 8: Honest Thoughts After a Few Months
Now you’re thinking about buying an Apple Watch Series 8. I understand. Not too long ago, I too was pondering whether or not I should spend money on it. After all, it’s not a cheap purchase. I had been using my old Series 5 for so long that I wanted something new. So I went ahead and bought a Series 8. I’ve been using it for a while now, so let me tell you about it unfiltered.
First Impressions
First of all, out of the box it looks very Apple-like. Clean lines, minimalistic packaging, everything is very nice. I opted for the Starlight aluminum case. Not too flashy, but it looks good. As expected, the build quality is top notch. The design is almost identical to the Series 7, so if you’ve seen the Series 7, you’ll know what you’re getting in this watch. Honestly, they fit comfortably on my wrist and I was ready to go. I was excited to see what new features they would have.
Digging into the Features: What Really Matters
Let’s talk about the fun part - the features. The main advantage of the Series 8 is the new temperature sensor, which is supposed to help track menstrual cycles and predict the date of ovulation. In practice, it seems to be more accurate than previous methods. You have to sleep with the watch for at least five nights to get a baseline value, which takes some getting used to, as I don’t usually like sleeping with a watch. I also appreciate the feature to track my heart rate and monitor my blood oxygen levels. I appreciate the ability to monitor my overall health. The fall detection feature is something I hope I never have to experience, but it’s nice to know it’s there. I use it for running, hiking, and various strength training activities and have had no problems.
Real Life Use: Everyday Partner
So, how does this watch fit into my daily life? Well, they’ve become my primary means of receiving notifications, controlling music, and quickly checking the time. I also use the Apple Fitness+ integration, which is very useful for trainer-led workouts. I have friends who have recently started using the watch to motivate themselves to get more exercise. They seem to really enjoy fitness. One day while jogging, they got a text message about a schedule change. It was very easy to respond without pulling out their cell phone, just a glance at their wrist. It’s little things like that that make a big difference.
Disadvantages and Considerations
Not everything is all rainbows and sunshine. The battery life is decent but not revolutionary. You usually have to charge it once a day, and often twice a day. Not terrible, but a little annoying. It would be nice if the battery lasted a few days like other smartwatches. The body temperature sensor is useful for tracking cycles, but doesn’t give actual values. Also, the screen is scratchy. I banged it against something a few times. If you’re not interested in fitness or don’t need health data, you may not want your money back.
Competitor Comparison
We looked at other smartwatches, including Fitbit and Samsung models.
- Apple Watch wins when it comes to integration with iOS devices.
- Apple Fitness+ service is a big advantage and the app ecosystem is pretty strong.
- Apple Fitness+ app is good value for money.
- Apple Fitness+ app is good value for money.
- Apple Fitness+ app is good value for money.
Perhaps other smartwatches have better battery life or more detailed sleep tracking, but when it comes to overall user experience, the Apple Watch wins. I also like that I can easily change straps to suit my style. I’ve tried different sports straps and loops, and they all work great.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
So should you buy an Apple Watch Series 8? It depends on your needs. If you’re an Apple user and want a good fitness tracker with solid health features, the Series 8 is a great choice. The temperature sensor is an added benefit, and the collision detection feature will keep you from worrying about your health. However, if you have a Series 7, it may not be worth upgrading your device unless you need new sensors. If, however, like me, you’re upgrading from an older watch, you’ll notice the obvious improvements. It’s a useful tool that has become part of my daily life, and I’m not going back to a regular watch anytime soon.
