Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Apple Watch Series 7: Which is best for you?

Apple's Series 8 announcement was all about the sensors. While the watch may look almost identical to its predecessors on the outside, the inside could well save your life. From the new body temperature sensor that can help track everything from fevers to ovulation, to the new crash detection technology that can automatically call emergency services in the event of a car wreck, the Apple Watch Series 8 wants to keep you safe and well. That said, its upgraded specs may not be enough for everyone to make the jump. So, let's look at what's new to help you decide between this year's main-line Apple Watch, or last year's.

Specifications

You should buy Apple Watch Series 8 if…

1. Your health can benefit from the new temperature sensor

Apple made it clear during its presentation that its new temperature sensor was the showpiece of this year's Apple Watch refresh. Not only can it provide basic body temp information, but it can also leverage its own readings, alongside those of other sensors to provide a more holistic image of the wearer's health. This includes things like better cycle and ovulation tracking, as well as new health tracking alerts that may catch brewing health concerns earlier. 

2. You want the best in safety tracking for your family

Apple Watch Series 8 includes the company's new Crash Detection feature, also found on its latest iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro. This safety feature leverages an improved 3-axis gyroscope and a completely new accelerometer to record 3,000 samples per second. Combined with the Apple Watch's other sensors, the new hardware allows the device to almost instantly detect vehicle crashes. When a crash is detected, it will call emergency services automatically, and send messages to the user's emergency contacts. It's an extra layer of peace of mind if you have family members with this new generation of Apple Watch.

3. You're frequently away from a charger

The new Low Power mode available on the Apple Watch Series 8 provides up to 36 hours of operation on a single charge. This is twice the normal 18-hour run-time the device is rated for. To accomplish this, the Apple Watch disables some services, while attempting to maintain operations as close as possible to its normal mode. It's not a true doubling of the Apple Watch's battery life, but if you frequently forget your charger, or you often go on short trips without, this could be a lifesaver. 

More: Apple just announced Apple Watch Series 8. Here's what you need to know

You should buy Apple Watch Series 7 if…

1. You want a main-line Apple Watch in the Titanium finish

With the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple appears to now be reserving its Titanium finish for its new, top-end model. Because of this, anyone wanting a less expensive (relatively speaking) Apple watch with a Titanium finish will need to stick with 2021's Series 7. The Apple Watch Series 8 only comes in (less colorful) Aluminum and Stainless Steel options now. 

2. You won't benefit from all of the new health tracking technologies

Of course, just about all of us could (but hopefully never will) need the Series 8's new Crash Detection feature to help us in an emergency. But, given the “what-if” nature of that scenario, shoppers may not buy a Series 8 for it exclusively. For those doubters, Apple's hoping the new body temperature sensor will be enough. It's worth noting that most of the more complex uses for the Series 8's new temperature sensor are targeted at Apple Watch's female wearers, helping them better track and manage their unique health concerns. Male wearers can certainly make use of it as well, but the use cases are more narrow.

3. You want a cheaper, main-line Apple Watch

Apple launched an updated Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) at this year's event as well. While this latest update to the budget-friendly line brings it close in performance to the new Apple Watch Series 8, it still sports the same larger bezels and lacks the main-line Series 7 and 8's always-on display technology. This means if you want an Apple Watch that won't hit you wallet quite so hard, but you must have those upgraded display features, the Series 7 will still likely be your way to go as its price is already well below the Series 8's launch price, and will likely continue to fall. 

More: Apple Watch Series 7 review: Bigger really is better

Alternatives to consider

Open to other smartwatch prospects? Consider these ZDNET-recommended devices: