Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra and more: what can the new smartwatches do?

On September 7th, Apple presented several new variants of the Apple Watch in addition to the iPhone 14 and the new AirPods Pro in the second generation. The world's leading smartwatch comes in three new editions: Apple Watch Series 8, SE and Ultra. We will now show what distinguishes these models from one another and what new features are on board.

 

Apple Watch Series 8: new functions in a proven design

Externally, the Series 8 is the same as the previous model: the case is still available in two versions with a diameter of 41 and 45 millimeters - for women and men or generally narrower and wider wrists. The display still has a resolution of 396*484 pixels for the larger edition and 352*430 pixels for the smaller smartwatch. Due to the smaller dimensions, the lower resolution does not change the pixel density, so information is always displayed sharply. To protect the Watch Series 8 against external influences, Apple uses its own Ion-X front glass, which was first used in 2015. The company continues to rely on sapphire glass for the smartwatch made of stainless steel. So much remains the same, but two changes have been made to the hardware:

1. The processor is now the Apple S8 instead of the Apple S7 in the previous model. However, the specs are the same as the S7, so only modest improvements can be expected - perhaps in the area of power consumption or production costs. However, the performance for users should be approximately the same.
2. The Watch Series 8 brings a new temperature sensor. As a result, the smartwatch now has two sensors: one on the bottom, one on the top under the display. This improves the precision of temperature measurement, differences of 0.1° Celsius are recorded. This should result in tangible advantages in everyday life: For example, cycle-related temperature changes for women can help to refine the tracking of this event. ECG and blood oxygen monitoring are still included. The housing is still protected against the ingress of dust and water thanks to the IP6X certification.

 

Significantly improved battery life

Apple itself puts the battery life at 18 hours, but in reality this value is probably slightly undercut.

The low-power mode is completely new:
This enables the runtime to be doubled to 36 hours, with manual activation. Certain functions - such as automatic training recognition and the always-on display - are switched off for this.

If you don't value these features very much, you can increase the runtime by 100% in practice without any losses. Incidentally, this new mode will be available for all devices from the Watch Series 4, because it is "only" a software update introduced with watchOS 9.

 

Automatic accident detection

An interesting feature that I hope will never see in the lives of wearers of these watches is the new car accident detection feature. To accurately detect this scenario, data from the accelerometer and gyroscope is used, as well as GPS, microphone and barometer. These are examined for patterns consistent with car accidents - from a slight rear-end impact to a rollover. If the wearer does not respond, the emergency call is dialed automatically. In case of doubt, this can be enough to prevent serious injuries or to treat them in good time. As always, it remains to be seen to what extent these functions will also be available outside of the home market in the USA.

 

Sale and color selection. Bracelet for Apple Watch.

Deliveries of the Apple Watch Series 8 will begin on September 16th. Here is yours Bracelet for the Apple Watch. If you buy the model made of stainless steel, you can choose the three colors Graphite, silver and gold to choose. The colors stand out from aluminium Silver, Polaris, Midnight and Red to select. At the same time, these mark the cheapest entry point 499 Euro is it starting. If LTE is to be available in addition to GPS, at least 619 Euro be issued. For stainless steel, the prices are set much higher, then it only goes to 849 Euro off - and upwards it can quickly become four figures. Overall, the Apple Watch Series 8 is a cautious further development, which is mainly driven by the software. The big new features aren't on board - but the watch is ideal for anyone who's toying with the idea of slowly introducing a smartwatch into their lives.

 

The little sister: Apple Watch SE

The new edition of the Apple Watch SE brings some tangible advantages compared to the older model. This one came out two years ago in September 2020 and it was smaller counterpart to the Series 6 at the time. Since two years is a long time in this industry, Apple must have thought it was time to present a new edition. the Series 8 S8 chip also ends up in the SE edition, so the watch should be able to calculate about 20% faster than the Apple Watch SE from 2020. Due to the lower price point, however, the red pencil is used here and there: ECG and blood oxygen levels are removed. Always-on displays must also give way. The resolution is at a pleasantly high level of 324 * 394 pixels and 368 * 448 pixels (40 and 44 millimeter models). The display has also been enlarged by a whopping 30% compared to the Series 3. So anyone who owns that older smartwatch will find a very powerful update in the SE watch. Some of the new functions are retained on the smartwatch: the Apple Watch SE also comes with accident detection, and the heart rate is also determined. Some changes have been made to the choice of materials, but these should be practically invisible to the average user. For example, the back is now made of a composite material with nylon as the primary material. Apple continues to use Ion-X glass to protect the display. Apple sets the prices a little lower than for the Series 8. There are three colors, customers can choose between them Starlight, Midnight and Silver. The housing always consists of Aluminium, that's what it's for 299 Euro Come on. If LTE has to be on board, the smartwatch costs 369 Euro, which slowly brings the watch into the wake of the Series 8 without LTE.

 

The highlight of the keynote: Apple Watch Ultra

The Apple Watch Ultra is completely new, which is still significantly higher than the Series 8 in terms of features (and unfortunately also price). Some key data are as follows:

• The case is always made of titanium, is slightly higher than the Series 8 and serves to better protect the display.
• The Apple Watch Ultra is always 49 millimeters in size, other case sizes do not exist. The resolution is high 410*502 pixels.
• The weight is significantly higher than other models: the Apple Watch Ultra weighs 61.3 grams. For comparison: the Series 8 only weighs 38.8 or 51.5 grams (aluminum or stainless steel).
• Only sapphire glass is used, Ion-X variants do not exist. The glass protects the display, which can achieve a very high brightness of a maximum of 2,000 cd per m². If we only look at the case, the Apple Watch Ultra is a significant update compared to the Series 8.

A lot of work has also gone into the inner workings and the software, because the Ultra Edition also significantly trumps the normal smartwatch in terms of features.

 

New night vision and all-new watch face and straps for Apple Watch.

If the wearer of the watch turns the crown in the dark, the dial shines in a bright red, the background remains black. This significantly improves visibility in low light without causing glare at the same time. This is used in the new signpost dial: This offers a compass and a total of eight complications in order - as the name suggests - to be able to find the way better. Apple is thus clearly aimed at adventurers or people who travel to more remote regions for work. The S8 chip is taken over unchanged from the Series 8, so there is no more performance. But this clock dominates Bluetooth 5.3, while the other watches still use Bluetooth 5.0. This primarily benefits battery life and connectivity with similar, advanced devices.

Here you will find the best Bracelets for the Apple Watch.

A watch for outdoor use. Apple Watch Ultra strap.

There is now an unmistakable completely new button on the left side of the Apple Watch Ultra, the Apple Action Button baptized. Its function can be assigned by the user himself. Emergency mechanisms or perhaps very frequently recurring commands are therefore useful. Apple itself also recommends sports-oriented actions, such as starting a training session or switching to a new training interval. The buttons and the crown can also be operated when using (thin) gloves. Apple puts an additional speaker in the Watch Ultra, which increases the volume significantly. Noise should be better filtered by three microphones - for example when trying to use a phone in a strong headwind. Above all, Apple emphasizes the use in emergencies, for example when heavy rain and snowfall and accompanying storms impair communication. There is no version without LTE, mobile communications are always on board.

 

Optimized for continuous use

The much larger battery now achieves a runtime of up to 36 hours. That's as much as with the Series 8 - if it activates the battery saving mode. The Apple Watch Ultra also offers this new mode, which increases the runtime to 60 hours. Apple also promises a high precision GPS as well as extremely accurate route tracing capabilities. Anyone who walks, rides a bike or is otherwise out and about can reliably log and evaluate these routes with the smartwatch. Six new apps offer many functions to evaluate the data on the go - for example, to record altitude increases, heart rates and similar data. Apple also sees other fields of application: for example, in the wild. If people deviate from the planned route, the Watch Ultra helps them find their way back to their starting point. If all else fails, that's it activation of an emergency siren possible. This generates a very loud signal of 86 decibels, so that hopefully rescue operations can be successful more quickly.

 

Military Protected Hardware

The use of Apple Watch Ultra is in a temperature range between -20° Celsius to +55° Celsius possible. In addition, the smartwatch was tested under numerous negative external conditions. This long list includes high and low temperatures, low air pressure, rain, humidity, wetness in general, dust and sand, freezing rain, strong shocks and vibrations, freezing and thawing and similar phenomena. Since the device survived this torture, it can claim the military standard MIL-STD-810H. This isn't exclusive to the Apple Watch Ultra, as numerous devices for serious outdoor use follow this standard. But it's nice that Apple has managed to build a typical consumer product so robust. Lots Straps for the Apple Watch Ultra you can find here.

 

Diving with the Apple Watch Ultra

The new smartwatch can be underwater to a depth of 100 meters helpful services also prove with one Apple Watch 8 Ultra Armband. For example, the display shows the current depth, water temperature, maximum depth ever reached and other information. To ensure that the watch will work under these conditions, it has the Earned WR100 and EN 13319 certificates. Mind you, the Apple Watch Ultra can do these services even in salt water carry out. This is not a matter of course: many smartphones that are sold as "waterproof" explicitly only mean use in fresh water. Salt water makes completely different, more difficult demands on technical equipment.

 

A reasonable price tag

From the The Apple Watch Ultra will be delivered in Germany on September 23. Apple is launching three new bracelets called Trail Loop, Ocean Band and Alpine Loop. In this case, the name does not only refer to the colors: The Ocean Band, for example, is made much more robustly to provide better service when used in the ocean. It's also made of plastic so it can't absorb water. According to Apple, this should improve grip in the planned situations, the Alpine Loop Band, for example, was designed for snow hikes. For the opulent technology, Apple offers all interested customers to pay accordingly: At least 999 euros are due for an Apple Watch Ultra. This means that the price of the Ultra variant is far above that of the normal Series 8 and appeals more to professional users who can really use the range of new features - certificates, shock resistance, submersibility, GPS tracking, battery.

 

Conclusion:

three new watches from beginners to enthusiasts Apple also presented the new iPhone 14 with interesting new functions such as the Dynamic Island for the camera area at the September keynote this year. However, due to the countless new presentations of the Apple Watch, one quickly gets the impression that the Smartwatch was the real star of this event. A total of three new variants are now available for purchase:

• The Apple Watch SE is aimed at beginners who might be buying their first smartwatch and don't want to spend too much money. Some functions are missing, but you get full performance in attractive colors. Anyone who does not absolutely need an ECG and blood oxygen content is making the right decision here.
• The Apple Watch Series 8 is the new standard, bringing useful new features like accident detection. The new temperature sensors open up interesting possibilities, the battery life is drastically increased by software updates. The price moves towards the 500 euro limit.
• The Apple Watch Ultra is aimed at all enthusiasts who are primarily on the move and hope for more reliability and battery life. This smartwatch is extremely robust, performs just as well in the desert as under water and comes with innovative bracelets - for a high price.

If you are thinking of buying one of the new Apple Watches, but are not satisfied with the normal bracelets, you can check with us. we ask innovative bracelets ready for all new Apple smartwatches.