Here are some notable upgrades and new features that we are pretty stoked about for the Apple Watch.
Source: Apple
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 8 comes in 2 sizes, 41mm or 45mm.
Starting from S$599, Apple Watch Series 8 is available from 16 September.
Let’s talk about the new and upgraded features that comes with the highly awaited Apple Watch Series 8.
Source: Apple
Always-On Retina Display
Apple Watch Series 8 is now equipped with a larger, more enhanced Always-On display. The sleek narrow borders push the screen all the way to the edge, and the bright Always-On screen makes your customisable and detailed watch faces always look on point and easy to read – even when your wrist is down. The larger display now accommodates all your favourite complications and makes all your daily actions such as tapping, typing and swiping, much easier.
Source: Apple
Tougher Exterior
Apple deployed the same innovations used to create the sleek Always-On display to enhance its durability. Apple Watch Series 8 is crack resistant, dust resistant with IP6X certification, and water resistant with WR50 water resistance, making it swim-proof. Now, you can be even more reassured to wear your Apple Watch for all your favourite workouts. I mean, you should already be doing so.
Source: Apple
Health-Related Upgrades
Apple Watch Series 8 has been outfitted with even more advanced health sensors to help you better understand your health insights, to empower you to live a more healthy lifestyle. Do with the information what you will, but I know I will be working out more regularly with the Apple Watch. Heh.
Source: Apple
Cycle Tracking – Temperature Sensing
This one’s for the ladies! Equipped with an innovative new sensor that tracks your temperature while you sleep, Cycle Tracking draws on this data to provide a retrospective estimate of when you likely ovulated – which can be incredibly helpful for family planning. When this data is combined with your heart rate and logged cycle data, you can now get a holistically detailed view of your menstrual cycle.
Source: Apple
Period Predictions
Apple understands us ladies, and this is a much appreciated addition to the plethora of current functions. I typically can’t be fussed to track cycles regularly (its too cumbersome), but with this new temperature tracking function, I can now get more accurate, data-driven period predictions. You too, can now receive notifications if your logged cycle data shows a possible deviation such as irregular or prolonged periods. Apple is committed to privacy, and assures that your Cycle Tracking data stays on your device and is safely encrypted when your phone is locked with a passcode, Touch ID or Face ID. No one, not even Apple, can access your data without your explicit permission.
Source: Apple
Sleep Cycles
Not sure about you, but I have been using the Sleep app pretty superficially. With the Apple Watch Series 8, your Sleep app does not just keep track of your time asleep. It also shows you how much of your sleep was in REM, Core or Deep sleep – and shows when you might have woken up but don’t recall. Fascinating.
Source: Apple
More Health Functions
The most notable addition to the current repertoire of health functions on the Watch, is the Medication app. Apart from being able to take an ECG any time with the ECG app and measure your blood oxygen with the Blood Oxygen app, you can now track your medication, vitamins and supplements with the Medications app. This is quite useful especially for forgetful people like me.
Source: Apple
Crash & Fall Detection
Similar to the iPhone 14 series, for the very first time, Apple Watch Series 8 is able to detect if you’re in a severe car crash. When a crash is detected, Crash Detection will automatically connect you with emergency services, provide dispatchers with your location and notify your emergency contacts. Harnessing the combined power of an improved 3-axis gyroscope and a new g-force accelerometer, Crash Detection has the highest dynamic range in any smartwatch. Apple Watch Series 8 can also detect if you’ve taken a hard fall and will connect you with emergency services if you’re unable to move. It’s also optimised when you are using the Workout app. Lifesaver.
Source: Apple
Workout App
With the upgraded Workout App, you can now quickly get a sense of your intensity level with Heart Rate Zones that automatically calculate training zones and personalise these based on your health data. You can also now customise your workouts – configure your work and recovery intervals to suit your training style, and receive alerts for pace, heart rate, cadence and power for the best workout routines. Go fast, go hard, but at your own pace.
Source: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra
For the uninitiated, Apple Watch Ultra is perfect for people who are into extreme sports – be it mountaineering, hiking in extreme conditions, running, diving – Apple Watch Ultra is perfect for you.
Apple Watch Ultra comes in 1 size, 49mm.
Starting from S$1,199, Apple Watch Ultra is available from 23 September.
Let’s talk about the features.
Source: Apple
Tough Design
For unparalleled performance, Apple crafted every element with painstaking attention to detail. From a 49mm titanium case to endure ruggedness and resist corrosion, to a larger Digital Crown, to an elevated side button to make usage easier while wearing gloves, Apple Watch Ultra is the ultimate sports watch. Tested to MIL-STD 810H, it also has a water resistance of up to 100m, and is certified with IP6X dust resistance.
Always-On Retina Display
With Always-On Retina display that’s an eye-opening 2,000 nits at its peak and twice as bright as any other Apple Watch, direct sunlight will have nothing on Apple Watch Ultra.
Source: Apple
Wayfinder
Engineered specifically for Apple Watch Ultra, the Wayfinder face features a time dial that can be switched to a live compass and has space for 8 complications. In low light situations, you can easily rotate the Digital Crown to activate Night mode – turning the watch face into a vivid red colour which is easily visible in the dark.
Source: Apple
Action Button
The brand new Action button gives you snappy and physical control over a variety of functions. It’s easily customisable according to your preference, and can control a workout, mark a Compass Waypoint or begin a dive. Convenient.
Source: Apple
Battery Life
Whether you’re on the second day of a backpacking / hiking trip, on the final leg of a triathlon or diving along a beautiful coral reef, the last thing you want to worry about is running out of battery. With longer battery life than ever, you can go up to 36 hours of normal use and still have energy to spare. Up to 60 hour usage on low power settings is set to arrive soon for Apple Watch Ultra.
Source: Apple
Endurance – Made For Runners
Doesn’t matter if it’s your first actual run in a while, or a 10K marathon you’re training for – Apple Watch Ultra is your perfect training companion to help you push your limits. The updated Workout App allows you to extract accurate data and insights with new metrics such as Heart Rate Zones, Stride Length, Ground Contact Time, Vertical Oscillation and Running Power. Perfect to analyse your running data and improve your stance and performance easily.
Source: Apple
Adventure – GPS Performance
For the everyday man, L1 GPS works well most of the time. It can get a bit tricky when tall buildings, trees or dense foilage block satellites – and this is where the newer L5 GPS comes in. It enables advanced signal processing, reducing many errors and provides a more consistent signal in environments such as dense cities. This can also be super useful for accurate measurements of distance, pace and route calculations when you are planning your training route.
Source: Apple
Adventure – Compass
Apple Watch Ultra is designed to withstand extreme environments, elevations and temperatures – and it can also guide you home safely. The redesigned Compass app delivers all-new views and functionality that shows elevation, incline, longitude and latitude; on top of bearing and direction.
With Compass Waypoints, you can also easily mark your location by dropping a waypoint on the start of any trail or point of interest to keep you safe. You can easily backtrack or retrace your steps to get back on track – using GPS data, Backtrack automatically creates a path of where you’ve been – even if you’re off the grid. You can safely traverse through mountainous regions and make it back safely.
If you get lost, or injured, and need to attract attention in a remote area, hold the Action button to activate a 86-decibel Siren that can be heard up to 180 metres away.
Source: Apple
Ocean – Oceanic+ App (Coming Soon)
Apple Watch Ultra is EN13319 certified, an internationally recognised standard for diving accessories – just one of many reasons why it can be your most savvy diving companion. Designed in partnership with world renowned underwater innovators Huish Outdoors, the Oceanic+ app places a bona fide dive computer on your wrist. Suitable for recreational scuba diving and freediving down to 40 metres, the easy to use app features a dive planner with local knowledge and metrics that are important to divers simply by turning the Digital Crown.
Source: Apple
Ocean – Depth App
Introducing a new depth gauge, the Depth app is optimised for snorkelling or any casual underwater activity. It allows you to see the time, current depth, water temperature, duration under water and maximum depth you’ve reached, and can even automatically activate the moment you submerge.
Source: Apple
Alpine Loop
Designed to endure extreme temperatures from -20 degrees on chilly mountaintops to 55 degrees in searing desert heat, the Alpine Loop is light, durable and made from 2 textile layers woven into 1 continuous piece without stitching. The titanium G-hook is corrosion-resistant and slips on smoothly into the reinforced loops for a secure fit.
Source: Apple
Trail Loop
Maximum comfort for the long run and designed to be light, thin and flexible, the Trail Loop features a fuss-free loop closure for quick adjustments during workouts.
Source: Apple
Ocean Band
Made with fluoroelastomer rubber, fitted with a titanium buckle and a spring-loaded titanium adjustable loop, the Ocean Band is lightweight and flexible – and has a hypersecure fit, even for high-speed water sports. It comes with an attachable strap extension to allow you to wear it over a thick wetsuit.
There you have it – everything you need to know about Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra.
Which would you get?
