The Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to arrive this fall alongside the iPhone 14 and AirPods Pro 2. If the rumors are true, Apple’s next smartwatch could have a temperature sensor, a new size option, and a new model tailored for use during extreme sports.
The Series 7, which Apple introduced alongside the iPhone 13 lineup in September, didn’t get many significant changes beyond the larger screen, faster charging and improved durability. The 8 Series could follow a similar route. Bloomberg reports that the Series 8’s hardware is generally expected to be similar to the Series 7, aside from the addition of a temperature sensor.
We’ll know for sure once Apple announces its next smartwatch. Until then, current Apple Watch owners can expect to get new software features when WatchOS 9 debuts this fall.
Read more: The best smartwatches of 2022
Health: Apple Watch Series 8 may debut with a temperature sensor
Years before the pandemic, Apple already had long-term health ambitions for its popular wrist accessory, with CEO Tim Cook describing health as “Apple’s greatest contribution to humanity.” And according to reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, Apple may expand on those ambitions with the addition of a temperature sensor in the Apple Watch Series 8.
A temperature reading feature could bring new fertility planning tools to Apple’s smartwatch, according to reports. A more recent report by Bloomberg suggests that the Series 8 may be able to detect cracks. But that doesn’t mean you should expect to get an accurate temperature reading like using a standard thermometer. Instead, Bloomberg says it will probably be able to tell if you might have a fever and recommends using a special thermometer or consulting a doctor.
There are also a number of other health features in Apple’s pipeline, according to reports, although such tools are said to still be in development. These include glucose monitoring, a tool that alerts users if their blood oxygen levels drop, sleep apnea detection and blood pressure monitoring, according to the Journal and Bloomberg. But those features are expected to be a long way off and likely won’t appear on the Apple Watch for years. Bloomberg reported that the blood pressure tool won’t be ready until 2024 at the earliest.
The blood pressure technology will work by using sensors to measure the speed of the wave that a heartbeat sends through a person’s arteries, the Journal reports. Unlike traditional blood pressure cuffs, which typically fasten around the upper arm, it would not provide baseline measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Instead, it will tell you how your blood pressure is trending, the report said. Samsung previously included a similar blood pressure feature in the Galaxy Watch 4, which is available in some countries and regions such as South Korea and Europe, where it received regulatory approval.
Read more: New Apple Watch SE sounds more exciting than Series 8. Here’s why
The Apple Watch Series 7 comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm, compared to the 40mm and 44mm variants of the Series 6.
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Design: Apple Watch Series 8 may get a new size
Overall, the overall aesthetic of the Apple Watch has remained largely unchanged since the original made waves in 2015. But rumors suggest that Apple may add another new size to the Apple Watch after increasing the display on the Series 7. According to Twitter posts from the analyst on display Ross Young, the third size of the Apple Watch could appear this year. Bloomberg also says there has been internal discussion that the Series 8 will get an updated display, but it’s unclear if that means its size will change.
New model: the rugged Apple Watch
According to German, Apple is considering releasing a watch “with a tough case” and rubberized exterior designed for use in more extreme conditions than everyday wear. Apple is reportedly targeting athletes, hikers, and people who would normally use it in extreme environments. It will have the same functionality as the standard Apple Watch, but better protection and shock resistance, Bloomberg says. Apple is expected to release the rugged Apple Watch in 2022, which means we could see it this fall alongside the Series 8 and the new Apple Watch SE.
Performance: Similar to Series 7
Apple doesn’t plan to make major changes to the Series 8’s performance, according to Bloomberg. The Series 8 processor reportedly has the same specs as the Series 7 chip, which already shares many similarities with the Series 6 chip. Apple is saving a more significant processor update for the Apple Watch next year, Bloomberg reports.
The decision to keep essentially the same processor for three generations of Apple Watch is significant. This suggests that the Apple Watch has matured to the point where performance changes from year to year are not very dramatic. Instead, the biggest areas where the Apple Watch is showing signs of growth include health tracking and new software features, as Apple showed with WatchOS 9.
Battery life: New low power mode
Since the Series 8 is expected to have a processor similar to the Series 7, I would expect the battery life to remain the same as well. But the Series 8 may be getting a different update aimed at extending battery life: a new low-power mode. Bloomberg previously reported that WatchOS 9 will include a new low-power mode that will allow the watch to run certain apps and functions while conserving battery life. This feature isn’t included in Apple’s latest software update, but a recent Bloomberg report suggests that it could be exclusive to Apple’s next-generation smartwatch.
Looking for more Apple updates? Here are the best features of the Apple Watch 7 and what we hope to see in the next Apple Watch.
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