At an event today, Apple has announced its latest flagship smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 8. On top of that, the Cupertino based tech giant has took the wraps off its second-gen Apple Watch SE 2.
Apple Watch Series 8
The new Apple Watch Series 8 has much better hardware than the current Apple Watch versions. It features a faster and more efficient chip and more potentially life-saving factors such as a new Body Temperature Sensor and Crash Detection feature.
Body temperature sensor is a newly added sensor for the Apple Watch, which gets you precise temperature readings throughout the day. Apple has put up this sensor, one on the rear and another on the display. The rear sensor shows precise body temperature and the external temperature too. It also gives a sight of accurate ovulation periods for women. According to Apple, this sensor can also enhance the detection of the various sleep stages.
The new Crash Detection feature lets the device to automatically detect car accidents and immediately notify the first responders in your contact list. It also boasts regular feature sensors for the heart rate and blood oxygen. You can also use the device to take EKGs on the go.
Apple Watch Series 8 ships comes out of box with the latest Watch OS 9, delivering you some next-gen smartwatch functionality and this version also run on a similar System-in-Package (SiP) platform with the help of the new new S8 chip.
This will be available in GPS-only and Cellular versions with international roaming support. The GPS only 41mm Apple Watch Series 8 comes with the current price tags at $399, and the 45mm model will retail for $429. Likewise, the cellular 41mm Apple Watch Series 8 version will be sold at $499, and the cheapest 45mm model with cellular connectivity will retail for $529. The pre-orders begin on September 7 and the units are ready to ship next week on September 16.
Apple Watch SE 2
Apple Watch SE 2 comes equipped with the new new S8 SiP, which is the same chip that runs the Apple Watch Series 8. It runs 20% faster than the previous S7 64-bit dual-core processor. Unfortunately, this budget oriented version doesn’t carry the sensors for blood oxygen, EKG, and temperature reading. But Apple includes the new motion sensor underneath it, which allows the it to detect car crashes via the new Crash Detection feature. You will also get regular features such as swim proof with 50 meters of water resistance, fall detection, automatic workout detection, Heart rate monitoring (with AFib notifications), Emergency SOS.
The new Apple Watch SE 2 is now available for pre-order from today and available in stores from September 16 for $249 for the GPS model, and $299 for the Cellular. Apple has also launched its new Apple Watch Ultra with the new design and extra battery.