REVIEW: APPLE WATCH SERIES 8 UNCHANGINGLY EXCELLENT

VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR, BUT THIS REMAINS THE SMARTWATCH TO BEAT. 

- DAVID PRICE

For its fall 2022 releases, Apple made a conscious decision to focus on its elite product lines: the iPhone 14 Pro, AirPods Pro (fave.co/3SQDJmK) and Apple Watch Ultra. In each case, more effort was made than ever before to persuade customers to spend extra for the premium experience. This is a risky strategy, however. Some customers will be upsold, but given the choice between a denigrated standard model and a costly premium one, others may be dissuaded from buying anything.

Which brings us to the Apple Watch Series 8. In a world where cheaper alternates exist (including Apple's own new SE), the most interesting new features and design decisions have been confined to the Apple Watch Ultra, and there are very few changes from last year's Series 7. So the question remains: Why would anyone choose the Series 8?

DESIGN: WHY MESS WITH A CLASSIC?

Aside from some new colors and band options (which you can buy for the Series 7 too), there are no external differences between the Series 8 and Series 7, which may be disappointing news for potential upgraders. But this remains a classic design.

It's a squircle (or rather, a rectircle, since the length is slightly greater than the width), that pleasing and quintessentially Apple shape, with smooth rounded corners that feel comfortable on the wrist. There's an appealing contrast between the matte finish around the case and the gloss of the screen and underside, while the resistance of the Digital Crown dial is calibrated just right. It's simply a nice object to look at and wear.

Other than the Digital Crown, you get a second button on the same side, which is flush with the chassis of the watch. In theory it should therefore be harder to find without looking, but it really isn't; the dial and the shape of the watch help you find it instantly.