Smartwatches · 2022 · Apple

Apple Watch Series 8 (45 mm, GPS)

Name: Apple Watch Series 8 (45 mm, GPS)
Brand: Apple

The Apple Watch Series 8 is Apple’s main 2022 smartwatch. It kept the Series 7 design and added the S8 SiP, an accelerometer up to 256 g used for crash detection, and body temperature sensing. Independent testing found heart rate and distance close to reference devices; battery life is still limited to 18 hours. Owners mostly reported battery drain after software updates.

Apple Watch Series 8, 45 mm aluminium case, GPS model. The 41 mm case, GPS + Cellular and stainless steel versions are separate models; weight and screen size differ.

Apple Watch Series 8 (45 mm, GPS) — The Apple Watch Series 8 image from Apple’s tech specs page: a Starlight aluminium case and a version with a Nike Sport Band; the case size is not stated in the image. — The Apple Watch Series 8 image from Apple’s tech specs page: a Starlight aluminium case and a version with a Nike Sport Band; the case size is not stated in the image.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Display	Always-On Retina LTPO OLED; 396 × 484 pixels; 1143 sq mm display area; up to 1000 nits The LTPO panel can lower its refresh rate a lot, so the screen stays on dimmed when the wrist is down.
Chip	S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip; U1 (Ultra Wideband) Ultra Wideband is used for close-range location with an iPhone; availability varies by region.
Health sensors	Blood oxygen sensor; electrical heart sensor (ECG app); third-generation optical heart sensor The Blood Oxygen app is not for medical use. The ECG app is not intended for people under 22 and may not be available in every country.
Motion and safety	High-g accelerometer up to 256 g (Fall Detection and Crash Detection); high dynamic range gyroscope; Emergency SOS; international emergency calling On the GPS model, Emergency SOS needs a nearby iPhone or Wi-Fi Calling; international emergency calling works only on cellular models.
Location	L1 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou; compass; always-on altimeter This is single-frequency (L1) GPS; drift between tall buildings can be higher than on dual-frequency models.
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 5.3
Storage	32 GB
Battery and charging	Up to 18 hours; built-in lithium-ion battery; USB-C magnetic fast charging cable Apple’s 18-hour figure is based on 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use and a 60-minute workout with music; sleep tracking is not part of that scenario.
Durability	Water resistant to 50 metres under ISO 22810:2010; IP6X dust; ceramic and sapphire crystal back Suitable for shallow-water activities in a pool or the sea; not for scuba diving, waterskiing or high-velocity water.
Size and weight	45 × 38 × 10.7 mm; aluminium GPS: 38.8 g
Compatibility	Requires iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16 or later It cannot be used with Android phones.
Colours	Aluminium: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, (PRODUCT)RED

From the manufacturer

Apple presents the Series 8 with an Always-On Retina display, ECG and Blood Oxygen apps, and fall and crash detection. Apple Support

Strengths and limitations

In Expert Reviews testing the Series 8 was compared with a Stryd foot pod and a MyZone chest strap on runs; differences were 2.3% for average heart rate and 1.5% for total distance. The review noted that heart rate lock could take over a minute if the watch was not snug. Battery life is the same 18 hours as the Series 7; Low Power Mode switched on at 20% kept the watch running for about six more hours. Temperature sensing is not on demand; it runs in the background during sleep.
Expert Reviews (13 July 2023), 41 mm GPS test unit; heart rate and GPS hardware match the 45 mm, battery capacity differs.
Expert Reviews: Apple Watch Series 8 review

Owner experiences and issues

On Apple Community a Series 8 owner wrote that after watchOS 9.4 the battery dropped from 100% to under 10% in about four hours, the watch got warm while charging, and the same had happened with 9.2 and 9.3. Unpairing and erasing did not help; battery life returned to normal on its own after about a week. 65 people marked "Me too"; the one reply said force restarts did not help either.
Apple Community, one thread (April 2023, watchOS 9.4), case size not stated. "Me too" votes were not counted as separately verified owner reports.
Apple Community: Apple Watch Series 8 Battery Draining After WatchOS 9.4 Update
On Sikayetvar an owner wrote that their Apple Watch 8 GPS went to service in March 2025 for a battery fault, was sent to a repair centre, and that they were told a sealed Apple Watch Series 10 would be given instead because no replacement was in stock; the complaint was about the delay in the service process.
Sikayetvar Turkey, one entry (April 2025), case size not stated.
Sikayetvar: Apple Watch service delay complaint

Apple Watch Series 8 (45 mm, GPS)

Specifications

From the manufacturer

Strengths and limitations

Owner experiences and issues

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