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Apple Watch Series 3 vs Series 8 – Which Should You Buy?

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Apple Watch Series 8 & Series 3 have some important differences, both models are popular for their health tracking, smart features, and daily utility. The Apple Watch Series 8 is the newer and more advanced model, packed with modern features like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, and crash detection. The Series 3 is more affordable and still provides core fitness tracking. Let’s explore their differences and similarities to find your perfect fit!

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 features the S8 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor that improves app launch speed and system responsiveness.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 uses the older S3 chip, which is slower and lacks support for modern features.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Display:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 includes an Always-On Retina LTPO OLED 1.9 inch display that maintains high visibility in all lighting conditions.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 has a standard 1.6 inch Retina OLED display.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Brightness:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness that improves visibility in direct sunlight.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 reaches up to 1000 nits.
Winner:

Tie

 

Operating System:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 supports watchOS 10 and future updates that ensure long-term software compatibility.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 supports up to watchOS 8 and no longer receives updates.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Voice Assistant:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 supports on-device Siri that processes commands quickly without internet connection.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 requires an internet connection for Siri to function.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Connectivity:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 supports Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands for better wireless performance.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 uses Bluetooth 4.2 and older Wi-Fi standards.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Health Features:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 includes advanced fitness tracking with ECG, Blood Oxygen, and temperature sensors that provide deeper health insights.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 provides basic activity and heart rate tracking.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Speaker & Microphone:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 includes enhanced microphone and speaker components that improve call and Siri clarity.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 has a basic microphone and speaker setup.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Internal Storage:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 includes 32GB of internal storage that enables music downloads, app installs, and podcasts without your phone.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 comes with 8GB of storage.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Charging Speed:
  • Apple Watch Series 8 supports fast charging that reduces downtime by reaching 80% in about 45 minutes.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 does not support fast charging and takes longer to charge fully.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Battery Life:
  • The Apple Watch Series 8 offers 18-hour battery life that supports all-day use with advanced features enabled.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 comes with up to 16 hours of battery life.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Double Tap Gesture:
  • Apple Watch Series 8 features double tap gesture that enables one-handed control for common actions.
  • Apple Watch Series 3 does not support gesture controls.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8
Check Apple Watch Series 8 Best Price
Check Apple Watch Series 3 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature Apple Watch Series 8 Apple Watch Series 3
Chipset S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core S3 SiP with 32-bit dual-core
Case Material Stainless Steel Aluminum
Size 45mm 42mm
Display Type Always-On Retina Retina
Display Size 1.9 inches 1.65 inches
Resolution 396 x 484 312 x 390
Brightness Up to 1000 nits Up to 1000 nits
Storage 32GB 8GB
RAM 1GB 768MB
Battery Life Up to 18 hours Up to 16 hours
Fast Charging Yes No
Sensors ECG, Blood Oxygen, Heart Rate, Temp Heart Rate
Crash Detection Yes No
UWB Yes No
Wi-Fi 5GHz + 2.4GHz 2.4GHz only
LTE Yes No
Water Resistance WR50 WR50
Microphone/Speaker Dual-system Standard
Siri On-Device Yes No
WatchOS Compatibility watchOS 10 and newer watchOS 8

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 8 if you:

  • Want the most advanced Apple Watch features like ECG, Blood Oxygen, and Crash Detection.
  • Prefer a larger, always-on display with better resolution and thinner bezels.
  • Need cellular connectivity for phone-free calls and data access.
  • Care about fast charging and more internal storage for apps and media.
  • Use your watch for intensive health tracking and fitness insights.

Check Apple Watch Series 8 Best Price

Buy the Apple Watch Series 3 if you:

  • Want a basic smartwatch for step counting, notifications, and casual workouts.
  • Are on a tight budget and prefer a low-cost Apple Watch.
  • Don’t need advanced sensors or fast performance.
  • Can live with a smaller display and older design.
  • Are buying a watch for kids, seniors, or first-time users with basic needs.

Check Apple Watch Series 3 Best Price

Winner by Category

Category Winner
Processor Apple Watch Series 8
Display Apple Watch Series 8
Display Size Apple Watch Series 8
Higher Resolution Apple Watch Series 8
Display Brightness Tie
Dual Speaker System Apple Watch Series 8
Internal Storage Apple Watch Series 8
Battery Life Apple Watch Series 8
Fast Charging Apple Watch Series 8
Wi-Fi Apple Watch Series 8
Health & Fitness Apple Watch Series 8
UWB Apple Watch Series 8
Crash Detection Apple Watch Series 8
On-Device Siri Apple Watch Series 8
Double Tap Gesture Apple Watch Series 8

FAQ

Is the Apple Watch Series 8 significantly faster than the Series 3?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 is much faster than the Series 3. It uses the newer S8 chip with 64-bit architecture, which delivers smoother performance and faster app loading compared to the aging S3 chip in the Series 3.

Does the Apple Watch Series 8 support more health features than the Series 3?
Absolutely. The Series 8 includes advanced health tools like ECG, blood oxygen monitoring, skin temperature tracking, and crash detection, while the Series 3 only tracks heart rate and basic activity metrics.

Can I use Siri offline on both watches?
No, only the Apple Watch Series 8 supports on-device Siri for quicker responses and limited offline functionality. The Series 3 requires an internet connection to use Siri.

Is there a difference in cellular connectivity between the two?
Yes. The Apple Watch Series 8 comes with GPS + Cellular capability, allowing you to make calls, text, and use data without your iPhone nearby. The Series 3 in this comparison only has GPS and cannot connect to cellular networks.

Are both watches compatible with the latest watchOS updates?
No. The Apple Watch Series 8 supports watchOS 10 and will continue to receive updates for several years. The Series 3 stopped receiving updates after watchOS 8 and is now considered outdated.

Does the Apple Watch Series 8 charge faster than the Series 3?
Yes. The Series 8 supports fast charging, reaching 80 percent in about 45 minutes, whereas the Series 3 uses standard charging with no fast charge support.

How does the display compare between the two models?
The Apple Watch Series 8 features a larger Always-On Retina display with thinner bezels and higher resolution, making it easier to read in all conditions. The Series 3 has a smaller Retina display without Always-On functionality and thicker borders.

Is there a storage difference between the Series 8 and Series 3?
Yes. The Apple Watch Series 8 includes 32GB of internal storage for apps, music, and podcasts. The Series 3 only has 8GB, which limits its usefulness for media and app storage.

Do both watches have the same level of water resistance?
Yes. Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 3 are rated WR50, which means they are water resistant up to 50 meters and suitable for swimming.

Which watch is better for long-term use and app compatibility?
The Apple Watch Series 8 is clearly better for long-term use. It supports future watchOS updates, has more storage, better performance, and compatibility with the latest apps, making it a future-proof choice compared to the outdated Series 3.

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