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Apple Watch Series 4 vs Series 8 – Which Should You Buy?

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Apple Watch Series 8 & Series 4 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 4 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 4 uses the older S4 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 4 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 4 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 4 comes with watchOS 5.
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 4 requires an internet connection for Siri to function.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

 

Connectivity:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 has Bluetooth 5.3 and dual-band Wi-Fi that ensure faster, more reliable wireless performance.
  • Apple Watch Series 4 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and single-band Wi-Fi.
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 4 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 4 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 4 comes with 16GB 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 4 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 4 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 4 does not support gesture controls.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8
Check Apple Watch Series 8 Best Price
Check Apple Watch Series 4 Best Price

Specs at a Glance

Feature Apple Watch Series 8 Apple Watch Series 4
Display Always-On Retina OLED LTPO Retina OLED (no Always-On)
Display Size 1.9 inches 1.78 inches
Display Brightness Up to 1000 nits Up to 1000 nits
Processor S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core S4 SiP with 64-bit dual-core
RAM 1GB 1GB
Internal Storage 32GB 16GB
Battery Life Up to 18 hours Up to 18 hours
Fast Charging Yes (charges to 80% in ~45 mins) No
Operating System watchOS 10 (preinstalled) watchOS 5 (upgradable to watchOS 10)
Health Sensors ECG, Blood Oxygen, Skin Temp ECG only
Crash Detection Yes No
UWB (Ultra Wideband) Yes No
Siri on-device processing Yes No
Gesture Control Supports Double Tap Gesture Not supported
Microphones Dual mics with beamforming Single mic

 

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 8 if you:

  • Want the latest health sensors like blood oxygen and temperature tracking.
  • Need crash detection and emergency SOS features for added safety.
  • Prefer an always-on display for checking time and stats at a glance.
  • Want double the storage and faster performance for apps and music.
  • Rely on fast charging and better voice command support via on-device Siri.

Check Apple Watch Series 8 Best Price

Buy the Apple Watch Series 4 if you:

  • Like the sleek black stainless steel case with the Milanese loop.
  • Want a functional watch with ECG at a potentially lower price.
  • Don’t mind not having the latest sensors and fast charging.
  • Use your Apple Watch mainly for basic notifications and fitness tracking.
  • Prefer a minimal upgrade from older models with a bigger screen than Series 3.

Check Apple Watch Series 4 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

Does the Apple Watch Series 8 have better performance than the Series 4?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 features a newer S8 chip which is faster and more efficient than the S4 chip in the Series 4, leading to smoother app performance and quicker responsiveness.

Is there a difference in display quality between Series 8 and Series 4?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 includes an Always-On Retina LTPO display, while the Series 4 does not support the always-on feature. Both have similar brightness levels, but Series 8 offers higher resolution and a larger screen area.

Can both watches run the latest watchOS version?
Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 4 are compatible with watchOS 10, but the Series 8 handles it more smoothly due to its newer processor.

Do both watches support ECG monitoring?
Yes, both the Series 8 and Series 4 support ECG monitoring, though the Series 8 includes additional health features like blood oxygen tracking and skin temperature sensing.

Does the Series 8 charge faster than the Series 4?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 supports fast charging and can reach 80% in about 45 minutes, while the Series 4 does not support fast charging.

Is crash detection available on both models?
No, crash detection is only available on the Apple Watch Series 8. The Series 4 does not include this feature.

Do both watches have the same water resistance rating?
Yes, both the Series 8 and Series 4 are water resistant up to 50 meters, making them suitable for swimming and showering.

Does the Series 8 include more storage than the Series 4?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 includes 32GB of internal storage, while the Series 4 only offers 16GB.

Can both watches make calls without being connected to an iPhone?
Yes, both models include GPS + Cellular capability, which allows them to make calls and use apps independently of an iPhone when connected to a cellular network.

Is the Double Tap gesture available on both models?
No, the Double Tap gesture is supported only on the Apple Watch Series 8. The Series 4 does not support this newer control feature.

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