Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 8 – Which Should You Buy?

Apple Watch Series 8 & Apple Watch Series 6 have some important differences. The Series 8 come with improved faster performance, temperature sensor, crash detection, and a larger, more advanced display. The Apple Watch Series 6 still holds its ground with solid performance, blood oxygen tracking, and core fitness features. This comparison will help you quickly understand the differences and decide which model is the better fit for your lifestyle.

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Processor:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 has the S8 Chip for faster performance and better battery efficiency.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 runs on the older S6 chip which is still fast but lacks optimization improvements.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Display Size:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 features a larger 1.77-inch display with thinner bezels to provide more space for complications, text, and animations.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 has a 1.57-inch display.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Battery Life:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 provides up to 18 hours of battery life on a full charge.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 lasts up to 18 hours on a full charge.
Winner:

Tie

Higher Resolution:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 delivers 396 x 484 resolution for sharper display with increased pixel density, text and graphics.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 has lower 324 x 394 resolution.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Temperature Sensor:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 includes a temperature sensor for cycle tracking and wellness monitoring.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 does not feature a temperature sensor.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Bluetooth:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 support Bluetooth 5.3 for better efficiency.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 support Bluetooth 5.0.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Wi-Fi:

  • The Apple Watch 8 supports dual-band Wi-Fi that enables faster and more reliable connections in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 supports only 2.4GHz.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Optical Heart Sensor:

  • The Apple Watch 8 features a third-generation optical heart sensor that improves heart rate accuracy during workouts and rest.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 comes with a 2nd-generation sensor.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Fast Charging:

  • The Apple Watch 8 support fast charging that reduces downtime and gets your watch ready quickly when you’re in a rush.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 does not support fast charging.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Durability :

  • The Apple Watch 8 includes IP6X dust resistance that provides added durability for use in sandy, dusty, or rugged environments.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 does not have dust resistance certification.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

High-g Accelerometer:

  • Apple Watch Series 8 features a high-g accelerometer for Crash Detection to alert emergency services in severe car accidents.
  • Apple Watch Series 6 does not support Crash Detection.
Winner:

Apple Watch Series 8

Overall Performance Score

0%
0%
Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 6

Specs at a Glance

FeatureApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 6
Case Size45mm40mm
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLEDRetina LTPO OLED
Brightness1000 nits1000 nits
ProcessorS8 SiP with 64-bit dual-coreS6 SiP with 64-bit dual-core
RAM1GB1GB
Storage32GB32GB
Temperature SensorYesNo
High-g AccelerometerYes (for Crash Detection)No
Optical Heart Sensor3rd-gen2nd-gen
Advanced GyroscopeYesYes
Battery LifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 18 hours
Fast ChargingYesNo
Magnetic Fast Charging CableYesNo
IP RatingWR50 + IP6X (dust resistant)WR50 (water-resistant)
Wi-Fi2.4GHz and 5GHz2.4GHz only
Bluetooth5.35.0
Resolution396 x 484324 x 394

Who Should Buy What?

Buy the Apple Watch Series 8 if you:

  • Want the latest sensors like skin temperature tracking and Crash Detection
  • Prefer a larger display with higher resolution for better visibility
  • Need fast charging for quick top-ups during the day
  • Value dust resistance for outdoor or rugged use
  • Plan to use dual-band Wi-Fi and the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard

Check Apple Watch 8 Best Price

Buy the Apple Watch Series 6 if you:

  • Are looking for a more affordable smartwatch with core health features
  • Prefer a smaller and lighter design for slimmer wrists
  • Don’t need the temperature sensor or Crash Detection features
  • Still want Blood Oxygen and ECG tracking with a capable processor
  • Are upgrading from Series 4 or earlier without needing the newest tech

Check Apple Watch 6 Best Price

Winner by Category

CategoryWinner
ProcessorApple Watch Series 8
Display SizeApple Watch Series 8
BrightnessTie
Temperature SensorApple Watch Series 8
High-g AccelerometerApple Watch Series 8
Optical Heart SensorApple Watch Series 8
Advanced GyroscopeTie
Fast ChargingApple Watch Series 8
Magnetic Fast Charging CableApple Watch Series 8
IP6X CertifiedApple Watch Series 8
Wi-FiApple Watch Series 8
Higher ResolutionApple Watch Series 8
BluetoothApple Watch Series 8

FAQ

Does the Apple Watch Series 8 have better health tracking than the Series 6?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 8 includes a temperature sensor and improved third-generation optical heart sensor, which makes it more advanced in tracking wellness metrics compared to the Series 6.

Is there a difference in display size between the Series 8 and Series 6?
Yes, the Series 8 has a larger 45mm case with a higher-resolution display, while the Series 6 features a 40mm case with a smaller screen and lower resolution.

Do both watches support Blood Oxygen and ECG apps?
Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 6 support Blood Oxygen and ECG functionality for heart health monitoring.

Which model has faster charging capability?
The Apple Watch Series 8 supports fast charging and includes a magnetic fast charging cable, while the Series 6 does not offer fast charging.

Are both watches water-resistant?
Yes, both watches are water-resistant up to 50 meters (WR50), but only the Series 8 also includes IP6X dust resistance.

Is the processor in the Apple Watch Series 8 faster than in the Series 6?
Yes, the Series 8 uses the newer S8 chip, which is more efficient and slightly faster than the S6 chip found in the Series 6.

Do the Series 8 and Series 6 have the same internal storage capacity?
Yes, both models come with 32GB of internal storage for apps, music, and data.

Does the Apple Watch Series 8 have Crash Detection?
Yes, thanks to its high-g accelerometer and enhanced gyroscope, the Series 8 supports Crash Detection, a feature not available on the Series 6.

Is there a Bluetooth version difference between the two models?
Yes, the Series 8 includes Bluetooth 5.3 for better connectivity, while the Series 6 features the older Bluetooth 5.0 standard.

Which watch should I buy if I want better Wi-Fi support?
You should choose the Apple Watch Series 8, as it supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, unlike the Series 6 which only supports 2.4GHz.

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