Apple Watch 5 Vs 8 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?
Apple Watch 5 & 8 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Apple Watch 8 rather than the Apple Watch 5.
Why Do I Recommend Apple Watch 8?
- The Apple Watch 8 features an Advanced S8 SiP (System in Package), which is more powerful & faster for better performance and efficiency than the Watch 5’s S5 SiP.
- It has a larger 1.9” display & comes in 45-millimeter, compared to the 44mm Watch 5. Having a bigger display is nice for looking & typing responses to text messages.
- Apple Watch 8 includes a temperature sensor & Blood Oxygen sensors, providing more accurate health insights, which are not available on the Watch 5.
- Upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 in the Apple Watch 8 ensures a more stable connection, improved range, and potentially lower latency compared to Bluetooth 5.0 in the Watch 5.
- It offers more premium material choices like stainless steel, so the watch can last long, while the Watch 5 is only available in aluminum.
- The Series 8 comes with Crash Detection, which uses advanced gyroscopes and accelerometers to detect severe car crashes and notify emergency services. In contrast, the Series 5 lacks this feature.
- It offers IP6X dust resistance along with the water resistance rating of WR50, while the Series 5 only has WR50 water resistance.
- The Watch 8 has temperature-based cycle tracking, providing more detailed cycle information compared to the basic tracking on Series 5.
- It offers a redesigned compass with Backtrack, and it includes the U1 Ultra-Wideband chip, which improves spatial awareness and locates your iPhone or digital car keys. The watch 5 lacks the U1 chip.
- The Series 8 also supports fast charging, allowing it to charge more quickly than the Apple Watch 5.
Maybe the Apple Watch 5 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple watch 8. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Apple Watch 8 | Apple Watch 5 |
| Display Technology | LTPO OLED Retina larger display area with narrow bezels | LTPO OLED Retina smaller display area with wider bezels |
| Processor | S8 SiP dual-core processor | S5 SiP dual-core processor |
| Health Sensors | ECG, Optical Heart Rate, Blood Oxygen sensor, Temperature sensor | ECG, Optical Heart Rate |
| Temperature Monitoring | Yes | No |
| Blood Oxygen Monitoring | Yes | No |
| Sleep Tracking | Advanced sleep tracking | Basic sleep tracking |
| Charging Speed | Fast charging with USB-C cable | No fast charge capability |
| Cycle Tracking | Enhanced cycle Tracking | Basic cycle tracking |
| Crash Detection | Yes | No Crash Detection |
| Compass | Redesigned Compass app with Backtrack feature | Basic Compass app |
| Dust Resistance | IP6X dust resistance | No dust resistance |
| U1 Ultra-Wideband Chip | Yes | No Ultra-Wideband chip |
| Haptics and Taptic Engine | Improved haptic feedback | Standard haptic feedback |
| Digital Crown with Haptics | Yes, with Haptic feedback | Yes, with Haptic feedback |
| Always-On Display Improvements | Yes, more power-efficient | Yes, but less power-efficient |
| WatchOS Compatibility | WatchOS 9 | WatchOS 6 |
| Siri Integration | Siri with offline capabilities | Siri with no offline capabilities |
| Fitness Features | Stride length, advanced running analytics | Standard VO2 Max |
| Emergency SOS and Safety | Crash Detection | No |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Advanced heart rate monitoring | Standard heart rate monitoring |
| Third-Party App Support | Extensive support for new WatchOS | Lacks some app integration |
| Case Size and Form Factor | 45mm | 44mm |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3, faster and more power-efficient | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| GPS and GNSS | More accurate dual-band GPS | Single-band GPS |
| Price | Check Watch 8 Price | Check Watch 5 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Display Technology: Both the Series 8 and Series 5 use the LTPO OLED Retina display, which delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Both watches also feature the Always-On Display, so users can see key information like the time and notifications without lifting their wrist. The display brightness reaches up to 1000 nits on both models, ensuring clear visibility even under direct sunlight.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: Both watches feature an optical heart rate sensor capable of continuously monitoring heart rate. This sensor alerts users when their heart rate is abnormally high or low and provides insights into fitness levels during workouts.
- ECG App: Both the Series 8 and Series 5 come with the ECG app, enabling users to take an electrocardiogram directly from their wrist. This is crucial for monitoring heart health and identifying irregular heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation).
- Water Resistance (WR50): Both models are rated WR50 (water resistance up to 50 meters), making them suitable for swimming, showering, and water sports. They are not, however, suitable for diving or high-pressure water activities.
- Fall Detection and Emergency SOS: Both watches offer Fall Detection and Emergency SOS, allowing users to automatically contact emergency services when a hard fall is detected. These features are particularly important for older users or those in hazardous activities.
- Fitness Tracking: The fitness tracking capabilities on both watches are robust, with the ability to track daily activities like steps, calories burned, and exercise minutes. They also monitor workouts across various activities like running, cycling, swimming, and more, with GPS and GLONASS for outdoor activity tracking.
- Digital Crown with Haptic Feedback: The Digital Crown on both watches provides precise navigation through menus and apps, enhanced by haptic feedback, which gives users a tactile sensation when scrolling or interacting with the interface.
- Storage Capacity: Both the Series 8 and Series 5 have 32GB of internal storage, enough for storing apps, music, podcasts, and photos. This storage also supports downloading media for offline use, particularly useful during workouts or travel.
- Siri Integration: Full integration with Siri is available on both watches, allowing users to perform a variety of tasks using voice commands, such as setting reminders, sending texts, or controlling smart home devices. Siri works seamlessly across both models.
Common Features
| Feature | Apple Watch 8 | Apple Watch 5 |
| Display Technology | LTPO OLED Retina display | LTPO OLED Retina display |
| Display Brightness | 1000 nits maximum brightness | 1000 nits maximum brightness |
| Always-On Display | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Optical heart rate sensor | Optical heart rate sensor |
| ECG Functionality | ECG app available | ECG app available |
| Water Resistance | WR50 | WR50 |
| Fall Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency SOS | Yes | Yes |
| Fitness Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| GPS and GLONASS | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Crown with Haptic Feedback | Digital Crown with haptic feedback | Digital Crown with haptic feedback |
| Storage Capacity | 32GB internal storage | 32GB internal storage |
| Siri Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Aluminum Case | Aluminum casing | Aluminum casing |
| Watch Bands | Apple Watch Band system | Apple Watch Band system |
| App Store and Third-Party Apps | Yes | Yes |
| Watch Faces | Customizable watch faces | Customizable watch faces |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours battery life | Up to 18 hours battery life |
| Charging Method | Wireless charging | Wireless charging |
| Price | Check Watch 8 Price | Check Watch 5 Price |
FAQ
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Q: Do both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5 have an Always-On display? A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5 feature an Always-On Retina display. This allows the screen to remain on at all times, so you can check the time, notifications, and other important information without raising your wrist or tapping the display. Q: Can both watches monitor heart rate? A: Yes, both models have an optical heart rate sensor that monitors your heart rate in real-time. They can also alert you if your heart rate is too high or low during periods of inactivity, providing valuable insights into your cardiovascular health. Q: Do both watches support the ECG app? A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5 come with the ECG app, which allows users to take an electrocardiogram (ECG) directly from their wrist. This app can detect irregular heart rhythms, including atrial fibrillation, and is a key feature for heart health monitoring. Q: Are the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5 water-resistant? A: Yes, both watches are water-resistant up to 50 meters (WR50), making them suitable for swimming and other water-based activities. However, neither watch is recommended for scuba diving or high-pressure water activities. Q: Do both watches offer fall detection and Emergency SOS? A: Yes, both the Series 8 and Series 5 have Fall Detection, which alerts emergency contacts if the watch detects a hard fall. They also have Emergency SOS, allowing users to quickly contact emergency services by pressing and holding the side button. Q: How do fitness tracking features compare between the two models? A: Both watches offer robust fitness tracking, monitoring daily activities such as steps, calories burned, and exercise minutes. They also have built-in GPS for tracking outdoor workouts like running, cycling, and hiking. Both models provide valuable fitness insights for users. Q: Is there any difference in the Digital Crown between the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5? A: No, both watches come equipped with the Digital Crown, which features haptic feedback. This allows for precise navigation through apps and menus, providing a tactile sensation when scrolling or making selections. Q: How much storage do both watches have? A: Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5 have 32GB of internal storage. This storage allows users to download apps, music, podcasts, and other media directly onto the watch. Q: Do both the Series 8 and Series 5 support Bluetooth 5.0? A: Yes, both models support Bluetooth 5.0. This ensures stable wireless connectivity for pairing with accessories like AirPods, as well as syncing with your iPhone. Q: Is Siri available on both the Series 8 and Series 5? A: Yes, both watches are fully integrated with Siri, allowing users to interact with the voice assistant to perform tasks such as setting reminders, sending messages, and controlling smart home devices. Q: Can I use interchangeable watch bands with both models? A: Yes, both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5 are compatible with the standard Apple Watch band system. This means you can easily swap out bands to match different styles or activities. Q: Do both watches provide access to the App Store? A: Yes, both the Series 8 and Series 5 give users direct access to the App Store, where they can download and install third-party apps. This allows for greater customization and functionality depending on the user’s needs. Q: How customizable are the watch faces on both models? A: Both watches offer a wide range of customizable watch faces. Users can choose different styles, colors, and complications (widgets) to personalize their watch display according to their preferences. Q: What is the battery life like for both watches? A: Both the Series 8 and Series 5 provide up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. This is sufficient for a full day of use, including fitness tracking, notifications, and other activities. Q: How do the two watches charge? A: Both the Apple Watch Series 8 and Series 5 use wireless charging with the Apple Magnetic Charging Cable. This allows for convenient and easy charging without needing to plug the watch into a physical port. Q: Do both watches support Wi-Fi? A: Yes, both the Series 8 and Series 5 support Wi-Fi connectivity on 2.4GHz networks. This allows for faster data syncing, app downloads, and notifications when your iPhone isn’t nearby. Q: Can I use Apple Pay on both watches? A: Yes, both watches come equipped with NFC, enabling users to make secure payments using Apple Pay. This allows for quick and contactless transactions directly from your wrist. Q: Do both watches have a built-in compass? A: Yes, both models feature a built-in compass, which provides accurate directional information. This is particularly useful for hiking or outdoor activities that require navigation. Q: Are both models compatible with future watchOS updates? A: Yes, both the Series 8 and Series 5 run on watchOS and are compatible with future updates. While the Series 8 ships with watchOS 9 and the Series 5 ships with watchOS 6, both can be upgraded to newer versions of the operating system. |