Apple is setting the bar high yet again in the wearable space, and has announced its latest wearables. There is the normal Series 8, a refreshed SE version, and the sports-focused Apple Watch Ultra. In other words, we have a totally new Apple Watch lineup.
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The Apple Watch Ultra stands on top of the pedestal compared to its siblings. It’s got a huge 49mm rectangular display, setting it apart from the rest. Not only is it the biggest Apple Watch screen, but it’s also the brightest at 2,000 nits. As for how that wrist slab feels, it was actually lighter on my wrist than I’d expected, probably because its case is made of titanium.
Another thing that’s immediately apparent is the design tweaks Apple’s made for the extreme fitness crowd. There’s the new orange action button, a button guard, and a redesigned crown. The rim around the display is also raised to protect the sapphire crystal display — which is something we saw on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro as well. Plus, that display is truly flat.
Apart from Apple Watch Ultra, there’s really not too much to differentiate it from the Series 7. Just like the latest Samsung Watch 5 Pro, there’s a new temperature sensor, which seems functional, unlike Apple’s wearables. The sensor is meant to help retrospectively detect ovulation. It’s also got an updated chip — the S8 — which keeps things snappy when you’re swiping through menus. The Series 8 also has a new gyroscope and accelerometer to help call emergency services if it detects you’ve been in a car crash.
The new SE is also a fairly small update. It, too, gets an upgrade to the S8 chip, whereas the original SE was a bit of a Frankenstein watch. It had the processor of the Series 5 mixed in with some sensors used in the Series 6 minus the EKG sensor. The new SE has the same motion sensors as the Series 8 for crash detection and is 20 percent faster than before. The Apple Watch Ultra, Series 8, and SE are available for preorder today in supported countries. The Series 8 and SE will ship on September 16, with the Ultra shipping on the 23rd.
