Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 8: These are 11 reasons why it's worth upgrading

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The Apple Watch Series 4 is a very popular model among many Apple users. It was the first major design innovation in the history of the Apple Watch and introduced key health features that Apple still likes to boast about, such as the EKG, fall detection and irregular heartbeat alerts. Due to the major innovations, this model is still popular years later and a widely used model. In the years that followed, the year-on-year improvements were much less. But if you add up all those innovations, is the Apple Watch Series 8 finally worth an upgrade? We'll show you in this comparison between the Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 8.

  • Conclusion
  • Differences
  • Similarities

Differences Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 8

The Apple Watch Series 8 does not have that many innovations compared to the Apple Watch Series 7. But if you make the comparison further back, the difference is suddenly much greater. It is therefore not a bad idea to list the differences between the Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 8. You may then come to the conclusion that it is worth an upgrade.

  • Always-on display
  • Bigger and brighter screen
  • Temperature sensor
  • Crash detection
  • Fast charging
  • Oximeter
  • Compass and always-on altimeter< /li>
  • Faster chip and U1
  • Double storage
  • Up to 4G option
  • Customized design and colors

For each improvement point, we have indicated from which model this is available. This way you can decide for yourself whether you necessarily need the latest model for the function that is most important to you or whether you can just as well opt for a model from previous years, such as the Apple Watch Series 7.

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Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 7: 6 reasons it's worth an upgrade

Not sure if you should upgrade from an Apple Watch Series 4 to an Apple Watch Series 7? We'll give you six reasons why it's worth an upgrade, but also why you might want to wait.

#1 Always-on screen: the biggest noticeable improvement

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 5 and newer
The biggest noticeable improvement if you switch from the Apple Watch Series 4 to the Apple Watch Series 8 is the always-on display. Because the screen is always on (even if you keep your arm down), you can always read the time. You'll never have to twist your wrist or move your arm toward your face or tap the screen again. That is an advantage that you really use every day and that makes you notice that you really have a new Apple Watch on your wrist. If you don't want it, you can also disable it.

#2 Screen is bigger and brighter

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 7 and newer
The Apple Watch Series 8's screen is a lot brighter than the Apple Watch Series 4, and so is the always-on status. But more importantly: the screen is also larger. Due to the extra screen space, buttons are larger, the screen is easier to operate and read. You will notice that in daily use, although we do not find the difference as big as with the always-on screen. It's a nice touch.

#3 Temperature sensor in Series 8 especially useful for women

Only available on Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 has a temperature sensor on board, with which you can measure the wrist temperature. The Apple Watch does that at night and you can read its values ​​in the Health app. A baseline of your temperature is established while you sleep and its deviations appear in the Health app. But what Apple is really using this for is predicting ovulation in women and tracking your cycle. It is therefore not used to indicate whether you have a fever or increase. Whether that will come in a later update is unknown, but for now the temperature sensor is used to a minimum.

#4 Crash detection: calls emergency services in case of car accident

Only available on Apple Watch Series 8
If you spend a lot of time in the car and are afraid of a car accident, this function can save you. With Crash Detection on the Apple Watch Series 8, emergency services are automatically called if you are involved in a car accident. This feature could save your life, but it really isn't a must-have. Hopefully you'll never need it, so we certainly don't think it's one of the more important reasons to upgrade right away.

See also

Crash detection on Apple Watch and iPhone: how it works

Apple introduced a new feature in 2022: crash detection. This is a new safety feature on the iPhone and Apple Watch that you will hopefully never need.

#5 Quick charge: useful for after sleeping

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 7 and newer
Since the Apple Watch Series 7, the Apple Watch has fast charging. This will charge the battery a lot faster, provided you have the right plug. This is not included, so you will have to get it yourself. This function is especially useful if you are going to wear the Apple Watch a lot at night and then want to quickly provide the Apple Watch with the necessary amount of power in a short time (while taking a shower).

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How does fast charging work with an Apple Watch and what do you need? In this tip you can read what you need to know about this function.

What can also play into your upgrade is the current status of your Apple Watch battery. If your Apple Watch Series 4 no longer makes it to the end of the day, we can imagine that a new model is very attractive. But you don't necessarily need the latest model for this either, because you could also go for the cheaper Apple Watch Series 7.

#6 Oxygen meter: useful health function

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 6 and newer
The pulse meter in the Apple Watch shows how much oxygen is in your blood. This is an important health function, because an oxygen level that is too low can cause all kinds of problems. The Apple Watch keeps track of this in your sleep, but you can also measure it yourself at any time. It's a feature that you really won't need every day, but you'll be especially happy if it turns out that something is wrong with your health. We don't think this is a major reason to switch.

#7 Compass and always-on altimeter

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 5 and newer< br>The Apple Watch Series 8 also has a built-in compass, which you don't have on the Apple Watch Series 4. With this you can clearly see in which direction you are looking and in watchOS 9, the Compass app has also been renewed with backtrack and more useful functions. The compass in the Apple Watch comes in handy when navigating, but especially if you like to go out (for example, for a walk) and want to find your way via your Apple Watch. But of course you can also just use your iPhone for this.

Something similar is the always-on altimeter. The Apple Watch already has an altimeter, but on the newer models it is always on so that you can always see what height you are at. You won't do much with this in everyday use, so it's especially useful if you like mountaineering. But in the flat Netherlands, the function is less useful.

#8 Faster chip and U1

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 6 and newer
The S8 chip in the Apple Watch Series 8 has the same performance as the S7 chip in the Apple Watch Series 7, which in turn was similar in performance to the S6 chip in the Apple Watch Series 6. But the S6 chip (and so the S7 and S8) are faster than the S4 that you find in the Apple Watch Series 4. In practice, you will definitely notice the improvements when using apps (startup and loading times), but to be honest, we certainly don't think the Apple Watch Series 4 is slow. The faster chip is therefore not a very big plus.

In addition to the faster chip, the Apple Watch Series 8 (as well as the Series 7 and Series 6) has a U1 chip. This is currently hardly used: only Apple's Car Keys uses it, but the digital car keys are only available for a limited number of new car models. Two other aspects of the chips that make the two models differ is support for 5GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3 in the Series 8. 5GHz Wi-Fi can be especially helpful if your Apple Watch is out of range from your iPhone at home. 5Ghz WiFi is faster, so you'll notice it a bit in use.

#9 Twice as much storage (which is pretty nice)

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 5 and later
An Apple Watch Series 4 with GPS has 16GB onboard storage. That was when the Apple Watch Series 4 came out, the only model sold in the Netherlands. The Cellular variant already had 32GB of storage, but that model will only be on the wrist of a limited number of Dutch people. That means that you will improve with the Apple Watch Series 8 in terms of storage, because all versions have 32GB of storage as standard. You mainly use this for apps, music, podcasts and audiobooks. So if you often go out with only your Apple Watch and like to listen to music via your Apple Watch (for example with AirPods), this comes in very handy. 16GB of storage is enough for many people, but 32GB provides more security.

#10 Option up to 4G version (or stainless steel)

Also available on: Apple Watch Series 7 and newer
Your current Apple Watch is likely a GPS-only aluminum version (unless you've specifically crossed the line for a stainless steel or Cellular version). The option for a 4G version in the Netherlands with the Apple Watch Series 8 can therefore be a reason to switch now, especially if you have been looking forward to it for a long time and your provider is already participating. At the moment this is only T-Mobile, but we expect that other providers will join in in the coming years.

Another factor is the availability of a stainless steel version. If you are tired of aluminum and want something different, the shiny stainless steel Apple Watch can be a reason to upgrade from your Apple Watch Series 4 to the Apple Watch Series 8. But keep in mind that you have a lot of money in your pocket. have to feel, because the Apple Watch Series 8 in stainless steel is hundreds of euros more expensive than the aluminum version.

#11 Custom design and mainly other colors

Finally, the design can also be a reason to switch from the Apple Watch Series 4 to the Apple Watch Series 8. The Series 8 is sturdier and the screen is more crack-resistant, so you don't have to worry about a broken screen. The look is also slightly different (partly due to the larger display), although the general design is largely the same. The difference in design is mainly in the color choices: with the Apple Watch Series 4 you only had space gray, silver and gold, while the Apple Watch Series 8 comes in midnight, starlight, silver and red. A red version pops out and midnight is slightly different from space gray. So if you think it's time for something new, this could be a reason to upgrade.

Another aspect of the design is the exclusive dials. The Apple Watch Series 8 has some watch faces that you won't find on the Apple Watch Series 4, namely the Contour watch face. With this analog dial, the numbers are right up against the edges of the screen, so you can even read them from the side. This also gives the Apple Watch a slightly different look. Keep in mind that the Apple Watch Series 7 also has this watch face.

Similarities Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 8

The two models also have a lot in common. The functions you use every day (notifications, activity tracking, using apps, etc.) are the same on both models. So you get the same experience, so using the Apple Watch Series 8 won't differ very much from the Apple Watch Series 4. These are in short the specific functions that you will find on both models:

  • ECG
  • Fall Detection
  • Notification of irregular heart rhythm and high and low heart rate
  • Gps
  • Digital Crown with tactile feedback
  • Same quality speaker and microphone
  • Sound- app
  • NFC

This is separate from all other features available on all Apple Watch models, such as receiving notifications, using Apple Pay and tracking your activity.

Conclusion Apple Watch Series 4 vs Apple Watch Series 8

All in all, we think there are 11 reasons why you should consider upgrading from the Apple Watch Series 4 to the Apple Watch Series 8, but only a few of them are really important in our opinion: always-on, a larger screen and a option up to 4G. You really notice the always-on screen in everyday use and the larger screen can also be nice. But keep in mind that you'll also find these features in previous models, such as the Apple Watch Series 7 or even the Apple Watch Series 5. You really don't necessarily need the latest model. But there may be other reasons for you. If you have ailing health and you want to measure and know everything about your own body, we can imagine that you will find the newer options such as oximeter and temperature sensor interesting. So it really depends on what you do with the Apple Watch and how much money you want to spend on it. We think an upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 8 is really only worth it if you want all the current features of the Apple Watch and plan to use them all and get the most out of the Apple Watch. If you are actually still satisfied with the Apple Watch Series 4, then we see no reason to make the switch at the moment.

Upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 8 if…

  • …you want the latest Apple Watch features.
  • …you would like an always-on display and larger screen. You could also consider the Apple Watch Series 7.
  • …you spend a lot of time on your health and want to measure and track everything about it.
  • …you like to sleep with your Apple Watch on and faster to charge so that you are ready for the day. Then you can also consider an Apple Watch Series 7.
  • …you want a newer color or want to use an Apple Watch Cellular.
  • …you travel a lot with just your Apple Watch on and listen to music, podcasts and other offline content.

Prices Apple Watch Series 8 in 41mm, GPS

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Prices Apple Watch Series 8 in 45mm, GPS

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Keep using your Apple Watch Series 4 and wait to update if…

  • …you are still satisfied with the capabilities of your current Apple Watch. For example, the extra health functions make little difference to you.
  • …the current screen still meets your needs and you would turn off always-on anyway.
  • …the battery of your current Apple Watch still satisfies.
  • …the current prices of the newer models are too high. It is better to wait for an offer, for example for the Apple Watch Series 7 or opt for the cheaper Apple Watch SE 2022.
  • …you're ready for a whole new design. Apple may continue to renew the design in the coming years.

Would you like to buy a new Apple Watch, but not the more expensive and latest Apple Watch Series 8? Then take a look at the Apple Watch Series 7. The best prices can be found below.

Apple Watch Series 7 in 41mm

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Apple Watch Series 7 in 45mm

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Want to buy a new Apple Watch? Series 8 and SE are now in stores

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