Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) and Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular). Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Product Type Smart watch Smart watch
Operating System WatchOS WatchOS 10
Supported Host Device OS iOS 16 or later iOS 17 or later
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input Microphone Microphone
Audio Output Speaker Speaker
Body Details Case only: 32 g Case only: 32.1 g
Body Material Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy 100% recycled aluminium
Protection Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter Digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter, temperature sensor, high-g accelerometer, gyroscope with high dynamic range
Tracking Data Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, rapid eye movement (REM) Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, mental wellbeing
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Call handling, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display Fall detection, Emergency SOS, brightness: 2000 nits, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, fast charge, precision finding for iPhone, elevation view
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness Calendar, SMS, Email, applications, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology Apple Pay Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible Yes Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant Siri Siri
IoT Voice Controlled Direct Direct
CELLULAR Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Technology WCDMA (UMTS) WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation 4G 4G
SIM Card Type Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
3M UMTS Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 8, Band 10 Band 1, Band 2, Band 5, Band 10
4G LTE Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66 Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 6, Band 7, Band 8, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) IEEE 802.11b/g/n, LTE, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3
DISPLAY Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Type Retina LTPO OLED - colour Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 352 x 430 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Protection Ion-X glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) Yes Yes
INPUT DEVICE Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture
CASE Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Case Size 41 mm 41 mm
Case Shape Rectangular Rectangular
Case Back Sapphire crystal and ceramic back Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver stainless steel | Gold stainless steel | Midnight aluminium | Graphite stainless steel | Silver aluminium Starlight aluminium | Silver aluminium | Gold stainless steel | Graphite stainless steel | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Red aluminium | Silver stainless steel
Crown Type Digital with haptic feedback Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Band Type Sport band Sport band
Band Size Regular M/L
Fits Wrist with Circumference 130-200 mm 150-200 mm
Changeable Yes Yes
Clasp Type Pin-and-tuck Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Fluoroelastomer Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Starlight | Red | White | Midnight | Silver | Gold | Graphite Starlight | Storm blue | Clay | Midnight | Light pink | Red | Silver | Gold | Graphite | Winter blue
STORAGE Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Storage Capacity 32 GB 64 GB
CPU Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Manufacturer Apple Apple
CPU Type S8 SiP S9 SiP
Features W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip W3 Apple wireless chip, second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, 4-core Neural Engine
BATTERY Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 18 hours 18 hours
Battery Life Details - Typical usage - up to 18 hour(s)
Low power mode - up to 36 hour(s)
Rechargeable Battery Yes Yes
Wireless Charging Yes Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular)
Included Accessories Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m) Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software Apple Pay, GymKit GymKit
Compliant Standards IP6X IP6X, BFR-free, PVC-free, Beryllium-free, Mercury-free, Arsenic-free
SAR Value 0.31 W/kg (head), 0.55 W/kg (head) -
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.15 W/kg (head)
0.36 W/kg (limb)
Carbon Footprint - 0 kg carbon emissions
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number A2773 A2982
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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