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

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) and Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS). Compare design, displays, functions, batteries and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect smartwatch. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the watch that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) vs. Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
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: 31.9 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) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
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
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0 IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth 5.3
DISPLAY Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
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) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Type Touch sensitive screen Touch sensitive screen, side button, double tap gesture
CASE Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Case Size 41 mm 41 mm
Case Shape Rectangular Rectangular
Case Back Sapphire crystal and ceramic back Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Midnight aluminium | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver aluminium Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Midnight aluminium | Pink aluminum | Silver aluminium
Crown Type Digital with haptic feedback Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
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 Midnight | Starlight | Red | White Starlight | Red | Midnight | Light pink | Storm blue | Winter blue
STORAGE Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
Storage Capacity 32 GB 64 GB
CPU Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
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) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
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) Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS)
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 0.17 W/kg (head), 0.28 W/kg (limb) -
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) - 0.12 W/kg (head)
0.29 W/kg (limb)
Carbon Footprint - 0 kg carbon emissions
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number A2770 A2978
Warranty 1-year warranty -
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