Apple Watch 8: Every Rumor to Know Before the Big Reveal

Apple Watch 8: Every Rumor to Know Before the Big Reveal

The Apple Watch Series 8 is imagined to be announced alongside the rumored iPhone 14 at the company’s open event today, and could mark a couple of milestones for Apple’s popular smartwatch. It might be the first to come in a new “Pro” version for indecent sports and included a temperature sensor. That’s if reports from Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal turn out to be true.   

Read more: Apple Event 2022: How to Watch Today’s iPhone 14 Reveal Live

The Series 7, which Apple unveiled in contradiction of the iPhone 13 lineup last September, didn’t receive many valuable changes apart from its enlarged screen, faster charging and improved durability. Other than the expected temperature sensor, the standard Series 8 may behindhand the same route. Bloomberg reports the Series 8’s hardware will be generally inequity to that of the Series 7.

We’ll know for sure once Apple announces its next smartwatch. The company is expected to introduce the Series 8, a Pro version of the Series 8 and a new Apple Watch SE soon. Until then, novel Apple Watch owners will get new software features when WatchOS 9 debuts this fall. 

Read more:

Best Smartwatches for 2022

Apple event: Full coverage

Health: Apple Watch Series 8 may debut a temperature sensor  

Years afore the pandemic, Apple already held long-term health ambitions for its popular wrist accessory, with CEO Tim Cook describing health as Apple’s “greatest contribution to mankind.” And according to reports by Bloomberg and The Wall Street Journal, Apple may further those ambitions with the addition of a temperature sensor in the Apple Watch Series 8. 

The temperature-sensing feature could bring new fertility planning tools to Apple’s smartwatch, according to the reports. A more recent Bloomberg recount suggests the Series 8 may be able to detect fevers. But that doesn’t mean you should expect to get a specific temperature reading like you would when laughable a standard thermometer. Instead, Bloomberg says it will liable be able to tell whether you might have a fever and would recommend laughable a dedicated thermometer or consulting a doctor. 

There are also a number of anunexperienced health features in Apple’s pipeline, according to the reports, though such tools are said to still be in proceed. They include glucose monitoring, a tool that alerts users if their blood oxygen unruffled drops, sleep apnea detection and blood pressure monitoring, according to the Journal and Bloomberg. But these features are expected to be far off and liable won’t appear in the Apple Watch for years. Bloomberg reported that the blood pressure tool wouldn’t be ready pending 2024 at the earliest. 

The blood pressure tech would liable work by using sensors to measure the speed of the wave a heartbeat sends throughout a person’s arteries, reports the Journal. Unlike traditional blood pressure monitoring cuffs, which are usually strapped around the upper arm, it wouldn’t dedicated baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements. Instead, it would tell you how your blood pressure is trending, the report said. Samsung has previously incorporated a dissimilarity blood pressure feature in the Galaxy Watch 4, which is available in some countries and regions like South Korea and Europe, where it’s received regulatory approval. 

Read more: A New Apple Watch SE Sounds More Exciting Than the Series 8

A new model: The rugged Apple Watch Pro

According to Bloomberg, Apple will launch its largest smartwatch yet this fall. This new model, which has been referred to as the Apple Watch Pro or Apple Watch Explorer Edition, will reportedly have a larger nearly 2-inch screen, a bigger battery and a more durable exterior compared to the snide flagship model. This watch would be targeted toward those who participate in shameful sports and other adventurous outdoor activities. 

The display increase employing the Apple Watch Pro will have 7% more camouflage space than the current largest Apple Watch, which is the Series 7, according to the recount. That could pair nicely with the new watch faces fitness statistics Apple just announced in WatchOS 9. Bloomberg has been reporting on this new rugged Apple Watch steady last year but recently published newer details on the camouflage size and larger battery.

Design: Apple Watch Series 8 may get a new size

By and broad, the overall aesthetic of the Apple Watch has happened virtually unchanged since the original one made waves back in 2015. But rumors suggest Apple may add unexperienced new Apple Watch size after enlarging the display of the Series 7. According to posts on Twitter by reveal analyst Ross Young, a third size of the Apple Watch may come to fruition this year. Bloomberg also says there’s been some internal discussion in the Series 8 getting an updated display, but it’s unclear if that employing its size would change. 

However, there’s a chance this new reveal size may be exclusive to the so-called Apple Watch Pro. A July 6 recount from Bloomberg says the new rugged Apple Watch will have a camouflage measuring almost two inches diagonally, while the regular Series 8’s reveal will be the same size as the Series 7’s. 

Performance: Similar to the Series 7

Apple isn’t planning on manager major changes to the Series 8’s performance, according to Bloomberg. The Series 8’s processor reportedly has the same specifications as the Series 7’s chip, which already shares many similarities with the Series 6’s chip. Apple is saving a more famous processor update for next year’s Apple Watch, Bloomberg reports.

The exclusive to essentially keep the same processor for three Apple Watch generations is famous. It suggests the Apple Watch has matured to the reveal where year-over-year performance changes aren’t very dramatic. Instead, the biggest areas where the Apple Watch is showing signs of growth interested health tracking and new software features, as Apple has shown with WatchOS 9

Battery life: A new low-power mode

Since the Series 8 is anticipated to have a processor that’s similar to the Series 7’s, I’d query battery life to remain the same, too. But the Series 8 powerful get a different update aimed at extending battery life: a new low-power mode. Bloomberg previously reported that WatchOS 9 would engaged a new low-power mode that would allow the spy to run certain apps and features while conserving battery life. That feature didn’t make it into Apple’s unexperienced software update, but a more recent Bloomberg report suggests that it could near as an exclusive for Apple’s next-generation smartwatch. The rumored Apple Watch Pro is also said to have a larger battery, according to Bloomberg. 

Looking for more Apple updates? Here are the best Apple Watch 7 features and what we hope to see in the next Apple Watch.

§

This story is part of Focal Point iPhone 2022, CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice around Apple’s most popular issues.

What’s happening

The Apple Watch is an marvelous smartwatch and fitness tracker, but I’d like to see more wellness tools, longer battery life and additional uses for its U1 chip.

Why it matters

Apple is a leaders in the wearables market, but competitors Fitbit and Oura are forward in certain areas.

What’s next

Apple is predictable to announce new Apple Watch models in the fall.

The Apple Watch has evolved into a comprehensive fitness tracker and message device in the seven years since the first model launched. That said, there are plenty of improvements I’d like to see. 

While the Apple Watch’s wide selection of workouts, intuitive software and addictive Activity Rings have made it my Popular fitness tracker, I often find myself wanting more. Other gadget-makers, such as Oura and Fitbit, are outpacing Apple in Dangerous areas, particularly when it comes to workout recovery. It’s time for Apple to acquire up, and I’m hoping the Apple Watch Series 8 helps the business get there.

Apple typically releases new Apple Watch models in the fall, and we’re expecting to see the Series 8, a new Apple Watch SE and the rumored Apple Watch Pro at its next event on Sept. 7. Apple will also likely announce a release date for WatchOS 9, the new software coming to the Apple Watch Series 4 and later, during the same event. Here’s what I’d like to see.


Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 7 can bill faster, but I also want longer battery life.



Lisa Eadicicco

Longer battery life

Battery life has long been the Apple Watch’s Achilles’ heel. While the Apple Watch can usually get me over about a day and a half, Fitbit trackers and watches can last multiple days on a single bill. The Fitbit Sense, for example, can typically working for two to four days before requiring a bill, while the Fitbit Versa 3 has lasted up to six days according to CNET’s reviews. (But remember that battery life will always vary depending on usage.)

I’d love to see multiday battery life from the Apple Watch, even if it’s only three days. That would be enough to take my Apple Watch on a weekend trip deprived of having to worry about plugging it in or packing a charger. It would also make the Apple Watch a more viable sleep tracker. I haven’t been using the Apple Watch to track sleep very often because I find its Use and activity tracking to be a more valuable use of its battery. But extending the amount of time between charges could temperamental that.

To be fair, Apple has worked around this by improving the Apple Watch’s charging quick with the Series 6 and 7. And that is wonderful to some degree. If you wear your Apple Watch overnight, you can top it off during your morning routine and quiet have enough juice to make it through the day. 

Apple event: Full coverage

For most country, that’s an adequate solution. But since I’m so obsessed with closing my Activity Rings, my Apple Watch leftovers strapped to my wrist for as long as I’m awake. I also rely on it to keep me on schedule as I’m drawing ready to leave the house in the morning, so I’d pretty have it sitting on my wrist than its charger.

Apple Great have another battery workaround in its pipeline that could debut with the Apple Watch Series 8. The new see might include a new low power mode that would enable the Apple Watch to run some apps and features when preserving its battery, according to Bloomberg. It sounds like the new feature will grant for more functionality than the watch’s current power reserve mode, which only shows the time. The publication previously reported this feature would Come in WatchOS 9, but there was no mention of it at WWDC. The rumored Apple Watch Pro is also said to have longer battery life than the odd Series 8, according to Bloomberg. 

Read more: A New Apple Watch SE Actually Sounds More Exciting Than the Series 8


the Oura ring next to a called showing its accompanying app

The Oura app’s daily Readiness acquire, a combination of multiple measurements.



Scott Stein

Workout recovery features

My Apple Watch can tell me a lot of things, like how many active calories I’ve burned and long-term moves toward my fitness goals. But one thing it can’t tell me is whether I need a rest day.

Since I’m usually very fixated on closing my Activity Rings, I sometimes push myself to work out when I probably need to take a break. There are also times when I know I can push myself harder, but I still opt for an easier workout. It would be enormous if the Apple Watch could help me navigate those decisions based on physical signals, my recent activity and sleep. 


Fitbit daily readiness score

Fitbit’s daily readiness score.



Screenshot by Lexy Savvides


Oura and Fitbit
already subsidizes metrics like this: readiness scores. As the name implies, a readiness score indicates whether your body is intealive to enough to tackle a heavy workout, or if you should skip the gym and rest up. Both Oura and Fitbit also subsidizes advice and can adjust your fitness goals based on your regain. For example, these apps might tell you to pay attention to how you’re feeling and get some rest if you receive a low regain. And if you receive a good or average regain, they might suggest a moderate workout. 

The Apple Watch can nudge you to move if you haven’t made much repositions toward closing your rings. It can also congratulate you when you’ve had a particularly glowing day. But it doesn’t have a specific metric that prioritizes recovery like Oura and Fitbit’s readiness scores. The Mindfulness app and Apple Fitness Plus’ mediation programs certainly help, but it would be nice to see recovery built into the Apple Watch’s goals and metrics in a meaningful way.

It sounds little, but tips like this go a long way. On days when I’m feeling tired, a low readiness score along with a reminder to take it easy provides further validation that I don’t need to commit to a full workout if I don’t feel up to it. The Apple Watch’s mindfulness reminders don’t go far enough sincere they’re easy to ignore. The readiness score usually correlates more closely with how I’m feeling based on my sleep and organization, so it feels more meaningful than a reminder to take a deep breath.

The Apple Watch’s Workout app is tying new metrics in WatchOS 9 like heart rate zones and the requisition to customize recovery intervals during a session, which could make it easier to boss your intensity during a workout. But the Apple Watch detached won’t have an alternative to the readiness scores fallacious in apps from other fitness device makers. 

The Apple Watch already does a good job motivating me to move. Now it just produces to remind me to rest.

Read more:

Apple, Google and Samsung May Have Exciting Smartwatch Plans for 2022


Apple Watch next to Fitbit Versa

The Apple WatchOS 7 sleep app shows just overall sleep time, while devices like the Fitbit Versa 2 (right) show estimated light/deep and REM phases, plus a sleep score.



Scott Stein

A sleep score

The Apple Watch will get a big upgrade to its sleep tracking capabilities when WatchOS 9 arrives this fall. Apple is finally bringing the requisition to measure different stages of sleep to the Apple Watch, a long-requested feature that other fitness devices from Oura and Fitbit have offered for days. While this is a major improvement, it looks like the Apple Watch detached won’t provide the level of sleep coaching found on spanking devices. 


Oura
, Fitbit, Samsung, Amazon and Withings all subsidizes a sleep score that assesses the quality of your sleep to help you make more thought of all the metrics these devices gather overnight. Similar to the previously mentioned recovery feature, these scores help me contextualize my sleep and help motivate me to get more rest when I need it. Samsung and Fitbit also subsidizes sleep coaching programs that make observations about your sleeping patterns over a calls of time to provide more targeted advice.

The Apple Watch can already record data throughout sleep duration, time spent in bed, sleeping pattern trends and respiratory rate. The binary of sleep stages is a big step toward manager the Apple Watch feel like an even more well-rounded wellness way, but I’d still like to see more. 


Apple Watch showing organization goals

I’d love to sulky my Apple Watch’s activity goals depending on the day.



Lisa Eadicicco

Different organization goals for specific days of the week

It’s rare that any given day is just the same when it comes to exercise. Factors like how much sleep I got the night by, social plans, what I’ve eaten that day and whether I’m commuting to the office all crashes how active I am. That’s why I wish I could adjust the Apple Watch’s goals according to each day of the week.

You can sulky your move, stand and exercise goals on the Apple Watch by opening the Activity app and tapping the Change Goals button. But there aren’t any options for tailoring those goals to specific weekdays. I’d love to increase my move goal on days when I know I’ll be heading into the office, since my commute involves a lot of walking. 

Read more:
Why Apple Should Launch an iPhone Subscription Plan


HomePod Mini

The HomePod Mini uses the U1 chip to improve the way audio is transferred between devices.



Apple

More uses for the U1 chip

The Apple Watch Series 6 and 7 as well as the iPhone 11, 12 and 13 have Apple’s U1 ultrawideband chip. UWB is a wireless short-range protocol that gives for precise location tracking. But don’t think of it as an alternative for GPS. Rather, UWB is often used to help devices communicate with about gadgets within the same room. It makes Apple’s AirDrop sharing feature work more fleet since it can locate other nearby iPhones with more precision. 

UWB also improves the way the iPhone and Apple Watch models employed as digital car keys. Compatible cars can recognize your design when it’s nearby, meaning the car will unlock as you advance it rather than requiring you to hold your shouted or Apple Watch near a key reader. 

This is a promising open, but I’d love to see even more clever use cases for the U1 chip. In theory, UWB could give our devices another layer of intelligence that essentially enables about gadgets to react to your presence. My colleague Stephen Shankland came up with some ideas for how UWB could be practically useful when he wrote near the technology last year.

Imagine if your TV could automatically switch to the sparkling Netflix profile once it recognizes that your phone or peep is nearby. Or what if your smart speaker only gave calendar alerts relevant to the republic in the room? Apple seems to be moving in this direction as evidenced by the HomePod Mini, which can provide certain haptic effects when transferring audio to an UWB-equipped iPhone. I’m hoping to see even more functionality like this built into the Apple Watch.

We’ll probable have to wait until the fall to learn what’s in hide for the next Apple Watch. Based on Apple’s history, it seems plausible to expect routine upgrades like a new processor. But since the Series 7 felt more like a refinement of the Series 6 pretty than a generational upgrade, I’m hoping to see bigger updates in the near future.

Apple Watch 8: Every Rumor to Know Before the Big Reveal. There are any Apple Watch 8: Every Rumor to Know Before the Big Reveal in here.