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As expected as the iPhone, according to the many rumors that have followed one another in recent months, the Watch Series 8 were presented during the now classic Apple keynote. The biggest novelty is an Apple Watch Ultra!
Despite increasingly aggressive competition, the Apple Watch continues to dominate the watch market and improves year after year, although it no longer necessarily dictates the trend. On the hardware level, in fact, the Watch Series 7 of 2021 were content to integrate a larger screen by trimming the borders to maintain similar dimensions. A way to display one of the best screen occupancy rates on the market. Rebelote this year with the Series 8 whose design does not change one iota, but which progresses this time in terms of sensors.
A temperature sensor to detect ovulation
It is therefore once again on the technical level that the Apple connected watch is evolving, finally integrating the famous skin temperature sensor that we already thought would arrive on the Series 7. Unlike its competitors who obviously do not know not what use to give to this additional sensor, Apple comes up with an idea as surprising as it is relevant, as well as an implementation that seems accomplished. It is indeed for women that this temperature sensor is intended, since it is used specifically to detect the period of ovulation! Rather than trying to detect signs of fever, it is therefore the monitoring of menstrual cycles that will benefit from this innovation and gain in precision.
On a technical level, the Apple Watch Series 8 incorporates not one but two temperature sensors. The first is logically placed on the underside of the watch to measure skin temperature, while the second takes place just under the screen to measure the outside temperature and thus correct the deviations of the first – the skin temperature indeed varies greatly according to the ambient temperature, in particular at the level of the wrist. Apple announces an accuracy of tenths of a degree Celsius, therefore worthy of the best medical thermometers – with all the necessary precautions when it comes to a measurement as unreliable as measurement on the wrist, therefore.
Like other health data, ovulation detection is encrypted and secured by Face ID, Apple wanting to reassure its users about the confidentiality of this sensitive information.
The detection of car accidents thanks to more precise sensors
At the start of the presentation, Apple emphasized the security offered by its Apple Watch, in particular by detecting falls and other accidents and by offering the possibility of calling for help. A use that is reinforced with the new detection of car accidents.
Thanks to a new, more precise accelerometer capable of measuring forces up to 256 g and to record four times more events over the same period, the Apple Watch Series 8 becomes capable of detecting frontal, rear and side impacts in the car. Micro and GPS are involved in this function which is based on an algorithm trained by deep learning (deep learning), while the integrated barometer is used to detect airbag openings in the passenger compartment.
A low consumption mode to double the autonomy
Always designed to work “a full day”, according to Apple (more precisely until 6 p.m. if we refer to the data sheet of the Series 7), the Apple Watch Series 8 should be able to double its autonomy thanks to a new low consumption mode. Apple thus announces up to 36 hours of operation by disabling certain services such as automatic sports detection, but without compromising activity records and fall detection. A mode that all Apple Watch from Series 4 will benefit from.
Last flagship novelty, international roaming will be available on Apple Watch from Series 5 Cellular. Compatible with many telephone operators, it will allow you to use your watch in many countries around the world without having to subscribe to a specific plan.
As for the other features, Apple didn’t dwell on it, just confirming the arrival of more elaborate sleep tracking, with cycle detection and REM sleep, as well as enriched sports functions for running. (ghost, ground contact time measurement, etc.). It was indeed a question of giving way to the real new hardware that until then had been called Apple Watch Pro…
Watch Ultra, a true extreme sports watch
The object of the most insistent rumors, the Apple Watch Pro does exist, but is therefore called Ultra. Sportier, it inaugurates a new design. And for good reason, the watch is designed to withstand the most extreme conditions. Its titanium case in 49 mm format is topped with a sapphire crystal protecting a large ultra-bright screen, which can reach 2000 nits.
This watch intended for outdoor sports is reinforced accordingly, being able to even be used for scuba diving or mountaineering.
Designed as a real sports watch and not as a simple variant of the Apple Watch Series 8, it will be marketed from September 23 at a price of €999. We detail its other features in a news dedicated to the Apple Watch Ultra.
Apple Watch Ultra
Introductory price €799
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The Watch SE for young audiences
Last watch of the Apple Watch Series 8, the SE gets a facelift. Its design follows that of the normal Series 8, with a screen 30% larger than that of the Series 3 and similar components, down to the accelerometer which is used to detect car accidents.
Apple is targeting its Watch SE for those who do not need all the functions of the 8, but also for children, specifying that it offers its Family Configuration tool to configure the watch specifically for this young audience.
This will be the most affordable Apple Watch, since this SE starts at €299 in the 40mm version and €339 in the 44mm version. The Cellular version is 50 € more. Availability from September 16.
The Apple Watch Series 8, for its part, is already available at €499 in the 41 mm version and €539 in the 45 mm version. Add and at €120 for a Cellular version with integrated eSim.