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Watch comparison

Apple Series 8 vs Apple Series 9

Compare battery life, health tracking, display and fit.

Compared products
01Selected
Apple Watch Series 8

Apple Watch Series 8

  • Screen: 41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels.
  • Apple S8 SiP processor.
  • 1 GB RAM in this version.
  • 32 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6.
KSh 50,000In Stock
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02
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9

  • Screen: 41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels.
  • Apple S9; 4-core Neural Engine processor.
  • 64 GB storage in this version.
  • Runs watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 27.
  • Wi-Fi 4 support.
KSh 45,000In Stock
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Add to comparison

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Apple Watch Series 11KSh 51,000
WHOOP Life MGKSh 50,000
Apple Watch Series 12 42mmKSh 64,000
Apple Watch Ultra 4 49mmKSh 118,000
WHOOP LifeKSh 55,500
Amazfit Balance 3KSh 48,000
Apple Watch UltraKSh 90,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the better buy: it has a brighter screen for outdoor use and more storage (64 GB).

Performance

Apple Watch Series 8
Apple S8 SiP processor
Apple Watch Series 9
Apple S9; 4-core Neural Engine processor

Storage

Apple Watch Series 8
32 GB storage in this version
Apple Watch Series 9
64 GB storage in this version

Software

Apple Watch Series 8
Runs watchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6
Apple Watch Series 9
Runs watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 27

Sensors

Apple Watch Series 8
Blood oxygen sensor, electrical heart sensor
Apple Watch Series 9
Electrical heart sensor, third-generation optical heart sensor

Charging

Apple Watch Series 8
Magnetic fast charging to USB-C cable
Apple Watch Series 9
Magnetic fast charging

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple Watch Series 8

  • OLED display.
  • Apple S8 SiP processor.
  • 1 GB RAM.
  • 32 GB storage.

Apple Watch Series 9

  • Brighter display: up to 2,000 nits (vs 1,000).
  • More storage: 64 GB (vs 32 GB).
  • Newer watchOS 10 (vs watchOS 9).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours per chargeUp to 18 hours per charge
Storage32 GB storage64 GB storage
DisplayOLED displayOLED display
PerformanceApple S8 SiP processorApple S9 processor
SoftwarewatchOS 9.0watchOS 10
ConnectionsWi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLEDAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED
Screen resolution41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels41mm: 352 × 430 pixels; 45mm: 396 × 484 pixels
Display protectionIon-X glass (aluminum); sapphire crystal (stainless steel)Ion-X glass (aluminum); sapphire crystal (stainless steel)
Display features1000 nits (peak)2000 nits (peak)

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
Network / cellularGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
SIM / eSIMeSIMeSIM
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCSupported; Apple PaySupported; Apple Pay
Positioning / GNSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
Ultra Wideband (UWB)Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportUltra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip)

Identity & design

Identity & design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
BrandAppleApple
ModelApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
Announced2022, September 072023, September 12
Dimensions41mm: 41 × 35 × 10.7 mm; 45mm: 45 × 38 × 10.7 mm41mm: 41 × 35 × 10.7 mm; 45mm: 45 × 38 × 10.7 mm
Weight41mm: aluminum GPS 31.9 g, GPS + Cellular 32.2 g, stainless steel 42.3 g; 45mm: aluminum GPS 38.8 g, GPS + Cellular 39.1 g, stainless steel 51.5 g41mm: aluminum GPS 31.9 g, GPS + Cellular 32.1 g, stainless steel 42.3 g; 45mm: aluminum GPS 38.7 g, GPS + Cellular 39.0 g, stainless steel 51.5 g
Build materialsAluminum or stainless-steel case; ceramic and sapphire crystal backAluminum or stainless-steel case; ceramic and sapphire crystal back
Wrist size41mm: 130–200 mm; 45mm: 140–245 mm41mm: 130–200 mm; 45mm: 140–245 mm
Controls / buttonsDigital Crown with haptic feedback; side buttonDigital Crown with haptic feedback; side button

Performance & software

Performance & software specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
ProcessorApple S8 SiPApple S9; 4-core Neural Engine
CPU64-bit dual-core64-bit dual-core
GPUPowerVRPowerVR
RAM1GB—
Storage32 GB64 GB
Operating systemwatchOS 9.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.6watchOS 10, upgradable to watchOS 27

Audio & communication

Audio & communication specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
SpeakerSupportedSupported
MicrophoneSupportedSupported
CallingBluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular modelsBluetooth calling; cellular calling on GPS + Cellular models

Sensors, health & fitness

Sensors, health & fitness specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
SensorsBlood oxygen sensor; electrical heart sensor; third-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high-dynamic-range gyroscope; ambient light sensorElectrical heart sensor; third-generation optical heart sensor; temperature sensor; compass; always-on altimeter; high-g accelerometer; high-dynamic-range gyroscope; ambient light sensor
Health & wellness featuresECG app; Blood Oxygen app where available; high and low heart-rate notifications; irregular rhythm notifications; temperature sensing; cycle trackingECG app; blood oxygen feature where available; high and low heart-rate notifications; irregular rhythm notifications; temperature sensing; cycle tracking
Sleep trackingSleep duration and sleep stagesSleep duration and sleep stages
Sports / workout modesWorkout app with multiple workout types and automatic workout detectionWorkout app with multiple workout types and automatic workout detection
Training & outdoor featuresPace and heart-rate zones; compass waypoints and backtrackPace and heart-rate zones; compass waypoints and backtrack
Safety & emergency featuresEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash DetectionEmergency SOS; international emergency calling; Fall Detection; Crash Detection

Battery & durability

Battery & durability specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours normal useUp to 18 hours normal use; 36 hours Low Power Mode
ChargingMagnetic fast charging to USB-C cableMagnetic fast charging
Water resistance50 m; swimproof50 m; swimproof
Durability / certificationsIP6X dust resistanceIP6X dust resistance

Compatibility

Compatibility specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
Phone compatibilityiPhone 8 or later; iOS 16 or lateriPhone XS or later; iOS 17 or later
Companion appApple Watch app on iPhoneApple Watch app on iPhone
ColorsGraphite, Silver, GoldGraphite, Silver, Gold, Red

Additional specifications

Additional specifications specifications comparison
SpecificationApple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 9
Pixels per inch326 ppi326 ppi
Peak brightnessUp to 1,000 nitsUp to 2,000 nits; 1 nit minimum
Cover / touchscreenSupportedSupported
Release statusAvailable. Released 2022, September 16Available. Released 2023, September 22
Model numbersA2773, A2775, A2772, A2774, A2857, A2858, watch6,16, watch6,17A2982, A2984, A2983, A2985, Watch7,3, Watch7,4
Card slotNoNo
CameraNoNo
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo
USBNoNo
RadioNoNo
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK; HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, CanadaHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International, China, HK; HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - USA, LATAM, Canada
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International, China, HK; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada
Network speedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
SAR (US)0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body)1.02 W/kg (head)
SAR (EU)0.31 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body)0.64 W/kg (head)
Additional hardware featuresTemperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)Temperature sensing (0.01˚ accuracy)
Battery typeRechargeable lithium-ionRechargeable lithium-ion
Charging time—About 45 minutes to 80%

Similarities

  • Both belong to the Apple Watch platform.
  • Both are rated for up to 18 hours per charge.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 4.
  • Both use Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Both work with a companion app.
  • Both have NFC.

In summary

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the better buy for almost everyone, with a brighter screen for outdoor use and more storage.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

WHOOP Life MGFor Apple Watch Series 8WHOOP Life MGView product ↗Apple Watch Series 11For Apple Watch Series 8Apple Watch Series 11View product ↗Samsung Galaxy Watch UltraFor Apple Watch Series 9Samsung Galaxy Watch UltraView product ↗Apple Watch Series 10For Apple Watch Series 9Apple Watch Series 10View product ↗

Related comparisons

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