Apple Watch Series 8 Long-Term Review (All The Pros and Cons)

I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm) pretty much nonstop for nearly three years now. Day and night, seven days a week. The only time I take it off is for showers and charging. Safe to say, I’ve gotten to know this watch really well.

Scott holding his Midnight blue Apple Watch series 8 — Admiring the snot out of my “Midnight” colored Apple Watch Series 8 under bright sunlight. At the very least, this (maybe) confirms that I am *not* a vampire.

Pros of the Apple Watch Series 8

1. Slim, Comfortable, and Low Profile

One of my favorite things about the Series 8 is how slim and unobtrusive it is. I have the 45mm version (and very thin wrists). But it still looks good and fits comfortably.

I wear it all day and all night, including while sleeping, and it never feels like it’s in the way. Compared to my Garmin watch, which is way too bulky for 24/7 wear, the Series 8 feels just right.

2. Stealthy, Unflashy Design

I went with the dark blue (“Midnight”) version and paired it with a black silicone band. The combo looks almost black, especially in daylight, which makes it very low-key.

That matters a lot to me, especially since I travel frequently. I don’t want to attract attention with something flashy. The Series 8 blends in, and I like that a lot.

3. Solid Daily Battery Life

The battery life isn’t groundbreaking, but it gets me through a full 24-hour day with about 30% left, even with fitness tracking enabled.

Is it as good as my Garmin Epix Pro (Gen2), which lasts up to 16 days on a single charge? Not even close. But compared to my old Apple Watch Series 5, the Series 8 is definitely an improvement.

4. Durable and Well-Built

This watch has taken a beating and still looks and works like it did on day one. No scratches or scuffs that I can see. The digital crown still clicks, the buttons are responsive, and the case looks great even after years of sweat, grime, and daily wear.

5. Great Water Resistance

While I don’t swim with it or wear it in the shower, I do rinse it under the faucet almost every day after workouts. I sweat a lot, and I mean a lot, so rinsing the watch is part of my daily routine.

I’ve never had any issues with water damage.

6. Accurate GPS and Wi-Fi Performance

Mine is the GPS-only version, not the cellular one, and I’ve had no complaints about connectivity. GPS is fast and accurate, and Wi-Fi works exactly as expected.

I use it to track my bike rides, and it syncs flawlessly with Apple’s Fitness app and Strava. The data is always spot on.

7. Blood Oxygen Sensor

This feature is honestly one of the main reasons I’ve stuck with the Series 8. I don’t need a blood oxygen monitor, but I like having it. I’m a data nerd!

Newer Apple Watch models sold in the U.S. no longer include this feature, which makes the Series 8 even more valuable to me.

8. Surprisingly Good Nap Tracking

While the Series 8 isn’t great at tracking overnight sleep (more on that below), it’s weirdly excellent at detecting naps. If I lie down for 90 minutes and only sleep for part of that time, it somehow knows exactly when I fell asleep.

It’s really accurate for short naps, even if you’re awake for part of the time. It’s a small win, but I’ll take it.

Midnight blue Apple Watch Series 8 45mm with black silicone band

Midnight blue Apple Watch Series 8 45mm with small black silicone wristband

Cons

1. Needs Daily Charging

Let’s be honest. Daily charging is still a hassle. If I miss my charging window during the day, I run into problems.

It’s manageable, and I’ve gotten used to it, but when I compare it to my Garmin’s multi-day battery life, it definitely feels like a limitation.

2. Hard to Read in Direct Sunlight

Even with the brightness turned up, the display can be hard to read outside. In direct sunlight, it gets pretty washed out.

Indoors or in shady areas, it’s totally fine. But if you’re out in the sun often, this can be annoying, especially depending on the watch face you’re using.

3. Mediocre Overnight Sleep Tracking

Every morning, no matter how well or poorly I sleep, my watch tells me I got exactly eight and a half hours. It’s not very accurate and doesn’t always pick up on times when I’m restless or awake in the middle of the night.

My Garmin does a much better job with sleep tracking. I think this comes down to how Apple’s hardware and software work together, but whatever the reason, it’s not great.