The Series 8 is the most minor update to the Apple Watch in a few years. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, since its predecessor was the best smartwatch available for the iPhone and that’s still true for the new model. Crash detection is a nice feature to have that you hope you’ll never use.

Pros: excellent haptic vibrations, always-on screen, ECG, temp sensor, top health tracking, great activity tracking, 50-metre water resistance, solid battery, car crash detection, long software support, recycled materials.

Cons: expensive, only works with an iPhone, blood oxygen data not that useful, no third-party watch faces, a minor upgrade.

With ever-increasing competition, including from Apple itself, can the Watch Series 8 hold its own with modest improvements?

Still an excellent smartwatch, Features like crash detection show innovation, Comfortable and flexible

The Watch SE is much better value, Needs even longer battery life, While US pricing is same as Series 7, UK pricing is higher

“Powerful, comfortable, and familiar. The Apple Watch Series 8 isn't a revolution in Apple's portfolio, but it's still the best smartwatch you can buy.”

Sleek, comfortable design, Display is big and gorgeous, Excellent health features, Fast charge speeds, watchOS 9 is better than ever, Car crash detection

Temperature sensors are limited, Almost identical to the Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 8 remains head-and-shoulders above the competition, even if this year is undeniably a minor upgrade. As a fitness, health and connected device, it offers an unrivaled experience – and it’s easily the best smartwatch for iPhone users.

A health tracking powerhouse, Excellent fitness features, The App Store bangs, Proper biometric cycle tracking

The Series 8 doesn't feel like the new hotness this year, admittedly. The Apple Watch Ultra stole a lot of its thunder and, considering how similar it is to last year's Series 7, a lot of people won't feel the need to upgrade this year.

Beautiful display, New health-tracking and safety features, Supports new low-power mode

Extremely similar to the Series 7, Not as flashy or high-end as the Ultra

Apple Watch Series 8 and the second-generation Apple Watch SE are set to launch this Friday, September 16, and ahead of time, the first reviews of the devices have now been shared by select media publications and YouTube channels.

Josh Hendrickson/Review Geek What do you get when you take one of the best smartwatches in the land and add a few tiny improvements to it? Well, one of the best smartwatches in the land… only slightly better. That’s the Apple Watch Series 8 in a nutshell.

Still the same great watch, Crash detection could save lives, No price increase

Still basically the same watch, Fewer finish choices, Battery life could use improvements

If you’ve got a Series 6 or 7, there aren’t enough changes here to justify an upgrade. But for anyone with an older Apple Watch, and especially for those who are considering their first foray into the world of wearables, this is simply an objectively excellent smartwatch.

Smart classic design, Good battery life, Excellent health and fitness features

Fast charging could be faster, Very little has changed

... don’t upgrade

watchOS 9 is excellent, Neat use of temperature sensors, Crash Detection!, Low-power mode is helpful

You still need to charge daily, It’s not much different from the past few Apple Watch models

Let’s pretend, for a minute, that you’re Apple. You didn’t create the smartwatch market, but you currently control more than one-third of it. You’re caught up in a yearly refresh cycle (of your own design). It’s not easy, but you’re used to it.