Don’t expect a speed boost in Apple Watch Series 8

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Ian Zelbo's render shows how Apple Watch 8 might look.
Apple Watch Series 8 won't be a speed demon.
Photo: Ian Zelbo

The Apple Watch Series 8 expected this fall won’t have better performance than its recent predecessors, according to a reliable tipster.

It will get other enhancements, though.

No faster processor in Apple Watch Series 8

Apple Watch is an important product for Apple. It rakes in billions from sales, and the wearable dominates the smartwatch market. And Apple seems to have decided that the performance of recent models is good enough to keep its product on top.

“For those hoping for a faster chip in this year’s Apple Watch, I’m told the S8 chip will have the same specifications as the S7, which was also the same as the S6,” reports Mark Gurman on Bloomberg.

Last year’s Series 7 offers good performance, so it’s unlikely Series 8 will be pokey with essentially the same processor. Especially as Apple controls development of watchOS and won’t do anything to sabotage its latest premier smartwatch.

And this is good news for users of Apple Watch Series 6 and Series 7. It means a speedy new processor isn’t necessary to run watchOS 9 well.

Anyone with hopes of a faster Apple Watch needs to set their sights on 2023. “Next year’s models, however, are slated to get an an all-new processor,” said Gurman.

He posted the same info on Twitter.

What to expect from the 2022 Apple Watch

The next Apple Watch might have the flat edges that were previously rumored for Series 7. And Apple is reportedly trying to build a sensor for the wearer’s body temperature into Apple Watch Series 8, but it’s proving challenging.

Other than that, much of the new capabilities will come in watchOS 9 – everything from fun new watch faces to significant improvements to the Workout app.

Autumn might also bring the long-awaited Apple Watch Explorer Edition.

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