Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)

Smartwatch Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) and Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS). Compare sizes, functions, displays, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right smartwatch for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the watch that will best fit your needs.

Smartwatch Specifications Comparison

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) vs. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS) Comparison Chart
GENERAL Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Product Type Smart watch Smart watch
Operating System WatchOS 5 WatchOS
Supported Host Device OS iOS 11 or later iOS 16 or later
Wearing Style Watch style Watch style
Audio Input Microphone Microphone
Audio Output Speaker Speaker
Width 33.3 mm -
Height 38.6 mm -
Depth 11.4 mm -
Weight 26.7 g -
Body Details - Case only: 32 g
Body Material Anodised aluminium Aerospace-grade aluminium alloy
Protection Water-resistant Water-resistant, dust-resistant, crack-resistant
Clock Display Yes Yes
FEATURES Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyro sensor, heart rate, barometric altimeter Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, digital compass, electrical heart sensor, blood oxygen sensor, gyroscope, temperature sensing, optical heart sensor (3d gen), always-on altimeter
Tracking Data Distance, time, calories burned, activity, heart rate, steps taken Distance, time, calories burned, activity, sleep activity, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep stages, menstrual cycle, ECG, ovulation phase, rapid eye movement (REM)
Goal Setting Yes Yes
Features Music remote handling, camera remote control, listening to music, Retina Display technology, call alerts Call handling, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, Family Setup support, International Emergency Calling, Crash Detection, noise monitoring, Compass Waypoint, brightness: 1000 nits, Edge-to-edge display
Notifications Calendar, SMS, Email Calendar, SMS, Email, high and low heart rate, irregular rhythm, cardio fitness
Vibrating Alert Yes Yes
Feedback Type Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface Audio alert, vibration alert, visual interface
Navigation (GPS) GPS/GNSS receiver GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/QZSS receiver
Payment Technology - Apple Pay
Internet of Things (IoT) Compatible - Yes
IoT Intelligent Assistant Siri Siri
IoT Voice Controlled Direct Direct
CONNECTIVITY Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0
DISPLAY Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type OLED - colour Retina LTPO OLED - colour
Resolution 272 x 340 pixels 352 x 430 pixels
Screen Protection Ion-X glass Ion-X glass
Always On Display (AOD) - Yes
INPUT DEVICE Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Type Touch sensitive screen (Force Touch) Touch sensitive screen
CASE Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Case Size 38 mm 41 mm
Case Shape - Rectangular
Case Back Composite back Sapphire crystal and ceramic back
Case Details Space grey aluminium | Silver aluminium | Gold aluminium Midnight aluminium | Starlight aluminium | Red aluminium | Silver aluminium
Crown Type Digital Digital with haptic feedback
BAND Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Band Type Sport band Sport band
Band Size - Regular
Fits Wrist with Circumference 130-200 mm 130-200 mm
Changeable - Yes
Clasp Type Pin-and-tuck Pin-and-tuck
Band Material Fluoroelastomer Fluoroelastomer
Band Colour Black | White | Fog | Pink sand | Grey Midnight | Starlight | Red | White
STORAGE Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Storage Capacity 8 GB 32 GB
CPU Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Manufacturer Apple Apple
CPU Type S3 S8 SiP
Features W2 Apple wireless chip W3 Apple wireless chip, U1 chip
BATTERY Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium Ion
Battery Life 18 hours 18 hours
Rechargeable Battery - Yes
Wireless Charging - Yes
MISCELLANEOUS Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS) Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS)
Included Accessories Power adapter, magnetic charging cable Magnetic fast charger to USB-C cable (1 m)
Preloaded Software - Apple Pay, GymKit
Compliant Standards - IP6X
SAR Value - 0.17 W/kg (head), 0.28 W/kg (limb)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 50 m 50 m
Manufacturer Model Number - A2770
Warranty - 1-year warranty
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