Apple Watch Series 8 vs 12 – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Quick Pick

BEST OVERALL PICK Apple Watch Series 12
Recommended Most Popular Choice

Apple Watch Series 12

  • S11 chip with 4 core Neural Engine for faster processing and responsive everyday performance.
  • 2000 nit LTPO3 wide angle OLED display for clearer outdoor visibility.
  • Up to 24 hour battery life for longer use between charges.
  • 64GB storage for keeping more apps music and offline content.
  • 6 meter depth gauge for tracking shallow water activities.
  • Water temperature sensor for recording useful swimming environment data.
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Alternative

Apple Watch Series 8

  • S8 SiP with 64 bit dual core processor.
  • 1000 nit LTPO OLED display.
  • Up to 18 hour battery life.
  • 32GB storage.
  • No depth gauge.
  • No water temperature sensor.
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Why Do I Recommend The Apple Watch Series 12?

  • The Apple Watch Series 12 has S11 chip with a 4-core Neural Engine for faster on-device processing, smoother everyday performance, and support for newer intelligent features, while the Apple Watch Series 8 uses the S8 SiP with a dual-core processor.
  • Apple Watch Series 12 features the Health Sensing System with higher-frequency heart-rate and HRV tracking for more detailed recovery and cardiovascular insights throughout the day, whereas the Apple Watch Series 8 uses an earlier-generation optical heart sensor.
  • It includes a Readiness app with recovery HRV data to help you judge whether your body is prepared for harder training or needs more recovery, while the Apple Watch Series 8 does not include the Readiness app.
  • The Apple Watch Series 12 features a 2,000-nit wide-angle Always-On Retina LTPO3 display for easier viewing in bright outdoor conditions and at wider wrist angles, compared to the Apple Watch Series 8 with a 1,000-nit Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display.
  • Apple Watch Series 12 comes with up to 24 hours of normal battery life for longer daytime and overnight use between charges, whereas the Apple Watch Series 8 has up to 18 hours of normal battery life.
  • It supports fast charging to 80% in about 30 minutes for quickly restoring enough power before work, workouts, or sleep tracking, while the Apple Watch Series 8 uses an earlier fast-charging system.
  • The Apple Watch Series 12 includes a depth gauge to 6 meters and a water-temperature sensor for tracking additional information during swimming and shallow-water activities, whereas the Apple Watch Series 8 does not include these dedicated water-depth and temperature sensors.
  • Apple Watch Series 12 comes with 64GB storage to keep more apps, music, podcasts, and other content directly on the watch, compared to the Apple Watch Series 8’s 32 GB.

Maybe the Apple Watch Series 8 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 12. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureApple Watch Series 12Apple Watch Series 8
ChipS11 SiPS8 SiP
Neural Engine4-coreNot specified
Display resolution416 × 496 pixels396 × 484 pixels
Display area1,196 mm²1,143 mm²
Peak brightness2,000 nits1,000 nits
Minimum brightness1 nitNot specified
Display technologyLTPO3 wide-angle OLEDLTPO OLED
Case depth9.7mm10.7mm
Storage64GB32GB
Normal battery lifeUp to 24 hoursUp to 18 hours
Optical heart sensorAlways-on Health Sensing System3rd-generation optical sensor
Depth gauge6mNone
Water temperature sensorYesNo
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