Apple Watch Series 5 vs Apple Watch Series 8
Inside the Apple catalog, the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 8 sit in different lines, which usually means different trade-offs. Close matchups are the hardest to call, and the Apple Watch Series 5 versus the Apple Watch Series 8 is one of them.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Health & Fitness Sensors Apple Watch Series 8 wins
- Battery Life Tie
- Smart Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors4.3
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
- Display5.0
- Health & Fitness Sensors7.1
- Smart Features & Connectivity8.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Apple Watch Series 5 has a 0.08 oz lighter case
You may not notice this one every day, but the Apple Watch Series 5’s 1.29 oz is a step ahead of the Apple Watch Series 8’s 1.37 oz. Bands add weight too, so the case weight is a starting point for how the watch will feel.
-
The Apple Watch Series 8 has blood-oxygen readings
Not every buyer will care, but the Apple Watch Series 8 gives you blood-oxygen readings and the Apple Watch Series 5 doesn’t. Blood-oxygen readings can add context to sleep tracking and to training at altitude.
-
The Apple Watch Series 8 has skin-temperature sensing
The Apple Watch Series 5 doesn’t offer this at all, so if you need skin-temperature sensing, the choice is made for you. The Apple Watch Series 8 includes a temperature sensor, which feeds into its health trends; the Apple Watch Series 5 does without.
Design & Size
- Apple Watch Series 5 44 mm × 0.42 in
- Apple Watch Series 8 45 mm × 0.42 in
Going by the official dimensions, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the larger of the two. Weight-conscious buyers will note the Apple Watch Series 5’s 0.08 oz advantage.
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 41 mm, 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic | Aluminum, stainless steel |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.42 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz (winner) | 1.37 oz |
Display
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t display. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Health & Fitness Sensors
Apple Watch Series 8 leads
This area is close, with the Apple Watch Series 8 just ahead of the Apple Watch Series 5. The Apple Watch Series 8 pulls ahead with blood-oxygen readings. Wrist-based blood-oxygen data is a wellness indicator rather than a medical measurement, so treat it as a trend. Bottom line for health & fitness sensors: the Apple Watch Series 8 has the edge.
Blood oxygen
Apple Watch Series 5: no Apple Watch Series 8: yes The Apple Watch Series 8 can take blood-oxygen readings; the Apple Watch Series 5 can’t.
Skin temperature
Apple Watch Series 5: no Apple Watch Series 8: yes Temperature data is most useful over weeks, so it rewards people who wear their watch to bed.
Battery Life
Too close to call
In the battery life category, the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 8 land in almost the same place. Neither watch gives you a reason to choose it on battery life.
Smart Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
Call the smart features & connectivity round a draw. For smart features & connectivity, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Display type | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED | Always-On Retina LTPO OLED |
| Resolution (largest) | 368 x 448 | 396 x 484 |
| Peak brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Health & Fitness Sensors
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | Yes | Yes |
| ECG | Yes | Yes |
| Blood oxygen | No | Yes (winner) |
| Skin temperature | No | Yes (winner) |
| GPS | Built-in GPS/GNSS | Built-in L1 GPS (GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou) |
| Dual-frequency GPS | No | No |
Battery Life
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating, typical use | 18 h | 18 h |
| Rated life in low-power modeManufacturer rating | N/A (not specified) | 36 h |
| Charging | Magnetic charging cable | USB-C magnetic fast charging, 0 to 80% in about 45 min |
Smart Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | S5 | S8 |
| Storage | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Cellular option | Yes | Yes |
| Contactless payments | Yes | Yes |
| Phone compatibility | iPhone only | iPhone only |
| Software | watchOS | watchOS |
Design & Durability
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Case size (largest) | 44 mm | 45 mm |
| Available sizes | 40 mm, 44 mm | 41 mm, 45 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m | 50 m |
| Case material | Aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, ceramic | Aluminum, stainless steel |
| Thickness | 0.42 in | 0.42 in |
| Weight (largest, no band) | 1.29 oz (winner) | 1.37 oz |
Price
| Spec | Apple Watch Series 5 | Apple Watch Series 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 | $399 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
There’s no launch price gap between the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 8.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of September 2022. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Apple Watch Series 5 if…
- you wear your watch to sleep and barely want to feel it (1.29 oz vs 1.37 oz)
- you don’t need what the newer model adds
- you like a watch that takes up less room
Choose the Apple Watch Series 8 if…
- you want blood-oxygen readings
- you track sleep and recovery trends closely
- you plan to keep it for a long time and want to start from the newer generation
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Apple Watch Series 8?
For most people, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the stronger choice, unless what you want most is a 0.08 oz lighter case.
Is the Apple Watch Series 8 worth it over the Apple Watch Series 5?
The Apple Watch Series 8 makes a solid case for upgrading, with blood-oxygen readings and skin-temperature sensing over the Apple Watch Series 5.
Which has better battery life, the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Apple Watch Series 8?
The official battery figures don’t separate them; the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 8 land in almost the same place.
Is the Apple Watch Series 5 bigger than the Apple Watch Series 8?
Going by the official dimensions, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the larger one: 0.42 in against the Apple Watch Series 5’s 0.42 in.
Which weighs less, the Apple Watch Series 5 or the Apple Watch Series 8?
Going by the official figures, the Apple Watch Series 5 weighs 0.08 oz less than the Apple Watch Series 8.
Executive Summary
Same family, different trade-offs: that’s how I read the Apple Watch Series 5 and the Apple Watch Series 8. What tips it for me is that the Apple Watch Series 8 has blood-oxygen readings. Fairness check: the Apple Watch Series 5 does come with a 0.08 oz lighter case.
Your priorities do the choosing here: portability points to the Apple Watch Series 5, health & fitness sensors to the Apple Watch Series 8.
My pick: if it were my money, the Apple Watch Series 8, unless you know that a 0.08 oz lighter case would make a real difference in your routine.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.