I Went for the 8th Gen Instead of the 9th - Is It Worth Buying in 2025 and Updating to iOS 16?

I didn't exactly plan on upgrading my fifth watch this year, but I ended up getting a new one - the Apple Watch 8 series. I was torn between the last four models that came out over the past few years, and I ultimately went with the Apple Watch 8.

Apple Watch 8 45mm In this review, I'll go into detail about why I chose this model, how relevant it is now, and what you can expect from using these watches. Plus, I'll explain why I chose the color I did.

Today's review is about the Apple Watch 8 series.

❓❓What are these watches?

I'm not one to rush out and buy the latest Apple devices. This year, I got a MacBook Pro from 2020. Three years ago, I got an iPhone 13, even though the 14th generation was already out. And my fifth watch was from a time when the Apple Watch 8 series was already out. To be honest, buying Apple products is pretty low-maintenance. If they get software updates, you can bet they'll stay relevant for a while. And let's be real, these devices are so durable that you rarely need to repair or replace them. For me, that's the ultimate in peace of mind when it comes to tech.

❗️Photos of the Apple Watch 5 in this review are included so you can compare the completeness, size, and fit on a relatively slender hand.

I've got clients who've been rocking their Apple Watches 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for years without any issues. They're still going strong, and they don't want to upgrade. I even conducted a survey to get a more objective view on this. To be honest, I was a bit worried about the concept of my other devices getting updates, but the Apple Watch 5 not being able to update. But, of course, it turned out that the watch did need an update. This time, I bought a used Apple Watch, and I have no regrets. It was almost new, with a new charging cable and a brand-new original strap. The previous owner had used a different strap, which preserved the original packaging.

Apple Watch 8 45mmI've written about my second Apple Watch (series 5) before - my first ones appeared when I was 16 or 17, and they were lost shortly after purchase, slipping right off my wrist.

I bought my first Apple Watch about a year after they first came out, and I was super stoked about it. But it didn't take long for the strap to come undone, and the watch slipped off my wrist. I didn't even notice it had happened until later, and by then it was clear that the watch just wasn't comfortable for me. Everything changed when I got my fifth watch. I decided to try out what all the fuss was about, and it's been three years now since I can imagine my wrist without it.

I wear it on my right wrist, by the way, because it's just not comfortable on my left. I think that's probably the main reason why the screen on my fifth watch has worn out faster.

Apple Watch 4 44mm The only thing that was bugging me at the time was that my previous watches were silver and white, and I was used to that. But I decided to go for black ones, which is basically the opposite of my usual color preference. Still, since my iPhone is black, I figured I'd get a watch to match. It's not annoying, it doesn't bother me, and it doesn't get dirty. That was enough for me to make my decision.

You can read my review of the Apple Watch 5 here..One important note: despite having a wrist circumference of only 14-15cm, I've both times opted for the larger watches. The first ones were 44mm, and the newer eighth-generation ones have a diagonal of 45mm. It's only a 1mm difference, but it looks a lot more substantial.

Apple Watch 5 44mm Apple Watch 8 45mmI had a few reasons to upgrade from my Apple Watch 5 44mm:

I cracked the screen, and those scratches were driving me crazy.The white watch and strap were staining easily, picking up everything on my skin (blood, ink, lotion). The color just wasn't looking good anymore.My Apple Watch 5 was no longer getting software updates, around spring to early summer 2025.These reasons were enough for me to upgrade.

✅✅✅The pros of my new watch.

The screen is bigger, slightly in large hands, but noticeably in my smaller hands.

I got these new watches for a super good price - 13,000 RUB. They're scratch-free, with an unused strap, new, unsealed charger, and in near-new condition.

The watch is waterproof, which is a big deal for me since I love wearing them in the bath or pool. Just be careful in hot saunas, as the watch can get pretty warm (and potentially malfunction). But it's easy to handle a bath or pool. Just remember to dry your skin and the watch itself to avoid any lingering odors. The strap, like the watch, is a bit of a stinker for aromas.

ECG/PulseI was really impressed that the watch can do an ECG, and in newer versions like the 5x, it even measures oxygen levels in your blood.

It tracks your sleep and its quality, if you sleep with it on. And, of course, some other metrics. For some people, this might seem like a minor feature, but I think it's a game-changer. You can export the full report as a file, upload it to a neural network, and get a better understanding of your health risks. It's not a big deal, but it's definitely a valuable feature.

Oxygen/SleepThe alarm feature is still amazing. However, I've learned to turn it off through my sleep, so I always have a backup on my phone.

You don't have to search for your phone to check what's new and who's trying to reach you. That's a tiny detail, but it's incredibly convenient.

ECGI've got a long list of pros for these watches, but I'll say it again: don't rush out and buy one on a whim. You'll likely regret it and won't get the value you're expecting. However, if you're planning to get one and it fits your budget, I think you'll really enjoy using it.

❌❌Things I don't like about the watch.

The biggest con is the single strap size. I've wasted so much time searching for watches with an S/M strap... only to find M/L everywhere.

Apple Watch 5 44mmI have to say, the second thing that's bugging me is the cost of the adapter. The charging cable for my 8 series is a USB-C cable, not a USB cable. Luckily, I had a Type-C adapter lying around at home, but it's not the most reliable one. I'm planning to order a two-port Type-C adapter from Commo soon.

The price of a new Apple Watch is pretty steep, but when you compare it to regular mechanical watches from a mid-range brand, sometimes those are even pricier. In my case, I could have found something more budget-friendly, like a Mi Band or an Android smartwatch, but for me, it's not just about the time-telling anymore. I've got all my discount cards, a world map, notifications, time, alarms, and timers on my watch. After three years of using it constantly, it's become an essential part of my daily routine, so I didn't consider any alternatives.

One thing that might be a drawback for some people is the storage capacity – I only have 32GB of space, but honestly, I don't care. All my devices are linked to my iCloud account with 2TB of storage, so I don't really use the internal storage.

The material of the strap is super prone to staining. I opted for black Apple Watch (black case and strap in a midnight tone) because I knew the strap would be the same material as the one on my Series 5. That means any other color would stain and wouldn't come off with any cleaning products, including micellar water, acetone, or Domestos (I tried it all). On the plus side, the strap feels great on my wrist and is pretty sturdy and reliable.

Apple Watch 5 44mm Honestly, I don't consider these 'cons' deal-breakers - they're just minor quirks you get used to over time. And they don't really cause any discomfort. One thing that did catch my attention, though, is how easily my white Apple Watch gets dirty. If you take a close look, it can look pretty messy. The strap's also started to come undone in some places, but unfortunately, I couldn't get it to clean up. I tried using a mixture of water and detergent, lemon juice, acetone, and even washing it in the washing machine, but nothing worked. If your strap's beyond repair, it's probably easier to just buy a new one on Avito - they're not too pricey, and I've been looking for one. New straps cost anywhere from 1.5 to 3 thousand rubles, which isn't a huge amount.

❓❓Is it worth upgrading to the 26th series?

I'll be honest, I've updated all my devices to the latest software, including:

iPhone 13 Pro maxiPhone 11iPad mini 6 genMacBook Pro 2020Watch 8 45mm

First 3-7 days are always a bit of a struggle, but that's not new. I don't remember any iOS update where everything went smoothly from the start. It's just part of the process. My daughter's iPhone 11 had it the toughest, but it wasn't a huge loss (we're planning to upgrade it soon, anyway).

Apple Watch 8 45mm АКБOne thing I noticed was that the battery life took a bit of getting used to, especially since I had a 10% lower capacity battery (83% compared to 73% on my previous watch). For the first 3-5 days, I had to charge them twice a day. But after that, everything settled down, and it's been fine ever since.

Apple Watch 8 45mm ios 26I'm happy to report that the new software is working great on this version of the watch, and I have to say, if my previous watch had stopped updating in 2025, these ones will probably keep going until 2027-2028. That's more than enough for me.

👍🏻👍🏻My Verdict.

At this point, I'm happy with these watches, although I could have gone for a newer version... but I don't see the point (I'm investing more in my daughter and flowers these days). These watches are still relevant, on par with the latest models, and don't have any major differences. They last a bit longer on a single charge, the new software is supported, and they're not as prone to getting dirty like my previous ones. That's all I need to give them a solid 5-star rating. It's the same watch I've been using, just a bit newer and safer (in terms of updates).

These watches are great, comfortable, and perfect for Apple fans. I wouldn't buy them for Android (there are better options out there), but my mistake is that I just can't be bothered to learn how to use Android devices.

After a week of using the PowerPro 5000, I've got to say, I'm really impressed with the customer support. When I had a question about the return policy, I sent an email and got a response within hours. The customer service rep was super helpful and even offered to send me a replacement part for free. That kind of service is hard to come by, especially with a product that's still relatively new to the market.