The article “Apple reveals Apple Watch Series 8 and the new Apple Watch SE” (Apple, 2022) introduces new features for the Apple Watch Series 8, which include integrated systems, and fitness sensors used in the Apple Watch Series 8. The watch has several health and fitness sensor features, namely a blood oxygen sensor, an electrical heart sensor, a third-generation optical heart sensor, a high-g accelerometer, a high dynamic range gyroscope, and temperature sensors (Apple, 2023). Among its fitness sensor functions, the watch can track heart rate, detect crashes, monitor oxygen levels, and analyze users’ body temperatures and distance traveled of the user. Among the various sensors, Series 8 introduces new temperature sensors and improved accelerometer and gyroscope. Apple mentions in its article “Track your nightly wrist temperature changes with Apple Watch” (Apple, 2023-a) that the watch collects data of the user’s body temperature with two temperature sensors, after which an average reading would be used to detect temperature fluctuations that can help forecast one’s menstrual cycle. Other than the temperature sensor, according to the article(Perez, 2022), the improved accelerometer can detect up to 256 g-forces, thus detecting if the user has been involved in an accident and is unresponsive. With its wide array of features including the latest sensor, the Apple Watch Series 8 provides a more versatile user experience when compared to the Fitbit Versa 4, as it offers a more versatile user experience that caters to various aspects of user’s health, safety, and daily activities.[BB1]
A
standout feature of the Apple Watch Series 8 is its blood oxygen application,
which provides users with two modes. The first mode allows for on-demand spot
checks initiated manually, while the second mode periodic background
measurements taken during minimal movement without any required action from the
user (Apple, 2022). In contrast, the Fitbit Versa 4 utilizes Fitbit SpO2
software to measure blood oxygen concentration during periods of sleep (Fitbit,
n.d.). Although both watches can measure blood oxygen concentration during
sleep, the Apple Watch Series 8 is more adaptable to different user needs as
they are given while the on-demand spot checks give users an option to measure
their blood oxygen concentration at any time of the day.
Another
feature of the Apple Watch Series 8 is the sensor-fusion algorithm for
detecting crashes, a feature absent in the Fitbit Versa 4. This algorithm
enhances the capabilities of the upgraded gyroscope and accelerometer
transforming the watch into not only a workout tracker but a proactive safety
companion, capable of detecting and responding to potential emergencies
(Apple,2022). To develop the algorithm, data was gathered by conducting a
professional crash test. Apart from this data, crash detection adapts to the
users’ daily activity by relying on a barometer, GPS, and the iPhone’s
microphone as inputs to identify distinctive patterns that may indicate the
occurrence of a serious accident (Apple, 2022). Without this algorithm, the
gyroscope and accelerometer are primarily used to track the workouts.
The
incorporation of temperature sensors in the Apple Watch Series 8, designed to
monitor nightly fluctuations and predict menstrual cycle (Apple, 2023-a), is
one such feature that adds another layer of versatility that goes beyond the
Fitbit Versa 4, which falls short in providing such comprehensive health
insights due to its lack of the required sensors.
The
Apple Watch Series 8 falls short in comparison to the Fitbit Versa 4 when it
comes to battery life. The Apple Watch Series 8 offers a maximum battery life
of approximately 18 hours (Apple, 2023-b). Conversely, the Fitbit Versa 4
boasts an impressive battery life that can last up to three days on a single
charge (Fitbit, n.d.-b). Although Apple made efforts to extend the watch’s
battery life to up to 36 hours, achieving this extended duration involves
activating low power mode, which requires the presence of an iPhone. In this
mode, certain sensors and features are temporarily disabled (Apple, 2022). This
limitation can pose an inconvenience for users who use the watch frequently, as
they need to charge their watch often to keep it functional.
In
conclusion, the Apple Watch Series 8 has the additional features like the blood
oxygen application, crash detection, and temperature sensors, which provide a
more versatile user experience for users as compared to the Fitbit Versa 4.
Despite the battery life constraints, the Apple Watch Series 8 stands out for
its comprehensive health and safety features, offering users a holistic
wearable experience.
Apple. (2022, September 8). Apple reveals Apple Watch
Series 8 and the new Apple Watch SE.
https://www.apple.com/sg/newsroom/2022/09/apple-reveals-apple-watch-series-8-and-the-new-apple-watch-se/
Apple. (2023-a, January 6). Track your nightly wrist
temperature changes with Apple Watch. Apple Support.
https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT213275
Apple. (2023-b, March 31). Apple Watch Series 8 -
Technical Specifications. Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/kb/SP878?locale=en_US
Fitbit. (n.d.-a). How do I track blood oxygen saturation
(SpO2) with my Fitbit device? Fitbit Help. Retrieved September 23, 2023,
from https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/2459.htm.
Fitbit.
(n.d.-b). Smartwatch. Fitbit.
https://www.fitbit.com/global/sg/products/smartwatches/versa4
Perez, S. (2022, September 7). Apple introduces the
Apple Watch Series 8 with a temperature sensor, crash detection and more.
TechCrunch.
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