Apple Now Says Apple Watch Series 8 and SE 2 Support Bluetooth 5.3

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When the Apple Watch Series 8 and second-generation Apple Watch SE were first announced, the Apple Watch comparison page said both models supported Bluetooth 5.0, but Apple now says they actually support the newer Bluetooth 5.3 standard.

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Apple's website still lists the Series 8 and new SE with Bluetooth 5.0 support in some places, but we received confirmation today from Apple that both models do in fact support Bluetooth 5.3 in the United States at a minimum.

All four iPhone 14 models, the second-generation AirPods Pro, and the Apple Watch Ultra also support Bluetooth 5.3, according to Apple.

Bluetooth 5.3 is said to include "several feature enhancements with the potential to improve reliability, energy efficiency, and user experience in many types of Bluetooth enabled products," such as the LE Audio specification. However, there is no evidence to suggest that Apple has implemented LE Audio yet in its latest products.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch SE
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral), Apple Watch SE (Caution)
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

jz0309 Avatar
jz0309
21 months ago

in the uk it still shows Bluetooth 5.0
Did you read the article?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kstotlani Avatar
kstotlani
21 months ago

BUT ONLY IN THE US!!! I talked with Apple and got an email confirmation that the European version of the series 8 and SE (2022) are just bluetooth 5.0...
I find this pathetic. Europeans pay more and get less ?
If you look up model numbers for Apple Watch the GPS version has one version globally called A2771 which means all have the same Bluetooth version which is 5.3.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nutmac Avatar
nutmac
21 months ago

why would it even matter tho you dont use bluetooth much it just pairs and once its paired that's it
When I go for a run, I pair AirPods with Apple Watch. AirPods Pro 2 has Bluetooth 5.3, which can improve the battery life and connectivity with Apple Watch Series 8, Ultra, and iPhone 14 series.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mystery hill Avatar
mystery hill
21 months ago

BUT ONLY IN THE US!!! I talked with Apple and got an email confirmation that the European version of the series 8 and SE (2022) are just bluetooth 5.0...
I find this pathetic. Europeans pay more and get less ?
The person who replied to your email probably looked at the Watch specs on the website. Apple usually keep specifications consistent across regions, so the EU version should also support Bluetooth 5.3.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pdaholic Avatar
pdaholic
21 months ago

why would it even matter tho you dont use bluetooth much it just pairs and once its paired that's it
The last paragraph in the article tells you how Bluetooth 5.3 is an improvement.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
Joe Rossignol
21 months ago

I don’t understand why there wasn’t a follow up “which countries do not have Bluetooth 5.3 in their watches”. This is still ambiguous.
I did ask this as a follow-up question. Apple didn't respond. So I published the information that I have.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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