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

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.

f1662570472
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 Forum: Apple Watch

Top Rated Comments

jz0309 Avatar
16 months ago

in the uk it still shows Bluetooth 5.0
Did you read the article?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kstotlani Avatar
16 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
16 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
16 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
16 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
16 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)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 17

28 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in December's iOS 17.2 Update

Friday December 1, 2023 2:57 am PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen three more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 28 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released this December. 1. Help...
anker new xmas

Anker's Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

Friday December 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST by
Anker's Black Friday/Cyber Week event is entering its final days this weekend, and it's still offering up to 60 percent off sitewide. There are also a few "mystery boxes" that can include hundreds of dollars in savings, if you're willing to risk not knowing what you're buying ahead of time. All of these sales will end on December 3. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker. When you...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Thursday November 30, 2023 10:12 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update....
iPhone 16 Mock Header Updated 1

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

Thursday November 30, 2023 4:08 pm PST by
The release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max saw the introduction of an entirely new user-configurable button known as the Action button, and now, MacRumors has seen extensive evidence confirming Apple is planning to include the Action button on the entire iPhone 16 range. Designs and plans for the Action button date back to at least 2021, as the button was intended for release alongside hapt...
top stories 2dec2023

Top Stories: iOS 17.1.2 Released, NameDrop Misinformation, and More

Saturday December 2, 2023 6:00 am PST by
Apple employees are back to work following a Thanksgiving break, and that means this week saw a number of new operating system updates for both public release and beta testing. This week also saw some misinformation about Apple's new NameDrop feature making the rounds, while Apple and Goldman Sachs appear to be on the verge of a break-up in their Apple Card and savings account partnership,...
paramount plus logo

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

Friday December 1, 2023 4:40 am PST by
Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their TV streaming services at a discount, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The companies have talked about offering a combination of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ that would cost less than subscribing to both services separately, according to people familiar with the discussions. The discussions are in their early stages, and it is ...
General Apps Messages

Green Bubbles on iPhone to Gain These 7 New Features Next Year

Thursday November 30, 2023 9:00 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple announced that it will finally support RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting later next year. This change will result in several improvements to the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices. RCS will become the new default standard for messaging between iPhones and Android devices, but these conversations will still have green bubbles like...