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The deal was real, but it is not verified as current. On April 26, 2024, Walmart was reported to have the Apple Watch Series 8 GPS + Cellular at $299 for 41mm and $329 for 45mm—$200 below the reported regular prices. As of September 14, 2026, those prices, stock levels, sellers, and product conditions should be treated as unconfirmed until you check the live Walmart listings.
If the watch is still available as a new or trustworthy refurbished unit at a substantially lower price than a newer cellular Apple Watch, it can be a sensible buy for an iPhone owner who wants LTE, ECG, fall detection, and an always-on display. Cellular service, regional compatibility, battery condition, and software-support expectations are the important catches.
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What the original Walmart deal included
PhoneArena reported on April 26, 2024 that Walmart was selling two aluminum Apple Watch Series 8 GPS + Cellular configurations at these prices:
| Model | Reported deal price | Reported regular price | Reported saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41mm | $299 | $499 | $200 |
| 45mm | $329 | $529 | $200 |
Those are historical prices, not confirmed September 2026 prices. The original Walmart destinations are the 45mm listing and 41mm listing. Walmart product pages can remain indexed after inventory disappears, and Marketplace listings can change seller, condition, or price without the product title changing.
#1 Best Overall
![Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS + Cellular, 45mm] - Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band, M/L (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41aSKpvnsFL._SL160_.jpg)
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 8 — Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. Advanced sensors provide insights to help you better understand your health. New safety features can get you help when you need it. The bright, Always-On Retina display is easy to read, even when your wrist is down.
- CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY — Send a text, make a call, and stream music without your iPhone, even while traveling internationally. Use Family Setup to manage Apple Watch for family members who don’t have an iPhone.
- EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE — Available in a range of sizes and materials, with dozens of bands to choose from and watch faces with complications tailored to whatever you’re into.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Crash Detection and Fall Detection can automatically connect you with emergency services in the event of a severe car crash or a hard fall. And Emergency SOS provides urgent assistance with the press of a button.
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES — Temperature sensing is a breakthrough feature that provides deep insights into women’s health. Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if you have an irregular rhythm. And see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep with Sleep Stages.
Check these details before calling it a deal
On each live product page, confirm:
- the current price, stock status, tax, and delivered total;
- whether the watch is new, refurbished, renewed, or open-box;
- the seller and whether Walmart or a Marketplace vendor handles fulfillment;
- the return period and warranty;
- the exact case, color, band size, and included charger;
- that it is an aluminum GPS + Cellular model rather than a GPS-only or stainless-steel configuration;
- that it is an appropriate regional variant for your carrier; and
- that no activation, financing, or carrier restriction is hidden in the listing terms.
“New” is also worth interpreting carefully. Series 8 launched in 2022, so new-old-stock may mean an unused older product rather than current-generation hardware.
What the Series 8 still offers
Apple introduced the Series 8 in 2022. According to Apple’s technical specifications, it has:
- 41mm and 45mm case options;
- aluminum and stainless-steel configurations;
- an always-on OLED Retina display rated up to 1,000 nits;
- Apple’s S8 dual-core SiP and 32GB of storage;
- ECG capability and heart-rate monitoring;
- a blood oxygen sensor and Blood Oxygen app, subject to regional availability;
- Fall Detection and Crash Detection;
- IP6X dust resistance;
- water resistance to 50 meters for shallow-water activities; and
- Bluetooth 5.3.
Apple rates the GPS + Cellular Series 8 for up to 18 hours of battery life under controlled test conditions. That estimate includes four hours of LTE use and 14 hours connected to an iPhone over Bluetooth. Calls, streaming, navigation, workouts, weak cellular reception, and prolonged standalone use can reduce endurance.
41mm or 45mm: which should you buy?
Choose 41mm for a smaller, lighter watch
The 41mm aluminum GPS + Cellular model weighs approximately 32.2 grams and has a display area of 904 square millimeters. It is the better fit for smaller wrists or anyone who dislikes a bulky watch. It was also $30 cheaper in the original report.
Choose 45mm for easier reading and tapping
The 45mm aluminum model weighs approximately 39.1 grams and has a display area of 1,143 square millimeters. It is preferable for larger wrists, more comfortable text reading, and easier on-screen controls.
Rank #2
- Temperature Sensing Technology: Advanced sensors provide temperature insights and support health tracking features.
The larger case does not provide materially different core health capabilities. The decision is primarily about fit, visibility, and price.
Cellular is useful—but it is not free independence
GPS + Cellular allows the watch to make calls, send messages, stream content, and use data away from the iPhone when cellular service is activated. It does not mean the watch automatically has mobile service at no additional cost.
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You generally need a compatible iPhone, an eligible wireless plan, carrier activation through the Watch app, and a carrier that supports Apple Watch. Eligibility can vary for prepaid, older, corporate, and enterprise accounts. Check Apple’s carrier list and your own carrier before buying.
A GPS-only watch can still perform many everyday functions and may support emergency communication through a nearby iPhone or Wi-Fi connection in supported circumstances. If you almost always carry your phone, GPS-only may offer better total value by avoiding a recurring watch-line charge.
Cellular models are also region-optimized. Apple says no single Apple Watch cellular model supports cellular service worldwide. An imported or incorrectly regioned unit may not work with your carrier, even if the hardware looks identical. Family Setup, marketed by Apple as Apple Watch For Your Kids, has separate carrier requirements as well.
Rank #3
- WHY APPLE WATCH SERIES 8 — Your essential companion for a healthy life is now even more powerful. Advanced sensors provide insights to help you better understand your health. New safety features can get you help when you need it. The bright, Always-On Retina display is easy to read, even when your wrist is down.
- CELLULAR CONNECTIVITY — Send a text, make a call, and stream music without your iPhone, even while traveling internationally. Use Family Setup to manage Apple Watch for family members who don’t have an iPhone.
- EASILY CUSTOMIZABLE — Available in a range of sizes and materials, with dozens of bands to choose from and watch faces with complications tailored to whatever you’re into.
- INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES — Crash Detection and Fall Detection can automatically connect you with emergency services in the event of a severe car crash or a hard fall. And Emergency SOS provides urgent assistance with the press of a button.
- ADVANCED HEALTH FEATURES — Temperature sensing is a breakthrough feature that provides deep insights into women’s health. Keep an eye on your blood oxygen. Take an ECG anytime. Get notifications if you have an irregular rhythm. And see how much time you spent in REM, Core, or Deep sleep with Sleep Stages.
Is a Series 8 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, when the discount is substantial and the listing is trustworthy. The Series 8 remains attractive if you want LTE and established health and safety features but do not need the newest display, processor, gestures, or battery improvements.
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Use Apple’s current comparison tool to judge the price gap against newer models. Do not assume that Series 8 and Series 9, or later watches, are identical; compare the specific display, processor, health features, battery claims, case options, and compatibility requirements. The Series 8’s 1,000-nit display is less bright than newer premium models shown in Apple’s comparison framework.
A newer Apple Watch becomes the safer choice when its price is only slightly higher, when you want the longest expected software-support runway, or when newer hardware and display improvements matter more than saving money. An Apple Watch SE may also be a better fit if you want a newer lower-cost watch and can live without features such as ECG, depending on the generation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.New old-stock versus refurbished
A new old-stock Series 8 can be appealing because its battery should not have accumulated normal user wear, although storage age and warranty terms still matter. A reputable refurbished unit may cost less, but battery health becomes central.
For refurbished or used stock, confirm:
- battery health or the seller’s minimum battery guarantee;
- that Activation Lock has been removed;
- that the watch can pair normally with your iPhone;
- the warranty and return deadline;
- that the charger and advertised band are included; and
- who pays return shipping if the watch cannot be activated.
A watch locked to another Apple Account cannot be set up normally. A low price is not a bargain if the battery is near replacement or the seller will not accept a return.
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Rank #4
- Stay connected to family and friends with calls, texts, and email, and stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks on the go, even when you don’t have your phone
- Always-on Retina display has nearly 20% more screen area than Series 6, making everything easier to see and use than ever before
- The most crack-resistant front crystal yet on an Apple Watch, IP6X dust resistance, and swimproof design just to name a few awesome features
- Take an anytime, anywhere - Get high and low heart rate, and irregular heart rhythm notifications - Measure your blood oxygen with a powerful sensor and app
- Track your daily activity on Apple Watch, and see your trends in the Fitness app - Stay in the moment with the new Mindfulness app, and reach your sleep goals with the Sleep app
Confirm iPhone and software compatibility
The Series 8 launched with watchOS 9 and launch-era requirements of an iPhone 8 or later, or iPhone SE (second generation) or later, running iOS 16. Those are historical launch requirements, not a guarantee of the current setup requirements.
Before checkout, verify your iPhone model, its current iOS version, and Apple’s setup requirements at the time of purchase. Also confirm that the specific Walmart unit can be updated and activated normally. Do not treat the Series 8 as “future-proof” without current Apple compatibility documentation.
Buyer checklist
- Open the live Walmart listing rather than relying on the headline or search snippet.
- Record the actual price, stock status, seller, condition, return policy, and warranty.
- Confirm 41mm or 45mm, GPS + Cellular, case material, band size, and included accessories.
- Check the regional model and carrier compatibility.
- Calculate the watch price plus taxes, activation costs, and recurring cellular service.
- If refurbished, verify battery health and Activation Lock terms.
- Compare the final total with a newer GPS or cellular Apple Watch before ordering.
Verdict
Buy the Series 8 only if the original discount has effectively returned and the listing passes the condition, seller, regional, and carrier checks. At the reported $299 for 41mm or $329 for 45mm, it was a compelling cellular Apple Watch deal in 2024. In 2026, those prices should be used as a benchmark—not as a claim that the offer is still live.
It is best for an iPhone owner who specifically wants inexpensive LTE and does not mind an Apple-rated 18-hour battery. Skip it if the price is close to a newer model, the battery condition is undisclosed, the seller is unclear, or you will not use cellular service.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
