No 5G support on the Apple Watch Series 8
Unfortunately for high-speed internet enthusiasts, the Apple Watch Series 8 does not support 5G networks. You only get the usual LTE/4G support. That’s assuming you purchase the Cellular model, of course. Considering the significant battery power 5G drains, it makes sense for Apple to exclude this upgrade on its wearable. The Apple Watch already has a tiny battery, and connecting to 5G networks will almost certainly make the battery life irritatingly short. That’s not to mention that 4G is already fast enough to execute internet-related tasks on the Apple Watch. These typically include texting, streaming music, and answering FaceTime audio calls. All of the aforementioned tasks work just fine on LTE.
But you do get eSIM support
As you might have guessed, the Apple Watch Series 8 does not have a physical SIM slot. So if you purchase a Cellular model, it indeed includes an eSIM. You can activate a compatible eSIM plan to text, call, and use 4G when your phone isn’t around. Though, it’s worth noting that actively using cellular functions on the Apple Watch drains its battery significantly.