Apple befuddled the leakers with Apple Watch Series 7, delivering a new watch that appears very similar to the old one. We’ve settled in to put the new Watch through its paces after recovering from the surprise of a missing new design. I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch Series 7 for almost a week, having previously worn the Apple Watch Series 3.
Going from a Series 3 to a Series 7 Apple Watch has been a life-changing experience, and I’m delighted to say that, with the exception of the Series 6 Apple Watch, Apple’s newest wearable product is worth considering if you’re wanting to upgrade. While I don’t feel there is enough here to support a Series 6 user upgrading after a year, there is more to the subject than you might think, and enough to at least warrant consideration. Most iPhone users have never had an Apple Watch, but the Series 7 is the greatest Apple Watch to date, and the one to get if you’re thinking about getting one for the first time.
Because so much about the Apple Watch Series 7 is the same as last year, our review will concentrate on what has changed. Of course, this refers to the display, as well as the S7 processor, new colours, and battery life (more specifically charging). Let’s get started.
Thankfully, the Apple Watch Series 7 is priced similarly to the Apple Watch Series 6. As in previous years, it’s available from all the usual suspects in all the usual places. The Apple Watch is available via Apple as well as a slew of third-party retailers in-store and online, including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Adorama, and a slew of carriers including Verizon and AT&T. However, be cautious because watches offered through carriers are sometimes tied to cellular plans, and you’ll almost certainly need an existing plan to get started. However, if you like your carrier and are thinking about getting a cellular Apple Watch, it might be a terrific choice.
The Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $399, much like the Series 6 (I’ll mention that a lot in this review). That price gets you the 41mm version of the watch in one of five Aluminum colours, three of which are brand new: Midnight, Green, and Starlight. The Titanium ‘Watch Edition starts at $799, while the Stainless Steel Watch starts at $699 in the smaller size. The price of your Watch is mostly determined by its size, GPS vs. GPS + Cellular connection, and the band it comes with. When combined with a Leather Link watch band or the Braided Solo Loop, for example, an Aluminum variant is significantly more costly ($449).
If you don’t want to pay for the Watch in full right away, Apple, like other merchants, provides various financing alternatives. AppleCare+ is available for an additional $79, or $4 each month.
The design of the Apple Watch Series 7 was undoubtedly the greatest surprise of the presentation, and a welcome one at that. Several leaks and speculations claiming that a new square-edged design was on the way were shown to be erroneous. Instead, the Apple Watch Series 7 resembles the Series 6 virtually identically.
However, a few minor design tweaks elevate the current model above prior editions. When you upgrade from a Series 3 to a Series 7, you’ll notice the larger display and more rounded corners. To begin, I’ve noticed that the new Watch’s softer edges make the design much more attractive and even a touch more pleasant to wear; they certainly make the Watch a lot sleeker, integrating more smoothly with your band and wrist.
The new version is a significant improvement over prior generations due to a few minor design improvements.
My new Series 7 is definitely larger than my previous Watch, but if you’re upgrading from a Series 4 or above, the actual presence of the Watch on your wrist should feel similar. The Series 7 is only 1mm taller than prior versions, the width is only 1mm wider on the 41mm variant, and the depth of 10.7mm is the same throughout the board. That means it won’t protrude any farther than prior models from your wrist.
Despite the fact that the front crystal is 50% thicker than the Series 6, there is no difference in thickness. The rear of the crystal has also been revamped with a flat base by Apple. Together, these features make the new Watch significantly more durable and crack-resistant. Apple compensated for the additional crystal thickness by embedding the touch sensor into the OLED screen, making the display thinner and lowering the display’s borders, which we’ll go over in more detail later. For the first time, the Series 7 is dust resistant, so if you’ve been putting off getting an Apple Watch because you enjoy baking or muddy outdoor activities, the new Apple Watch may be the one for you.
I’ll go into more about the display in the following section, but suffice it to say that Apple wasn’t kidding when it stated it had crammed a substantially bigger display into a watch that looks virtually identical to its predecessor.
When compared to Series 6, the Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Titanium Series 7 Watches are 1.5, 2.6, and 2.4 grammes heavier for the 41mm size, and 2.3, 4.4, and 3.8 grammes heavier for the 44mm. This may seem insignificant in comparison to prior years, but going from the Series 3 to the new watch results in a notable weight difference. When you combine it with the larger size, the new form factor requires some adjusting, and if a lightweight, low-profile watch is crucial to you for exercising, keep this in mind. Overall, though, Apple deserves praise for cramming a larger, more brilliant display, improved battery life, and SiP enhancements into a Watch that is a little larger than the previous generation. A succession of apparently little design tweaks combine up to make a significant impact, and while the Series 7 doesn’t appear to be much different at first sight, it feels nearly entirely new. Surprisingly, one of the nicest things about the Series 7 is that, despite the increased screen size, the design appears to have remained virtually the same.
What Apple has done in packing this larger, more vibrant display, better battery life, SiP improvements into a Watch that barely any bigger than the previous model is definitely to be lauded.
It’s evident from Apple’s speech and marketing that the display is the focal point of this year’s Watch. As a cynic, one could say that this is due to the fact that not much else has changed, but the new display is quite stunning when compared to earlier versions. As you’re probably sick of hearing, the new Apple Watch has a significantly larger display in a form factor that’s just marginally larger than prior years, and not in a way that anyone would realise just by looking at it.
Despite this, as compared to the previous Apple Watch, the new one is pixel city. The 352 by 430 pixels and 904 sq mm display area of the 41mm and 45mm versions, respectively, and the 396 by 484 pixels and 1143 sq mm display size of the 396 by 484 pixels and 1143 sq mm models. That’s about 20% more than the previous generation’s 40mm and 44mm versions, and 50% more than my old Series 3. Damn.
Not only has the display grown in size, but it has also been pushed outwards toward the watch’s edges. When using it, it’s clear that the Series 7 makes far greater use of the space available to it. The Watch’s viewing angles have also increased thanks to some clever refractive trickery, which goes hand in hand with the enhanced always-on display. When your wrist is down, the always-on display is now 70% brighter indoors (no change outside). Always-on was a fantastic addition to the Watch, and I’ve seen a significant improvement since upgrading from the Series 3. This is clearly less crucial if you already have an always-on Watch, but Series 7 is a significant upgrade over recent always-on models.
Having a larger display really transforms the Apple Watch experience.
The Apple Watch experience is drastically improved with a bigger display. Everything you do on the Watch is literally routed via the display, so everything is now bigger and more expansive. Menus and messages appear to be less congested, and the Watch now has a full QWERTY keyboard for the first time. I used to have trouble with inputting the 4-digit passcode on my Apple Watch. Menial activities such as this, changing settings, and others have become much easier.
To make use of the greater size, a few new Series 7 faces have been produced. Of course, faces are completely subjective, but I have to say that the new World Time face is rather remarkable, even if I’m not quite smart enough to figure out what it actually means. The Contour face, which you’ll remember from the advertising materials, isn’t my favourite, but it’s a terrific way to see how far the new display has progressed. Some of the faces from earlier generations appear almost absurdly enormous on the new display and take some getting used to, but there are always enough possibilities and intricacies to guarantee there’s a face for everyone. All of them are now clearer and simpler to look at, as well as easier to operate, with Series 7.
The Series 7 Apple Watch has the same CPU as the Series 6 Apple Watch. New display drivers and a new power management system have been included in the bundle. This implies that if you’re wearing an Apple Watch Series 6, you shouldn’t notice any difference in day-to-day performance – everything should be as quick and responsive as before. Users of the Series 5, SE, or previous versions will notice the Series 7’s fresh spring in its step since it is 20% faster than those models and significantly quicker than the older generations. Package modifications mostly aid in controlling the new updated display and maintaining battery life stats, which we’ll discuss in the following part.
The chip is, without a doubt, one of the most compelling reasons for a Series 5 (or earlier) user to consider upgrading, and one of the most compelling reasons for a Series 6 owner to forgo this year.
You might be disappointed to learn that the new Apple Watch Series 7 has the same dubious “all-day” battery life guarantee as to the Series 6. I’m actually glad the battery life hasn’t decreased year over year after using it for a few days and seeing the new display. My Watch has given me a full day of usage (7 a.m. workout to 10:30 p.m. switch-off) with up to 47% battery left at the end of the day. I had 28 per cent remaining after another 7 a.m. workout the next day at 11:30 a.m.
Apple claims to have detected a change in how consumers use and charge their devices with the introduction of sleep monitoring on the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Series 7 now charges 33 per cent faster, reflecting the fact that consumers increasingly choose to wear their watch all day, charge it before bed, and then put it back on to track their sleep, rather than charging it overnight. To that end, you can charge your Series 7 for only eight minutes to get a full eight hours of sleep monitoring, and it only takes 45 minutes to get from zero to 80 per cent. The enhanced battery connector on the rear of the watch, as well as improvements to the new charging cable’s puck, are the key to this. This means that you can only use the charger that comes with your new Watch to receive the full fast-charging experience. If you use a charger from Apple or a third-party stand, you’ll get the regular charging speed from last year.
You can charge your Series 7 for just eight minutes to enable a full 8-hours of sleep tracking, and zero to 80% takes just 45 minutes
If you, like me, don’t wear your Watch when sleeping, you should be able to charge it every 1.5 days, rather than every day on prior versions. If you already possess a Series 6, you’ll be upgrading for quicker charging, but not for extended battery life. But make no mistake: the charging increase is significant, and it makes the Apple Watch a lot more dependable companion if sleep monitoring is essential to you. And, as I previously stated, considering the upgrades to the Watch’s display, the fact that the battery life hasn’t deteriorated is a feat in and of itself.
The Series 7 runs Apple’s newest version of watchOS, as you might expect. More information is available in our watchOS 8 review. Focus, Mindfulness, and other new features have been added. As previously stated, watchOS 8 has a pair of new faces that take advantage of the Series 7’s bigger screen. The nicest thing I can say about watchOS 8 on the Series 7 is that because of the bigger display, every interaction with the software is better. Everything is crisper and simpler to read, and tapping, pressing, and swiping is a breeze. I gave the QWERTY keyboard a brief try in order to write “too tiny to be of any use” in the review, but I immediately discovered that this isn’t the case. It works very well using either taps or swipes and is a real and viable way of communicating.
With the Apple Watch, there isn’t much in the way of competition. I wouldn’t recommend any Android alternatives because they’ll never have the same level of integration or connectivity with your iPhone as an Apple Watch. To be honest, the Series 7 is in a league of its own, so it’s mostly competing for attention with Apple’s existing and older models.
The Apple Watch Series 3 is still available, but I don’t think it’s a wise investment in 2021. You can get your hands on the Apple Watch SE and Series 5 at more affordable pricing thanks to the greatest Apple Watch discounts available. The Series 6 is still available, but it offers only minor improvements over the Series 5, so if having the latest and best is vital to you, the 5 and SE are excellent choices.
If you’re only interested in exercise, one of the top fitness trackers available in 2021, such as the Fitbit Charge 5, is a good option.
You’ve never purchased an Apple Watch.
While the flagship Apple Watch is more costly than the SE or Series 3, there has never been a better time to acquire one.
If you’re looking to upgrade from an earlier Series Watch.
The Series 7 is a great alternative. It’s compatible with Apple Watch Series 5, SE, and previous models.
You’ve made a significant investment in the Apple ecosystem.
Watch, like other Apple products, functions best when used in combination with other Apple devices. You’ll also need an iPhone, of course.
You’re an Android user.
To use Apple Watch, you’ll obviously need an iPhone.
You’ve got a Series 6
Even if you purchased a Series 6 on launch day, you won’t need to upgrade to receive any new features other than a bigger display and faster charging.
You’re on a more limited budget.
The Series 7 is now the most expensive Watch available. The Series 5 is still a feasible option for people on a tighter budget.
The Apple Watch Series 7 is the excellent upgrade choice for anyone on one of Apple’s prior Series models, right up to and including the Apple Watch Series 5. If you put off watching Series 6 because there wasn’t enough to warrant the move from Series 5, now is the time to do so. If you have a Series 6 model, it will be less than a year old, so you can relax knowing you aren’t losing out on anything right now.
The Apple Watch Series 7 features the finest display Apple has ever put in an Apple Watch. If you purchase a Series 7, you will be astounded by the size of the display and the influence it has on every job you perform on the Apple Watch. There’s not much to be envious of if you’re a Series 6 user, but don’t underestimate the influence the new display has on the overall product. The Apple Watch is the greatest smartwatch available, and the Series 7 is the most advanced model ever.
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