Apple Watch Series 7 Review

The only difference between Apple Watch Series 7 and the Series 6 is a larger display, but for a device as small as a watch, that makes a big difference. Apple also increased the size of the user interface, making it simpler to read and navigate. The company also added some new watch faces and a full QWERTY keyboard for replying to messages to make better use of the larger canvas.

Other enhancements to the Series 7, such as a new SiP (system-in-package), faster charging, and nighttime respiratory tracking, are less noticeable. This may not seem like a substantial upgrade to people coming from the previous generation. However, for anyone moving from a Watch SE, Series 5 or older, the bigger display makes a significant difference.

Hardware and design

Despite the fact that its screen is larger, the Apple Watch Series 7 maintains a similar footprint to its predecessor. It’s a tad heavier than the Watch SE and Series 6, which is understandable given its larger case. Unlike prior generations, which came in 40mm and 44mm sizes, this year’s models are available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. At first, the difference is scarcely discernible.

When I switched the screen on, however, I was startled by how spacious it was. This was the point when the main design shift became apparent. Apple employed a refractive edge to make the display appear to curve slightly along the sides, making the face appear even more spacious. The bezels have been reduced from 3mm to just 1.7mm (0.07 inches) in comparison to the previous generation’s 3mm.

On a device as small as a smartwatch, every extra pixel counts. The buttons on the screen are larger and easier to press. More text can be displayed on the screen, or the typefaces can be made larger and easier to read. New watch faces can hold two full-size information widgets at once, and the Series 7 has an exclusive full-qwerty keyboard for inputting messages. None of these changes are groundbreaking, but they are welcome improvements to the Apple Watch formula.

Oh, and here’s a shout-out to its sturdiness: It’s the first Apple Watch to receive the IP6X dust resistance certification. Since I’ve been in reviewer mode, I’ve taken extra precautions to avoid damaging the device. But I’ll admit that I’ve already dropped the Series 7 and it came out unscathed, owing to Apple’s crystal coating, which Apple claims are more shatter-resistant than the Series 6.

Because the Apple Watch contains microphones and speakers, it can be used to make and receive phone calls. If it bugs you, you can easily turn it off; most people choose to silence it and rely on haptic feedback for notifications. When something requires your attention, it will ‘tap’ your wrist. Although you’re probably not comparing an Apple Watch to Android or Wear OS, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is substantially lighter than the Series 7. It also has a narrow body and a round face. But, if you’re an iPhone user, you’ve probably never given a Galaxy watch a second consideration.

The impact of a large screen

The difference in screen size may be less noticeable depending on which Apple Watch you were using previously. It has climbed by more than 50% since Series 3 and 20% since Series 6. In any case, the more roomy UI is beneficial. I didn’t have to aim as carefully to hit the appropriate keys because the buttons for entering my passcode sprawled out over the corners. I can view more of my friends’ messages at once, and it’s easier to click the proper settings in the control center. During workouts, I can see my heart rate and the amount of time that has elapsed. The addition of additional larger font size settings will be welcomed by those with visual impairments.

App icons are still squeezed together, despite the fact that most buttons are between 12 and 27 per cent larger. This is a problem for those of us that use the grid view for all of our apps, but not so much in list view. Because of the extra space, Apple was able to include a complete QWERTY keyboard for typing or swiping on the screen to respond to messages. A keyboard provides more freedom than handwriting, dictation, or emojis, especially when the system accurately recognizes your swipes. However, because the space is so limited, the accuracy rate is just about 60%, and I still prefer dictation. Furthermore, while the new screen is large, it is not large enough to allow for tap typing. Nonetheless, it’s a useful choice to have.

In addition to expanding most items throughout the UI, Apple has added additional faces, such as the Modular Duo, that can display more information at once. Like in Salvador Dali’s The Persistence of Memory, a Contour style pushes the clock’s digits all the way to the edge, where they warp and “melt” over the sides. The final two are a Portrait face, which we saw in the watchOS 8 beta, and World Time, which is useful when engaging with people from other countries. I used Modular Duo the most, despite its lack of aesthetic appeal, and when I needed something more attractive, I just switched to a classic one as the backdrop which actually looks amazing.

The handiest is the new Modular Duo screen. It allows you to stack two extended complications on top of one another while still displaying the time and a minor complication at the top. You can display the world clock with a timer or the performance of your favorite stock with Apple Music, for example. I chose a Spotify remote and the weather forecast as my soundtrack. Though the latter functioned well, displaying hourly temperature and sunlight data on the screen, the Spotify add-on was, to put it bluntly, garbage. It simply says “Tap to play music,” and I’d have to waste a tap and a second to get playback controls.

Although a fraction of a second may not seem like much, whether I’m out running or juggling my groceries, I don’t want to waste time holding up my arm and staring at my screen for more than a fraction of a second. I’m not going to dwell on this because it’s more of a Spotify issue than an Apple Watch issue, but given how many people use Spotify, making this complication operate better would benefit both companies. I’d want to see more beneficial app complexities as well.

On the Apple Watch Series 7 screen, there’s one final note: Apple has modified the system so that the Always-On display is up to 70% brighter when you’re indoors, despite the fact that its peak brightness hasn’t increased. If you have your hand buried beneath a table while at a meeting, it will be simpler to read.

Battery life, charging, and performance are all factors to consider.

 That pretty much covers up all of the Apple Watch Series 7‘s screen-related upgrades. However, there are a few additional noticeable improvements. The most important of these is that it charges quickly; I got close to 10% capacity in approximately 10 minutes. With the new cable that Apple gives in the box, it reached about 100% in under an hour. The Apple Watch SE, on the other hand, only got to roughly 60% in an hour.

To get these quicker charging speeds, you’ll need both the new charger and the Series 7. The greater rate is enabled by the coils on both the watch and the wireless disc, so this isn’t something you can get solely by buying a new attachment. I enjoy the speedier speeds as someone who frequently forgets to charge her watch until she is about to go out the door. Having said that, I still wish smartwatches in general lasted longer and charged faster.

When it comes to battery life, the Apple Watch Series 7 promises to last the same amount of time as its predecessor, which is roughly 18 hours. Despite the SE’s lack of an Always-On display, I discovered that I got around half a day more out of the new watch than the SE. With the screen set to Always On and monitoring between three and five workouts, the Series 7 usually lasted a day and a half, almost two days. While running errands with the GPS on, I also used the gadget to send a lot of texts and plan my walks. Given the larger screen, that endurance is excellent, but it’s worth mentioning that I haven’t used the watch for sleep monitoring yet.

Apple’s new S7 system-in-package (SIP), which is based on the same CPU as the S6, is largely to blame for the improved battery life. When it came to starting exercises or having Siri text my friends, I didn’t see much of a difference between the Series 7 and the SE. The Apple Watch has always been a snappy device that feels as fast as, if not faster than, its Android equivalents.

Updates include sleep tracking, watchOS 8, and other features.

Sleep tracking is one area where Apple continues to fall behind the competition. While Fitbit and Samsung can use the heart rate monitors in their wearables to discern which sleep zone you’re in, Apple still doesn’t. Before the Watch will record your sleep, make sure you have the Sleep Focus mode turned on (either manually or by establishing a schedule). The others can all tell when you’ve gone to sleep on their own and don’t require you to set a schedule. Fitbit, for example, has been doing it since 2015.

The Series 7 does provide a new feature that records your breathing rate as you sleep and reports your breath-per-minute rate the next morning. Cool. Respiratory tracking isn’t specific to the Series 7, and features like the new Mindfulness app, guided meditation sessions, revamped Photos app, SharePlaying Fitness+ workouts, and more are all coming with watchOS 8. If you already own an Apple Watch, they’ll be less likely to influence your decision to buy the Series 7. The Modular Duo and Contour watch faces, as well as larger font sizes and buttons and a QWERTY keyboard, are all distinctive to the Apple Watch Series 7.

Health tracking and WatchOS 8

The Apple Watch Series 7 uses the same watchOS 8 software as every other Apple Watch since the Series 3 in 2015. It includes a portrait photo watch face, iOS 15’s “focus” notification handlings, and the ability to set multiple timers simultaneously. It also includes improved text entry, including the option to use dictation, scribbling, emoticons, and a complete qwerty keyboard in combination. A revised meditation app that combines breathing coaching with mindfulness is also available.

Despite recent developments by Google with WearOS, WatchOS 8 is the finest supported and most capable smartwatch operating system today. Software support, including feature and security updates, is expected to last at least five years or longer, which is significantly longer than smartwatch competitors. The Series 7 contains the same comprehensive health-tracking functions as the Series 6, including the ability to take an ECG for heart rhythm, monitor blood oxygen levels, and track fitness across a wide range of workout kinds. Only multisport watches that track data in running, cycling, and adventure sports track more metrics.

The Workout app can be used to track any specific instances of exercise with more accurate motion detection. There are a lot of options to select from, including strength training, running, cycling, swimming, surfing, yoga, and more. When you’re ‘in’ a Workout, you’ll see a specific screen with useful metrics, for example, when jogging, you’ll see your current heart rate, distance travelled, and time spent running.

True fitness aficionados, on the other hand, will likely find the Apple Watch to be a little simple. Garmin makes watches with extremely specialized metrics that can help you improve your running style, but Apple doesn’t offer anything similar. It’s good for the vast majority of people, but you’ll be disappointed if you’re curious about your stride length during runs. Because of the built-in GPS, the Watch may be a very handy sat-nav device when it comes to distance. It will tap your wrist to signal when you need to turn when walking or cycling, and it will offer you large, clear directions.

Conclusion

Though the modifications between Series 6 and 7 are minimal, it’s important to remember that most customers who purchased last year’s model aren’t in the market for an upgrade just yet. The Apple Watch Series 7 will be a pleasing purchase for everyone else looking for a new smartwatch, especially if you’ve never used one before. WatchOS is a sophisticated and complete system that can track your exercises, automatically register your sessions, encourage you to be more active, and remind you to be careful of your mental health, all while acting as a terrific extension of your smartphone. However, it isn’t the best at tracking sleep, so if that’s important to you, a Fitbit is a better option. Despite its somewhat high starting price of $400, Apple now delivers the greatest product on the market, particularly for the iOS ecosystem.

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