Pasito Tola is a tech enthusiast, writer, and engineer. He has a degree in Media Production and Telecom engineering from the University of Coventry and ISTA Ndolo. He is passionate about all things tech and has spent years exploring the latest gadgets, software, and innovations. His writing style is engaging, informative, and accessible, making even the most complex topics easy to understand. He is a valuable asset to our tech review site and we are lucky to have him on our team.
Apple Watch Series 7 With a larger screen, users can view more content on their wrist and benefit from enhanced notifications and fitness tracking functions. In this article, we look at some of the new features of the Apple Watch Series 7.
Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 has a 1.65-inch display, slightly bigger than the previous model. However, the difference in size does not impact the device’s battery life or general performance as it uses the same hardware and software as before. The new Apple Watch Series 7 has better battery life than its predecessor.
The watch’s design is similar to previous models, with a sleek, modern look that looks like an expensive piece of jewellery rather than a gadget you would normally wear. The case is made from stainless steel and is available in silver, gold and space grey. The Apple Watch Series 7 has a stylish ceramic back but is scratch-resistant. If needed, the watch’s case can be removed to access the battery or other components.
There are two different sizes of the Apple Watch Series 7, a 40mm and a 44mm. The 40mm display area is 39.9 x 33.3 x 8.6 mm, and the 44mm display area is 42.5 x 35.2.
Apple Watch Series 7 has one model for men and another for women.
The difference in the watches is that the woman’s watch features a white ceramic case with two diamond-cut edges on the top and bottom, while the man’s watch has an aluminium case with a matte finish.
The Apple Watch Series 7 is powered by a dual-core processor, which makes it quicker and more responsive than previous models. It has 4GB of storage that can be expanded to 128GB using an SD card or iCloud Drive service. The new version also features cellular connectivity.
Pros
• It is extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear.
• The battery lasts for days on a single charge.
• It has excellent fitness tracking capabilities, especially with the heart rate monitor and Apple’s built-in Health app.
Cons
• The device is not waterproof.
• The speaker quality could be better.
• Battery life can be an issue for some users.
• The watch’s screen is not as bright as other smartwatches.
Apple Watch Series 6 review: The watch that cares more about your health
What’s new in the Apple Watch 7 at a glance
• An upgrade has been made to the display to a bigger and sharper OLED. (20% more surface area)
• The watch comes in two sizes: 41mm and 45mm.
• The Series 7 is powered by a dual-core processor, which makes it faster than previous models.
- Watch OS 8 and new features, including text entry (with a keyboard in particular), an optimized interface to make the most of the larger screen, 2 new dials, improved fall detection, new sports activities
- Faster charging (charger/recharging) of the watch (33% gain) but still 18 hours of battery life
- Only one Apple Watch 7 model (GPS and GPS + Cellular). No Apple Watch SE2 model. The Apple Watch SE model remains unchanged and continues to be offered for sale.
A new screen 20% larger for a casing of almost unchanged dimensions
The great novelty of the Apple Watch 7 is to offer a screen offering 20% more surface while maintaining almost the same case size (41 and 45 mm instead of 40 and 44 mm). The definition thus improves to 448 x 368 px (41 mm model) instead of 394 x 324 and 484 x 396 pixels (45 mm model) instead of 448 x 368 px.
To achieve this feat, Apple engineers integrated the touch sensor into the OLED panel of the display to become one with the screen and reduced the edges of the screen by 40%, thus gaining 1 mm on each side. The gain goes up to 50% compared to the Apple Watch 3, the old Apple Watch model still on the market. We can see the difference between the three models in the photo below.
The Apple Watch operating system, WatchOS, has been updated to make the most of this new display surface. Buttons and menus are displayed more extensively; 2 new fonts have been added. The interface is, therefore, more pleasant to use, and the interaction with the watch is more straightforward.
Apple Watch 7 gains in display area: + 50% compared to Apple Watch 3 and + 20% compared to Apple Watch 6
Watch OS 8: new features to simplify everyday life
WatchOS 8, the new Apple Watch operating system, brings many new features that can also benefit older Apple Watch models, from Series 3 (if you have an iPhone 6s or later and iOS15 or later).
User interface optimized for the larger screen.
The interface, first of all, has been optimized to make the most of the size of the new screen. In particular, there are two new dials:
The two new Contour (left) and Modulaire duo dial
- Contour: This dial offers a fluid animation allowing you to see the time at a glance. The numbers are glued to the edge of the screen.
- Modular duo: this dial uses the entire surface of the new screen to display two central complications displaying numerous data.
The Apple 7 also offers two additional font sizes. For easier interaction and increased readability, menu titles and buttons for several Apps are displayed in a larger format.
Text entry via full keyboard and QuickPath function
The new AZERTY keyboard and QuickPath feature make it easy to enter text, simplifying communication.
A new QWERTY keyboard lets you enter text, and the new QuickPath feature enables you to enter text with a swipe of your finger, just like on smartphones. The watch also has a machine learning feature that offers words based on context, making typing easier.
New apps to improve everyday life
In terms of apps, a new Mindfulness App complements the watch’s relaxation tools. It guides the user in breathing exercises and offers guided meditations (requires a subscription to Fitness +), the goal being to help reduce stress. The Reflection function, for example, helps to focus on a thought and refocus, thanks to a soothing animation.
Tracking breathing rate while sleeping has been added to the health functions. Sleep monitoring is also enriched with new data: average heart rate during the night, blood oxygen level, time to fall asleep.
The watch can also store the electronic keys of a home or office to enter them with a simple wave of the hand (it is, of course, already necessary to have electronic locks).
People who have a Homekit compatible camera will be able to know who is ringing the doorbell of their home directly from their wrist!
The Apple Watch 7 offers new apps designed to make everyday life easier.
The Photos app has been revisited to improve the user experience. It offers new display options that make it easier to view photos and navigate.
Watch OS 8 offers enhancements to existing apps to make them easier to use.
Sports activities: new exercises and improvements to existing apps
Watch OS8 offers new sports activities:
- Tai chi
- Pilates
- Electric bike (VAE)
The new Watch has a more advanced algorithm for detecting falls, especially when cycling.
For cyclists, Apple offers more advanced algorithms that detect cycling activity automatically and use onboard sensors (GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, heart rate monitor)—going for a walk forgetting to start recording? No more risk of losing data! No problem, the Apple Watch 7 detects that you are cycling and offers you to create the exercise. The watch also detects moments of inactivity (rest time, stops at a red light, etc.) and automatically pauses.
Watch OS 8 also takes into account rides on electrically-assisted bicycles (VAE). The watch more accurately measures calories burned from GPS and heart rate data. It identifies whether you are pedalling with or without assistance.
To encourage the athlete without disturbing him in his concentration during his race, the watch offers audio feedback announcing the objectives achieved and the progress of the Activity rings. Communication takes place via the built-in speaker of the Apple Watch or through a Bluetooth headset or earphones (Airpods).
Finally, the fall detection function has been optimized for cycling and a few other activities. Previously, it was based only on the athlete’s immobility for about 1 minute.
Apple Watch Series 7 Features, Design, and Functionality
Features
- Bigger, brighter, and tougher display that extends to the edge of the device
- New colours
- Faster charging
- Always-on Retina display with nearly 20% more screen area than the Series 6
- Full keyboard with optional tap and swipe inputs
- Heart rate, electrocardiograms (ECGs), blood oxygen, and activity tracking
Design
- 20% more screen area than the Series 6
- Borders around the watch face have been reduced by 40%, allowing for 20% more screen area than its predecessor
- Refracts light around the edges, creating a wraparound effect
- 41mm and 45mm sizes
- Two titanium colour variants are available
Functionality
- User interface improvements since Apple Watch Series 4
- Larger buttons that take advantage of the larger display
- Sleep tracking relies on a schedule and lags the competition
- Battery life of 24-30 hours from a single charge
Our opinion on the Apple Watch 7
After the ECG appeared on the Apple Watch 4 and the pulse oximeter on the Apple Watch 6, new sensors and health functions were expected on the Apple Watch 7. The noises had hinted at a possible process measuring blood pressure or blood sugar. It is not so.
Apart from a larger and more robust screen, faster recharging, and some new features, WatchOS 8, which will also benefit older models, there is nothing to replace its Apple Watch 6. This new model ultimately offers few new features, whether in functionality, sensors or even the processor (unchanged).
The ultra-complete Apple Watch 7 is the model to choose if you don’t have an Apple Watch yet. If you have the Apple Watch 6, changing the watch is only beneficial for the larger screen.
The new Apple Watch will be of interest to new users (be careful, you must have an iPhone).
To date, it is the most complete, robust and comfortable model to use in terms of navigation (easier reading, easier typing, more pleasant interface). It is the watch to choose from unless you are on a budget. In this case, the Apple Watch 6 or the Apple Watch SE, or even the Apple Watch 3, are still good options.
For users who already have an Apple Watch, it is above all the new screen size that must be considered in the balance. The larger screen and optimized display and fonts make reading more accessible and comfortable browsing and entering text. Brightness in standby mode also simplifies life (no need to lift your wrist to tell the time). This is a significant comfort for some users.
The greater robustness of the watch also allows you to go to sport with peace of mind. It will withstand shocks and drops much better thanks to its improved robustness and dust resistance. Therefore, using on the beach or a mountain bike becomes more feasible (which was not apparent with the old models).
Apple does not hesitate to let it be known by showing, in Ksa ey Note, a mountain biker falling to the ground! Note that the glass remains sensitive to scratches, unlike watches with sapphire or Corning Gorilla glass.
Fast charging is also an important point to consider if you play sports or use your watch to communicate. The theoretical 18 hours quickly melt away in this case. Being able to save a few hours of use in just a few minutes of recharging is a real asset.
We, therefore, recommend this model for new users and people for whom the larger screen and fast charging make sense. For others, there is no need to change your watch. We can take advantage of the lower prices of previous models still on the market for new users with limited budgets.
FAQs:
What are the new features of the Apple Watch Series 7?
The Apple Watch Series 7 boasts a bigger, brighter, and tougher edge-to-edge display with 20% more screen area, quicker charging, fresh colour options, and a QWERTY keyboard. This redesign is Apple’s first major overhaul since the Series 4’s introduction in 2018.
How does its battery life compare to other smartwatches?
Apple Watch Series 7 lasts 24-30 hours on a charge, while the Series 8 and 7 offer 18 hours with fitness tracking and sleep-tracking. The Ultra model has 36 hours of standard battery life, up to 60 hours in Low Power mode. Tips exist for maximizing Series 7 battery life.
Pasito Tola is a tech enthusiast, writer, and engineer. He has a degree in Media Production and Telecom engineering from the University of Coventry and ISTA Ndolo. He is passionate about all things tech and has spent years exploring the latest gadgets, software, and innovations. His writing style is engaging, informative, and accessible, making even the most complex topics easy to understand. He is a valuable asset to our tech review site and we are lucky to have him on our team.
