Apple Watch Series 5 was my first true smartwatch experience and my first wearable from the Apple ecosystem. Why “true” because I get to shuffle between multiple devices due to the nature of my job, but none stays with me for a very long time. Series 5, launched in 2019, fared well and became my daily companion, keeping me connected to people and things I cared about most. At the same time, it encouraged me to be active and do more to set a new benchmark for myself. The year passed, and Apple had another new smartwatch, the Series 6, in 2020. It introduced the Blood Oxygen sensor and some tricks here and there that pushed me to upgrade.
This year, at Apple’s California Streaming event in September, when Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, showcased the new Series 7, I knew for a fact that it wasn’t as big of an update, and I could skip it. Well, that’s what I initially assumed. I have been using the Apple Watch Series 7 for a few days, and the improvements over the Series 6 have already flattened me. So much that I confidently say that this is the best smartwatch money can buy, but at the same time, this is not for everyone. So, long story short, who should buy it?
Apple Watch Series 7: What I loved
Starting with the design, the Apple Watch Series 7 looks identical to the Series 6. Until you look closely. The larger display stands out, and the refractive edges create a subtle wraparound effect that looks elegant on the Series 7. The new Watch also appears as a bumped up version to the Series 6, and no surprises there as the new models come in 41mm and 45mm sizes compared to the 40mm and 44mm seen on the Series 6.
The Apple Watch Series 7 features the familiar Always-On Retina display, which is roughly 20 per cent larger than the Watch SE and Series 6. Compared to the entry-level Series 3, the Series 7 has nearly 50 per cent more screen space. Apple has introduced new finishes, something we have seen on earlier versions as well. It comes in Green, Blue, PRODUCT(RED), Starlight, and Midnight colours. I got the blue coloured model, and it looks fantastic.Apple Watch Series 7
The Series 7 sports 1.7mm borders, the tiniest we have seen on Apple Watch models so far. The softer and more rounded corners on the Series 7 also make an impression during everyday use. Another thing that looked like a minor bump was the display, which was up to 70 per cent brighter indoors when the wrist is down, something Apple stressed during the keynote.
The 396×484 pixels screen resolution on the Series 7 is the best you can get on a smartwatch so far. The Aluminium models come with front glass, while the Stainless steel and Titanium models come with Sapphire front crystal. Feature-wise, Series 7 is the same as Series 6. But, thanks to a larger display, the Series 7 packs a built-in keyboard for Messages that uses the QuickPath function. I have been using Series 7 to type back small texts and respond to the messages. It works flawlessly. The good thing about the Series 7 is Apple has redesigned and enlarged buttons to complement the extended size of the Apple Watch. This makes it easier to tap keys on the screen while using Series 7.
Same as other Apple Watch models, the Series 7 also comes with a dust and water-resistant body. In addition, the Series 7 comes with IP6X certification, a first for Apple Watch, and WR50 certification for water resistanceThe biggest jump for me in Series 7 has been in battery life. Compared to Series 6, my Series 7 offered more standby hours with almost identical everyday use. The battery life improvement on the Series 7 is even more apparent when taking overnight discharge on standby, which was way less than what I used to get on the Series 6. The Apple Watch Series 6 lasted for roughly a day, and I had to charge it before leaving for work. On the contrary, the Apple Watch Series 7 manages to cut through almost two full workdays with around 20 per cent battery still left, which is incredible. Even with charging, the Series 7 is quicker and it takes 45 minutes to go from 0 to 80 per cent.
Apple Watch Series 7: Who should buy and who should not?
If you’ve read this far, you know how big or small an upgrade the Series 7 is over its predecessors. But, still, a big question here is whether you should consider buying the new Series 7 if you already own the Series 5 or the Series 6? Well, if you have Series 5, then Series 7 is a good upgrade, considering it offers plenty of upgrades plus a Blood Oxygen monitor that’s crucial. However, for people using Series 6, Series 7 can be skipped because it costs more or less the same as Series 6, so why again spend the same amount on incremental upgrades? On the other hand, people using the Apple Watch Series 4 or older can go for the Series 7 as it offers some new features and plenty of upgrades.
Currently, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the best smartwatch you can find on the market, even when taking all the Galaxy, Fitbits, and others are taken into consideration.
If you’re someone who wants more upgrades to the Apple Watch, including design refreshes, then you should wait for the Apple Watch Series 8 in 2022, which is likely to pack major upgrades, including the design.
Let us know in the comments section what you think about the new Apple Watch Series 7.
