YourNextApp might earn an affiliate fee on purchases made via hyperlinks on our website.
Regardless of missing new well being options or efficiency enhancements, the bigger show on Apple Watch Sequence 7 makes it a compelling improve and one of the best smartwatch you should buy.
At first look, attempting to identify the variations between Apple Watch Sequence 7 and former fashions is troublesome. The physique model stays unchanged, opposite to rumors earlier this 12 months, and there are not any further sensors for well being monitoring.
However all of that adjustments when you activate the show.
Throughout its lifetime, Apple Watch has acquired two important show measurement upgrades. Going from the oblong, postage-stamp measurement show on Sequence 3 to the rounded nook show on Sequence 4, and now growing the scale from Sequence 6 to Sequence 7.
New Show and Design
Apple Sequence Sequence 7 is available in 41mm and 45mm case sizes, only one millimeter bigger than the earlier Apple Watch Sequence 6. Until they’re held side-by-side, will probably be troublesome to note any distinction. The one apparent change is the speaker grill on the left aspect which is now one slit as an alternative of two.
The true story is the rise in show measurement. Apple Watch Sequence 7 has a 20% bigger show than earlier fashions. It could not sound like a lot, however the improve in display screen measurement, plus the bodily bigger casing creates a hanging distinction when in comparison with older fashions. Components of the person interface appear to move over the curved glass.
Apple Watch Sequence 7 additionally has a 70% brighter stand-by mode when your wrist is down. Whereas Apple solely talked about the brighter show when in stand-by, it appeared to be brighter outside as properly when in comparison with Apple Watch Sequence 6.
Total, the bigger and brighter show is noticeable even coming from final 12 months’s mannequin. By default, Apple Watch Sequence 7 would not show extra textual content in a listing or e mail, however customers can decrease the textual content measurement one notch to extend the quantity of content material on display screen. Those that sometimes improve font sizes via Accessibility would definitely profit from the bigger show.
Keyboard and Watch Faces
Distinctive to Apple Watch Sequence 7 is a full QWERTY keyboard accessible when responding to textual content messages or e mail. It is curious that earlier fashions did not obtain the total keyboard with watchOS 8, however the faucet targets on the smaller shows could also be unusable.
Tapping a person letter on Apple Watch keyboard is passably correct, however a greater choice is utilizing it as a swipe keyboard. A majority of the time, swiping to sort a response labored properly. I’d nonetheless default to dictating messages through Siri on Apple Watch, however I am glad the keyboard choice is accessible.
Additionally accessible on Apple Watch Sequence 7 are two new watch faces, Contour and Modular Duo. Contour is a colourful choice with numbers pushing all the best way as much as the sting of the show. It permits for 2 small issues within the top-center and bottom-center positions.
Modular Duo is a compelling new alternative that gives a small complication within the top-left nook, and two massive panorama issues on the watch face. Infograph Modular watch face, which is accessible on earlier Apple Watch fashions, solely allowed for one massive complication.
Customers can show a multi-hour climate forecast, coronary heart fee graphs, and different massive issues whereas nonetheless retaining legibility. Apps like Watchsmith present even better customization choices equivalent to putting a big photograph in one of many complication areas.
Efficiency and Charging
Apple uncared for to say the processor powering Apple Watch Sequence 7 throughout its “California Streaming” occasion. Whereas the brand new chip is labeled S7, it’s functionally the identical because the S6 present in final 12 months’s Apple Watch.
In different gadgets, a scarcity of efficiency enchancment could possibly be a priority, however having used the Apple Watch Sequence 6 for the previous 12 months I can attest that pace is rarely a problem with this processor. Swiping between watch faces, enjoying a podcast, or opening third-party apps is quick and fluid. There isn’t any ready round for an app to open or load in day-to-day use.
One in all my favourite apps to make use of on Apple Watch is AnyList. Made for grocery purchasing, AnyList can sync lists between customers, organize objects by class and retailer, plus it is accessible on iPhone, iPad, and even Android gadgets. Scrolling via AnyList and checking off objects on the bigger show was an incredible expertise.
Apple Watch Sequence 7 additionally touts quick charging, as much as 33% sooner than its predecessor. Charging for simply 8 minutes can present as much as 8 hours of sleep monitoring. However customers do want to supply their very own 5W USB-C energy adapter to make the most of these charging speeds.
Health Monitoring
One of the widespread use circumstances for Apple Watch is well being and health monitoring. Sadly, no new sensors or options have been added to the Apple Watch Sequence 7.
As with final 12 months’s mannequin, there’s a blood-oxygen sensor, built-in ECG app, coronary heart fee notifications, and fall detection.
Monitoring exercise and exercises stay the identical as earlier Apple Watch fashions, however the bigger show is useful when attempting to view exercise stats mid-exercise.
Sturdiness
Apple Watch Sequence 7 is swimproof with WR50 water resistance, additionally shared by Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Sequence 3. Apple additionally claims the entrance crystal is the strongest ever on an Apple Watch being 50% thicker at its highest level.
New to this 12 months’s mannequin is IP6X mud resistance. To check its sturdiness, we took Apple Watch Sequence 7 to sand dunes and dropped it a number of instances.
After taking a number of hits and being near buried in sand, we have been in a position to wash it off with no scratches or injury discovered. The Digital Crown was caught instantly after testing, however after a number of turns felt identical to new.
Ought to You Improve?
For individuals who have by no means owned an Apple Watch, this 12 months is a good time to attempt one. Throughout its six-generation life span, Apple Watch Sequence 7 is one in all solely two main upgrades in show measurement. Even in comparison with final 12 months’s Apple Watch Sequence 6, the rise in display screen measurement is clear and engaging.
Apple continues to promote the Apple Watch SE at $279 and Apple Watch Sequence 3 at $199. Whereas the lower cost could also be tempting, we advise towards shopping for Sequence 3. With a a lot slower processor and considerably smaller show, customers can be higher off in search of used Apple Watch Sequence 4 or newer fashions.
Apple Watch SE is a compelling choice and nice for teenagers or family and friends who’re much less technologically inclined. Whereas it lacks an always-on show and ECG performance, it outperforms Sequence 3 in each different class.
These trying to improve from older Apple Watch fashions, just like the Sequence 4 or 5, will acquire blood-oxygen monitoring, bigger show, and elevated efficiency. If these options are helpful, it is a good time to improve.
The toughest resolution comes for these with Apple Watch Sequence 6. Apple Watch Sequence 7 maintains the identical efficiency as its predecessor, there are not any new sensors, and battery life stays the identical. However for heavy Apple Watch customers, and those that would really like bigger textual content with out sacrificing seen content material, Apple Watch Sequence 7 is a compelling improve.
Apple Watch Sequence 7 begins at $399 for the 41mm measurement in aluminum, and $429 for 45mm. Shade choices in aluminum embrace Midnight, Starlight, Inexperienced, Blue, and Product Purple. Customers that need mobile connectivity within the aluminum end provides $100 to the value tag.
Chrome steel fashions are available Silver, Graphite, and Gold finishes beginning at $699, and Titanium fashions in pure and Area Black begin at $799.
Professionals
- Bigger show
- Two new watch faces
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Sooner charging
- Very sturdy
Cons
- No new well being options
- Processor is unchanged
- No third-party watch faces/li>
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
The place to purchase
YourNextApp readers can save on each new mannequin within the Apple Watch Sequence 7 Worth Information, with prompt financial savings and unique reductions at your fingertips.