Apple Watch Series 7 review
When is upgrading to Apple’s latest iteration of their Watch worth it?
I have been a big fan of the Apple Watch ever since it was first released with the Series 0. After owning the first Apple Watch for some time and then upgrading to the Series 4, I was looking forward to the possible innovations the Series 7 could bring. However, when Apple presented the latest iteration of the Watch this fall, I was a bit disappointed, to be honest. A bigger display, combined with faster charging and new colors, that’s the sales pitch for the latest version of Apple’s wearable. Not a particularly good one if you ask me.
I’ve been using my Series 4 since the summer of 2019, and I have worn it almost daily ever since. Even though Apple Watches are amazingly durable, the two and half years of wear showed on my Watch, so I was ready to upgrade. However, would it be worth it to upgrade for a slightly bigger display that could remain on all the time, a slightly faster chip, and blood oxygen measurements? At first, I resisted the urge to buy the series 7, but after getting an offer for my series 4 and a discount on the new series 7, my temptations to get one got the better of me. So, I have been using the 45mm Nike aluminum Series 7 for about 4 weeks, which gave me plenty of time to test and review it.
Display
The display is noticeably bigger than the Series 4 if you hold the two watches side by side. However, becoming aware of the size increase in day-to-day use isn’t easy. I realize the bigger display when I use some of the new Watch faces that “curve” over the edges, but it is undoubtedly not a game-changing difference apart from those instances.
While the bigger size is not as noticeable in day-to-day use, the always-on display certainly is. I very much prefer the looks of the Watch constantly being on. I believe the always-on display makes the Apple Watch look a lot more like a regular watch rather than the mini-computer on your wrist it actually is.
A final point relating to the display is Apple’s claim of the glass being even more durable than on previous versions of the Apple Watch. Apple says that the Series 7 has the most crack-resistant display of any Apple Watch ever. I like to believe that claim. However, this does not really relate to “micro-scratches,” the tiny scratches that are very small and accumulate over time on your display. After only about four weeks, I already have one scratch on the display in the lower third half. It is only noticeable if the light hits it right, but it makes me trust apple’s claim of supreme durability a bit less.
Overall, coming from a 44mm Apple Watch Series 4, the display of the Series 7 is definitely an upgrade. However, it is not game-changing by any stretch of the imagination. The slightly increased screen real estate is nice to have, and the always-on display makes the Series 7 seem much more like an actual watch, yet these changes have a minimal influence on day-to-day use. Furthermore, the tougher display may be even less prone to breaking, yet it is seemingly still as prone to micro-scratches as previous generations of Apple Watches.
Usability
While the display is the main selling point of the Apple Watch Series 7, another one is the improved charging speed. According to Apple’s own claims, the Series 7 charges up to 33% faster than the Series 6. In my experience, the faster charging and also the prolonged battery life compared to my Series 4 are real difference-makers.
I wear my Apple Watch literally all the time except when it is charging or taking a shower, so the quicker charging is a godsend. Because I don’t have a fixed “charging schedule” for my Watch, the faster charging is extremely useful and has saved me in quite some instances from running out of battery. This improvement is certainly one of the most usability-enhancing features of the Apple Watch Series 7, especially compared to my previous Series 4.
Pairing the faster charging with the increased durability enhances the Watch’s usability even further. However, what does not are the new colors.
I love the usability the Apple Watch brings, yet I have never been particularly fond of the design. I believe it is by far the most functional smartwatch design, and therefore it is good, yet, the design does not hide the fact that it is a computer on your wrist. While I am fine with this, I prefer this computer to have the most neutral colors (silver or something close to black) possible for a wearable in order to fit with most of what I wear. So even though I do like the blue or red Apple Watch colors, I would never get one of these because they can’t be easily matched with everything.
However, with the Series 7, Apple decided to exclude a truly neutral colorway for the Aluminium versions of the Watch. I went with the Starlight color, and it mostly looks like a silver color, yet in certain lights, it almost becomes a rose gold due to its yellowish hue. While it doesn’t bother me that much, I would’ve much preferred a truly silver option.
To summarize, the Series 7’s quicker charging increases its usability even further than previous generations and makes the Watch’s relatively short battery life (about a day in everyday use) much less of a concern. Combined with the increased durability, it makes the Apple Watch an impeccable everyday smartwatch. However, the new color options don’t do its usability a favor. There are no genuinely neutral colors, making matching the Watch and not making it stand out a bit more complicated.
Health
One of the most advertised set of features of the Apple Watch are the health features the wearable brings. An ECG, blood oxygen measurement, heart rate measurement, and everyday activity tracking are among them. Furthermore, Apple Fitness+ and the activity rings enhance the whole activity and health tracking experience the Watch brings.
Coming from a Series 4, I was already familiar with the ECG and also was motivated to close my rings as much as possible. So the one health feature new for me in the Series 7 was the blood oxygen measurement. Like the ECG, measuring blood oxygen is straightforward and extremely quick.
What also was new to me but doesn’t exclusively apply to the Series 7 is Apple Fitness+. Apple’s fitness service has a wide variety of workouts and is quite fun to use.
Overall, I love the health-focused features of the Apple Watch, and coming from a Series 4, they have only gotten better.
Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 7 didn’t make any enormous technological leaps. Likewise, the innovations aren’t particularly groundbreaking, with a slightly larger display, increased durability, quicker charging, and a new color palette.
However, coming from an older model, the list of upgrades also includes an always-on display and blood oxygen measurements. Personally, these, combined with an attractive offer, convinced me to upgrade, and I do not regret it.
I believe that upgrading from an Apple Watch Series 4 or older provides significant benefits in terms of overall usability and health insights while maintaining a familiar form factor and the same intuitive handling.
The Series 7 is a refinement of a highly functional and versatile wearable. While it doesn’t provide any new groundbreaking innovations anymore, it does everything the previous generations of Apple Watches did a bit better and a bit bigger.
As always, stay safe
Raffael
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Also, yes, I am back, after about a month of focusing on uni and celebrating the holidays, you can again expect tech reviews and more from me. Happy to have you on the journey.
