Apple Watch Series 7: bigger, tougher, more of the same

We tested the Apple Watch Series 7, specifically the steel model in graphite color with LTE connectivity. Bigger screen and faster loading… is it worth the change? It depends on what you have on your wrist.

Rumors about the Apple Watch of the future start from the moment the new model is launched, and for a year there is time for many illusions that end up turning into disappointments. This year we expected a change in design, including new sensors to measure temperature and blood glucose levels, even blood pressure was going to be controlled by the Apple Watch. But the reality is that the Apple Watch has reached such a high level of maturity that the changes are already coming with a dropper, and this year confirms it.

New sizes, same design

The main novelty of the new Apple Watch is its larger size in both models. With minimal increase in overall size, Apple has been able to increase the size of the displays on both models, decreasing the bezels to the point where the displays extend to the curved edge of the glass, which It is especially noticeable when we view full screen photos or use their new spheres, exclusive to the Series 7. The screen is up to 20% larger than in the Series 6, and although at first it seemed that the change was going to be almost negligible, in real life it seems that it is even greater.

Use apps like Calculator, the Contour and Modular Duo dials (exclusive), or even the new full keyboard (also exclusive) highlights this larger screen size. It shows a lot ... although there is no justification why they are not also available in previous models, because if a Series 7 of 41mm can have them, a Series 6 of 44mm could also. It's a shame these kinds of decisions, because a year-old Apple Watch (Series 6) is already running out of some new software, and that doesn't do the device any favors.

In addition to the change in size, the screen is brighter (up to 70%) when it is in sleep, as long as you have the option "Screen always on" activated. If you have never tried this option of the Apple Watch, surely you will not value it, but once you have it you realize that it is tremendously practical Because it allows you to check the time while you're writing an article like this, without having to lift your hand from the keyboard and flick your wrist. This change in brightness improves this functionality and does so (in theory) without affecting the autonomy of the watch, so fantastic.

More resistant

We continue talking about the clock screen, one of its most delicate parts. Apple ensures that the front glass of the Apple Watch is more resistant to shocks, thanks to a new design with a flat base, in addition to certifying the watch as IP6X dust resistant, which gives it complete protection. Apple has never certified its watch with dust resistance, so we do not know the difference compared to previous generations. Regarding water resistance, we continue to have a depth of 50 meters, there have been no changes in this aspect.

Apple Watch still have different front windows depending on whether they are a Sport model or a steel model. In the case of the Sport model, it has an IonX glass that is very resistant to shocks, less resistant to scratches, while the steel model the crystal is made of Sapphire, tremendously resistant to scratching, but less resistant to shocks. In my experience, I am much more concerned with scratches on the glass than bumps, and it is precisely one of the reasons why I have opted for the steel model again after a year with the Aluminum Series 6.

Faster charge

Fast charging has been another of the aspects in which the improvements of this new Apple Watch Series 7 have focused. We would have liked more to increase the autonomy until we could reach two days without having to recharge it, but we have to settle for it takes less time to recharge. Something is better than nothing. This will make it easier to be able to wear it during the night to monitor our sleep and in the morning it serves as an alarm clock.. According to Apple, we can recharge our Series 7 up to 30% faster than the Series 6, from zero to 80% in 45 minutes, and 8 minutes of recharging (while we brush our teeth) give a whole night of sleep monitoring. .

Since Apple launched this new sleep function on our Apple Watch, I have become used to recharging it twice a day: when I get home at night while I prepare dinner and until I go to sleep, and in the morning while I shower. With this new fast charge I will be able to put the watch on my wrist earlier at night, without waiting to go to bed ... as long as I remember, which will happen very rarely. Perhaps with the passage of time this fast charge will prove to be really useful, but at the moment I do not think it will be a major change in the habits of the majority.

To be able to use fast charging, it is necessary to use a new charger cable with USB-C connector that is included in the Apple Watch box, and a charger that must have a charging power of 18W or be compatible with Power Delivery in which case 5W would be enough. The standard 20W Apple charger is perfect for this, or any other charger from a reliable manufacturer that we can find on Amazon at a lower price (like this). By the way, Apple's MagSafe base that costs € 149 is not compatible with fast charging, a great detail.

New colors but missing colors

This year Apple has decided to change the color gamut of its Apple Watch in a big way, and it has done so with a decision that not everyone liked. In the case of the aluminum Apple Watch Sport, We no longer have silver or space gray, because Apple has added a star white (which is white-gold) and a midnight (blue-black) to replace them. It maintains the red and blue, and also adds a dark green military style that is being liked a lot. If I had opted for aluminum this year I think I would have stayed with midnight, but none of the colors really convince me.

Perhaps that has made me go for the steel model, which was already haunting my head since before I knew the final colors. In steel it is available in silver, gold and graphite (because space black is limited to the Hermes edition out of reach for most). Steel always generates a lot of suspicion in those who think about it because of how it will withstand the passage of time, but it holds up much better than aluminum. And I say this after having had two Apple Watch in steel and two in aluminum.

Finally we have the option of the Apple Watch in titanium, with a space black and a titanium color that do not convince me, which is why I opted for steel, which is also cheaper.

The rest does not change

There are no more changes to the new Apple Watch. Larger screen size with more brightness at idle, more resistance of the front glass and a fast charge that I do not see too much use for at the moment. We have not even talked about greater power or speed when executing tasks, because there is not. The processor included in this new Series 7 is practically the same as the Series 6, which on the other hand works really well even with the latest operating system, watchOS 8, but it is the same. Some of us expected a little step towards independence from the iPhone, but neither.

There are also no sensor changes, no health features, no sleep monitoring, and no really new features, as there isn't. If we put aside the new dials, there is no exclusive feature of the Series 7, but not because they have been included in the others, but because there is really nothing new. The Apple Watch is a very round product, both by design and its health and sports monitoring functions. Heart rate measurement, irregular rhythm detection, oxygen saturation measurement and EKG performance set the bar very high, so high that even Apple has not been able to beat it this year, staying where it was. You can buy it from € 429 (aluminum) at Apple and Amazon (link)

The screen justifies it all

Apple has launched a new smartwatch in which they have bet everything on the impressive, beautiful and bright screen. It is truly spectacular as soon as you take it out of the box and turn on the watch for the first time. The change in size and the increase in screen area almost to the very edge make it look like a much larger watch than its predecessor, despite having barely increased the size. But that's it, nothing new can be said about this Series 7, at least nothing new that is really relevant.

The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch on the market, far from the second, and even this year's break is not going to make this distance shorten. The decision to buy an Apple Watch Series 7 must be made by looking at what you are wearing right now on your wrist. Will it be your first Apple Watch? So you get the best smartwatch you can buy right now. Do you already have an Apple Watch? If you had decided to change it, go ahead. But If you had doubts, this new Series 7 is not going to give you too many reasons to clear them in its favor.