The Apple Watch Series 7 has been made official by Apple. What are the differences with the Apple Watch Series 6? We take stock.

During its back-to-school keynote broadcast on Tuesday, September 14, Apple lifted the veil on the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini 6 and… Apple Watch Series 7. Like every year, the Cupertino company updates its connected watch. And, in 2021, it changes – a little – its look. Above all, it gains a larger screen.

Naturally, there are some differences between the Apple Watch Series 6 — which wasn't a breakthrough product at all — and the Apple Watch Series 7. 'Apple will not be available before this fall, at a date not yet communicated by the company.

The evolution of the design of the Apple Watch

Source: Apple

Apple Watch Series 7 is bigger and tougher

Apple Watch Series 7 looks more like Apple Watch Series 6 than rumors had it. Many expected Apple to apply its current flagship design — flat edges — to its watch. It will not be: the Apple Watch Series 7 retains the roundness and its curved edges. Nevertheless, the dial is a little larger: we go from 40/44 to 41/45 millimeters – which should not change the situation too much in terms of comfort. Good point: all the bracelets marketed since the very first generation are compatible – including the Hermès which cost more than the watch.

Apple has also improved the resistance, with up to 50% thicker and shockproof glass. We are also guaranteed IP6X certification, which will allow the Apple Watch Series 7 to survive dust (a big plus for the beach). Water resistance up to 50 meters is always required for underwater sessions.

Like the Apple Watch Series 6, the Apple Watch Series 7 will be available in three finishes: aluminum, steel and titanium.

Color update:

Apple Watch Series 7 offers 20% more display area

"The magnificent screen of the Apple Watch Series 7 offers almost 20% more display surface", promises Apple with its new smartwatch. This development should guarantee a better user experience, since the watch will be able to display more information.

For example, it will display a new AZERTY keyboard to enter text more easily. This keyboard will be compatible with QuickPath input, which offers the possibility of typing quickly by sliding your finger.

The watchOS 8 update will also include applications optimized for this larger screen (such as the stopwatch).

Like Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch Series 7 has always-on functionality. So the screen is always on and dims when not in use. On this point, we observe a gain in brightness of 70%.

Text on Apple Watch Series 6 (left) versus text on Apple Watch Series 7 (right)

Source: Apple

The mystery of the chip embedded in the Apple Watch Series 7

Apple has not said anything about the chip embedded in the Apple Watch Series 7, when we are so used to the multinational boasts of its latest (always more powerful and efficient). Developer Steve Troughton-Smith may have figured out why. In a tweet posted on September 15, he shares a screenshot of Xcode on which we can see that the Apple Watch Series 7 has the exact same processor as the Apple Watch Series 6. We understand better why Apple does not isn't boasting about it — which isn't to say the new watch won't perform as expected.

The Apple Watch Series 7 won't last longer

Apple obviously can't improve the battery life of its watch, promising up to 18 hours of use. It should always be recharged at least once a day. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 7 will fill its battery much faster (+ 33%). Thanks to this improved recharge, 8 minutes would be enough for an 8 hour night's sleep.

The Apple Watch Series 7

Source: Apple

Apple Watch Series 7 adds no health sensors

The Apple Watch has always been a health-centric product. Since the very first generation, various sensors have been added to monitor indicators such as heart rate, electrical activity of the heart (ECG) or oxygen level in the blood. The new watch uses these different sensors, but will not offer anything new.

At the level of the other sensors, we will find: GPS/GNSS, compass, altimeter (always activated), gyroscope or even accelerometer. The data sheet is completed with a speaker, a microphone and an ambient light sensor. Or everything that was already present on the Apple Watch Series 6.

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