Apple Watch Series 7 updates don’t look that dramatic – here’s what’s changing

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Apple / Screenshot by Scott Stein / CNET This story is part of the Apple Event, our full coverage of the latest news from Apple.

The Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $ 399 and will arrive later this fall. It was announced at Apple’s event on Tuesday. But the changes don’t look that dramatic. It has a larger display with thinner bezels, a faster charging battery that promises 8 hours of use after 8 minutes of charging, and a more crack-resistant front crystal. But the battery life – 18 hours – is the same as last year’s watch. There are also new colors for the aluminum case: blue, green, midnight (black), starlight (a gold-silver blend) and product red. It is also possible to add even more expensive upgrades to versions with steel and titanium cases.

Now Playing: Watch This: Apple Watch Series 7: Here’s What’s New

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It appears that Apple is keeping course on the rest of the watch’s design, contrary to what was previously reported on a completely revamped flat design. For anyone expecting a completely new watch (like I was), the seemingly small updates seem like a disappointment. But Apple has made small changes from year to year to previous Apple Watches. The only really new thing about last year’s Apple Watch Series 6 was the addition of estimated blood oxygen. This year, updates are also looking scarce and don’t look that different from a random distance. The promises of better durability and faster charging seem useful, although probably not enough for most to consider an upgrade from a recent model.

Now Playing: Watch this: Apple Watch Series 7 gets a bigger display

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A bigger display

The larger screen should allow for more readable and detailed watch faces, notifications, and apps, just like the Series 4’s increased size a few years ago. Apple claims it is 20% larger than Series 6 and 50% larger than Series 3. Buttons are larger on displays, and Apple says 50% more text can fit on the screen, while the display It is 70% brighter within always on mode. (A new full on-screen keyboard will now appear for text entry, as well as freehand writing and dictation options.)

The display is now curved at the corners, wrapping around the case a bit. I haven’t seen it in person yet, but I looked at a 3D model in AR and it shows the subtle effect from the side.

There are also new dials: a revamped modular dial and a dial that deforms the number with its digits around the curved edge. But there’s still no way to get new watch faces in a watch face shop, although Apple’s watch faces have a lot of customization options.

Promises of better durability

The watch 7 has an IP6X rating, which is new and promises better dust resistance. The curved crystal is also 50% thicker, according to Apple, which could lead to fewer cracks. But we haven’t tested it yet, and we don’t know how durable it actually is (and we won’t know until this fall when the watch arrives). The watch has the same 50-meter water resistance for freshwater, pool or ocean swimming as recent previous models.

Faster charging, but no better battery life

Apple is promoting fast charging features on the Watch 7, which promise 8 hours of battery life over 8 minutes of charging. This is useful, especially when perhaps you forgot to charge your watch the night before (or for people who wear the Apple Watch in bed for sleep tracking), but the watch’s overall battery life remains the same. Expect about a day and a half of use, based on my previous experience.

No new health features

However, any new features or health sensors are missing. Samsung’s recent Galaxy Watch 4 and last year’s Fitbit Sense have begun introducing new health sensors such as body analysis and electrodermal activity, but Apple hasn’t introduced anything new about 7 Series health since last. year. Also absent is any improvement in battery life or a shop of dials.

TBD price ranges

The Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $ 399, but we don’t know the prices for the different sizes, LTE-ready models, or for the different materials. However, expect prices to rise like previous Apple Watches.

WatchOS 8 coming before the Apple Watch Series 7

The latest version of Apple’s WatchOS is expected to be available on September 20, adding new cycling features, a redesigned Mindfulness app, and Wallet app updates. Maybe those updates will be enough for existing Apple Watch owners and they won’t see the need to update their watches at all.

Apple / Screenshot by Scott Stein / CNET

Apple’s watch range has been increasingly successful, especially with the consolidation of wearable competitors. Apple’s Fitness Plus subscription service, launched late last year, requires the watch to take advantage of its video workouts. Apple also announced a new group training feature at today’s event.

Last year’s Apple Watch SE tried to become a more affordable Apple Watch, but its starting price of $ 279 was still well above budget fitness trackers from companies like Fitbit. This year, the Watch SE and Series 3 remain on sale, with the SE still at $ 279 (269, AU $ 429) and the Series 3 at $ 199 (199, AU $ 299). International pricing for the 7 Series has not been announced.

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