The newest Apple Watch is here: the Apple Watch Series 7, which will begin shipping to buyers just a few days after this article is published in mid-October 2021. The Apple Watch Series 7 offers incremental but meaningful improvements over previous-generation Apple Watch products. Today, we’re checking out the Apple Watch Series 7 in an aluminum case with a “Sequoia Green” anodized finish on a 45mm case. Apple will also offer the Series 7 in steel or titanium cases, each of which offers its own unique color and finish options.
As an Apple Watch fan since the Series 1, it’s been fascinating to see what changes Apple makes with each new generation of its best-in-class smartwatch. Simply put, Apple seems to be just as focused on improving the software experience as it is on improving the hardware experience, and the tweaks to both in the Apple Watch Series 7 show how Apple wants to continue evolving the product, and are a response to how people are actually using their Apple Watch.
Let’s think about that last point for a second. I think it’s really important. Apple seems to be relentlessly studying data that describes how people use their Apple Watch, from how many hours a day they wear it to how often they look at the screen. Apple has learned that people want both brighter displays and larger displays. It may not be obvious to everyone, but two of the biggest improvements in the Apple Watch Series 7 are the larger, slightly rounded screen and the brighter screen in always-on mode. I don’t actually know if this latter feature has to do with better batteries and more efficient processing, or if Apple has simply decided that the average person still has plenty of juice left in each Apple Watch when they charge it, and can now divert more power to things like the screen backlight during the “wear time.” Apple is understandably keeping all of this background research from its engineering team secret, but I think it’s important to say that, at least as far as I know, no other product team in the smartwatch space is so relentlessly focused on how wearers actually use and live with the product. As a result, each generation of Apple Watch has felt more intuitive, automatically sharing information the wearer might not even know they wanted.
One great example of how Apple is continually improving the software experience is how the fitness tracking feature works. Apple knows that many people who wear an Apple Watch use it to track their exercise. Apple has started to automate exercise tracking, such as automatically starting a workout when it detects that the wearer is riding a bike (for example). This eliminates one of the issues with tracking exercise regimens: users often forget to tell the Apple Watch to start a workout. Additionally, Apple continues to add new niche workouts to the Apple Watch, which can provide more accurate feedback. One of the latest exercises added to the software is Pilates, and while I was able to do Pilates on my Apple Watch, knowing that the Apple Watch was properly “scoring” the exercises I was doing definitely made the experience more meaningful.
The big thing about the new Apple Watch is the new screen, which is said to be about 20% larger than before. Do you notice? I do. The first thing I noticed when looking at the Series 7 is that the screen is noticeably larger than the Apple Watch Series 6 (aBlogtoWatch’s review here). Not only is the screen more attractive, but everything (including the default font size) is a bit larger, which also improves readability. I’m not sure if the screen size and brightness alone will necessitate an immediate upgrade, but this is a very real improvement to the Apple Watch family of products.
The case shape is also new for 2021. Apple measures its watches vertically (instead of horizontally), and the new Apple Watches are 41mm and 45mm long, respectively. The one on my wrist is the 45mm long version, manufactured with an anodized aluminum body, a ceramic caseback (finally standard on all models), and features an “Ion-X” screen. While it’s a great value for an entry-level model, my personal preference is the most expensive Apple Watch material, with a sapphire crystal and a steel or titanium case. Unless lightness is absolutely important, I think the steel version of the Apple Watch is the best combination of durability and value. That said, you won’t get all the fun color options of the Apple Watch Series 7 aluminum (which Apple claims is made from 100% recycled aluminum). The aluminum comes in five colors, including a deep green tone, plus beautiful tones like red and blue.
Before the launch of the Apple Watch Series 7, there were rumors that the Apple Watch would have a new shape. This actually happened, but the difference in the case shape is minor. Most importantly, all existing Apple Watch straps will continue to fit the watch. I think it would be very hard for Apple to change the design of the Apple Watch to make its robust strap and bracelet universe useless. What we are seeing is the case becoming rounder and feeling more elegant. The watch no longer looks like a small iPhone on your wrist, but now increasingly takes on its own attractive rounded shapes and forms.
Most aspects of the Apple Watch have been improved, including faster charging times and a more intuitive one-finger text input on a smartwatch-sized QWERTY keyboard. As mentioned above, this is a combination of hardware and software updates. Some features are available on previous-generation Apple Watches that can be upgraded to the latest Watch OS software, while others are only available if you purchase the latest hardware. Another example that comes to mind is the improved dust resistance of the Apple Watch, which, like water resistance, is essential to ensure that the product can serve its wearers in a variety of scenarios and environments.
You may also notice that this Apple Watch Series 7 comes with a new strap that Apple is calling the Leather Link. It’s very similar to a related product that Apple made previously, the Leather Loop strap. This leather strap incorporates a series of magnets (larger this time) that work with ridges to keep the strap securely on your wrist. It’s one of my favorite Apple Watch straps I’ve ever purchased, and a great option for anything other than extreme sports where the watch might fall off your wrist.
Apple is constantly releasing new watch faces on the Apple Watch (though I crave more options). The new face that makes the most sense for watch lovers is the new World Time face. It’s the brand’s latest homage to classic timepieces. It’s interesting to note that every time Apple releases a new watch face, they try to come up with something very modern, while at the same time offering something very classic. It’s nice to see that the Apple Watch team is interested in appealing to different demographics, including the youngest wearers and those who enjoy the watch-wearing experience in a more nostalgic way.
Something I’d like to see Apple continue to develop is the ability to customize the start and end of your day. The software relies heavily on a “day-night cycle” but assumes people have “average” wake-up and sleep schedules. As a night owl (i.e., I wake up in the middle of the night), this poses strange challenges when tracking activity levels and other functions of the watch. I’d like to see future versions of the Watch OS software consider the value of being able to adapt to different wake-up/sleep schedules people may have. Perhaps this is already on the list of features Apple plans to add to future versions of the Apple Watch.
When it comes to the appeal of the Apple Watch, Apple’s ability to capture fashion fans as well as consumers who want the latest technology is impressive. The brighter always-on screen of the Apple Watch Series 7 will reveal its fashion value to many people. And, in general, it’s good to see the Apple Watch face getting as much attention as the case. Apple may not revolutionize the Apple Watch with each iteration, but they’ll be sure to make the new Apple Watch look and feel solid and attractive, both in appearance and functionality. Pricing for this 45mm Aluminum Case Apple Watch Series 7 with Leather Link Strap starts at $479. For more information, visit the Apple website here.
