big screen, but (too) small upgrade

The Apple Watch Series 7 is a major upgrade, at least in a literal sense. The new Apple watch has a larger and brighter screen, but offers few extras. Is this the smartwatch you need?

Apple Watch Series 7 review

Last year, Apple did not tinker with the design; the Watch 6 did receive new sensors that measure the blood oxygen level. With the brand new Apple Watch Series 7, it’s the other way around, as the main focus is the larger display design. Important (health) functions are missing.

We think the new Apple Watch Series 7 is excellent. The larger screen is a big plus and you charge the clock faster than before. It’s the best Apple Watch we’ve had on the wrist. Or even stronger: in our opinion there is no better smartwatch. But you can read that we are not overflowing with enthusiasm in this Apple Watch Series 7 review.

Design and screen

In terms of design, the Series 7 is very similar to the previous models. The watch case is square again, the sides are rounded and there is a rotary knob. This means that the latest clock still looks (too) much like the first Apple Watch, which the company released seven years ago. The smartwatch still looks high-quality and stylish, but it is time for a new design.

Still, Apple is making a design change that will make everyone happy. While the case size barely increases (they come in 41 and 45 millimeter versions), you have almost 20 percent more screen than with the Apple Watch Series 6. Compared to the Series 3, the display is even more than 50 percent larger.

Apple makes the screen bigger by narrowing the bezels. The screen even bends a little over the edges, with the display and the case flowing nicely into each other.

No Qwerty keyboard

The larger screen makes the Apple Watch just a bit nicer to use. The buttons and menu names are larger, which is useful in the Calculator and Timer apps, for example. There are also two watch faces that take advantage of the extra screen space. One is the Contour dial, where the numbers flow beautifully along the edges of the display.

Another – Modular Duo watch face – is the most convenient. With this you place two extensive complications one below the other, with a small complication at the top left and the time on the right. So all I have to do is turn my wrist for a shower forecast for the next four hours, with a detailed view of the Activity app above it.

With the larger display, there’s even room for a full Qwerty keyboard, so you don’t have to rely on the dictation function to compose a message. Strangely and disappointingly, it is only available for Series 7 models from English-speaking countries. The keyboard is not supported in the Netherlands.

You can, however, change the language to English to get the keyboard on your wrist. But because the keys are very small and you often miss out, good autocorrect is essential. And he makes it work in English.

So we can’t do anything with the new, full keyboard, while this is one of the more important features of the Apple Watch Series 7. Overall, the larger screen is nice, but it won’t change the way you use the Watch.

Like the previous models, the smartwatch supports always on. It is then not necessary to turn the wrist or touch the screen to see the time, because the screen is always on. However, the display is dimmed if you are not looking at it and in this view the display is 70 percent brighter than before.

Another change to the display is that it is more durable. The crystal is thicker and more resistant to cracking. The Series 7 is also the first to be IP6X certified for dust resistance and is water resistant to 50 meters underwater. So you can swim perfectly with the watch.

Faster charging

Like the previous models, the Apple Watch can last about 18 hours on a single battery charge. Enough to get through the day and usually you can leave the Watch overnight sleep tracking. If the battery is empty, it takes less time to get the battery back to full power: about an hour.

The Apple Watch comes with a fast charging cable, with which you can power the Watch about 33 percent faster than with the Series 6. You do need a powerful 18 Watt charger (or more powerful) for this, which Apple does not provide. in the box. The faster charging is especially ideal for those who wear the clock on their wrist at night. If you put the Watch on the round charger while eating your breakfast, that is probably enough to get through the day.

The processor of the Series 7 is called S7, but it seems to deliver exactly the same performance as the S6 in the Series 6. So we didn’t notice a difference in speed, but with the Series 6 apps already felt very smooth and fast. There are no new health sensors. The Watch still keeps track of the heart rate, has a blood oxygen meter and can make an ECG (heart film).

First Apple Watch with cellular (4G)

Despite the fact that the Watch Series 7 is not very innovative, there is a good reason to purchase the smartwatch from Apple this year. The Cellular version of the Apple Watch is available for the first time in the Netherlands, with which the Apple Watch has 4G. Without your iPhone nearby, you can then be reached and you can use the mobile internet. This is ideal for runners, for example.

We have not yet tested the 4G version; Starting next Friday (October 29), the Apple Watch Series 7 with Cellular will be available to order. A week later, on Friday 5 November, you will have the 4G version of the Watch at home at the earliest.

Conclusion Apple Watch Series 7 review

The Apple Watch Series 7 is a great extension of the iPhone. And actually much more than that, because it measures your sleep, serves as a sports watch and monitors your health. If you have an iPhone in your pocket, you want an Apple Watch on your wrist.

You probably want a Watch Series 7, because there is no better smartwatch. But the differences with the Series 6 are small. The screen is slightly larger, but it doesn’t change the way you use your Apple Watch. Apart from the improved display, hardly anything has improved, so the Apple Watch Series 7 is not very innovative.

If you have a Series 6 or Series 5, the latest Watch is too small a leap to upgrade. That also applies to the Series 4, unless you like the always on screen. However, do you have a Series 3 or older, want a version with Cellular, or have you never owned an Apple smartwatch? Then the Apple Watch Series 7 will not disappoint you.

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