Apple Watch Series 7 models will start arriving to customers and launch in stores this Friday, October 15, and ahead of time, media outlets and YouTube channels have now shared reviews. In addition to rounding up Apple Watch Series 7 video reviews and unboxings, we’ve highlighted some impressions from written reviews below.
Key features of the Apple Watch Series 7 include larger displays with 41mm and 45mm case sizes, increased durability with IP6X-rated dust resistance, and up to 33 percent faster charging with a USB-C fast charging cable included in the box. There are also new aluminum case color options, such as midnight, starlight and green.
Here are some impressions of the Apple Watch Series 7 key features:
Large display
the edgeIts Dieter Bohn says that while the Series 7’s larger display size is welcome, it’s not enough to justify an annual upgrade:
When Apple first made the screen bigger on the Apple Watch Series 4, I thought it made an appreciable difference to the experience and would even be worth the upgrade. Here, on the Series 7, I think the screen is really nice and looks better, but not enough to justify an upgrade.
the edge As always there is a well-produced video review:
TechCrunchIts Brian Hitter agrees that the larger Series 7 isn’t a radical departure from the Series 6, which came in 40mm and 44mm sizes:
This is not a radical departure, but generation after generation. And certainly 12% isn’t enough to sell someone on an upgrade like the big button on the calculator. The truth is that the nature of wearables usually prohibits designers from making too radical changes to the design because the product needs to conform to your body. Early smartwatches suffered from bulky designs that prohibited wearability among a wide group of users.
Fast charging
EngadgetCheryl Lowe says she appreciates the Series 7’s faster charging speed compared to her Apple Watch SE:
[It] Charged quickly, and in about 10 minutes, I got close to 10 percent capacity. The new cable that Apple included in the box made it nearly 100 percent within an hour. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch SE reached nearly 60 percent in just one hour.
new color
Mobile syrupIts Patrick O’Rourke says the Series 7’s new green aluminum case option is a great throwback to the iPhone 11 Pro in midnight green:
Green is the new color. It’s understated but still eye-catching and more importantly, a throwback to the cool-looking ‘Midnight Green’ iPhone 11 color from a few years back.
As we previously reported, however, some customers are unhappy with the new Series 7 color options. For aluminum models in particular, some customers are disappointed that Apple has replaced silver and gold with champagne-like starlight colors.
Final takeaways
CNETLisa Edicico of The Series thinks the Series 7 is an iterative upgrade over the Series 6:
To put it bluntly, the Series 7 doesn’t feel like the kind of generational upgrade we’ve come to expect from Apple’s smartwatches over the years. But it’s not necessarily a snub against it.
The Series 7 feels like a refined version of a watch we already love — the Series 6 — rather than a major upgrade. And since it’s the same price as its predecessor, the Series 7 is a promising option for first-time Apple Watch buyers or those upgrading from an older watch.
the edgeIts dieter sister agrees:
If you have one of those older Apple watches, I don’t think there’s anything here that should force an upgrade. All new features are very nice but not necessary. If there is something that is bothering you about your current watch, then by all means go for it if you can afford it. Also, with the Series 3 still going around for cheap, I don’t think it’s a great buy anymore. The Apple Watch SE is a good value.
More reviews
- The Wall Street JournalIts Nicole Nguyen
- inputIts Raymond Wong
- CNBCIts Todd Haselton
- Yahoo Financeof Daniel Hawley
- CNN underscoredJacob Kroll
