Apple Watch Series 7 reviews are now available from different media outlets. The Watch itself opened up for pre-order on October 8 and will be available in stores and start shipping to customers on October 15.
The new Apple Watch Series 7 models feature larger and brighter displays, and software updates to take advantage of the larger screen. It also features faster charging, for the first time on an Apple Watch. The only other improvement it has over its predecessors is that it has IP6X dust resistance. Otherwise, even the SoC is the same as Apple Watch Series 6. You can find out Apple Watch Series 7 price information in our previous coverage.
Here is a round-up of what some of the best reviews of the new Apple Watch Series 7 say, including comments about its new larger display, user interface improvements, and faster-charging speed.
Apple Watch Series 7 reviews
Dieter Bohn from The Verge has a great video review (embedded below), and echoes what we have also been thinking about the new Apple Watch Series 7. The two new headlines features, a larger screen and faster charging are great.
The Apple Watch Series 7 is great. The larger screen and faster charging are the two headline features and both are welcome. The Apple Watch is in a class entirely of its own right now. Nothing else is as good for iPhone users and nothing like it is available for Android users.
But these new features are not enough for users with recent Watch models to upgrade.
If you have one of those older Apple Watches, I don’t think there’s anything here that should compel an upgrade. All the new features are very nice but not necessary. If there is something that’s bothering you about your current watch, then by all means go for it if you can afford it. Also, while the Series 3 is still kicking around for cheap, I don’t think it’s a great buy anymore. The Apple Watch SE is a better value.
Cherlynn Low from Engadget gave a score of 90 out of 100 to the new Watch. She liked the larger screen, faster charging, and watchOS 8, but pointed out issues with its sleep-tracking.
Though the differences between the Series 6 and 7 seem minor, it’s worth a reminder that most people who own last year’s model likely aren’t looking to upgrade yet anyway. For anyone else who’s looking for a new smartwatch, the Series 7 will be a satisfying purchase, especially if you’ve never used one before. WatchOS is a capable and comprehensive system that can help you track your workouts, automatically log your sessions, prompt you to be more active and mindful of your mental health all while being a great extension of your smartphone. It’s not the best at sleep-tracking, though, so if that’s a priority you might prefer a Fitbit.
Lisa Eadicicco from CNET says that Apple Watch Series 7 feels more like an Apple Watch 6S model, which is to say that it is an iterative upgrade.
Overall, the Apple Watch Series 7 feels more like a theoretical Apple Watch 6S rather than a major year-over-year upgrade. Apple isn’t bringing anything entirely new to the health experience with the Series 7 as it did with last year’s Series 6, which was the first Apple Watch to support blood oxygen saturation measurements.
Just like other reviewers, and including us at iThinkDifferent, CNET review concludes that this new Watch is best for users who are on Series 3 or an older model. Otherwise, Series 5 and Series 6 users will not find much new here.
All told, the Apple Watch Series 7 is essentially a more refined version of the Series 6. If you already have a recent watch like the Series 5 or 6, there’s no reason to upgrade just yet — especially since you can get many new features through software updates. But if you have an older watch like the Series 3 or Series 4, you’ll have a lot to gain from the bigger screen, speedier performance and additional sensors that come with the Series 7.
Nicole Nguyen from WSJ says that the watch is only slightly better than its predecessor. There are no new sensors, no price drops, or improvements to battery life.
To put it plainly: The Apple Watch Series 7 is slightly better than its predecessor. There aren’t any new health sensors. The price hasn’t dropped. And at 18 hours, the watch’s daylong battery life is still relatively short.
Check out some of our favorite video reviews of Apple Watch Series 7 below from various YouTube channels:
