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Bigger, faster charging and still the best smartwatch

This article was first published at thebit.nz.

Apple’s trend of evolutionary, not revolutionary, updates continues with the Apple Watch Series 7. It boasts a bigger screen, fast charging, and a very familiar design.

It’s also (still) the best smartwatch on the market, with only older Apple Watches providing credible alternatives.

I replaced the Apple Watch Series 6 with the Series 7 a couple of weeks ago, and it’s hard to notice the difference in devices.

The improved display is, predictably, the most rewarding upgrade (more on this below). But it’s not a big enough feature to warrant upgrading from the past three, at least, Apple Watches.

Price

The Apple Watch Series 7 comes in two different sizes, 41 millimetres and 45mm, which represent a 1mm jump. It also comes in two materials, aluminium and stainless steel, and there’s a large selection of bands you can purchase. All of these variables alter the price, and there are too many to list here.

The aluminium Series 7 starts at $649, while the stainless steel version starts at $1199.

Design

Anyone who has used an Apple watch before will immediately be familiar with the Series 7. There isn’t anything noticeably different about its design, despite rumours that had suggested there would be.

Apple’s decision to not change its winning formula is probably a pragmatic one, as the 1mm bigger watches will still fit legacy Apple Watch straps.

However, I am starting to think the Apple Watch could do with a bigger refresh, or a complete redesign, as it has looked the same for more than six years now.

The real difference with the Apple Watch Series 7 is the display.

It’s an always-on display that’s larger, brighter and is edge-to-edge.

Apple has achieved this by trimming the size of the borders – something that hasn’t changed since the Series 4. The new 1.7mm borders look brilliant.

Apps and watch faces blend into the device’s edges and slightly curve around, too – making it look like there isn’t an edge.

Most importantly, the bigger screen area has allowed Apple to tweak the size of its buttons. Entering your passcode, using apps, or typing on the new QWERTY keyboard is a more accurate experience because of it.

Apple says the Series 7 is more scratch resistant and crackproof than the Series 6 because of improvements to the front crystal. I’m not brave enough to test this, but it’s a welcome addition for wearers who need a watch in more rugged daily scenarios.

The Series 7 maintains its WR50 water resistance rating, meaning you can wear it in the shower or swimming in a pool or ocean without it being damaged.

It now has an IP6X resistance rating which means it’s dustproof – an important feature for those working in the construction trade.

Features

The Series 7 doesn’t introduce many new features. It comes with the new watchOS 8, which enhances old features for the new larger display (rather than introducing new ones).

The Series 7 has the same powerful health tools, such as the ECG app and the blood oxygen sensor, as well as the Apple fitness apps, and these work just as well as they always have. There’s a new QWERTY keyboard included, so no need to download a thirdparty one any more. There’s also a Mindfulness app that encourages you to relax for a few minutes a day. All in, the new features don’t add up to anything substantially different, which is a shame. While there is Spotify integration, it’s an awful experience. I’ve been trying to sync a Spotify playlist to my Apple Watch for a fortnight without success. It means I have to take my phone with me for a run – which sort of defeats the purpose of the Apple Watch. I had the same issue on previous Apple Watches. It underscores the need for serious competition, as there’s no real reason for Apple to find a fix for this problem any time soon.

Battery

Apple says you should get 19 hours on a single charge. The reality is much better: I regularly got through a day and a bit on a single charge. Admittedly, those were sedentary days spent in lockdown.

Fast charging is Apple’s biggest weapon to help its battery keep up with more demanding days. A 30-minute charge will give you 50 per cent battery.

Apple includes the new fast charger in the box but, as per the iPhone, there is no charging brick.

Verdict

The Apple Watch Series 7 follows a familiar narrative for Apple products: The best in class just got better. A bigger screen, faster charging and proper dust resistance are the main upgrades.

This won’t be enough to convince a lot of people to upgrade an older Apple Watch, but for new customers, the Series 7 delivers the best smartwatch experience the market has to offer – with ease.

The Apple Watch Series 7 follows a familiar narrative for Apple products: The best in class just got better, finds David Court.

Technology

en-nz

2021-10-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-16T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281990380711534

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