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Let’s face it: Apple Watches all look the same, even the most recent Apple Watch Series 7, which has a few subtle changes if you look closely enough. Even while the latest model has a new CPU, more functions, and somewhat different dimensions and finishes than previous generations, it’s often impossible for casual onlookers to tell the difference. Given that there’s only so much you can do with a smartwatch’s look without endangering its utility, this is understandable. At the same time, because most people aren’t as familiar with Apple Watches as they are with iPhones, they are frequently unaware of the most recent model.
But don’t worry: we’ve compiled a guide to Apple’s most recent Watch, as well as a list of the most recent Apple Watches that are still available. Apple Watch versions that have been discontinued by Apple are also listed; however, if you dig hard enough, you can still find many of them online through private sellers and secondhand/refurbishing merchants.
What is the most recent Apple Watch model?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is the newest and most advanced Apple smartwatch available today, having debuted on October 15, 2021. However, it is not the only Apple Watch model that Apple sells directly. The Apple Watch SE and the older Watch of Apple Series 3 are the other two. Yes, it may appear strange that Apple continues to offer the Apple Watch 3 after canceling the Series 4, 5, and 6. The nearly five-year-old watch, however, has been kept as a lower-cost option because, at $199, it is even less expensive than the Apple Watch SE.
Apple Watch 7 review
Although the bigger display of the Apple Watch Series 7 has received positive reviews, most reviewers believe that it is merely a minor update over the Series 6 from the previous year, with the exception of faster charging and increased durability.
Dieter Bohn of The Verge stated that although the Series 7’s increased display sizes are appreciated, they are insufficient to support an annual upgrade. Brian Heater of TechCrunch concurred that the larger Series 7 is not a significant shift from the Series 6, which was available in 40mm and 44mm sizes.
According to Cherlynn Low of Engadget, the Series 7 charges more quickly than her Apple Watch SE, reaching nearly 100 percent in less than an hour. The Apple Watch SE, meanwhile, only reached roughly 60% of its capacity in an hour.
Lisa Eadicicco of CNET believes that the Series 7 is an incremental improvement over the Series 6. If you have one of those older Apple Watches, I don’t think there’s anything here that should compel an upgrade, said Dieter Bohn of The Verge. Although all the additional features are lovely, they are not required. If there is something about your existing watch that is bothering you, please, if you can afford it, replace it.
Additionally, even though the Series 3 is still available at a low price, I no longer believe it to be a terrific buy. A better value is the Apple Watch SE. Visit our review roundup or selection of unboxing videos for more insights on the Apple Watch Series 7.
Design
In order to accommodate various tastes and wrist sizes, the Apple Watch Series 7 now comes in new 41mm and 45mm casing size variants in addition to the rounded, square appearance of prior versions. With softer, more rounded edges, the Apple Watch Series 7’s design has been improved. Despite the significantly bigger casings, they continue to function with bands from earlier versions.
Depending on size and case material, weights range from 32 grams to 51.5 grams, with stainless steel Apple Watch models being the heaviest. Compared to the previous generation, there has been a minor weight gain. The Series 7 is 10.7mm thick, the same as the Series 6.
In order to support health-monitoring functions like heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, and ECGs, all Apple Watch Series 7 models include a black ceramic and crystal back that houses four LED clusters and four photodiodes.
On the side of the Apple Watch, there is a Digital Crown for scrolling and navigating, as well as a Side Button for opening frequently used apps, calling emergency services, verifying Apple Pay transactions, and other things.
The Digital Crown is essential for the ECG app since it contains a built-in electrode that works in conjunction with the rear sensors. It also has haptic feedback that provides a precise, mechanical sensation while scrolling through lists and managing other aspects of the Apple Watch.
Keep in mind that depending on the Apple Watch model you choose, the Digital Crown will appear differently. Since GPS-only devices lack the red ring, you can tell which models have LTE by looking at the Digital Crown. LTE models have it.
Price and availability
The 41mm edition of the Apple Watch 7 is currently on sale for $399. Starting at $429 is the bigger 45mm model. You’ll pay $499 or $529 for cellular support, which allows your Apple Watch to work tethered from your iPhone at your discretion.
Titanium cases cost $799, while stainless steel cases start at $699. For suggestions on how to reduce the cost of your order, check out our Apple Store coupons.
Colors and Materials
Aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium are the three materials available for the Apple Watch Series 7. The least expensive Apple Watch models are made of aluminum, while the most expensive ones are made of titanium.
This year, Apple unveiled the four new aluminum hues Midnight, Starlight, Green, and Blue. These are in addition to the Series 6-retained (PRODUCT)RED color. Silver, Gold, and Graphite, a dark gray color, are the possible finishes for the stainless steel Apple Watch models. The titanium models come in Space Black and the natural hue (a gray silver).
The stainless steel Apple Watch versions are heavier, more expensive, and meant for everyday wear rather than being focused on activity. In contrast, the aluminum Apple Watch models are made from 100% recycled 7000 series aluminum, are lightweight, affordable, and designed for an active lifestyle.
The titanium Apple Watch models are lighter and stain-resistant while still providing the same level of toughness as the stainless steel models with a brushed finish. Models made of titanium have a deeper, more matte surface than those made of stainless steel.
The displays on the stainless steel and titanium variants are made of sapphire crystal, which is more scratch-resistant than the Ion-X glass used in the ones made of aluminum. While the stainless steel and titanium models are LTE only, with no less expensive GPS only models available, the aluminum devices are available with and without LTE connectivity.
The titanium models of the Apple Watch weigh less than the stainless steel models, which are the heaviest of the types, and all of the Series 7 models are up to 10% heavier than the Series 6 devices. Below is a list of each model’s weights:
41mm
- Aluminum: 32.0 grams
- Stainless Steel: 42.3 grams
- Titanium: 37.0 grams
45mm
- Aluminum: 38.8 grams
- Stainless Steel: 51.5 grams
- Titanium: 45.1 grams
Durability
The front crystal component of the Apple Watch Series 7 has been strengthened and reworked with more durable geometry. It is more resistant to cracking and more than 50% thicker than that of earlier models.
Ion-X glass is used to protect the display on Apple Watch models made of aluminum, as opposed to sapphire crystal glass on versions made of stainless steel and titanium. Because sapphire crystal glass is a stronger substance than Ion-X glass, it offers superior scratch resistance. As a result, models with sapphire crystal models are more resistant to scratching and general wear.
The Series 7 is also IP6X dust-resistant certified, making it significantly more durable for settings like the desert or the beach.
The device still has WR50 water resistance, which means it can be submerged up to 50 meters deep thanks to seals and adhesives. The only port of entry is the speaker, which requires air to make sound and is built to expel water using sound vibrations when exposed to moisture.
The Apple Watch may be used when swimming in a pool or the ocean because it is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters. It cannot be used for activities involving deep immersion or high water velocity, such as scuba diving, water skiing, or showering. It is only appropriate for shallow water sports.
It is essential to use caution when submerging the Apple Watch because the warranty does not cover water damage.
Always-On Display
The displays on the Apple Watch Series 7 are bigger, with about 20% more screen space. The borders were shrunk down to only 1.7mm, which is 40% smaller than those on the Apple Watch Series 6. The redesigned display is shaped to slightly bend over the top glass borders.
The OLED ultra low power temperature poly-silicon and oxide display (LTPO) in the Apple Watch Series 7 enables Always-On functionality, allowing the watch face, complications, and other information to be continuously visible without the screen going black when the Apple Watch is not in use. This feature is also found in the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6 models.
The OLED ultra low power temperature poly-silicon and oxide display (LTPO) in the Apple Watch Series 7 enables Always-On functionality, allowing the watch face, complications, and other information to be continuously visible without the screen going black when the Apple Watch is not in use. This feature is also found in the Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6 models.
In order to conserve battery life, the display dims when the wrist is lowered, but important components like the watch hands are always illuminated. The display returns to full brightness when the watch face is touched or the wrist is raised, and Apple has tuned watch faces for the feature to reduce battery consumption. When the Apple Watch is not in use, the display’s variable refresh rate decreases from 60Hz to as low as 1Hz.
The Always-On Retina display is up to 70% brighter indoors than the Apple Watch Series 6 while the wearer’s wrist is down, making it simpler to see the watch face without having to raise it or wake the display.
A number of user interface improvements have been made to make the most of the new, larger display, including two additional larger font sizes, larger menu headings and buttons, and a new QWERTY keyboard that can be used with QuickPath by tapping or swiping. The Contour face, which moves the dial right to the edge of the display and fluidly animates throughout the day to emphasize the current hour, and the new Modular Duo face, which uses the extra screen area of the Series 7 to accommodate two large center complications, are both new watch faces for the larger display.
S7 Chip
The dual-core S7 System in Package (SiP) in the Apple Watch Series 7 is based on the S6 processor from the Apple Watch Series 6 and provides performance comparable to that chip. It is assumed to have the same processing power as the S6 chip from the previous generation because Apple did not specify any speed increases.
Battery life
If you forego using popular functions, the Apple Watch Series 7’s battery life can last up to two days. Instead, the daily activity monitoring, always-on display, and a few phone calls answered from my wrist verified the 18-hour battery life.
As long as it is charged using the new Magnetic to USB-C charger that is included in the package, the Apple Watch 7 is said to charge 33 percent quicker than the Apple Watch 6. (A wall adapter is not included, though.) However, when I charged the Apple Watch 6 with a USB-C cable, it charged almost as quickly. If you haven’t already, you should go follow the Tom’s Guide TikTok account(opens in new tab), where I’ve been tracking charging testing.
I do spend less time thinking about whether I’ll have enough battery to go for an outside stroll or make it through the night because I charge my Apple Watch for brief intervals throughout the day. My Apple Watch is meant to track my sleep for eight hours after eight minutes of charging before bed. I suppose I no longer require this $10 Apple Watch attachment to increase battery life.
Features of Health
The Series 7 Apple Watch has the same health monitoring features as the Series 6 model. The electrical heart rate sensor can be used to take electrocardiograms, while LEDs and infrared light provide blood oxygen monitoring. A second-generation optical heart rate sensor calculates metrics including calorie burn, resting heart rate, and a heart rate that is too high. Other significant health-related features, such fall detection, are made possible via an integrated accelerometer and gyroscope.
The Apple Watch has the ability to recognize low, high, and irregular heart rates. It can also monitor for conditions like atrial fibrillation and alert users when anomalies are found.
Monitoring Blood Oxygen
The Apple Watch Series 7’s blood oxygen monitoring capability is made possible by sensors on the device’s rear. A healthy person’s blood oxygen saturation ranges from 95 to 100 percent, therefore when it falls below that range, it may indicate a major health problem that requires quick attention.
Photodiodes measure the quantity of light reflected back by the blood arteries in the wrist after green, red, and infrared LEDs emit light upon them. The color of the blood, which represents the amount of oxygen present, is then determined by Apple’s algorithms.
The Apple Watch calculates the blood oxygen level based on the fact that blood that is bright red has more oxygen than blood that is darker. The Series 7 can detect blood oxygen between 70 and 100 percent, much like the Series 6.
The Blood Oxygen app that is installed on the Apple Watch allows for on-demand blood oxygen measurements. Make sure the Apple Watch is securely fastened to the wrist, launch the app, remain still, and maintain a flat wrist to take a measurement. After pressing the Start button, maintain your arm still for 15 seconds. Your blood oxygen level is read out by the Apple Watch at the conclusion of the time interval, and the information is saved in the Health app.
In the background, the Watch of Apple Series 7 additionally measures blood oxygen levels; this feature is configured during Watch of Apple setup. On the iPhone, these settings are accessible in the Health app. Select Set Up Blood Oxygen under Browse > Respiratory > Blood Oxygen.
The number of readings per day and the intervals between readings vary depending on your daily activity. Blood oxygen measurements take place when there is no movement. Background measures can be disabled for Sleep Mode and Theater Mode if preferred using the Apple Watch’s Settings app. Blood oxygen measurements produce a bright light on the wrist that can be bothersome in dim environments.
Only if the Track Sleep with Watch of Apple option is activated and the watch is being used for Sleep Tracking purposes are blood oxygen readings gathered while the user is asleep.
Accurate measurements require a steady hand and a watch that can establish good contact with the top of the wrist through a secure wristband. According to Apple, skin perfusion, or the volume of blood flowing through the skin, as well as tattoos, can affect performance. Readings may change, for instance, in cold weather.
ECGs
Similar to the Apple Watch Series 4, the Watch of Apple’s rear electrodes and Digital Crown work together to enable users to capture single-lead electrocardiograms. A doctor may utilize an ECG to identify health issues since it records the electrical activity of the heart.
A finger is placed on the Watch of Apple’s Digital Crown to record an ECG, which can reveal a sinus rhythm (normal), an aberrant result, or occasionally an unreliable result that needs to be discussed with a physician. At heart rates more than 100 beats per minute, the ECG can identify atrial fibrillation.
Sleep Tracking
The Watch of Apple Series 7 can track your sleep at night, and Apple will provide you information on how long you sleep each night. Details are available in our Sleep Tracking guide, but the function also provides helpful resources for having a better night’s sleep.
As sleep tracking is enabled by software rather than hardware, it is also possible to use older Apple Watch models, but newer models have better battery life and faster charging, allowing you to recharge your Apple Watch more quickly in the morning after a night of rest.
Connectivity
Two variations of the W3 chip, which Apple designed, are available in Apple Watch Series 7 models: GPS and GPS + Cellular. While GPS variants are Wi-Fi exclusive, GPS + Cellular devices contain an integrated LTE chip and can connect to LTE without an iPhone.
LTE
Since the Apple Watch Series 3, LTE connectivity has been a feature. With an LTE connection, the Apple Watch is no longer bound to the iPhone and can access the internet without a recognized Wi-Fi network or an iPhone.
U1 Chip
The U1 processor, which debuted in the iPhone 11 series as the Ultra Wideband chip, is still present in the Watch of Apple Series 7. Highly precise short-range wireless is made possible by the U1 processor, according to Apple, supporting novel experiences like Car Keys, a feature that lets an Apple Watch (or an iPhone) be used in place of a traditional car key.
Emergency SOS
An international Emergency SOS function, first introduced with the Series 5, is made possible by Emergency SOS LTE connectivity. Regardless of where the device was purchased or whether a cellular plan is active, the Apple Watch can call emergency services abroad via Emergency SOS.
That means if you’re injured or in a scenario where you need assistance while traveling to another nation, you can activate the SOS feature on the Apple Watch by pressing and holding the Side button to automatically contact the emergency services of that country. If the Apple Watch’s fall detection feature is turned on, it will immediately place an emergency call if it detects the wearer has fallen hard and is still immobile afterward. This feature works with international emergency calling.
Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11b/g/n at 2.4GHz and 5GHz are both supported by Apple Watch Series 7. Bluetooth 5.0 provides greater interoperability with other wireless technologies, a greater broadcast message capacity, faster speeds, and a longer range than Bluetooth 4.2.
All Series 7 models, LTE and non-LTE, have a GPS chip that enables the Apple Watch to determine its location without having to be close to an iPhone. GPS has been a part of the Apple Watch from the Series 2 model.
When you’re bicycling, walking, running, hiking, or using a GPS-enabled device, the Apple Watch can track your pace, distance, and route, giving you more information about your fitness activities. Numerous nations support the positioning technologies of GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS.
Transfer of Data Wirelessly
According to FCC filings, the Apple Watch Series 7 models are equipped with a module that permits 60.5GHz wireless data transfer, but since the Series 7 lacks a diagnostic connection like prior models, it’s likely that the feature is restricted for Apple’s internal use alone.
The 60.5GHz module, which may be used in-store for wirelessly restoring a Watch of Apple, activates the module when the Watch of Apple is placed on a patented magnetic dock.
Other Features
Using the Apple Watch to unlock Face ID iPhones
When a mask is worn, “Unlock with Apple Watch” enables an iPhone with Face ID to use an unlocked and authenticated Apple Watch as an additional authentication method. The Apple Watch authentication solution spares iPhone users from having to repeatedly enter a passcode while wearing a mask since Face ID is unavailable while a person is wearing a mask. It can be turned on in the Settings app under Face ID & Passcode and works similarly to the Apple Watch unlocking feature on the Mac.
Sensors
The Apple Watch Series 7 has electrical and optical heart rate sensors, LEDs and infrared light for blood oxygen monitoring, an accelerometer for fall detection, a gyroscope, an ambient light sensor, and a battery-efficient barometric altimeter to track stair climbs, elevation gains while climbing, and other metrics. It also has a gyroscope, an ambient light sensor, and a battery-efficient barometric altimeter. Keep in mind that the altimeter may not be accurate in certain weather situations.
Compass
Users may view their heading, incline, latitude, longitude, and current elevation using the built-in compass and the Compass app. The Maps app has a compass feature that allows users to see which direction they are facing when receiving directions.
Room for Storage
Similar to the Series 6 devices, Apple Watch Series 7 models have 32GB of storage for apps, podcasts, music, and other content.
Verdict
With smartphones, we witnessed it. Bezels reduced and displays enlarged till we arrived at the current state of huge phones and phablets. I can’t help but think that the Watch of Apple will follow a similar route to independence because of its larger screen. The smartwatch is now an extension of your iPhone on your wrist, but it has the potential to be much more.
It’s the greatest Watch of Apple yet and the best smartwatch option for everyone with an iPhone. If there was ever a time to strongly suggest adding cellular functionality to your smartwatch, this is it. The keyboard matters.
If you’re deciding between Apple’s $279 midrange model and the most recent wristwatch, you should see how the Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch SE compare. And if you’re looking for a cheap smartwatch, we’ve put together a list of the top options available.
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