Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch Series 6 and Series 3
The Newest Apple Watch – Apple Watch Series 7
The Apple Watch Series 7 was made available to order beginning this past Friday, October 7, 2021 and will be available in stores starting October 15.
The Apple Watch 7 features the largest and most advanced Apple Watch display ever which includes a brighter Always-On Retina display with significantly more screen area and thinner borders. Users benefit from the same all-day 18-hour battery life with 33 percent faster charging.
But how does the new Series 7 compare to earlier models of the Apple Watch?
Quick comparison of the Apple Watch 7 vs. Earlier Models
Here is a quick comparison chart of features:
| Feature: | If you’re upgrading from a Series 6: | If you’re upgrading from a Series 3: |
| Speed | Speed is similar | Series 7 is faster, more responsive |
| Case size | Slightly larger case at 45 and 41mm vs. 44 and 40mm | Slightly smaller case than the Series 3’s 42/38mm |
| Display Size | It’s 20% bigger than Series 4-6/SE | 50% larger than the Series 3 display |
| Storage | Same 32GB of storage | Jump in storage to 32GB |
| Battery life | Similar: up to 18 hours | Similar: up to 18 hours |
| Charging time |
Series 7: 0-80% in 45 minutes vs. Series 6: 0-80% in ~60 minutes Up to 33% faster charging. |
Series 7: 0-80% in 45 minutes vs. Series 3: 0-80% in ~60 minutes Up to 33% faster charging. |
One nice improvement of the Series 7 is that it makes sleep tracking easy since 8 minutes of charging provides 8 hours of sleep tracking.
The Design of the Apple Watch Series 7
Apple describes the design of Apple Watch Series 7, which is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, as “refined with softer, more rounded corners, and the display has a unique refractive edge that makes full-screen watch faces and apps appear to seamlessly connect with the curvature of the case. At just 1.7 mm thin, the narrower borders of Apple Watch Series 7 maximize the screen area of the display while minimally changing the dimensions of the watch itself.”
User Interface of the Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 7 also features a user interface optimized for the larger display, a new onscreen keyboard, plus two unique watch faces, Contour and Modular Duo, designed specifically for the new device.
Durability of the Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 7 is the most durable Apple Watch ever, with a stronger, more crack-resistant front crystal. It is the first Apple Watch to have an IP6X certification for resistance to dust, and maintains a WR50 water resistance rating.
Beautiful Color Options
The new Apple Watch Series 7 comes in five beautiful new aluminum case finishes: midnight, starlight, green, a new blue (that I would describe as cobalt blue) and (PRODUCT)RED. As usual there is a range of new band colors and styles.
Stainless steel models are available in silver, graphite, and gold, along with Apple Watch Edition in titanium and space black titanium.
Apple Watch Nike and Apple Watch Hermès also introduce exclusive new bands and watch faces, and Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch Series 3 continue in existing colors.
Health & Wellness Features
The newest Apple Watch continues to offer indispensable tools for health and wellness. This includes an electrical heart sensor and ECG app, and a Blood Oxygen sensor and app.
WatchOS 8 helps users stay healthy, active and connected through new workout types, the new Mindfulness app, and innovative accessibility features.
Other Features
Apple Watch Series 7 provides greater access with Apple Wallet, more capabilities with the Home app, along with enhancements to Messages and the Photos app.
Pricing
Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $399 (US), Apple Watch SE starts at $279 (US), and Apple Watch Series 3 starts at $199 (US).
Our recommendation
The most compelling improvements of the Apple Watch Serie 7 are the larger screen, the faster charging, the improved durability and the onscreen keyboard. If one or more of these features are important to you then you should consider upgrading.
If you just want to have the latest and greatest AND you have someone who would love to have your “old” Apple Watch then go for it – you won’t be sorry and you’ll make someone else happy!
