Apple Watch Series 7 Review: The best smartwatch for iPhone gets even better

The best smartwatch available in India for an iPhone is the Apple Watch. Apple launched two smartwatches last year, the Series 6 and the Watch SE. While the former offered the best of features available on a smartwatch, the latter was a more affordable option. This time around, Apple has launched the Watch Series 7. The new smartwatch for iPhone is an iterative upgrade over the Series 6, which itself was quite a value-for-money product. So, should you upgrade to the new Apple Watch? After using the smartwatch for over a week’s time, here is our Apple Watch Series 7 review.

Apple Watch Series 7 Review

As I said earlier, the new Apple Watch Series 7 is an iterative upgrade over Series 6. Apple was already offering a large enough display in two sizes - 40mm and 44mm. The Series 7 gets a marginally bigger screen while maintaining the same form factor. Apple managed to do so by shrinking down the bezels, resulting in 20 percent more screen than the Series 6 and 50 percent more than the Series 3. Even the bezels around the slightly curved display are 40 percent thinner. 

Our Apple Watch Series 7 review unit provided by Apple is the 45mm aluminium case variant. For people with a smaller hand, you get to choose to pick the 41mm variant. Coming back to the display, I was honestly kind of concerned with the screen curving towards the exterior. I am a clumsy guy who often slams his watch into some hard object unintentionally. The same was the case with Series 7. To my surprise, it has survived without getting a scratch or cracks so far. Apple did claim that the Series 7 is its most durable Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Series 6 (review) managed to survive even when a puppy tried to bite the display for a couple of seconds. I haven’t managed to recreate the test case (nor do I intend to) but by the looks of it, the Watch Series 7 seems durable. Apple, at the launch event, said that Watch’s display has a crack-resistant front crystal.

One might wonder if the slight curve is of any use. Apple has added a couple of extra watch faces for the Series 7, and the Contour watch face makes the best possible use of this marginally curved area. It shows the numbers on the edge of the Watch’s display, helping you get that immersive look. There’s also a new Modular watch face that shows two complications instead of one. While we are at it, watchOS 8 on the Apple Watch Series 7 brings support for Portraits watch face. As the name suggests, users can set their photos as a watch face. The Photos app on the Apple Watch is also redesigned to help users navigate through photos.

Not just the faces, but because of a larger screen, the font too is now bigger. Apple claims that the Series 7’s display fits in up to 50 percent more text. The Watch Series 7 has bigger buttons on certain apps. It also gets a full-fledged QWERTY keyboard which helps you reply to text messages when on the go. I found this feature particularly handy while working out in the gym. Although the keyboard is slightly cramped for my fingers, you can swipe between letters and the Watch manages to get most of the words right. 

There’s one upgrade that the Series 7 got but is not available in India, which is faster charging. Apple told us that due to government regulations, it had to disable the 33 percent faster-charging speed on the Apple Watch Series 7. That does not mean the hardware has been omitted. Apple Watch Series 7 in India shares the same hardware found on any other model found in other international markets. Once permitted, we assume that this feature can be enabled via a software update.

The Series 7 is anyway quite quick to charge. I typically managed to completely charge the Watch within an hour and 30 mins. One might say that is quite a lot of time for a watch this small. However, when you consider charging the watch overnight, you will not be bothered. And you will need to charge it overnight because the Series 7 is claimed to offer up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. After removing the Watch Series 7 from charge at around 8 am on any given day, I have typically got about 30 percent of battery life left by around 11.30 pm. This kind of validates Apple’s 18-hour battery life claim. Apple further claims that the Series 7 can be charged for eight minutes to track eight hours worth of sleep tracking. I am not comfortable wearing a watch and going to bed but in case you are, make sure you refuel the battery for about 10 minutes to try the feature.

Lastly, Series 7 gets five new colours. Our Apple Watch Series 7 review unit has the Starlight colour. You can also choose between Green, Blue, Product [RED] and Midnight. Alternatively, those who want an even more premium Apple Watch can opt for the Stainless Steel case variant, which comes in Silver, Graphite and Gold colours. Lastly, there is the top-of-the-line Titanium case, which comes in Natural and Space Black colours. As expected, you can mix and match your Apple Watch with multiple watch straps/loops. The Sport bands, loops and other leather watch straps of your older Apple Watch continue to be compatible with the Series 7. 

In terms of software, the Apple Watch Series 7 boots watchOS 8 out of the box. Apple introduced Fall Detection for cycling on the new watchOS 8 update. It also automatically detects certain workouts when you are out on the move. For instance, the Watch will ask you if you are cycling when it detects so. Even if you check the notification after a few minutes and choose to enable it, the Watch will still show you the relevant data since it detected a particular workout, which in my case was elliptical exercises and cycling. There are instances, however, when the Watch mistakes riding a motorcycle as cycling. This particularly happens when you are riding at a snail’s pace on the roads of Mumbai. The Watch Series 7 further miscounts the steps in such instances as well, which could be due to the slow pace plus the GPS detecting the changing coordinates.

watchOS 8 also introduces two new workout modes called Tai Chi and Pilates. You can find these workout modes by scrolling through the Workouts section. Wish there was a way to simply type and search for a workout in watchOS 8.

Oh, by the way, the Apple Watch Series 7 is Apple’s first smartwatch to get an IP6X certification for dust resistance. It continues to be WR50-rated for water resistance up to 50 metres below the surface.

What has not changed

Series 7 features Apple’s S6 chip, which is also found on Series 6. In case you are concerned, despite having a generation old, the Series 7 is quite snappy. I did not notice a single instance of lag or jitter while performing various tasks on the Apple Watch Series 7. Be it changing songs, replying to texts on WhatsApp or starting a workout. 

It also gets features like Always-on Display, SpO2 monitoring, ECG, Sleep Tracking, etc., which were detailed in our Apple Watch Series 6 Review. In terms of workout modes, the Series 7 has support for multiple exercises, including the new Tai Chi and Pilates workout modes. You can still check all your workout and health data on the Health app on your iPhone.

Verdict

So, should you buy the Apple Watch Series 7? As I mentioned above, the Apple Watch Series 7 is an incremental upgrade over Series 6. Users who own the Series 6 could skip the new Apple Watch unless they want that even bigger display or want the new watch faces exclusive to Series 7.

Apple Watch users who own the Series 4, Series 5 can certainly upgrade to Series 7 for the kind of improvements it comes with. Goes without saying, the Apple Watch Series 7 will be a massive upgrade for those who are using the Apple Watch Series 3. You not only get a bigger display and a new design but also an improved battery life and a faster chip under the hood. Not to forget software support. While Series 3 does support watchOS 8, it is likely the last major software upgrade for the generation. With the Apple Watch Series 7 price in India starting at Rs 41,900, users who own an iPhone 13 (Review), iPhone 13 Pro (Review), or any other recent iPhone models can consider getting the new Apple Watch.

Apple has discontinued the Series 6 in India, which was launched for Rs 40,900. While select e-commerce platforms still have the Series 6 on sale, we would suggest spending Rs 1,000 more to get the Apple Watch Series 7 with a larger display.

Those who are on a budget and do not wish to spend as much on the Series 7 can consider checking our Apple Watch SE review. The smartwatch launched last year is priced at Rs 29,900 and still offers excellent value for your money without compromising on performance.