What to Expect on the Apple Watch Series 7
Apple’s dominance of the wearable tech industry has been undeniable since the release of the first Apple Watch in 2015. Originally marketed as a fashion accessory, Apple's debut in wearable technology incorporated tools allowing users to see notifications and ostensibly control their iPhones from their wrists.
Fast forward 6 years and right one cue, Apple yet again announces the new Series 7 at their annual keynote from Cupertino, to no one's surprise.
Sporting a suite of new colours and additional case materials, the new Apple Watch Series 7 sees a heavy shift from the fashion-based ideals it was built upon. Geared towards fitness, durability, and longevity, the latest version of the Apple Watch focuses more on health and body monitoring, solidifying it as the natural choice for athletes and those who lead active lifestyles.
The Most Durable Apple Watch Ever
Durability has always been a concern amongst fans of wearable tech. The problem statement is that technology and durability are often oxymoronic in nature. Most wearable technologies have glass screens that are easily cracked and shattered, which means they have to be treated with care. Trying to go all-out exercising and still having to worry about the watch on your wrist? Sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Well, this isn’t the case anymore, according to Apple. The Apple Watch Series 7 not only has an approximately 20 per cent larger display, but features increased durability due to a crack-resistant front crystal. It is the first Apple Watch to have an IP6X certification for dust resistance and carries on the heritage of the Always-On Retina display. This means it is 70 per cent brighter indoors compared to the previous Series 6. This larger screen size doesn’t necessarily imply the watch is also 20% larger, as Apple has made full use of a unique refractive edge that helps the watch face and apps appear to seamlessly connect with the curvature of the case.
Apple has also upped the battery life significantly on the Series 7, stating that a single charge would last the watch for up to 18-hours. It also charges 33 per cent faster than the Series 6, through new charging architecture and Magnetic Fast Charger USB-C Cable. All these points towards being able to keep the Series 7 on your wrist longer, with minimal downtime, making it perfect for monitoring your health and activity.
More Tools to Keep You Healthy
As alluded to earlier, health and fitness take centre stage in Series 7 - a new blood oxygen sensor and electrical heart sensor provides real-time information about your vital levels. Never one to forsake hardware upgrades without software improvements, Apple’s software integration in the Series 7 makes complex information simple via the ECG and Blood Oxygen App.
Speaking of health-based software, the Fitness App and Sleep Tracking functions have been tweaked as well to cater towards those who need a boost in motivation or just want a clearer picture of their rest, respectively. This is something that Apple Watch fans have loved for ages, and it's great to see Apple double down on these facets in order to cater towards health and fitness-minded users. Many pundits have also raved about how relevant these functions are especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. One clear symptom of COVID-19 infection is low blood oxygen levels, and Apple has innovated once more to stay ahead of the curve by allowing users to individually monitor their health and better make sense of their physical state.
An Environmentally-Friendly Smart Watch
Keeping up with themes of eco-sustainability, the Apple Watch Series 7 is also composed of 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements, tungsten and aluminium. Made without harmful chemicals like mercury, PVC, beryllium, and BFRs - Apple’s commitment to the environment is once again followed through here.
Similar to how the tech giant announced in 2020 that they will no longer be giving out charging adapters unnecessarily with new phone purchases, the understanding and move towards net-zero climate impact across the entire business is evident here. In the larger scheme of things, Apple also aims to ensure that manufacturing supply chains and product life cycles also have net-zero climate impact by 2030. Bold claims are sure to manifest if the Californian based company continues down this route.
The new Apple Watch Series 7 certainly does seem like an insane value proposition, for those who are keen on its health-based applications. However, the price point itself does leave a little to be desired. It is a premium to be paid to get access to these functions, and for many, the Apple Watch SE might still do the trick albeit at a more entry-level price.