Test of the connected Apple Watch Series 7

The Apple Watch is already in the 7th generation. The most popular connected watch on the market is getting a slight facelift and improving in small increments. When it was unveiled at the September conference, we clearly felt that we were on a “transitional” version and that the revolution would come later. Nevertheless, the Apple Watch 7 is a very good product, the ideal extension of your iPhone. This Series 7 mainly relies on a larger and brighter screen, increased impact resistance and faster charging.. Inside, this new model is very close to the Series 6 and in particular opts for the same Apple S6 chip. It is also available in two dial sizes: 41 and 45 mm. We are testing the 45mm version here.

Apple Watch Series 7 data sheet

Dial format	square
Dial sizes	42/45 mm
Screen type	THEY ARE
Screen resolution	396×484 pixels
SHE	View OS 8
SoC	Apple S6
autonomy	1 day
Connectivity	4G (eSIM) / WLAN 5
Geographic positioning system	Yes sir
Heart rate monitor	Yes sir
Blood pressure sensor	Yes sir
weight	32 g (41 mm) / 38.8 (45 mm)
Storage	32 lot
Dust resistance	Yes (IP6X)
Water resistance	Yes (up to 50m)

A watch more resistant than ever

At first glance, it is difficult to distinguish the Watch Series 6 from the Watch Series 7. In fact, we find the same square design with rounded corners, a button on the side, and the “digital crown” that you can use to navigate Watch OS 8. The very small speaker is placed very discreetly on the left edge.

When you receive your Apple Watch, the watch face is still separate from the bracelet and you need to put it on. The system is still as simple and efficient as ever and all you have to do is slide it into the two notches until you hear a slight “click”. For this test we received one of the new “green” colors of the sports bracelet.. A color that is ultimately quite subtle. Nothing prevents you from buying another bracelet on the Apple site or even from a third party (you can imagine it will be a lot cheaper).

In general, the manufacturing quality at the rendezvous is great, regardless of whether it is the dial side or the bracelet side. The Watch Series 7 benefits from more than one novelty Shock and scratch resistant treatment as well as IP6X certification against dust and water resistance up to 50 m depth. Apple also claims to have strengthened the display’s protective glass by around 50% at its highest point. In short, if you are the adventurer type, the Apple Watch Series 7 is ready to endure any outrage. The weight of the watch is also well balanced and distributed. It remains light but sufficiently “present” around the wrist that it is not forgotten.

A screen that is a few millimeters larger and that makes a big difference

Here, let’s tackle Apple Watch Series 7’s biggest novelty: its new screen that now takes up more space. Apple reduced the size of the bezels by 20% and increased the dial by 1 mm compared to the Series 6. Numbers that may seem trivial, but in use the difference is obvious. The picture now takes up almost the entire dial and offers a more pronounced aspect of the “classic watch” than before. To tell the difference, simply activate the new “Contour” dials, which place the numbers on the curve of the glass and give it a more rounded appearance. This new screen size is extremely comfortable to use, especially for reading text.

In addition to this new format, the screen of the Apple Watch Series 7 (still OLED type) benefits from an increased brightness in “Always-On” mode of around 70%. This makes it easier to read the time outdoors with a quick glance at the watch without moving your wrist.. The brightness when the device comes out of standby mode remains the same as before, but increases to 1000 cd / m2.

Either way, the display of the Watch Series 7 is clearly the biggest highlight. Ultra-readable, even in direct sunlight, it is very comfortable and allows you to easily consult text, often without having to scroll. We keep the same design as before, however It’s difficult to go back to the old model once you’ve tried it.

A watch that is as responsive as ever

What doesn’t change, however, is the watch’s performance as the chip inside is the same as it was last year. We find an Apple S6 SoC that still holds up to a large extent and makes it possible to never make the Watch Series 7 guilty. The navigation in the Watch OS 8 user interface is extremely fluid, applications start in the blink of an eye, and the display and scrolling of text are never lined up. Nevertheless If you already own a Watch Series 6, you won’t see any performance gains. On the other hand, if you’re using an older model (Watch 3 and 4 in particular), you’ll appreciate the increased responsiveness of the S7 chip. Overall, the Apple Watch remains one of the most responsive and efficient watches on the market.

Another day of battery life, but faster charging

Autonomy has never been the strength of the Apple Watch and that won’t change with the Series 7 either. Depending on how you use the watch during the day (more or less intensive use of sports functions, permanent use of Siri, etc.), you go to bed with a remaining battery capacity of between 15 and 40%. It must therefore be placed on its charging station in order to be able to enjoy it all day the next day. But what’s new is that it is now possible to take advantage of fast charging when you have a 20 watt USB-C charger (It is not included in the scope of delivery). You can go from 0 to 80% of the battery in about 45 minutes. For example, if you put it on its pedestal after work, you have enough juice to use it at night and benefit from sleep monitoring.

One watch for everything, thanks to Watch OS 8

With the release of the Apple Watch Series 7 comes Watch OS 8. The operating system dedicated to the watch is developing smoothly, but again you will hardly notice any difference to the previous version. The navigation is always done with the digital crown or on the touchscreen and the possible uses are very diverse. On the communication side, we note that lhas the option of using a virtual keyboard to enter text directly on the screen instead of voice dictation (which of course remains available). However, at the time of writing this review, the keyboard is only in QWERTY and we have to admit that despite the automatic correction, the keys are still far too small to type effectively. We will therefore quickly come back to voice dictation, which is rather efficient for short and medium messages.

Several new sports and health-focused features are also available with Watch OS 8 : The “Exercise” area is equipped with new activities (Pilates, Tai Chi), a “Mindfulness” function enables regular breathing exercises and allows you to concentrate on “yourself” to relax. Watch OS 8 also inherits the focus mode introduced with iOS 15, so you can define exactly when you don’t want to be disturbed and what types of notifications you want to keep.

Incidentally, we find the already familiar Apple Watch experience with efficient control via Siri, the option to pay with Apple Pay by double-clicking the side button, many watch faces in all styles, not to mention a heart rate sensor and blood pressure measurement.

Buy Apple Watch Series 7 from Amazon

diploma

Points fortresses

• A bigger screen that makes you happy
• Highest manufacturing quality
• Shock, water and dust resistant
• Ultra versatile use

Weak points

• Little new compared to Series 6
• Autonomy always a bit tight
• iPhone essential to really enjoy it

If you haven’t fallen for an Apple Watch yet, the Series 7 is hands down the best model out there right now. With its larger and ultra-comfortable screen, first-class workmanship, increased durability and very versatile use, it offers a satisfactory everyday experience, provided, of course, you own an iPhone. This new version shies away from anything really new, however, and it’s hard to recommend buying if you already have a Series 6 unless you really want a bigger screen. If, on the other hand, you still own a model 3 or 4, you will benefit from a faster, more complete and much more comfortable watch.