\Another year means another version of the Apple Watch for everyone to consider if looking for a new smartwatch. It’s no secret that the Apple Watch remains the best and most useful smartwatch across the globe. It continues to sell in record numbers on a consistent basis, as Apple has fleshed out the features to make it the ultimate workout device, along with providing you quick access to your notifications without staring at your iPhone.
Announced alongside the iPhone 13 series, the Apple Watch Series 7 is coming just in time for the 2021 holiday season. But when comparing the Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7, has Apple done enough to warrant an upgrade? By many accounts, the iPhone 13 could have just as easily been named the “iPhone 12S” as there are only a handful of “game-changing” updates in-tow. Let’s find out if Apple should do the same with the Series 7.
Related Reading
- Apple Watch Series 7: Everything You Need To Know
- Everything Announced During Apple’s iPhone 13 California Streaming Event
- Fix: Apple Watch Keeps Opening Apps by Itself
- A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started With the Apple Watch Series 6
- Apple Watch Series 6 Review
Contents
Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7: Spec Comparison
Apple Watch Series 6 | Apple Watch Series 7 | |
---|---|---|
Price | From $399 | From $399 |
Sizes | 40mm / 44mm | 41mm / 45mm |
Display | Always-on Retina LTPO OLED | Always-on Retina LTPO OLED |
Brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
Case Materials | Aluminum / Stainless Steel / Titanium | Aluminum / Stainless Steel / Titanium |
Colors | Aluminum: Blue / Gold / Product(RED) / Silver / Space Gray Stainless Steel: Gold / Graphite / Silver Titanium: Space Black / Silver |
Aluminum: Blue / Green / Midnight / Product(RED) / Starlight Stainless Steel: Gold / Graphite / Silver Titanium: Space Black / Silver |
Durability | 50m water resistance | 50m water resistance / IP6X dust resistance |
Battery | Up to 18 hours w/ USB-A magnetic fast charging cable | Up to 18 hours w/ USB-C magnetic fast charging cable |
Software | watchOS 8 (upgraded) | watchOS 8 |
Health Sensors | Blood oxygen sensor / Electrical heart sensor / Optical heart sensor / Fall detection | Blood oxygen sensor / Electrical heart sensor / Optical heart sensor / Fall detection |
Other Sensors | Accelerometer / Ambient Light / Barometric Altimeter / Compass / GPS / Gyroscope | Accelerometer / Ambient Light / Barometric Altimeter / Compass / GPS / Gyroscope |
Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7: Design Changes
The biggest change when comparing the Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7 is the design. No, we didn’t get the rumored design overhaul with squared-off edges like the rumors and leaks suggested. But Apple has changed the design just enough, as we now have a slightly larger display. Because of this display, Apple has been forced to update its casing sizes, as the Series 7 comes in either 41mm or 45mm compared to the 40mm and 44mm from the Series 6.
To provide this larger display, the display bezels on the Series 7 are now 20% smaller when compared to the Apple Watch Series 6. This allows for more text to be read on the screen, along with the introduction of new watch faces to take advantage of the bigger screens. Plus, Apple has upgraded the display when comparing the Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7, as it will be 70% brighter when indoors, which was a point of contention with last year’s model.
In terms of durability, Apple is swinging for the fences with the Apple Watch Series 7. The Series 6 already features a WR50 water resistance rating, meaning that you can swim at up to 50 meters. This has been brought along with the updated Series 7, but Apple is also introducing an IP6X dust resistance rating. It may not seem like much, but if you enjoy being in the great outdoors, any little bit of added durability can help.
As we see with every new iteration, Series 7 introduces some new colors to the mix for the aluminum model. These include the following:
- Aluminum: Green
- Blue
- (PRODUCT) Red
- Starlight
- Midnight
Thankfully, even with the design changes and larger case sizes, Apple confirms that you are able to use the same bands that you’ve always been using. So there’s no need to toss those older bands to the side just to accommodate a new Apple Watch.
Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7: Performance
Moving on to comparing the performance of the Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7, things should be pretty much the same. That’s because both of these smartwatches are powered by Apple’s S6 chipset. We’re not entirely sure why Apple didn’t opt for an “S7” processor, as many have been expecting.
There are a few different reasons why this could be. For one, the tech world is still suffering from a global chip shortage that began when COVID-19 forced chipmakers to shut down. Another reason could be that the supposed squared-off redesign is likely to arrive with the Apple Watch Series 8, bringing additional health sensors and features. It makes sense for Apple to unveil its new wearable processor with a completely new Apple Watch, versus one that offers only minor upgrades.
Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7: Battery
Those hoping that this is the year we see a dramatic increase in battery life will be a bit disappointed. The Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7 are rated for the same 18 hours of battery life on a single charge. Essentially, this equates to your Watch lasting for up to a single day, before needing to be charged back up.
Where the Apple Watch Series 7 does see an improvement is in charging capabilities. According to Apple, the Series 7 can now charge about 33% faster compared to the Series 6. This is possible thanks to the redesigned wireless charging built into the smartwatch, along with the move from USB-A to USB-C for the charging cable. And while you won’t get a charging brick in the box, Apple does provide the new USB-C cable in the box for the Series 7. With these faster-charging speeds, Apple claims the Series 7 will take just 45 minutes to go from 0% to 80%.
Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7: Do You Need To Upgrade?
If you want to upgrade your Apple Watch for the sake of upgrading your Apple Watch, then the Series 7 is good enough to warrant doing such. However, if you already own the Series 6, and are on the fence about everything, we would recommend holding off until the Apple Watch Series 8.
The biggest benefit to the Series 7 is the faster charging and larger display. But both the Apple Watch Series 6 vs Series 7 feature the same set of health sensors, the same battery life, and the same processing power. This is definitely an instance of an Apple Watch Series 6S being introduced, that has been named the Series 7. But let us know what you think and whether you are upgrading to the Apple Watch Series 7 in the comments!
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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