Apple Watch Series 7 Teardown Reveals Battery Capacity, Display Updates and More

[MacRumors]

With the Apple event this week and the imminent launch of new MacBook Pro models, it's easy to forget that the Apple Watch Series 7 just came out last Friday. iFixit didn't forget, though, and has done one of its traditional teardowns on Apple's newest wrist-worn device.

Today's teardown features both the 41 and 45mm versions of the watch, and it unveils some secrets we weren't previously aware of. The 45mm Apple Watch Series 7 has a 1.189Wh battery inside (309 mAh), which is a 1.6 percent increase over the 1.17Wh battery in the 44mm Series 6.

Series 7 on left, Series 6 on right (44/45mm models)​

The 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 features a 1.094Wh battery, a 6.8 percent increase over the 1.024Wh battery in the prior-generation 40mm model. Both batteries have slightly wider dimensions, but iFixit says the increase likely goes to the new, brighter displays rather than adding battery life.

The internals of the Series 7 are similar to the Series 6, but there are small differences, such as the removal of a bracket where the diagnostic port was once located.

Series 7 on left, Series 6 on right (44/45mm models)​

Apple has touted IP6X dust resistance for the Series 7, which older models may have had too, but Apple just didn't do the specific test for the certification. There are, however, some new ingress-protection measures such as a mesh covering the speaker grille. The removal of the diagnostic port may also contribute to the dust resistance, and removing this port saves some internal space.

iFixit teamed up with former Apple engineers who work at Instrumental for the teardown, giving us some additional context into why the Apple Watch may have seen delays prior to its October launch.

According to iFixit, the Apple Watch Series 7 has new display technology that was likely a "huge pain to manufacture at scale." The new Apple Watch appears to be equipped with a touch-integrated OLED panel, or an "on-cell touch," which is also used in the iPhone 13. Apple is also using just one flex cable for the display instead of two, which iFixit says is "not a trivial change."

Every teardown comes with a repair score, and the Series 7 earned a 6 out of 10. iFixit says that display and Taptic Engine swaps "worked great" in its testing, as did changing out the battery.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 7 Teardown Reveals Battery Capacity, Display Updates and More

 

[Ghost31]

A whole 1.6 % better battery? Holy crap. Why didn’t Apple talk about this?!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Sometimes, it is the little things that can make the biggest difference. I am happy with my Series 7.

 

[Howard2k]

But I read over and over in the Apple Watch forum that's it's exactly the same as the S6.

 

[anthorumor]

Tiny tech looking mighty impressive.
I honesty dont know what they’ll do with the Series 8, unless they decide to change the form factor which I doubt.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I love my series 7. Small upgrade but it’s the little things.

 

[AndiG]

Had a close look today and compared the Series 7 to the Series 5 on my wrist. Result: Absolutely no need to spend >500€ for something that looks exactly the same, despite a little bit bigger display. Furthermore I like the space grey of my watch and this color seems to be no longer available for Aluminium watches.

 

[jmgregory1]

Looking at the internals, it’s understandable why Apple has shied away from making a round Watch. It’s tough enough to get everything into the rectangular Watch as is.

 

[_Spinn_]

I love iFixit's teardowns - it is always interesting to see what makes our devices tick.

 

[anthogag]

I ordered Watch 7 LTE+WiFi; this time stainless steel. My current Watch 6 is aluminium. Delivery in 4-5 weeks.?

 

[nutmac]

45mm gains more modest 0.019Wh over 44mm, vs 0.070Wh from 40mm to 41mm.

More substantially, 0.095Wh battery capacity separates 45mm and 41mm models, vs. 0.146Wh for 44mm and 40mm.

Coupled with the fact that 41mm has roughly the same display area as the 44mm (and now similar battery capacity at 1.094Wh vs. 1.170Wh), unless you have a large wrist or prefer the looks of oversized watch, 41mm seems to be the way to go.

 

[steve09090]

It was really interesting to see a tear down coming from (almost) the source. A great perspective.

 

[dannyyankou]

I wonder if Apple could make a smaller but more powerful Taptic Engine and increase the battery size.

 

[dannyyankou]

Had a close look today and compared the Series 7 to the Series 5 on my wrist. Result: Absolutely no need to spend >500€ for something that looks exactly the same, despite a little bit bigger display. Furthermore I like the space grey of my watch and this color seems to be no longer available for Aluminium watches.

If they offered just one model, I'd agree. But I'm getting the series 7 aluminum Watch as a companion to my series 5 stainless steel. I'll wear both for different things.

 

[satchmo]

Every teardown comes with a repair score, and the Series 7 earned a 6 out of 10. iFixit says that display and Taptic Engine swaps "worked great" in its testing, as did changing out the battery.

Wait. So it's technically possible to replace the battery on an Apple Watch?

 

[Octopuss]

I honesty dont know what they’ll do with the Series 8

It's Apple, they can introduce any innovation like all new Apple Watch Product RED Pro and even Apple Watch Product RED Max, just like they did few years ago with absolutely new iPhone Product RED

 

[chanerz]

Good to know!

 

[jz0309]

these teardown are great

 

[Apple_Robert]

Wait. So it's technically possible to replace the battery on an Apple Watch?

Yes. Apple offers the service for $79

 

[freedomlinux]

If only Apple could just ... put the battery capacity into the product specifications.

Instead of waiting for a third-party to disassemble the product (I mean, not that iFixit wasn't going to do it anyway)

 

[MrGimper]

Had a close look today and compared the Series 7 to the Series 5 on my wrist. Result: Absolutely no need to spend >500€ for something that looks exactly the same, despite a little bit bigger display. Furthermore I like the space grey of my watch and this color seems to be no longer available for Aluminium watches.

Erm, "congratulations" ??

 

[jz0309]

Yeah, sure looks like a “last minute design change”
/s

 

[ericg301]

Yes. Apple offers the service for $79

They don’t replace the battery though. They send a whole new unit.

 

[Knightcastle]

45mm gains more modest 0.019Wh over 44mm, vs 0.070Wh from 40mm to 41mm.

More substantially, 0.095Wh battery capacity separates 45mm and 41mm models, vs. 0.146Wh for 44mm and 40mm.

Coupled with the fact that 41mm has roughly the same display area as the 44mm (and now similar battery capacity at 1.094Wh vs. 1.170Wh), unless you have a large wrist or prefer the looks of oversized watch, 41mm seems to be the way to go.

For those who have been owners of previous “large” size Apple Watches, whether this is true or not, the change becomes an issue with band compatibility.

Changing could be quite pricey if you need to replenish a collection of straps.

 

[davidako]

Sometimes, it is the little things that can make the biggest difference. I am happy with my Series 7.

Works both ways. That stupid, horrible red ring on the crown makes cellular versions unthinkable to buy for me.