Apple Watch Series 7 Tidbits: S7 Chip, Storage Remains 32GB, USB-C Fast Charging Cable in the Box, and More

[Darth Tulhu]

I agree to an extent. However I do replace my Apple devices very often. I find it cheaper as when they're still a relatively current spec you can get most of your money back - if you just run it into the ground it's worthless and then you have to start all over again. I've bought every iPhone since the day the first one game out, so that's not a trend i'm about to stop - I enjoy the updates very year but even when they're small I at least get a handset in perfect condition with a new oleophobic coating (as that's often worn out after a year), with full battery life in a new colour.

But i've had my Model S for 4 years now and after 2 it was really starting to show it's age - Tesla make lots of quite big updates every few months - i'm due to get a new car at the end of the year and it honestly feels long over due.

I did buy the new watch each year for the first 4, but i've stick with the Series 4 for a while now, I'll get a Series 7 though. Dishwashers, washing machines, heat pumps, etc I agree with you on - TV's not every year, but I think there's sufficient upgrades if you're into them every 4 years.

The thing is I don't moan about the upgrades not being enough like everyone seems to on here - literally every iPhone since about the 2nd people have complained the upgrades weren't enough. It happens with just about every device, released or rumoured on here - it's just a constant moanville.

I'd say that Teslas aren't truly mature yet, but I see your point. Well said.

And yes, there is a very valid argument for yearly upgrades of devices, but I think that the masses don't fall into this category.

In all though, well said.

 

[centauratlas]

Apple did state that S7 continues with the same 18hr battery life, same number since S0 btw ... so IF you were really saving energy, other component/display eat it up

One thing I've found is that I just turned off the AOD on my S6 and use it like it doesn't have one. I get to around 40% after about 18 hours of use.

I like the idea of a larger screen, but I am on the fence abut the S6->S7 upgrade.

 

[jwolf6589]

Still don't see a reason to upgrade my S4...
But i guess that's a good thing.

I am not upgrading my S4 because of a limited budget. But if I had the money I would. On screen keyboard, larger screen, compass, etc…

 

[jwolf6589]

I also have the 4 and really wanted to upgrade this year but even the changes of 5,6 and 7 together dont really tempt me.

the next watch is where it’s at.

Why not? On screen keyboard. Compass. Etc… I have the S4 and want to upgrade. But I can’t justify the expense on a limited budget.

 

[votdfak]

1mm sounds like nothing, however it's 20% bigger than the Series 4, 5 and 6...

It's also 70% brighter always on
You've got software enhancements like keyboard typing, swiping and calc
It's stronger, more durable, has better screen protection and is more dust proof (which is useful for someone who actually damaged the sensors in their watch with building dust)
Plus fast charging - being able to get enough for sleep tracking with just 8 minutes of charging is pretty cool/useful
And then of course the new colours.

Put yeah apart from that, it's basically no different...

And it's still the same ****** "all day" battery life. That's whack for watch.

 

[dannys1]

And it's still the same ****** "all day" battery life. That's whack for watch.

What do you want? Two day battery life? What magical battery technology do you think has been invented in the last year that'll change that whilst providing all the same features. You can't change physics.

 

[Alexrat1996]

Is it up for preorder this Friday ?

 

[votdfak]

What do you want? Two day battery life? What magical battery technology do you think has been invented in the last year that'll change that whilst providing all the same features. You can't change physics.

I want more battery life even if that means more beefier device, give us AW beef version.

 

[WaterOz]

As much as I do think it's an incremental update, there isn't a strong enough reason to update from my S5 - which aligns with my typical thoughts on the Apple Watch - it's a 3 year upgrade cycle. Next year will likely be the time to upgrade my S5 (especially if some of the new rumored health additions are true).

Ironically, Im an upgrade the phone every year guy (even with just increments), but I can't justify upgrading the watch every year, and my S5 is still performing amazingly well.

 

[RoboCop001]

Definitely upgrading from my Series 3!

 

[Rogifan]

I am very disappointed in that this watch isn't that much of an improvement over the Watch 6. A bigger watch, heavier by a little and some different charging options. I was hoping for some new health things, like blood glucose , body temperature, etc. I have the watch 6 and seems another year will go by with it until Apple figures out that to do a big hype presentation for things so not that great. I read where Samsung made some remark about this.

As far as the phone, same thing.. I am paying off my 12 pro and glad I got it when I did. I get a hoot out of the face recognition option.

Lastly they could have done something to improve the airtag firm wear updates with their units. BUT then again, guessing their motto is "do little things, the nerds will go ape-**** over it."

Who is doing noninvasive blood glucose at scale?

 

[jwolf6589]

Definitely upgrading from my Series 3!

I would

 

[jz0309]

What do you want? Two day battery life? What magical battery technology do you think has been invented in the last year that'll change that whilst providing all the same features. You can't change physics.

That, and IF Apple would put a larger battery in the watch, it would become thicker AND heavier and the same people would complain about that…

 

[jz0309]

Who is doing noninvasive blood glucose at scale?

No-one yet, but the technology is there.
Just that peoples lives depend on accurate measurements, and to get to that point, it will take time (eg clinical trials), and, the other thing people don’t realize, it will add a HEAFTY premium ( think of what a Dexcom 1-2 year supply costs)

 

[ericg301]

1mm sounds like nothing, however it's 20% bigger than the Series 4, 5 and 6...

It's also 70% brighter always on
You've got software enhancements like keyboard typing, swiping and calc
It's stronger, more durable, has better screen protection and is more dust proof (which is useful for someone who actually damaged the sensors in their watch with building dust)
Plus fast charging - being able to get enough for sleep tracking with just 8 minutes of charging is pretty cool/useful
And then of course the new colours.

Put yeah apart from that, it's basically no different...

who else was surprised that the watch wasn't already dustproof?

 

[Z3roFlaw]

I'm a series 4 owner and really wanted to upgrade this year. I guess I was hoping for more health stuff on the watch than was actually added. Blood pressure and Glucose monitoring rumors ruined the hype for me lol

Still, I'd be going from a 3 year old watch. However, that same watch has WatchOS8 on it which has increased my battery life surprisingly! I have all the features of the newer watches pretty much except for the Blood O2 reader.

I'm still on the fence, but I do kind of like the always on screen, brighter screen, bigger screen, etc that all come with jumping from Series 4 to Series 7.

 

[djlythium]

Except YOU are not citing ANY reasons.
There are plenty people out there for whom the S7 is absolutely worth it…

So, you feel I need to justify my opinion. Why? Because you don't like it?

I don't see you justifying your opinion, but I that's fine.

You do you. I'll do me.

I agree that, for some, the upgrade might be worth it, but that doesn't prevent me from expressing my opinion. That's like saying 'some folks will disagree with you, so, don't state your opinion.'

✌🏼

 

[jz0309]

One thing I've found is that I just turned off the AOD on my S6 and use it like it doesn't have one. I get to around 40% after about 18 hours of use.

I like the idea of a larger screen, but I am on the fence abut the S6->S7 upgrade.

don't blames, I'll be staying with my 4 ...

 

[djlythium]

Really? don't get one? but I have a series 4 and know all my needs..and decided to get one.

guess I won't then.

Awesome, I'm happy for you!

Funny!

 

[xTIMMYxCOREx]

Will the existing MagSafe Duo Charger support the fast charging on the Series 7 watch?

 

[t0pher]

I read on some rumour site that the I watch 8 would be better so I’m not buying the 7 to replace my 4.

those Samsung ones look nice though.

 

[jz0309]

I've been here for a while, and at some point I've been labeled a hater too (there was no forgiving those butterfly keyboards), so I'll leave the kettle's color alone.


Indeed.

I still think that its design is too feminine for me, but my wife loves it.

I also don't see a "gotta have it" factor yet for me, but I'm getting both old and fat so my interest in it rises every year they add health and fitness features. That whole "close your rings" thing is both catchy and clever.

been doing that for 5+ years, there's a monthly thread in the AW subform if you havn't seen it yet ...

I am also interested in new health features, they didn't come for the S7, so, my S4 got replaced under AC+ about 3 months ago, so new case/glass and battery (at 100% health), and while I think I'd like AOD, not going to get a new one

 

[mattzone]

Contrary to some recent media reporting, MacRumors can confirm that the new Apple Watch Series 7 is powered by a new S7 chip, although the S7 is based around the same CPU found in the S6 chip from the Series 6.

Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 7 during its event yesterday, but the watch will not be available until "later this fall." As a result, Apple has so far offered relatively little detail about the new watch, not even publishing a specifications page on its website detailing the specific features of the Series 7.

Nonetheless, MacRumors can confirm several details about the Series 7 not currently shared by Apple. First, the Apple Watch Series 7 is indeed powered with an S7 branded chip, which Apple indicates will offer the same 20% advantage in performance compared to the S5 chip found in the Apple Watch SE and Series 5 as the Apple Watch Series 6 did.

As noted by Steve Troughton-Smith, the CPU in the S7 chip carries the same t8301 identifier as the CPU in the previous S6 chip, which explains why Apple's performance claims are unchanged relative to the S6.

There is more to an Apple Watch chip than just the CPU, however, and that's where there have apparently been a few changes that have led Apple to brand it with a new name despite offering the same performance. With the larger display on the Series 7, the S7 chip is likely to have been tweaked to continue providing customers with all-day battery life while still powering the larger, more advanced display.

This isn't the first time Apple has done something like this. For example, with the Apple Watch Series 5, Apple included the S5 chip that carried the same CPU as its predecessor but with the addition of a gyroscope.

As far as internal storage, the Apple Watch Series 7 includes 32GB, the same as on the Series 6 and SE models.

We can also share a number of details about the weight of the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 compared to the Series 6:

• Apple Watch Series 7 41mm in Aluminum: 4.9% heavier than 40mm Series 6
  
• Apple Watch Series 7 41mm in Stainless Steel: 6.5% heavier than 40mm Series 6
  
• Apple Watch Series 7 41mm in Titanium: 6.9% heavier than 40mm Series 6
  
  
• Apple Watch Series 7 45mm in Aluminum: 6.6% heavier than 44mm Series 6
  
• Apple Watch Series 7 45mm in Stainless Steel: 9.3% heavier than 44mm Series 6
  
• Apple Watch Series 7 45mm in Titanium: 9.2% heavier than 44mm Series 6

With the Apple Watch Series 7, Apple includes faster charging, claiming that it can charge to 80% in just 45 minutes and that 8 minutes of fast charging will provide sufficient battery life for 8 hours of sleep tracking. To support the new fast charging, Apple will be offering a new 1-meter USB-C magnetic fast charging cable.

We can confirm that Apple will be including the new fast charging cable in the box with the Apple Watch Series 7. Using the older USB-A cable with the Series 7 will still charge the device at normal, non-fast charging speeds.

On the connectivity front, the Series 7 includes the same Bluetooth 5.0 protocol as the Series 6, but, unlike the Series 6, the new Apple Watch Series 7 also has built-in support for Beidou, China's satellite navigation system. The Series 7 also includes the U1 chip, with no apparent improvements compared to the ultra wideband chip found in the Series 6 or last year's iPhone 12.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 7 Tidbits: S7 Chip, Storage Remains 32GB, USB-C Fast Charging Cable in the Box, and More

Is anyone else a little tired of the minor iterations on the Apple devices and the idea that the market can be milked on these minor adjustments? The larger display aside.. the Apple Watch's main utility seems to come from health/monitoring tech and this "major overhaul" adds no new sensor or collection data. I upgraded from the 4 to the 6 because of the increased functionality, but I won't be upgrading again until Apple can justify the $400-$500 price tag it wants to slap on these devices.

 

[mattzone]

So would it be smarter to get a series 6 if I'm looking at buying a watch? Not trying to sound dumb, but trying to get the best bang for my buck.

Right now, you can likely find a used series 6 (44mm) for around $275-$300 on eBay. A comparable new series 7 (45mm) will probably cost the standard $429 and up. You can save $130ish and get a decent amount of the features that are on the 7. Unless you need absolutely brand new, why not save the cash?

 

[Deguello]

Kinda surprised at the comments in here. Yes, the screen is the only difference, but for many people the screen is the watch's main feature. What have they added in the past few years that was more worthy of an upgrade?

Nothing. Which is why I still have the 4, which was the first one I ever bought. It tracks my movement, plays music, receives notifications, enables me to call or text without my phone, and sets timers and alarms (the only real use I have for Siri on it) just fine.

But, then again, I kept my iPhone 6+ (which I got only for the bigger screen) until it was just too slow and the battery life was too poor until the Xs… which I still have because it’s plenty fast for what I do and isn’t close to running out of storage.