Series 7, Cant Decide.....

[newellj]

My wife and I currently have the Series 4 SS watches, we just cant see upgrading annually like I do with the phones when it comes to the watch. Before the Unveil, I was all hyped to upgrade us to the Series 7, but when Apple showed it off, and it not having any new sensors, or much of any other major upgrades, I am torn on if I should wait till next years Series 8, due to I would assume we will see a major upgrade in that cycle, or should I get the Series 7? My wife already said if I get a Series 7, I am not upgrading it next year lol.

I wasn't going to upgrade from S6 to S7...and then I did...I think...the return window is obviously still open. I'm liking the S7 enough that I will probably keep it.

I totally agree with DeeDawg's post just above, but hope springs eternal, no? This was pretty clearly an "S" year for the Apple Watch, so we hope for something more significant next year (and I don't mean a slab-sided case). On the other hand, if I knew that it upgrading to S7 was going to keep me from updating to S8, which will probably (? - we hope?) have a new sensor or other improved health functions, I'd say with the S4 unless the battery is shot.

 

[newellj]

I’ve had a lot of performance issues with my S5 lately.. Eg. when trying to change complications the Watch Face previews don’t come up and so they don’t react when touching them.. after a few seconds they pop up.

I hate to sound like the guy from IT, but that seems unusual - have you tried restarting the watch?

 

[newellj]

The larger display is a bigger deal than most people think. It will provide a vastly better user experience.

Fast charging is going to be an equally nice change for lots of users.

 

[newellj]

Glucose is the real game changer. The current CGM out there require expensive monthly subscriptions. Blood pressure would be a nice addition as well.

I think that if someone could figure out how to get reliable real-time blood sugar readings from a wearable, especially without a subscription, they would sell millions of the device. That seems to be very hard to do, though.

BP seems do-able, though. I don't know whether BP devices need regulatory approval, like the ECG capability did, but that shouldn't be a major obstacle in the US.

Another post mentioned skin temps. I need to do some googling to see what uses that would have.

However it works out, I'd like to see some significant health upgrade next year.

 

[TAZ911]

I think that if someone could figure out how to get reliable real-time blood sugar readings from a wearable, especially without a subscription, they would sell millions of the device. That seems to be very hard to do, though.

BP seems do-able, though. I don't know whether BP devices need regulatory approval, like the ECG capability did, but that shouldn't be a major obstacle in the US.

Another post mentioned skin temps. I need to do some googling to see what uses that would have.

However it works out, I'd like to see some significant health upgrade next year.

Heck, even if you had to have a subscription, a non invasive way to check blood glucose would be worth it. AFAIK even the continuous systems require a small prick that works for a 10 day stretch. Then it’s a new location.

Skin temp isn’t that big, at least not for me, but them if this COVID or any other related BS keeps hanging about skin temp may be useful.

 

[PaladinGuy]

Heck, even if you had to have a subscription, a non invasive way to check blood glucose would be worth it. AFAIK even the continuous systems require a small prick that works for a 10 day stretch. Then it’s a new location.

Skin temp isn’t that big, at least not for me, but them if this COVID or any other related BS keeps hanging about skin temp may be useful.

The benefit of skin temperature isn't really for detecting illnesses as much as overall recovery. It doesn't tell you your overall body temperature - just changes in your skin temperature. So, though it may be indicative of illness, it can also just be an indication of low recovery. Devices like my Oura ring use it to determine readiness/recovery. Same thing with Whoop bands.

For most people, it probably wouldn't be a huge advantage. Honestly, the biggest issue is that Apple doesn't do enough with the data that it already has and it doesn't collect enough of it. If the Apple Watch would take more frequent HRV readings during the night, for example, it would be very useful for gauging recovery. Apple needs to eventually do more with data on sleep, HRV, RHR, and other metrics to give actionable advice to us, just like other companies do. It doesn't need to be as advanced as Garmin and others (i.e., geared towards specific sports), but something like body battery or readiness is absolutely useful to non-athletes.

 

[C7 POWER]

Maybe someone made this suggestion and I missed it, but...if you're more into tech than your wife, could you possibly get this year's and then next year give her your s7 and you get the s8?

Know that color, case, and size may thwart this suggestion, but thought it worth throwing out.

She wears the smaller watch and I wear the 44MM, so no that is not an option

 

[mikemj23]

Glucose is the real game changer. The current CGM out there require expensive monthly subscriptions. Blood pressure would be a nice addition as well.

What CGM requires a monthly sub? I wear one and have for years and have never paid a monthly sub of any kind.

I do agree that non-invasive, ACCURATE, glucose monitoring would be a game changer but it is likely years away.

 

[GuruZac]

What CGM requires a monthly sub? I wear one and have for years and have never paid a monthly sub of any kind.

I do agree that non-invasive, ACCURATE, glucose monitoring would be a game changer but it is likely years away.

Was thinking of the Freestyle Libre and Levels App combo.

 

[MCube74]

Nonsense.

when you put into context that the Apple Watch is a glorified fitness tracker and not a traditional mechanical timepiece then the lightweight and cheaper aluminium models make perfect sense, especially as the technology become redundant within 2-3 years.
Furthermore I’m pretty such that while sapphire glass is less susceptible to scratching, it is more susceptible to cracking.

It doesn’t matter how you spin it, the Apple Watch is not jewellery that is designed to last. It’s not something of value that you can pass down like a real watch. It as a product is simply a gadget and it doesn’t matter what finish you have, a gadget is a gadget.

Having said that, those who are fashion conscious should go for the dressier SS or Ti models , but it doesn’t mean they are inherently getting something that is more valuable, and given the cost of the materials that’s a shame. I always wondered whether apple could instead create a module you could snap in and out of the casing in order to upgrade the watch.

I have always opted for the aluminium model due to the nature of technology moving fast and wanting to upgrade without completely flushing any money I’ve spent down the toilet. However I’ve always said to myself that when Apple introduce the sensor that will mean the most to me.. blood glucose monitoring, I will then splash out. Until then it’s just a gadget.

I understand what you are saying but then aluminum scratches and dents easily and many people I know get bumper cases to protect their aluminum watches. The bumpers makes the watches look like the swatch watches I used to wear when I was a kid.

Look at the choices for aluminum Apple Watches this year:
1) Midnight Blue
2) Blue
3) Starlight
4) red
5) green

These are not traditional Watch colors which people wear but then again people have their own tastes.
I just like a more traditional and feel look for the watches I wear.

It is sad that Apple Watches don’t come in a circular shape but at least we can choose a stainless steel or titanium finish.

 

[ukms]

I understand what you are saying but then aluminum scratches and dents easily and many people I know get bumper cases to protect their aluminum watches. The bumpers makes the watches look like the swatch watches I used to wear when I was a kid.

Look at the choices for aluminum Apple Watches this year:
1) Midnight Blue
2) Blue
3) Starlight
4) red
5) green

These are not traditional Watch colors which people wear but then again people have their own tastes.
I just like a more traditional and feel look for the watches I wear.

It is sad that Apple Watches don’t come in a circular shape but at least we can choose a stainless steel or titanium finish.

So what exactly is a traditional watch colour ? Watches of various makes come in various colours and finishes always have done. All comes down to personal choice.

 

[sarc]

Yes, the new look is not certain but the chances for the new watches turning out to be looking like that are pretty high now with the latest news.

I know how technology is as I have been following tech for years.
I used to change phones 3 to 4 times a year ( between android and IOS) but later realized that it is better to stick to one ecosystem and so I chose IOS.
I upgrade to a new iPhone every year but I don’t upgrade my iPad Pro and Apple Watch every year.

I don’t mean to hurt anyone sentiments by referring to that aluminum models as a toy. I “personally” think of all aluminum based watches (Apple or Android) to be toys. They don’t feel like a real watch as most watches are made of Stainless Steel.
Also if not smartwatch, you do see real watches in Blue color, Red Color or Green Color.

I know things have changed now and lots of people love to put a lot of color in their lives, but as I am a businessman, I am comparing to watches from big brands like Hermes, Rolex, Omega, etc. For me a watch need to not only look like a watch but also need to feel and weigh like a watch.

I don’t agree at all. They just updated the case and screen design. This will be the design for the next 2-3 years. Just look at the S4 to S6.

 

[sarc]

This was pretty clearly an "S" year for the Apple Watch, so we hope for something more significant next year (and I don't mean a slab-sided case).

I don't really see this as an 's' year. The screen and case design is a massive upgrade and so too is fast charging.
Wondering if you also thought the S5 and S6 as 's' years?

 

[sfrangu]

I understand what you are saying but then aluminum scratches and dents easily and many people I know get bumper cases to protect their aluminum watches. The bumpers makes the watches look like the swatch watches I used to wear when I was a kid.

Look at the choices for aluminum Apple Watches this year:
1) Midnight Blue
2) Blue
3) Starlight
4) red
5) green

These are not traditional Watch colors which people wear but then again people have their own tastes.
I just like a more traditional and feel look for the watches I wear.

It is sad that Apple Watches don’t come in a circular shape but at least we can choose a stainless steel or titanium finish.

So what exactly is a traditional watch colour ? Watches of various makes come in various colours and finishes always have done. All comes down to personal choice.

Indeed, it boils down to one's personal taste. As @ukms said, what is a traditional watch color? (I've had all colors of watches since forever because I chose colored watches and stayed away from typical silver SS ones. Not talking about toys, or about cheap watches but real timepieces.)
Not wanting to be derogatory towards anyone, the way your above-quoted message sounds, but for me shiny watches (among other items) look... a bit tacky, to be delicate. Again, I haven't expressed my opinion about shiny-ness because I never understood the need to put others down about their taste; just wanted to make a point here. We're all different and we like different things, and how awesome is that! How boring our lives would be with all traditional and mono/bicolore stuff around us.

 

[newellj]

I don't really see this as an 's' year. The screen and case design is a massive upgrade and so too is fast charging.
Wondering if you also thought the S5 and S6 as 's' years?

Yes, the S5 was (my opinion) very much an S year. The only real change was AOD, if I recall correctly. S6 I don't have an opinion on either way, although if it says anything I sold my S4 and bought an S6. The S6 added a new sensor, which might take it out of the S category.

I agree that the display and fast charging are significant improvements in daily use, and have said so quite a few times. I also think that most of the "reviewers" have missed that point.

 

[MCube74]

So what exactly is a traditional watch colour ? Watches of various makes come in various colours and finishes always have done. All comes down to personal choice.

I understand what you are saying. May be it is just my preference. I prefer a a premium look and feel.

This is why I also prefer the iPhone Pro models over the non pro aluminum models.

Also the choices of the aluminum models are not to my liking.

 

[ukms]

I understand what you are saying. May be it is just my preference. I prefer a a premium look and feel.

This is why I also prefer the iPhone Pro models over the non pro aluminum models.

Also the choices of the aluminum models are not to my liking.

Understood….. but like colour ‘premium look and feel’ is personal choice. What is a ‘premium look’ to you may not be to someone else.

As for choice of iPhone I understand what you say ….. for me personally the main reason I choose a Pro Max is for the camera, features and functionality after that I choose a colour but that’s just me.

 

[Dino F]

I also have Series 4. Battery health is 90%.... I have no intention of getting Series 7 at this point. If an accident happens sometime in the future, then that will change.

I went from Series 0 to Series 4. The larger display alone was enough of a reason to switch, and there were plenty of others. However, from 4 to 7... I haven't seen the 7 in person, but my overall impression is, yeah, the display is larger, but I'm more than fine with the Series 4 display. Always-on hasn't been a compelling upgrade for me, either. Based on the current situation I can make it to Series 8 without a problem, so I'll wait to see if there's something that pushes my buttons (Side or Digital Crown) at that point.

I also have the S4 SBSS (paid £749 in 2017) and also went from S0 Space Grey to S4 so that was a massive upgrade for me. My Battery Health is currently at 95% which is still pretty awesome after owning the watch for 4 years!

I do like the look of this S7 Nike edition :

Granted the S7 isn't a massive upgrade from the S7 however, I fear my HR sensor on my watch is on the way out as my HR charts in the Fitness App when I do workouts, regularly show 'Chart Unavailable' even though at other times it works fine (I've tried ALL the troubleshooting steps also) ??!

Decisions decisions....!!!

?

 

[MCube74]

Understood….. but like colour ‘premium look and feel’ is personal choice. What is a ‘premium look’ to you may not be to someone else.

As for choice of iPhone I understand what you say ….. for me personally the main reason I choose a Pro Max is for the camera, features and functionality after that I choose a colour but that’s just me.

Don’t get me wrong. I also look for functionality as well. I got the 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max because I am just waiting to use ProRes.

Apart for the functionality, I have to also consider the look. If the look doesn’t satisfy me, then I rather not waste my money. Can’t see myself getting a watch then get a screen protector and bumper. It just kills the look of the watch.

 

[zhizhuchao]

If anyone has an SS series 4-6 with an undamaged screen, I'd say don't bother upgrading until series 8/9, and just get a new battery. If its an aluminium series 4, or even series 5 if the screen is damaged, then an upgrade to SS series 7 might be worth it.

 

[ukms]

If anyone has an SS series 4-6 with an undamaged screen, I'd say don't bother upgrading until series 8/9, and just get a new battery. If its an aluminium series 4, or even series 5 if the screen is damaged, then an upgrade to SS series 7 might be worth it.

Why ?

 

[Tomasz_PL]

Hi,
Right now I'm on S5 LTE. Is it worth upgrading to S7 LTE? I'm still in two minds about doing that.

 

[sfrangu]

Why ?

Because s/he says so.
Upgrade, don’t upgrade… I always do whatever I want, no one can tell me what to do with my money for which I am busting my behind.
These so-called advices are new though, I don’t remember people being so against upgrading this or that device. Too much time on their hands with lockdowns?

 

[ukms]

Because s/he says so.
Too much time on their hands with lockdowns?

Completely agree ….

 

[ukms]

Hi,
Right now I'm on S5 LTE. Is it worth upgrading to S7 LTE? I'm still in two minds about doing that.

You will get divided opinions on here ….. if you have the budget ….. why not enjoy the new device !