The Apple Watch Series 7, while not a revolutionary overhaul, represented a significant iteration in Apple’s wearable lineup, offering a compelling blend of design refinements, enhanced durability, and faster charging that made it a strong contender for anyone looking to upgrade or dive into the Apple Watch ecosystem.
It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel, but rather perfecting the spokes, delivering a larger, more immersive display and subtle yet impactful improvements that elevate the daily user experience.
For those seeking a smartwatch that seamlessly integrates with iOS, offers robust health tracking, and provides a convenient way to stay connected, the Series 7 largely hit the mark, solidifying its position as a top-tier choice in the smart wearable market.
Here’s a comparison of the Apple Watch Series 7 alongside other notable smartwatches and related tech:
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- Key Features: Larger Always-On Retina display, enhanced durability crack-resistant front crystal, faster charging, IP6X dust resistance, WR50 water resistance, ECG app, Blood Oxygen app, Mindfulness app, Sleep tracking, Fall detection, Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, Family Setup.
- Average Price: $399 – $799 depending on configuration and model
- Pros: Significantly larger screen real estate compared to Series 6, faster charging is a must, improved durability for everyday wear, excellent health and fitness tracking, seamless iOS integration, wide range of watch bands and accessories.
- Cons: Not a major performance upgrade over Series 6, battery life is still largely 18 hours, limited to iOS devices.
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- Key Features: Retina display not Always-On, S8 SiP same as Series 8/Ultra, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, WR50 water resistance, Activity tracking, Heart rate notifications, Sleep tracking, Family Setup.
- Average Price: $249 – $329
- Pros: Excellent value for the price, strong performance for everyday tasks, includes essential safety features, good entry point into the Apple Watch ecosystem.
- Cons: No Always-On display, no ECG or Blood Oxygen app, older design compared to Series 7/8/Ultra.
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- Key Features: Same design as Series 7, adds temperature sensing for cycle tracking/retrospective ovulation estimates, Crash Detection, and improved gyroscope/accelerometer. All other Series 7 features.
- Average Price: $399 – $799
- Pros: Builds on Series 7 with new health features, Crash Detection is a significant safety addition, familiar design.
- Cons: Very similar to Series 7, temperature sensing is primarily for women’s health, not a huge leap for general users.
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- Key Features: Wear OS Powered by Samsung, durable titanium case, sapphire crystal, larger battery for multi-day use, GPS route workout tracking, Body Composition Analysis, ECG, Blood Oxygen, Sleep tracking.
- Average Price: $449 – $499
- Pros: Excellent battery life for a smartwatch, rugged design, comprehensive health tracking for Android users, strong GPS performance, haptic feedback on bezel.
- Cons: Limited compatibility with iOS, Wear OS can still feel less polished than watchOS, bulkier design.
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- Key Features: Multi-band GPS, long battery life up to weeks, solar charging options, rugged design, comprehensive sports metrics VO2 max, training load, recovery, ABC sensors, preloaded maps, Garmin Pay.
- Average Price: $699 – $999+
- Pros: Unmatched battery life, incredibly robust for outdoor activities, highly accurate GPS, deep athletic tracking and metrics, reliable for adventurers.
- Cons: Very expensive, larger and heavier design, not as much of a “smartwatch” experience compared to Apple/Samsung less app integration, more focus on fitness.
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- Key Features: Continuous EDA sensor cEDA for all-day stress management, skin temperature sensor, ECG app, SpO2 monitoring, sleep profile, built-in GPS, smart notifications, Google Assistant/Alexa.
- Average Price: $299 – $329
- Pros: Strong focus on holistic health and stress tracking, comfortable for sleep tracking, excellent battery life up to 6+ days, good for fitness enthusiasts who prioritize basic smartwatch features.
- Cons: Less robust app ecosystem than Apple/Wear OS, GPS can be less accurate than dedicated devices, no cellular option.
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- Key Features: World-class noise cancellation CustomTune technology, Aware Mode with ActiveSense, comfortable fit, clear call quality, up to 6 hours battery + 3 charges from case.
- Average Price: $279 – $299
- Pros: Phenomenal noise cancellation, good sound quality, comfortable for extended wear, stable Bluetooth connection.
- Cons: Expensive, charging case is a bit bulky, no multipoint connectivity at launch added later via update.
The Apple Watch Series 7 carved out its niche by refining what was already excellent, specifically focusing on the user’s interaction with the device.
The Enlarged Display: More Than Just Millimeters
The most striking change with the Apple Watch Series 7 was undoubtedly its display.
Apple managed to increase the screen area by nearly 20% compared to the Series 6, while keeping the overall case size remarkably similar.
This wasn’t achieved by magic, but by reducing the bezels – the black borders around the screen – by a significant 40%. The result? A screen that stretches closer to the edge, making the entire experience feel more expansive and immersive.
How a Bigger Screen Impacts Daily Use
Think about it: more screen real estate means less scrolling, easier tapping, and more information at a glance.
- Glanceability: Complications those small bits of information on your watch face now appear larger and more detailed. Seeing your activity rings, weather, or next calendar appointment is effortless.
- Typing: The Series 7 introduced a full QWERTY keyboard for the first time on an Apple Watch. While still small, the larger display made it genuinely usable for quick replies, something that felt like a novelty on previous models. This is a must for sending short texts without pulling out your phone.
- App Interaction: Apps like Calculator, Timer, and Stopwatch benefited immensely. Buttons are larger, making them easier to hit accurately, especially on the go. Reading emails or notifications also felt less cramped.
- Visual Appeal: The way light refracts off the curved edges of the display gave it a unique, almost liquid appearance. It was a subtle design flourish that added to the premium feel.
The Always-On Retina Display: A Consistent Experience
While the Always-On display wasn’t new to the Series 7 it debuted with Series 5, its integration with the larger screen felt more refined.
The display dims when your wrist is down, but key information – time, complications – remains visible.
- Discreet Checking: You can discreetly check the time or notifications without an obvious wrist raise. This is particularly useful in meetings or public settings.
- Continuity: The watch face feels like a real watch, always displaying information rather than going completely blank. This seemingly small detail significantly enhances the perceived value and usability.
- Power Efficiency: Apple’s LTPO Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide display technology allows the refresh rate to drop as low as 1Hz when idle, conserving battery life while still providing the always-on functionality. This is a crucial engineering feat that makes the feature viable.
Durability and Charging: Practical Upgrades You’ll Appreciate
Beyond the display, Apple focused on making the Series 7 more resilient and more convenient to charge.
These aren’t headline-grabbing features, but they significantly improve the overall user experience.
Enhanced Durability: Built to Last
The Apple Watch Series 7 boasted the most crack-resistant front crystal ever on an Apple Watch, making it more robust for daily wear and accidental bumps.
- Thicker Crystal: The key was a re-engineered front crystal that was over 50% thicker than that of the Series 6 at its tallest point. This increased thickness provided a greater resistance to cracking without adding significant bulk.
- IP6X Dust Resistance: For the first time, the Apple Watch received an IP6X rating, meaning it was completely dust-tight. This is crucial for anyone who works in dusty environments or spends time outdoors. No more worrying about fine particles getting into the watch’s internals.
- WR50 Water Resistance: Like previous models, the Series 7 maintained its WR50 water resistance rating, making it suitable for shallow water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. It’s not designed for scuba or high-velocity water sports, but it’s more than adequate for everyday water exposure.
Faster Charging: Less Downtime, More Doing
This was arguably one of the most impactful, yet understated, improvements. Apple Airpods 2Nd Generation Review
The Series 7 introduced a new charging architecture that allowed for significantly faster charging speeds.
- 33% Faster: Apple claimed the Series 7 charged up to 33% faster than the Series 6, achieving 80% charge in just about 45 minutes. This was a direct response to user feedback about the 18-hour battery life.
- USB-C Charging Cable: The faster charging was enabled by an updated magnetic fast charger USB-C cable, which came included in the box. Using a 20W USB-C power adapter sold separately was key to achieving these speeds.
- Impact on Sleep Tracking: This faster charging significantly mitigated the “18-hour battery life” concern. You could easily charge your watch for 8 minutes before bed and get 8 hours of sleep tracking, or top it up during your morning routine before heading out. This made integrating sleep tracking into your routine much more feasible.
Performance and Software: Smooth Sailing with watchOS
While the Apple Watch Series 7 didn’t introduce a new chip, it still offered a very smooth and responsive experience, primarily due to the optimized S7 SiP and the continuous evolution of watchOS.
S7 SiP: Refined, Not Revolutionized
The S7 System in Package SiP that powered the Series 7 was, in essence, very similar to the S6 chip found in the Series 6.
- Focus on Optimization: Instead of raw performance gains, the S7 was optimized for the new display, ensuring smooth animations and efficient power management with the larger screen. This meant that while benchmarks might not show a massive leap, real-world usage felt snappy and responsive.
- Consistent Performance: Apps launched quickly, scrolling was fluid, and interactions felt immediate. For most users, the performance was more than sufficient for everything they’d want to do on a smartwatch.
watchOS 8: Enhancements for Daily Life
The Series 7 launched with watchOS 8, which brought a host of new features and refinements.
- Redesigned Apps: Apps like Photos and Home were redesigned to take advantage of the larger display, making them easier to navigate and interact with.
- New Watch Faces: Exclusive watch faces, like Contour and Modular Duo, were designed specifically for the Series 7’s larger screen, showcasing its expanded real estate.
- Improved Cycling Features: watchOS 8 brought enhanced cycling detection, allowing the watch to automatically detect when you start a ride and prompt you to begin a workout. It also offered haptic and audio feedback for ride milestones and improved fall detection for cyclists.
- Mindfulness App: The Breathe app was updated and rebranded as Mindfulness, adding a new Reflect session type to encourage brief moments of contemplation throughout the day.
- Tai Chi and Pilates Workouts: New workout types were added, expanding the watch’s fitness tracking capabilities.
- Portrait Mode Photos: Users could now sync Portrait Mode photos from their iPhone to their Apple Watch, turning them into dynamic watch faces.
Health and Wellness: Comprehensive Tracking at Your Wrist
The Apple Watch Series 7 continued to be a powerful health and wellness companion, retaining all the advanced sensors and features from its predecessor.
It wasn’t about adding new sensors, but rather about the consistent reliability of the existing ones.
ECG App: Your On-Wrist Electrocardiogram
The Electrocardiogram ECG app, introduced with Series 4, allowed users to take a single-lead ECG directly from their wrist.
- Detecting Atrial Fibrillation AFib: The app could detect signs of atrial fibrillation, a serious form of irregular heart rhythm. This feature has been credited with saving lives by prompting users to seek medical attention.
- Medical Device Certification: It’s important to note that the ECG app is FDA-cleared in the US and holds similar certifications in many other regions, making it a regulated medical device.
- User Empowerment: It empowered users to take a more active role in monitoring their heart health, providing valuable data to share with their doctors.
Blood Oxygen App: A Glimpse into Your Respiratory Wellness
The Blood Oxygen app, introduced with Series 6, allowed users to measure their blood oxygen saturation SpO2 on demand and in the background.
- Understanding Oxygen Levels: SpO2 is a key indicator of respiratory and circulatory health. Low levels could indicate underlying health issues.
- How it Works: The app uses green, red, and infrared LEDs, along with photodiodes, to measure the amount of light reflected back from your blood, determining its color and, consequently, its oxygen saturation.
- Not a Medical Device: While useful for general wellness, it’s crucial to understand that the Blood Oxygen app is intended for wellness purposes and is not a medical device for diagnosing or treating conditions. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Fall Detection and Emergency SOS: Lifesaving Features
These safety features continued to be core strengths of the Apple Watch, offering peace of mind.
- Fall Detection: Using advanced algorithms and the accelerometer/gyroscope, the watch could detect a hard fall. If the user remained motionless for about a minute after a fall, the watch would automatically call emergency services and send a message with their location to designated emergency contacts. This feature has been widely praised for its ability to save lives, particularly among older adults.
- Emergency SOS: A simple press and hold of the side button could initiate an emergency call, even without an iPhone nearby on cellular models. This was incredibly useful in situations where a phone might not be accessible.
- International Emergency Calling: Cellular models of the Apple Watch could also initiate international emergency calls, regardless of where the device was originally purchased, adding another layer of security for travelers.
Ecosystem and Integration: Seamless Apple Experience
One of the undeniable strengths of the Apple Watch Series 7, like all Apple products, is its seamless integration into the broader Apple ecosystem. Google Pixel 6 Pro Review
This creates a cohesive and intuitive user experience that competitors often struggle to match.
iPhone Synergy: A Perfect Pairing
The Apple Watch is designed to be an extension of your iPhone, not a replacement.
- Notifications: Get alerts from your iPhone apps directly on your wrist. You can customize which apps send notifications and how they appear.
- Calls and Texts: Answer calls and respond to texts directly from your watch, even if your iPhone is out of reach or charging in another room with cellular models.
- Apple Pay: Make secure payments directly from your wrist, leveraging the convenience of NFC and Face ID/Touch ID on your iPhone for initial setup.
- Unlock Mac: Automatically unlock your Mac when your Apple Watch is on your wrist and close by, saving you from typing passwords.
- Camera Remote: Use your watch as a remote viewfinder and shutter button for your iPhone’s camera, perfect for group photos or tricky angles.
Family Setup: Extending the Ecosystem
Family Setup allowed users to set up an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t have an iPhone, offering a way for kids or older adults to stay connected and safe.
- Independent Use: These watches could make calls, send messages, track location, and even have their own phone number with a cellular plan.
- Parental Controls: Parents could manage contacts, set Schooltime mode, and approve app downloads from their own iPhone.
- Safety Features: Critical safety features like Emergency SOS and location tracking were available for Family Setup users.
App Store for Apple Watch: Expanding Capabilities
The Apple Watch has its own App Store, offering a wide range of applications that extend its functionality.
- Fitness Apps: Beyond Apple’s native Workouts app, third-party apps like Strava, Nike Run Club, and Peloton offer specialized tracking and coaching.
- Productivity Tools: Apps for managing tasks, accessing notes, or even controlling smart home devices are readily available.
- Podcast and Podcasts: Stream podcast directly to Bluetooth headphones from your watch, even without your iPhone.
- Transit and Navigation: Get turn-by-turn directions and check public transit schedules right on your wrist.
Battery Life and Charging Reality: Managing Expectations
While the Series 7 brought faster charging, the advertised 18-hour battery life remained consistent with previous models.
Understanding this reality and leveraging the charging improvements was key to a positive experience.
The 18-Hour Standard: A Daily Charge
Apple’s 18-hour battery life claim was based on a specific set of usage scenarios, including:
- 90 time checks
- 90 notifications
- 45 minutes of app use
- 60 minutes of exercise with podcast playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth
For many users, this meant a daily charge was necessary.
If you heavily used GPS, cellular, or the Always-On display, battery life could be shorter.
The Fast Charging Advantage: Mitigating the Daily Grind
The Series 7’s fast charging capability was a must for managing this daily charge. Tilde Review
- Morning Top-Up: A quick 15-20 minute charge while you’re getting ready in the morning could easily add enough juice to last you through the day.
- Pre-Sleep Boost: For those who wanted to track sleep, an 8-minute charge before bed provided about 8 hours of sleep tracking, making it a viable option without needing to charge overnight.
- Flexibility: This speed offered much greater flexibility than previous models, allowing you to top up the battery in short bursts rather than requiring a dedicated long charging session.
Tips for Optimizing Battery Life
While the fast charging helps, there are still ways to squeeze more life out of your Series 7:
- Manage Notifications: Turn off notifications for apps you don’t need on your wrist.
- Limit Background App Refresh: Go to the Watch app on your iPhone > General > Background App Refresh and turn off apps you don’t frequently use.
- Disable Always-On Display: If you don’t need it, turning off the Always-On display can significantly extend battery life.
- Reduce Wake on Wrist Raise: If you only want the screen to light up when you tap it, you can disable “Wake on Wrist Raise” in settings.
- Cellular Usage: Using cellular extensively making calls, streaming will drain the battery much faster than relying on your iPhone’s Bluetooth connection.
Who is the Apple Watch Series 7 For?
The Apple Watch Series 7, even after newer generations have arrived, remains a compelling device for a specific set of users.
It was less about groundbreaking new features and more about refinement and perfecting the core experience.
The Everyday User Looking for a Premium Experience
- iPhone Owners: This is non-negotiable. The Apple Watch is designed exclusively for iPhone users, offering unparalleled integration.
- Design-Conscious Individuals: If you appreciate a sleek, modern aesthetic and want a smartwatch that blends seamlessly with your personal style. The larger, more immersive display and refined curves are a significant draw.
- Casual Fitness Enthusiasts: For tracking daily activity, walks, runs, and general workouts, the Series 7 is excellent. It provides accurate heart rate monitoring and a user-friendly activity tracking system.
- Those Who Value Convenience: Apple Pay on the wrist, notifications at a glance, quick replies to messages, and answering calls on the go are huge time-savers.
- People Seeking Peace of Mind: Features like Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, and the ECG app offer significant reassurance for personal safety and health monitoring.
Not for Everyone: Who Might Look Elsewhere?
- Android Users: Full stop. Look at Samsung Galaxy Watch or Google Pixel Watch.
- Extreme Athletes/Adventure Seekers: While robust, the Series 7 isn’t built for multi-day treks without recharging. Dedicated sports watches from Garmin or Coros offer far superior battery life, ruggedness, and specialized metrics for endurance sports.
- Those on a Strict Budget: The Apple Watch SE offers much of the core experience at a significantly lower price point. If the Always-On display, ECG, Blood Oxygen, and larger screen aren’t critical, the SE is a very strong alternative.
- Users Needing Multi-Day Battery Life: If you absolutely detest charging your watch every day, the Series 7 like most full-featured smartwatches will disappoint. Look towards hybrid smartwatches or dedicated fitness trackers with simpler displays for multi-week battery life.
- Early Adopters Needing the Absolute Latest: If you always need the newest health sensors like temperature sensing in Series 8 or the most rugged, high-performance option like Apple Watch Ultra, the Series 7 might feel a step behind.
Ultimately, the Apple Watch Series 7 was a strong, iterative upgrade.
It polished the edges, made the device more durable, and significantly improved the charging experience, all while delivering a more immersive visual interaction.
For the vast majority of iPhone users, it offered a comprehensive and refined smartwatch experience that was hard to beat in its category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple Watch Series 7 still a good buy in 2024?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 is still a good buy in 2024, especially if you can find it at a discounted price.
It offers a large Always-On display, faster charging, and all the essential health and fitness features like ECG and Blood Oxygen tracking.
What is the main difference between Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8?
The main differences are that the Series 8 adds temperature sensing primarily for cycle tracking and retrospective ovulation estimates and Crash Detection.
Otherwise, they share the same design, display, and processor. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3511 Review
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 have an Always-On display?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 features an Always-On Retina display, meaning the time and complications remain visible even when your wrist is down, albeit at a dimmer brightness.
How long does the Apple Watch Series 7 battery last?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is rated for up to 18 hours of battery life with typical usage.
Heavy use of cellular, GPS, or the Always-On display can reduce this.
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 charge faster?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 charges up to 33% faster than the Series 6, capable of reaching 80% charge in about 45 minutes with the included USB-C magnetic fast charger and a 20W power adapter sold separately.
Is the Apple Watch Series 7 waterproof?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is water resistant to 50 meters WR50, making it suitable for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean.
It is not recommended for scuba or high-velocity water sports.
Can I track my sleep with Apple Watch Series 7?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 can track your sleep.
With watchOS, you can set sleep schedules, track sleep stages, and monitor your sleep trends over time.
Does Apple Watch Series 7 have ECG?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 includes the ECG app, which can take an electrocardiogram to check for signs of atrial fibrillation AFib.
Does Apple Watch Series 7 have Blood Oxygen monitoring?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 features the Blood Oxygen app, which allows you to measure your blood oxygen saturation SpO2 levels on demand and in the background. Msi Ge76 Raider Late 2021 Review
Can the Apple Watch Series 7 detect falls?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 has Fall Detection.
If it detects a hard fall and you remain motionless, it can automatically call emergency services and alert your emergency contacts.
What sizes does the Apple Watch Series 7 come in?
The Apple Watch Series 7 is available in 41mm and 45mm case sizes.
Can I answer calls and texts on Apple Watch Series 7?
Yes, you can answer calls and send/receive texts directly from your Apple Watch Series 7, especially on cellular models which can do so without your iPhone nearby.
Is Apple Watch Series 7 compatible with all iPhones?
The Apple Watch Series 7 requires an iPhone 6s or later running iOS 15 or later to set up and pair.
Can I use Apple Pay on Apple Watch Series 7?
Yes, you can use Apple Pay to make secure payments directly from your Apple Watch Series 7.
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 have GPS?
Yes, all models of the Apple Watch Series 7 have built-in GPS for tracking workouts and location independently of your iPhone.
What is the difference between GPS and GPS + Cellular models?
GPS models require your iPhone nearby for calls, texts, and cellular data.
GPS + Cellular models can make calls, send texts, and stream podcast independently of your iPhone, provided you have an active cellular plan for your watch.
Is the Apple Watch Series 7 screen more durable?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 features a re-engineered front crystal that is over 50% thicker than the Series 6, making it the most crack-resistant Apple Watch display at its release. Cooler Master Mm720 Gaming Mouse Review
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 have a keyboard?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 introduced a full QWERTY keyboard for the first time on an Apple Watch, making it easier to type quick replies.
Can I track cycling workouts with Apple Watch Series 7?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7, with watchOS, can automatically detect when you start a cycling workout and offers enhanced cycling features and metrics.
What is Family Setup on Apple Watch Series 7?
Family Setup allows you to set up an Apple Watch for a family member who doesn’t have an iPhone, enabling them to stay connected, track activity, and use safety features.
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 have a dust resistance rating?
Yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 was the first to receive an IP6X dust resistance rating, meaning it is completely resistant to dust.
Can I stream podcast directly from Apple Watch Series 7?
Yes, you can stream podcast directly to Bluetooth headphones from your Apple Watch Series 7, even without your iPhone nearby especially on cellular models or if podcast is downloaded.
Are older Apple Watch bands compatible with Series 7?
Yes, Apple Watch bands are generally cross-compatible across generations within the same case size.
So, 40mm/41mm bands fit the 41mm Series 7, and 44mm/45mm bands fit the 45mm Series 7.
What materials is the Apple Watch Series 7 available in?
The Apple Watch Series 7 was available in aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium case materials.
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 come with a charging brick?
No, the Apple Watch Series 7 comes with the magnetic fast charger USB-C cable, but the 20W USB-C power adapter is sold separately.
Can I get turn-by-turn navigation on Apple Watch Series 7?
Yes, you can get turn-by-turn directions from Apple Maps and some third-party apps directly on your Apple Watch Series 7, with haptic feedback for turns. D Link Dwa X1850 Wi Fi 6 Usb Adapter Review
How does the Apple Watch Series 7 compare to the Apple Watch SE?
The Series 7 offers an Always-On display, ECG, Blood Oxygen app, faster charging, and a larger, more durable screen compared to the Apple Watch SE.
The SE is a more budget-friendly option with core features.
Is the Apple Watch Series 7 suitable for swimming?
Yes, it’s suitable for swimming in shallow waters like a pool or ocean.
It can track swimming workouts and is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
Does the Apple Watch Series 7 support international emergency calling?
Yes, cellular models of the Apple Watch Series 7 support international emergency calling, allowing you to call local emergency services when traveling abroad.
What health features are exclusive to the Apple Watch Series 7 over older models?
The Series 7’s health features were largely carried over from the Series 6 ECG, Blood Oxygen. Its primary health-related improvements were subtle refinements like the faster charging making sleep tracking more convenient.
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