New Apple Watch 7: Rumored features at a glance
• Flat-edge and flat-screen redesign
• Two new sizes: 41mm and 45mm
• Faster S7 processor, perhaps double-sided
• Ships with watchOS 8 software
• Time to Run feature with Apple Fitness Plus
• Possibly improved swim tracking features
The Apple Watch 7 release is inching closer, and despite the limited leaks concerning the upcoming smartwatch, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
As a follow-up to the Apple Watch Series 6, the Apple Watch 7 should come with a handful of upgrades that make the best smartwatch even better. We may see a new health sensor, enhanced display, longer battery life and more. There’s also talk of an all-new, flat-edged design with larger screens.
Apple has debuted a new smartwatch every year since 2015 (in 2020, it actually released two) so we’re confident an Apple Watch Series 7 is the pipeline. It could be accompanied by a new version, too, much like the Apple Watch SE released alongside the Apple Watch Series 6.
But what will be different? And which features are on our wishlist? Here’s everything we know about the Apple Watch 7 so far.
Apple Watch 7 latest news and rumors (September 3)
Apple Watch 7 release date
For the last few years, without fail, Apple has debuted a new smartwatch via a Tuesday keynote in the Fall, with availability starting Friday of that week or the next.
But a new Bloomberg report from the supply chain says the Apple Watch 7 is “suffering production snags” with the planned design changes, detailed below. For anyone wondering if they should buy Apple Watch 6 or wait for Apple Watch 7, this news might tip the scales. It’s one thing to wait a few more weeks to invest in a new smartwatch, another to wait until sometime in October or even November, when largest and smallest iPhones eventually became available last year.
We can’t say for certain what’s going on with the Apple Watch 7 production line, or how the new report will impact the Apple Watch 7 release date. But based on the intel from Bloomberg and Nikkei, we’re not as confident it’ll arrive in September alongside the iPhone 13 and AirPods 3 as we were before.
Nevertheless, an Apple event is rumored to be taking place in September, where there’s still a chance that the Apple Watch 7 could be revealed. It may simply be shown off with orders getting going live a a month later. We’re pretty confident that a new Apple Watch will arrive this year, even is it misses the usual September release window.
Apple Watch 7 price
Unless Apple opts to throw a financial curveball, we have a pretty good sense about what the Apple Watch 7 price will be. Traditionally, $399 is the company’s entry-level price for its flagship smartwatch in the 40mm size with GPS.
The price goes up to $429 for the 44mm size, plus another $100 to either size for Cellular support. That said, changes to size options and connectivity could alter the Apple Watch cost.
This could be the year we see Apple drop the price of cellular, too. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 with LTE is only $50 more, as is cellular for the midrange Apple Watch SE.
Apple Watch 7 design
Apple’s smartwatch design hasn’t changed in several years. While the curved squircle is pretty iconic, we’re definitely excited about redesign rumors. First according to a leak from Jon Prosser, a flat-edged Apple Watch following the iPhone design language is in the works. Prosser shared Apple Watch 7 renders revealing what the new wearable could look like.
Prosser said, “the display will likely stay the same as it has been for the past few generations, though, at least from what I’ve heard, they have tested prototypes with even smaller bezels and more screen.”
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has added weight to Presser’s clams, with reports, apparently fuelled by source information, detailing several upcoming features and claiming Apple is testing a “new lamination technique” that raises the watch’s display closer to the top cover. And Gurman claimed that the Apple Watch 7 would have “a flatter display and edges, a faster processor and slightly larger screens.”
In a more recent Bloomberg report, Gurman claimed the Apple Watch 7 will come in 41mm and 45mm variants but will have larger displays thanks to pushing the screen further to the edges of the watch face. And that is set to deliver more information to the wearer, notably through a suite of new Apple Watch faces.
We’ve starting to see some Apple Watch 7 clones appearing in China, which have been posted to Twitter. You can see the flat edge design, but it’s clear that these knockoffs are lacking some polish.
Lastly in terms of design, a report from DigiTimes says the Apple Watch 7 will feature a double-sided System in Package (SiP) from Taiwan’s ASE Technology. This upgrade could finally give us the battery life we want.
Apple Watch 7 blood glucose monitoring, blood pressure monitoring and other rumored health features
It’s thought that the Apple Watch 7 could come without a much-rumored blood glucose monitor, which could be a deal-breaker for some smartwatch shoppers.
However, a new report has Apple’s next smartwatch tipped to have blood pressure monitoring instead. That would give the Apple Watch 7 a feature the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has, but if Apple nails the tech then is could get FDA approval for U.S. use as a legitimate health tool. We’re not optimistic, though. Apple big health plans for its smartwatches probably won’t arrive in time for the Apple Watch 7.
The Apple Watch 7 will likely get other new health and fitness features. The next Apple Watch could get new swim-tracking features, according to Bloomberg. Otherwise, Apple is either keeping its Apple Watch 7 plans successfully under-wraps, or this won’t be a big year for health monitoring hardware. We know that with watchOS 8 the Apple Watch will be able to track pilates and Tai Chi, though.
Want to try watchOS 8 now? See how to download the watchOS 8 public beta.
Apple Watch 7 rumors: What we want to see
While we can make educated guesses about the Apple Watch 7 release date and price, the current Apple Watch 7 rumors are less precise. We’re too far away from launch for credible leaks to surface, but for now we can highlight some features we’d like to see.
Better battery life: Patently Apple has found evidence of Apple researching a way to increase the battery life of its wearables. The “Battery Watch Band” could improve battery capacity without having to increase the size of the Watch itself.
We’re accustomed to the 18-24 hour stamina of current models, but we’d welcome an Apple Watch that can last longer between charges.
Blood pressure monitoring: There are a few reasons why blood pressure monitoring could come to Apple Watch next year. First, it’s a viable candidate for the company’s informally annual health feature upgrade. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has a sensor for blood pressure monitoring, so there’s already a template that Apple can follow.
But it seems the company has a proprietary approach in mind. A patent filing recently won by Apple gives it a leg up in health tracking with built-in blood pressure monitoring that incorporates correction factors. For comparison, Samsung’s blood pressure monitoring requires monthly calibration, which can be cumbersome.
Mental health tools: When the Fitbit Sense unveiled a slew of stress management tools, we hoped Apple would follow up with similar features for Apple Watch 6. They didn’t come to fruition.
Apple may hold a steady lead in life-saving features, but mental health tools are life-saving in their own right. Luckily, two top leakers confirmed Apple is working on on way for your smartwatch to warn you about panic attacks and heightened stress.
MicroLED display: Apple Watch 7 could be ready to make the switch from an OLED display to a microLED screen, enabling a slimmer and more power-efficient Apple Watch. MicroLED displays offer better brightness and don’t suffer from the luminance decay problems of traditional OLED panels.
In 2018 Bloomberg reported that the company is working out of a nondescript building in California to produce MicroLED displays. They didn’t materialize for Apple Watch 6, but perhaps 2021’s Apple Watch will get the new display treatment.
Apple Watch 7 outlook
It’s too early to make any judgements about the upcoming Apple Watch 7. We’re just as excited as you to learn what Apple has up its sleeve for its next-generation wearable.
We hope Apple ups the ante. The competition is more convincing than ever: the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Fitbit Charge 5 are among compelling new Apple Watch alternatives. Our smartwatch buying guide can help you asses your needs to determine which smartwatch is right for you.
Bookmark this page for the latest Apple Watch 7 updates. We’ll be tracking rumors and leaks until the smartwatch is revealed.