The Apple Watch Series 7 is more durable and has a larger screen

In addition to the iPhone 13 family and a new iPad mini, Apple today also revealed its latest wearable: the Apple Watch Series 7. The Series 7 has two big improvements over its predecessors: a larger screen and greater durability.

Once again, the Watch Series 7 will be available in two different sizes: 41mm and 45mm, up from 40mm and 44mm. Despite this, the devices are almost identical in size to last year's Series 6. This has been achieved by shrinking the amount of bezel; there's just 1.7mm left, making the Apple Watch Series 7 screen all but edge-to-edge. As such, Apple says you can cram 50% more text onto the display, and there's now even an on-screen keyboard with swipe support for replying to messages. The screen itself is also 70% brighter when you're using the always-on display.

The other big new feature is increased resilience. In addition to being swim-proof like past models, the Apple Watch Series 7 now has a crack-resistant crystal screen and IP6X dust-resistant. In theory, it should be harder than ever to break.

Lastly, the Apple Watch Series 7 supports fast charging via a new USB-C charging puck. An eight-minute charge should be enough for eight hours of sleep tracking, while a 45-minute charge should take you from flat to 80%. The battery life is the same as the Series 7, however. You're looking at around 18 hours with the always-on display on, or 48 with it off.

Otherwise, the Apple Watch Series 7 features the same array of sensors and tech you'll find in the previous model, including ECG support, blood oxygen monitoring, and more.

The Apple Watch Series 7 will be available later this year, but Apple has yet to confirm Australia pricing. For reference the Apple Watch Series 6 starts at $599 for a 40mm aluminium model or $649 for a 44mm model, so it wouldn't be surprising to see similar.

The aluminium Apple Watch Series 7 will be available in five colours: midnight, starlight, green, blue, and red. Stainless steel options should come in silver, black, and gold.

The Apple Watch Series 7 will replace the Series 6, but Apple will continue to range both the Apple Watch SE and the Apple Watch Series 3.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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