Apple Watch Series 7 release date, features, specs, rumours
Britta O'Boyle
Pocket-lint
Apple's next smartwatch is due to appear before the end of the year, likely alongside the iPhone 13 range, and there has been plenty of speculation as to what might appear.
Here's everything we've heard so far about the Apple Watch Series 7, mixed with our wishlist.
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What will the next Apple Watch be called?
- Probably Apple Watch Series 7
Unlike the iPhone, Apple didn't mess around with the Watch naming structure. Since the original was followed by the Apple Watch Series 1, the company has used sequential numbers every year.
It is therefore highly likely we can expect 2021's watch to be called the Apple Watch Series 7, succeeding 2020's Apple Watch Series 6. We also saw the Watch SE launch in 2020, though it's not yet clear if that will be refreshed every year.
The new watch, or watches, will run Apple's watchOS 8, which was previewed during Apple's developer conference at the beginning of June. You can read all about the features coming to Apple Watch in our separate watchOS 8 feature.
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Apple Watch Series 7 release date
- September 2021
- Likely from $399/£379
Apple has announced it will hold its next special event on 14 September. Though it is not known what will be revealed at the event, the timing is in line with when the company typically holds its iPhone event, where the next iteration of the Watch is normally announced at the same time.
There were reports of the Watch Series 7 being delayed, though these have since been dispelled with reliable Mark Gurman of Bloomberg claiming Apple is still on track.
In terms of price, the Apple Watch Series 6 starts at $399/£379. We'd expect the same ballpark for the Series 7.
Design
- Squarer edges like iPhone 12?
- Explorer Edition?
The Apple Watch Series 4 made some big design changes in terms of display and the Series 5, Series 6 and Watch SE adopt the same design. The general style and shape remain the same as the original Watch, but the newer watches offer a lot more screen in similar footprints.
It could be therefore, that the Series 7 offers some bigger design changes, given the Series 5 only added an always-on display and built-in compass, while the Series 6 added a blood oxygen sensor.
Rumour has it a round watch face and wrap-around flexible display are being researched, but there's also been talk of a squared-edge design for the Series 7, following in the same footsteps as the iPhone 12 models, iPad Air and the M1 iMac. It's also said the display will be flatter and closer to the front glass, while the casing itself is said to be slightly thicker.
The sizes are said to be changing from 40mm and 44mm to 41mm and 45mm and there is said to be a display increase from 1.78-inches to 1.9-inches. It is not clear if the current Watch bands will be compatible.
A more rugged, "Explorer Edition" Apple Watch has also been mentioned, which might see some design changes. Rumours suggest it could come with a rubberised case.
Features and specs
- Focus on fitness - more advanced features
- Better sleep tracking
- Improved battery life
- Smart straps
In terms of features, we expect more health and fitness features on the Series 7, perhaps taking on the likes of Garmin with a recovery feature similar to Body Battery for example. Garmin also do a great job of enabling users to share their runs or activity so we wouldn't be surprised to see Apple take a leaf out of this book.
It's claimed there will be a 'Time to Run' feature and Audio Meditations joining the 'Time to Walk' feature on Fitness+.
We'd like to see battery improvements to match other smartwatches in the market and we'd also like to see more advanced sleep tracking on the Series 7, as well as roaming capabilities.
Apple revealed sleep tracking as part of watchOS 7, meaning it is available on older Apple Watches too, but it isn't as detailed as some other devices on the market. Perhaps some extra hardware on the Series 7 could put it up there with the Fitbit's and Garmin's. We know Respiratory Rate is coming with watchOS 8, but we'd like to see more than this.
With watchOS 8, the Apple Watch will be able to unlock more. Rather than just being able to unlock your Mac and iPhone when a face mask is detected, it will be able ro act as a digital key for you home for example, if you have a compatible lock.
Other possibilities for the Watch Series 7 could include things like smart straps, third party support for watch faces, a camera and Face ID or an under display fingerprint sensor, though we suspect the latter are wishful thinking rather than plausible additions, mainly due to lack of space for the sensors.
Apple Watch Series 7 rumours: What's happened so far?
Here are all the rumours and news so far, surrounding future Apple Watches.
7 September 2021: Apple confirms 14 September date for iPhone launch event
Apple sent out invitations to its next special event, widely thought to be for the launch of the new iPhone, a new iPad mini and Apple Watch Series 7.
6 September 2021: Apple Watch Series 7 may only be available in limited quantities at launch
Report claims Apple may be forced to offer the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 in limited quantities at launch, with concerns continuing to grow that the smartwatch announcement may be delayed.
3 September 2021: Current Apple Watch bands incompatible with larger 'Apple Watch Series 7'
AppleInsider reported that Max Weinbach tweeted that an Apple Store employee had claimed no more 40mm and 44mm were coming in and therefore suggested the new Watch won't be compatible with the old bands. We don't believe this alone suggests the Series 7 won't be compatible with old straps though.
2 September 2021: Apple Watch Series 7 will definitely have a bigger screen
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg claims the Watch Series 7 will have a larger screen, seeing a jump from 1.78-inches to 1.9-inches. The report also said Apple was on track to reveal devices in September, dispelling rumours of delays.
31 August 2021: Apple Watch Series 7 likely to be delayed
Nikkei Asia and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman both reported Apple is apparently halting production on the upcoming Series 7 due to increased difficulties during assembly leading to an unacceptable rate of failed quality control checks.
27 August 2021: New Apple Watch Series 7 design revealed in biggest leak yet
Twitter user @MajinBuOfficial tweeted some images of what is said to be a clone of the new Apple Watch Series 7 in the real world, showing a flatter-edge design, supporting previous rumours of a design change.
Apple Watch S7 clone #Apple #AppleWatch pic.twitter.com/K2hjtleoAN
— Majin Bu @MajinBuOfficial) August 27, 2021
24 August 2021: Next generation Apple Watch will come in two new larger sizes
A report on Weibo claims the Apple Watch Series 7 models will be slightly larger than the Series 6, with 41mm and 45mm sizes instead of 40mm and 44mm models.
20 August 2021: Apple has multiple product launches planned for September
Digitimes claimed Apple has multiple keynote addresses planned for September.
18 August 2021: Leaked Apple Watch Series 7 renders confirm new look in first major redesign since its release
91Mobiles published some renders of the Apple Watch Series 7 that appear to support the idea of a squared-edge design for the next smartwatch. Ultra wideband technology is also said to be on board and the display is said to be flatter.
18 August 2021: Apple iPhone 13 could launch 14 September, with 1TB option
There has been a report to suggest the Apple iPhone 13 could launch 14 September, which means the Apple Watch Series 7 could also launch on this date. Nothing is confirmed as yet though.
16 August 2021: Apple Watch Series 7 to bring Time to Run feature, M1X MacBook Pro coming soon
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg published his Power On newsletter detailing some things expected for Apple's upcoming devices. The newsletter claims the Apple Watch Series 7 will offer a faster processor, slight redesign, flatter screen and Time to Walk and Audio Meditations in Fitness+.
7 June 2021: Apple previews watchOS 8
Apple previewed the features coming to watchOS 8 during Day One of its WWDC 21 conference.
19 May 2021: Apple Watch Series 7 could have squared design like iPhone 12
Leaker Jon Prosser claimed the Apple Warch Series 7 would come with a redesign and a new green colour option.
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Watch Series 7 - Jon Prosser
3 May 2021: Will the next Apple Watch read blood sugar and alcohol levels? Possibly
A major feature coming to the Apple Watch could have been revealed in an SEC filing for UK-based startup Rockley Photonics.
Rockley Photonics designs sensors for monitoring a person's blood using infrared light. The sensors could be used for monitoring blood glucose and alcohol levels.
26 March 2021: Apple considering 2021 launch for 'Explorer Edition' Watch designed for extreme conditions and athletes
A report from Bloomberg suggested Apple is considering the launch of an all-new Apple Watch model designed for athletes, hikers and those who would use the smartwatchin extreme environments. It is said to launch in 2021 or 2022 and possibly offer a rubberised case.
23 March 2021: Patent suggests redesign of Apple Watch
MacRumours reported Apple could be looking into a potential "redesign for the Apple Watch, including a rounded watch face, wrap-around flexible display, and digitally-customizable watch bands". The report came after the discovery of a newly-granted patent filing.
15 Febraury 2021: No glucose monitoring coming to Series 7 after all
Leaker Max Weinbach dispelled rumours that the Apple Watch Series 7 would feature glucose monitoring. It was a feature previously reported, but Weinbach has claimed it isn't coming yet.
12 January 2021: Future Apple Watch could have Wrist ID, patent suggests
A patent was filed by Apple for a light sensor on the back of its Watch that would shine light onto the user's wrist and generate a field image of the area.
The image would feature veins from your arm and should be as unique as a fingerprint, allowing the Apple Watch to recognise who has put the Apple Watch on and unlocking it accordingly.
14 November 2020: New Apple Watch design could arrive 2021
9to5 reported that analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed a new Apple Watch design would arrive in 2021 at the earliest. The report said Kuo speculates that a "significant form factor design change would come with new Apple Watch models in 2H21 at the earliest."
22 July 2020: Apple Watch With MicroLED Display Could Launch in 2020
MacRumours reported that Apple was in talks with Taiwanese display manufacturers to use microLED displays in its products in 2020. We didn't see that in the Watch Series 6, but maybe this is something we will see on the Watch Series 7.
16 April 2020: Could a future Apple watch detect if you've fallen into a river?
As we've seen from the introduction of heart monitoring features, Apple is keen to make Apple Watch into a device that promotes life. According to an Apple patent, a future device could detect the type of water its in and therefore assess if you've fallen into a river or the sea and then assess your situation. For example, if your watch's GPS assesses you're in deep water it could be set to alert authorities.
6 February 2020: Digital Crown could get new features
One of the most distinctive things about the Apple Watch is the Digital Crown. Now it could be getting some new features to make it touch or light-sensitive. Certainly Apple would intend for the crown to become more sensitive through these methods, not less. Again, these have been spotted thanks to a patent release.
"The crown may include a light-directing feature configured to direct, onto the image-sensing element, an image of an object in contact with the imaging surface" says the filing. The crown could potentially detect the motion of your finger as you rotate or touch the crown.
Apple Insider suggests this could mean that the Digital Crown has less physical bulk, therefore, making room within the watch for other components.
30 January 2020: Digital Crown set to be replaced with an optical reader?
A patent spotted by Patently Apple shows the Apple Watch Digital Crown being replaced by an optical fingerprint reader instead which could then recognise gestures, such as if you were to rotate the virtual crown.
At present we think it's unlikely that Apple would remove the Digital Crown because it's one of the most distinctive features of the timepiece. But this could happen in a future version of the Apple Watch rather than being for this year, of course.
11 November 2019: Could Touch ID make its way to the Apple Watch?
Apple filed a patent that turns the Apple Watch screen into a Touch ID sensor. The patent notes that "the display may provide an image or video output for the watch body 100. The display may also provide an input surface for one or more input devices such as a touch sensing device, force-sensing device, temperature sensing device, and/or a fingerprint sensor."
While we're seeing a lot of phones with under-display fingerprint readers now, this move would require quite a step-up in technology because of the diminutive size of the watch.
5 August 2019: Apple Watch could use in-display fingerprint sensor
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed Apple will introduce an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor into the 2021 iPhone, but he also said the technology could be used in a new Apple Watch too.
Currently, the Apple Watch has no biometric security but an in-display fingerprint sensor would allow it to offer some, without changing the design.
16 January 2019: Three big health features rumoured
The Fast Company reported that Apple has hired numerous clinicians and engineers to work on health features for the Apple Watch, which are said to include blood pressure, blood glucose or diabetes management and sleep tracking or science. Given these didn't appear on the Series 6, perhaps they are destined for the Series 7?
8 May 2018: Patent for round Apple Watch approved
A patent for circular screen technology was approved, after being originally filed in January 2016. The filing mentioned wrist wear, leading some to assume a circular Apple Watch was coming.
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