The Apple Watch Series 8 has finally arrived, and as is tradition, the Apple Watch Series 7 has been shuffled off of the tech giant’s store page and into the abyss.
That’s an oversimplification perhaps, because the Apple Watch Series 7 (opens in new tab) remains one of the best fitness trackers (opens in new tab) you can buy in 2022 – even with the arrival of its younger brother and the more rugged Apple Watch Ultra.
The Apple Watch Series 7 remains lightyears ahead of what other fitness trackers can do, and it can still run the latest watchOS, watchOS 9, without breaking a sweat.
So, is the Apple Watch Series 7 still worth buying, or should you opt for the newer version instead? There’s a good chance the model will be significantly discounted in the upcoming Prime Early Access Sale — here’s everything you need to know about the watch, before you commit to buying.
How much is the Apple Watch Series 7?
The Apple Watch Series 7, as with its newer sibling, arrived at a starting price of $399 for the “Sport” configuration. This offers a 41mm aluminum case, with a fluoroelastomer strap.
Now that it’s not available from Apple, we’ve seen it available for around $330 at the likes of Best Buy, but would expect it to get further discounts ahead of the holiday season.
It’s worth noting that there are multiple variants of Apple Watch Series 7, with another case size (45mm) and the option to swap the aluminum casing for Stainless Steel or Titanium. As you’d imagine, this increases the price somewhat. The Stainless Steel option, for example, still retails in some stores at the full price of $749.
Some versions also offer a cellular connection (data plan required). This means you can buy them through cell carriers at an additional cost to your monthly data plan.
When did the Apple Watch Series 7 come out?
The Apple Watch Series 7 was revealed on September 14, 2021, and launched on October 15 of the same year. Its successor, the Apple Watch Series 8, was released on September 16, 2022.
What features does the Apple Watch Series 7 have?
Unlike fitness trackers from the likes of Fitbit, Apple Watch Series 7 has a deep integration with the iPhone’s iOS operating system. This means that an iPhone is all but compulsory to get the best out of the Apple Watch.
While the Apple Watch Series 7 was initially predicted to offer a revamp to the product line’s overall design, it essentially offers a similar experience to the Series 6 but with a display cascading over the edges. This, combined with a refreshed watchOS interface, makes it easier to use than prior models, with larger, easier-to-read elements like on-screen buttons and a touchscreen QWERTY keyboard. Put simply, it’s a larger display in an almost identical footprint.
In terms of sensors, the Apple Watch Series 7 offers a blood oxygen sensor, ECG function for atrial fibrillation, and an improved heart sensor over its predecessors.
The Series 8, on the other hand, adds a series of additional sensors while maintaining the same form factor. It offers Crash Detection for drivers and can now also track body temperature, with a focus on ovulation and fertility tracking.
Should I buy the Apple Watch Series 7?
Unless the Crash Detection and fertility tracking are important features for you, it’s hard to recommend the Series 8 over the Series 7 – particularly if found at a discount.
Even the Apple Watch Series 8’s S8 chip, essentially the “brain” of the device, is a rebranded version of prior chips dating back to the Series 6. That’s not necessarily a bad thing – the Apple Watch has led the wearables market for power and capability for years now – but it does perhaps show that the company is struggling to innovate further.
Even the $799 Apple Watch Ultra, designed for intense exploration and rugged conditions, comes with the S8 chip, meaning it’s no more powerful than the Series 7 or even Series 6 – although it does offer a larger, brighter display, better battery life, and more.
With the Apple Watch Series 7 likely to see discounts in the coming weeks, though, it’s hard not to recommend. As a smart watch, it stands toe-to-toe with the Series 8 in almost every way, and you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference even if you had one on each wrist.
