Smartwatches · 2021 · Apple

Apple Watch Series 7 (45 mm, GPS)

The Apple Watch Series 7 is Apple’s 2021 watch. Compared with the Series 6 it brought a larger, brighter always-on OLED display, IP6X dust resistance and USB-C magnetic fast charging; for health it has ECG, blood oxygen and fall detection. Apple rates battery life at 18 hours, and in testing the battery, which needs a daily charge if you also track sleep, was the weakest point.

Apple Watch Series 7, 45 mm aluminium case, GPS model. The 41 mm case, GPS + Cellular, stainless steel and titanium versions are separate configurations with different display area and weight.

Apple Watch Series 7 (45 mm, GPS) — Apple image of the Apple Watch Series 7 in Blue and Green aluminium; the image does not distinguish the 41 and 45 mm case sizes.
Apple image of the Apple Watch Series 7 in Blue and Green aluminium; the image does not distinguish the 41 and 45 mm case sizes.

Specifications

SpecificationValue
DisplayAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED; 396 × 484 pixels; 1,143 mm² display area; 1,000 nits brightness

The 41 mm case has 352 × 430 pixels and 904 mm² of display area. The LTPO panel lowers its refresh rate when the wrist is down so the screen can stay on.

ChipS7 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip; U1 (Ultra Wideband)

Ultra Wideband availability varies by region.

Health sensorsBlood oxygen sensor (Blood Oxygen app); electrical heart sensor (ECG app); third-generation optical heart sensor

Blood oxygen readings are not for medical use. The ECG app and irregular rhythm notification need the latest watchOS/iOS and are not intended for people under 22.

Motion and safetyAccelerometer up to 32 g-forces with fall detection; gyroscope; ambient light sensor; Emergency SOS

On the GPS model, Emergency SOS needs the iPhone nearby or a known Wi-Fi network with Wi-Fi Calling; international emergency calling is only on the GPS + Cellular model.

LocationGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou; compass; always-on altimeter
ConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11b/g/n 2.4 and 5 GHz; Bluetooth 5.0

LTE/UMTS is only on GPS + Cellular models.

Storage32 GB
Battery and chargingUp to 18 hours; built-in lithium-ion battery; USB-C magnetic fast charging cable

Apple’s battery test was done in August 2021 with preproduction watches paired to an iPhone; actual life varies with use and settings. The fast-charge test used the A2515 cable and a 20 W USB-C adapter; the adapter is not in the box.

DurabilityWater resistant to 50 metres under ISO 22810:2010; IP6X dust resistant; ceramic and sapphire crystal back

Suitable for shallow-water activities such as swimming in a pool or the sea; not for scuba diving, waterskiing or high-velocity water.

Size and weight45 × 38 × 10.7 mm; aluminium: 38.8 g

The 45 mm stainless steel case weighs 51.5 g and titanium 45.1 g.

CompatibilityRequires iPhone 6s or later with the latest iOS

Per Apple’s launch documentation; some features are unavailable when the watch is set up through Family Setup.

ColoursAluminium: Midnight, Starlight, Green, Blue, (PRODUCT)RED

From the manufacturer

Apple presents the Series 7 with the largest and most durable Apple Watch display up to that point and faster charging. Apple Support

Strengths and limitations

  • TechRadar found the display larger and brighter than the Series 6 and running, cycling and swim tracking good at a basic level. With the new cable charging reached about 50% in 30 minutes and over 80% in 45 minutes. A 50-minute run with map voice directions, GPS and offline Spotify used only 10% battery. On the other hand about 15% went overnight, and against Apple’s claim that 8 minutes of charging covers a night of sleep tracking, the test saw about 8% added in eight minutes. With 24–30 hours per charge, sleep tracking needed a regular charging routine.

    TechRadar review (2021, later updated); test units used with an iPhone, case size not stated separately.

    TechRadar: Apple Watch 7 review

Tags

2021APPLEWATCHOSOLEDGPS

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Sources

  1. Apple Support: Apple Watch Series 7 technical specifications
  2. TechRadar: Apple Watch 7 review