WATCH REVIEW: Apple Watch Series 7
The Series 7 is available for preorder in Canada today and in stores on Friday, Oct. 15
The Apple Watch Series 7 has arrived as the latest generation of the world’s most popular smartwatch. The watch starts at $529 and brings along a larger screen, more durable design and faster charging. The bigger display accommodates more room for texting and reading messages, while the watch’s stronger body makes it less prone to cracks. The watch is available for preorder in Canada today and in stores on Friday, Oct. 15.
A bigger screen for more content at your fingertips
The Apple Watch Series 7 features a new 41-mm small display and 45-mm large display, offering 20 per cent more screen space than any Apple Watch model from the Series 4 to the Series 6, 50 per cent more than the Series 3. Although the Series 7 has only grown by 1mm, it still works with all watch bands and previous equipment.
I’ve owned the Apple Watch Series 2 Sport and Series 4, and I’ve noticed a significant difference between the 42-mm and 45-mm display. If you are using this watch for daily use, the display is great for tracking your activities. The Series 7 is a massive improvement and provides a unique user experience, with apps being easier to see and navigate. The Calculator, Stopwatch, and Control Center apps all have larger buttons that are easier to press. Apple also added a full QWERTY keyboard to the Messages app on the watch, allowing you to type out or swipe texts directly on the screen.
Zero to 80 per cent, real quick
The Apple Watch Series 7 is the fastest charging Apple Watch to date, replenishing 80 per cent battery in a 45-minute charge. The watch comes with a faster charger provided in the box. Apple says that the charging is 33 per cent faster compared to the Series 6, and I have noticed that the battery holds up better than previous variations. The total battery life is still about a day and a half, even with an hour of GPS battery use.
A more rugged, durable design
The Apple Watch Series 7 is extremely durable, with a stronger, crack-resistant front crystal screen. The crystal is 50 per cent thicker, making it more durable than its predecessors. It is the first Apple Watch to have an IPX6 certification, meaning it is dust-tight and water-resistant to up to 50 metres. I used this watch for a workout in the pool and the rain, holding up well to the extreme conditions. This watch will be more durable for runners in snowy environments or plan to use it for beach activities. I have minorly cracked my two previous versions of the Apple Watch, but each model I’ve found has held up well to the activities I have put them through.
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The verdict
This watch completely held up to my expectations. The screen is simple and feels fitting, while light on your wrist during activity. A feature that I love in the Watch IOS 8 is having workout detection on all workout types. Whether you are running or riding, the watch will fully detect your activity within a minute. The battery holds the charge better than previous models, but it isn’t as noticeable as the other improvements. The watch is perfect for the 9 to 5 causal runner who dabbles in distance running and enjoys group training classes. Another feature I love in the IOS 8 update is the rolling pace alert feature on runs. Previously, the Apple Watch would always give you alerts per kilometre, but now you can set a goal pace over a particular distance, and you’ll be alerted each kilometre on where you are toward your goal pace.
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