Should I Upgrade My Apple Watch?

If you’re asking yourself, “should I upgrade my Apple Watch?” you’re not alone. Many people consider upgrading to the latest model when their current Apple Watch is no longer the latest on the market. So should you buy a new Series 7 Apple Watch if you already have a Series 6 or earlier? Or, will you wait and see what comes out this fall?

When it comes to Apple watches, we see an incremental upgrade welcomed every year, be it an additional sensor or communication feature. Changes like Apple Watch 7’s new sizes and larger displays are notable examples.

There are fewer reasons to buy a new Apple Watch every time a new model is released than there are to make a regular upgrade to the latest iPhone. When it comes to Apple’s smartwatches, we’ve put together a comparison of the latest model–the almost-$400 Apple Watch 7–against its predecessors, as well as what we expect to see on this year’s Apple Watch 8.

Before diving in, you could check out our break down of every Apple Watch model to date.

Apple Watch 7 Vs Apple Watch 6

Those who have the 2020 Apple Watch don’t have to upgrade to the newest one (see our detailed Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 6 guide). Of course, we won’t stop you from getting the latest in wearable technology if you so desire. The bottom line is that they do differ, but not dramatically.

As with the Apple Watch 6, the Apple Watch 7 has an S7 chip and is available in bigger casings (41mm and 44mm). A smaller display boundary allows the Apple Watch 7’s screen to be up to 20% bigger than the Series 6’s.

Additionally, the Apple Watch 7 has a 70% brighter display than the previous model. Also, it charges 33% faster (but offers the same battery life).

But in terms of hardware upgrades, that’s all there is. The new USB-C cord for the Apple Watch 6 provides faster charging, as well as software updates from watchOS 8, which is still available for Series 6 customers.

Series 7 Vs SE

Unlike the Apple Watch 6, you can still purchase the Apple Watch SE for as little as $279.

When comparing the two, we noted that there are a lot of differences in functionality between the two versions. The Apple Watch blood oxygen app is not available on the Apple Watch SE. This device cannot detect Atrial fibrillation with the EKGs taken. There’s also no option for an always-on display on this model.

Upgrades from the Apple Watch SE to the Apple Watch 7 may be worth it if you purchased the device as a kind of starting smartwatch and are ready to upgrade to a more advanced display and advanced health features.

Series 7 Vs Series 5

The first time an Apple Watch has an always-on display was with the Apple Watch 5. Noise alarms were also added, however, the EKG and cellular capabilities of prior versions were kept.

Apple’s U1 ultra wideband chip comes included in the Series 7’s brighter, larger display, and SpO2 monitoring. The chip makes for enhanced connection inside the company’s product ecosystem. WatchOS 8 will bring a revamped messaging experience, improved support for digital keys, and all of the top Apple Watch apps to the Apple Watch 5, which is already available for download.

Again, an upgrade to the Apple Watch 7 from the Apple Watch 5 is your choice, but it’s not essential. For at least a couple more years, watchOS software updates will be available for your current Series 5.

Apple Watch 7 Vs Apple Watch 4

The Apple Watch 4‘s software updates will continue for some years as well, but the Series 4 is now almost 4 years old and the benefit of an upgrade is more obvious than with newer models.

You might also want to consider an upgrade if you’re running low on storage, you might also want to consider an upgrade. Only 16GB of memory is available on Series 4, whereas 32GB of memory is available on the Series 7. Of course, you’ll also receive the SpO2 monitoring, noise alerts, and compass that came with the Series 5 and Series 6.

It’s probably the last year you can receive a reasonable trade-in value for your Series 4 Apple Watch if you want to upgrade. If your Apple Watch 4 is still in working order, you may be able to get a discount on the new Apple Watch 7.

Read more: Apple Watch 4 versus Apple Watch 5

Apple Watch 3 Vs Apple Watch 7

Why is the Apple Watch 3 still $199? We know. The watch and processor are four years old, yet it’s still one of the BEST affordable fitness tracking smartwatches you can get in 2022.

Still, it’s been a while since the Series 3 came out, so the Apple Watch 3 and the Apple Watch 7 have a lot of differences. In addition to EKG and SpO2 measurements on the 7, you’ll also receive fall detection and a compass. The Series 3 also does not have a cellular option.

The screen on the Apple Watch 7 is also 50% larger than the one on the Series 3 model. In and of itself, this should be a unique attraction to the 7. If you do upgrade, it’s possible to get some money back for your Series 3 if it’s in working order and undamaged when you trade it in at Apple or Best Buy, or sell it on eBay.

Comparing the Apple Watch 7 and 8

A look at the Apple Watch Series 8: Design

There have been no credible rumors about the design of the Apple Watch 8. The most significant news we could find was when Front Page Tech reported on a redesigned Apple Watch with flat sides, but this was a year ago.

In August of 2021, Bloomberg predicted a “redesign, with a flatter display,” too, while CAD images published by 91mobile revealed an Apple Watch 7 with a flat edge and a smaller frame, similar to the design revealed by a leak (9mm and 10.7mm). I believe the Apple Watch 8’s appearance will change, but not dramatically (like a rounded case).

Display

The screen on the Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 6 is larger than on previous Apple Watch models. This is the first size increase since Series 4, when 40mm and 44mm varieties were available. However, in 2022, I think another screen size adjustment is possible, with an introduction of a third size option.

Health and fitness

While the Series 7 Apple Watch has the same health sensors and capabilities as the Series 6 Apple Watch, the new variant could have significant improvements. The Telegraph reported in May 2021 that Apple is collaborating with a health sensor company that makes future devices, sparking speculation that Apple is doing so. According to a Bloomberg report from April, Apple is already working on this feature, though it likely won’t be available until 2024 (Apple Watch 10?).

A temperature sensor is currently being developed. According to a June 2021 Bloomberg report, Apple has postponed the feature until mid-2022. As a result, we believe the Apple Watch 8 will include this feature.

The Beddit sleep tracker, which tracks sleep time, heart rate, respiration, snoring, room temperature, and humidity, was discontinued by Apple in January. Snoring may be detected by Beddit. The Apple Watch 8, expected to include many of Beddit’s advanced sleep-tracking technologies, actually purchased Beddit in 2017.

Rugged version?

In December, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman speculated that an Apple Watch with a rugged case will appeal to those who engage in extreme sports. To compete with Casio and Luminox watches, this kind of smartwatch would likely be both scratch and impact-resistant.

As a result, the Apple Watch 8 might look similar to the Apple Watch 7.

Processor

The S7 processor looks a lot like the S6 processor. The Apple Watch 7 was supposed to have a new CPU, but it never came out. According to DigiTimes in June, the S7 chip’s size could be reduced to make room for a larger battery or potentially new components, or both. More space is being made available for a larger battery, according to a report in China’s Economic Daily. And isn’t this just what we’ve been crying out for, for years?

This was also not the case. Despite Apple’s refusal to include this information in the watch’s specifications, all evidence points to a battery capacity of around 300mAh for the Apple Watch. This indicates that a battery upgrade for the Series 8 is almost certain.

The Series 7 watch, according to Bloomberg, would have increased ultra-wide functionality, but it did not arrive on time. As a follow-up to the Apple Watch Series 6’s ultra-wideband U1 chip, AirTag trackers and digital keys have been added to Wallet. Although Apple has not stated how the next Apple Watch 7 will be upgraded, a U2 chip is likely.

Band(s)

There’s no reason to believe that the Apple Watch 8 will break with tradition and not support all existing Apple Watch bands, with the exception of the Solo Loop bands, which are not compatible with any version prior to the Series 4. New band designs were not included in the new Series 7 watch.

SE2?

The Apple Watch SE will be redesigned in 2022, we think. Although Apple hasn’t revealed much else, the 2022 Apple Watch SE is likely to resemble the Series 6 model, with an always-on display and additional sensors (EKG and blood oxygen). If the $279 price remains the same, this could be a very attractive Apple wearable.

Because Apple Watch releases have been in the fall since 2016, the Apple Watch 8 and SE are expected to arrive in the fall (likely September).  

The Series 8 will start around $400 as usual, while the SE2 will start around $280, so we expect these prices to remain consistent. As for us here at Superwatches? We need some more information, particularly about a potential rugged version, before upgrading our Apple Watch.

Last Updated on May 30, 2022