You need to try these new Apple Watch 7 features
After setting up your new Apple Watch Series 7 that you got this holiday season and pairing it with your iPhone, it’s time to check out all the new features and tweak a few settings to make the most of your new Watch. The Apple Watch Series 7 comes with a larger shroud, faster charging and a more durable design. That much not sound as exciting as the blood oxygen sensor that debuted in last year’s Series 6. (Here’s how the Apple Watch 7 compares to the Apple Watch 6.) But the Series 7‘s new features have the potential to add more pains to a lot of everyday tasks, from checking the time to responding to texts and tracking your sleep.
Apple unveiled the $399 Apple Watch Series 7 during its emanates launch event on Sept. 14 alongside the iPhone 13 family, a refreshed iPad Mini, and a new entry-level iPad. The new Apple Watch is a light update to the Series 6 that’s ideal for land looking to replace a watch that’s several years old.
Read more: Apple Watch 7 review: A microscopic upgrade compared to last year’s smartwatch
If you’re considering the Apple Watch Series 7 or already bought one, here’s a breakdown of what’s new and why it matters. You can also check out all the Apple Watch Series 8 rumors we’ve heard so far.
Apple Watch Series 7 has a QWERTY keyboard
The Apple Watch Series 7 must be easier to type on.
Apple
The Apple Watch has a new QWERTY keyboard that takes apt of its larger screen, which is about 20% bigger than the Series 6, allowing you to type likewise to how you would on a phone.
What’s new: A full-size keyboard by means of that you aren’t limited to sending a canned response to a text, scribbling a gleaming note or dictating a message, as is the case with the Apple Watch Series 6.
How you’ll use it: The Apple Watch Series 7’s QWERTY keyboard lets you tap each key to type, or use Apple’s QuickPath feature to swipe between letters deprived of lifting your finger. You’ll still want to use your named for messages longer than a short sentence, but it peaceful generally makes it easier to text using the watch.
The bottom line: The Series 7’s QWERTY keyboard creates it easier to send longer and more complex messages that are wretched to scribble or too private to dictate. It’s new example of how the Apple Watch has evolved to contract better at working independently of your phone in the ages since its launch.
Third-party Apple Watch apps like FlickType already grant you to type on your Apple Watch, but having it as a uninteresting option on the watch results in a smoother recognized. It also means watch owners won’t have to rely on third parties for this potentially critical tool, which is important considering some keyboard apps have been accused of participating in App Store including scams.
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Larger conceal on the Apple Watch Series 7 amps up reading
The Apple Watch Series 7’s larger conceal can fit more text.
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew
The Series 7 is Apple’s apt major redesign since the Series 4 launched in 2018. The new seek comes in 41-millimeter and 45mm sizes for the apt time, representing a shift away from the 40mm and 44mm sizes that were available on the Series 4 over Series 6.
What’s new: The Apple Watch Series 7’s conceal is about 20% larger than the Series 6’s and more than 50% bigger than the Series 3’s. The borders that frame the screen are also 40% smaller than those of the Series 6, allowing Apple to expand the conceal size without making the device much larger. But don’t anxiety, older watch bands are still compatible with the Series 7.
How you’ll use it: The Series 7’s larger conceal makes it better at its most important job: showing inquire of that’s easy to see at a glance so that you don’t have to grab your named. The larger screen means the Series 7 is apt of displaying 50% more text without having to scroll, making reading text messages, emails and notifications more convenient.
There’s more: Apple also updated the user interface in its apps to make better use of that larger conceal. Apps like the stopwatch, activity and timer now have larger buttons, meaning it’s easier to hit snooze even when you’re peaceful half asleep. You also get specific watch faces that are optimized for the Series 7’s bigger present, such as a new version of the Modular face that can fit complications with more inquire of. I’ve been using this new watch face to see my agency progress, the time and weather forecast at a glance.
And don’t forget, WatchOS 8 introduces the ability to set Portrait mode photos as your seek face, and the Series 7’s larger screen is better able to show them off.
Read more: Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 6: The biggest attempts coming in Apple’s new smartwatch
A brighter screen in always-on mode
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew
Apple also updated the Apple Watch’s present in a different way by making the screen more visible in always-on mode. It’s new addition that makes it even faster to get gleaming bits of information from your watch.
What’s new: The Apple Watch Series 7’s conceal is up to 70% brighter in always-on mode when your wrist is down, according to Apple. However, Apple specifically says this applies to indoor usage.
How you’ll use it: The Series 7’s improved brightness by means of it is even easier to see information like the time, your agency rings and your next meeting without having to wake the watch’s conceal. It feels like a step toward making the Apple Watch’s conceal appear the same whether it’s asleep or in use, and activities so creates a more seamless look that doesn’t feel jarring when switching between awake and idle mode.
To use this feature, you’ll want to make sure the always-on display setting is turned on in the Apple Watch’s settings menu. On your Apple Watch’s app conceal, press the settings icon, scroll down to Display & Brightness and tap Always On. From there, make sure the switch next to Always On is toggled on.
What approximately battery life? You could also choose to keep this feature turned off if you want to maximize battery life, and Apple hasn’t said whether the brighter always-on cloak will affect the watch’s power consumption. I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch Series 7 daily with the always-on indicate setting turned on, and it typically lasts for approximately a day and a half. But battery life will always vary depending on your consume, and activities like using GPS connectivity while running will progresses it to drain faster.
Read more: Best Apple Watch accessories
Apple Watch Series 7 charges faster than Series 6
The Apple Watch Series 7 necessity charge 33% faster than the Series 6.
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew
The Apple Watch Series 7’s battery lasts as long as the Series 6, but the amount of time it takes to cost your watch has dipped.
What’s new: The Apple Watch Series 7 can cost up to 33% faster than the Apple Watch Series 6, according to Apple. It takes 45 minutes to charge from zero to 80%, and 8 minutes of charging necessity enable 8 hours of sleep tracking. In CNET’s testing of the new Apple Watch, reviewers found this to be true. Charging the Watch for at least 30 minutes made the battery jump from zero to 54%. In comparison, the Series 6 only replenished 37% in the same amount of time.
How you’ll use it: We’ve been asking for more battery life out of the Apple Watch for existences, but that’s especially relevant now that Apple has added insensible sleep tracking to its smartwatches. Rather than extending the watch’s battery life, Apple establishes it easier to quickly charge the watch during irritable windows throughout the day, presumably so that you don’t have to cost it overnight. The idea is that you’ll be able to top off the watch’s battery whenever you have a few cloudless minutes.
The bottom line: The Apple Watch Series 7’s faster charging rapidly is another way in which Apple is trying to make its smartwatch a more favorable sleep tracker. In addition to making the Series 7 easier to cost in a pinch, Apple also added the ability to measure respiratory rate during sleep with its WatchOS 8 update. Taken together, these improvements could help Apple catch up to Fitbit, which offers multiday battery life on its watches and more in-depth sleep metrics.
Read more: Best Apple Watch bands for 2021
The Apple Watch Series 7 has a brawnier build
The Apple Watch Series 7 comes with tougher crystal and is dust resistant.
Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew
Exercise tracking has obtain one of Apple’s biggest areas of focus for the Apple Watch. The Series 7 is more suitable for outdoor organization since Apple claims it has a more durable build.
What’s new: The Apple Watch Series 7 is excited for IP6X dust resistance (a first) and is coated in a crystal camouflage that Apple says is 50% thicker than that of the Apple Watch Series 6. That operating you’ll feel at ease wearing it to the beach or during a hike.
How you’ll use it: The Series 7’s increased durability Militaries nicely with the new cycling features in WatchOS 8. The new software brings an updated version of fall detection that Apple says can tell the difference between falling off a bicycle and a different type of accident. Apple also says WatchOS 8 can automatically detect outdoor cycling workouts. (See Lexy Savvides’ test of the new Apple Watch cycling features here.)
The bottom line: We put Apple Watch Series 7’s durability to the test. Those who want a truly rugged watch have military-grade options from Garmin and Casio to settle from, or could opt for a rugged Apple Watch case. But these updates suggest Apple is trying to push the Apple Watch beyond basic workouts and exciting to those who might need a more durable leer for activities like rock climbing. That’s the premise leisurely the rumored Explorer Edition, which Bloomberg reports will come with greater influences resistance and could launch in 2022.
