Apple Watch Series 7 first impressions: Bigger is better, right?

The Apple Watch Series 7 improves the tried-and-tested sublime Apple Watch formula with a bigger screen and a tad more durability against the elements.

Apple Watch Series 7 first impressions: A bigger display courtesy of slimmer bezels makes the Apple Watch experience even better. (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

The Apple Watch Series 6 was already GOOD for a high-end watch, crammed with all health tracking features one seeks. Hence, Apple always had the task cut out for itself when it came to delivering its successor– the margins for improvement were low. But then came the Watch Series 7 and it has just enough stuff to make the Watch Series 6 look old. It's also good enough to make other watches seem generations old.

Apple follows its core formula of “make crucial aspects bigger” with the watch after applying it on the iPhone 13 models. No, the battery doesn't go big but it is the display. It flows towards the edges and that's mostly it. It still starts at ₹41,900 for the 41mm version with GPS only, which while expensive, is a great proposal for those who care for smartwatches.

Curious to see how the big display affects the Apple Watch experience, we spent a few hours with a Starlight Apple Watch Series 7 Aluminium with LTE.

Apple Watch Series 7 Design

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

As I said, the new Apple Watch Series 7 is all about the bigger display here and on a watch, that affects the rest of the design. It might seem similar to the Watch SE at first glance but compare them next to each other and the slimmer bezels on the Watch Series 7 catch attention. Paired with the Starlight Aluminium frame and a dual tone Sport Loop, this watch oozes luxury like nothing else.

Apple makes a big deal about the display flowing over the edges, similar to the curved edge display on a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. You are most likely to notice this only if you have used a Watch SE/Series 6, and are a connoisseur of fine wearable displays. To regular eyes, it looks normal; especially if you use those dark background watch faces.

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Use a brighter watch face and the gains are visible. On a coloured body, the narrow bezels make the watch look exquisite. This is still the best display I have seen on a smartwatch ever. And, watchOS 8 makes the most out of it with its tasteful design elements as well as icons. The Always On display is brighter too, although I wonder how it affects the battery life.

And, the Watch Series 7 is now rated for IP6X dust resistance, which means Yay! for us Indians on those dusty urban commutes.

Apple Watch Series 7 Features

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Underneath that new display, not much has changed. It feels like the same Apple Watch that measures ECG, Blood Oxygen saturation, heart rate, workouts, sleep, steps, and the lot. Plus, it does all the smartwatch functions as well as the previous one; runs as effortlessly as the iPhones. More on these in our review.

Apple does not mention much about battery life, which leads me to take this as a one-day watch (mostly). Moreover, India does not get fast charging support for a reason only known to Apple so far. Damn!

Apple Watch Series 7 first impressions

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

Apple Watch Series 7 (Amritanshu / HT Tech)

The slimmer display bezels now make the somewhat boring-looking Apple Watch exquisite in a sea of fancy Fossil watches. Although I am yet to take it outdoors, the Apple Watch Series 7 already feels like the best watch I have worn this year (psst, even better than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic).

Should you buy it? If yes, what are the reasons? You will have to watch this space for our full review (get the pun? “Watch” the Apple Watch? Aah, chuck it).