Apple Watch Series 7: What the critics say

The Apple Watch Series 7 NDA’s expired today at 2pm, and while we weren’t lucky enough to get to work with one here at ‘Must towers, we’ve curated the good bits from all these reviews for you below:

The best smartwatch got better…

In the background to all the below is that only a relatively small number of Apple’s existing millions of iPhone users already have an Apple Watch, and for them this all-day beast with a slightly gentler design may be all the watch they need.

“The Series 7 marks one of the biggest changes to the device’s design in several generations, and even that isn’t what one might deem a radical departure. In fact, it’s the sort of thing you can walk around with undetected. If, on the other hand, you’re a daily Apple Watch user, you’ll notice the difference on your wrist immediately… (though) the truth is that the nature of wearables generally prohibits designers from making too radical a design change because the product needs to fit on your body.”

Brian Heater, TechCrunch.

“The design changes are understated but definite improvements, and the user interface has been tweaked to make the most of them – the display really gleams when you choose a favourite photo as the Watch face, for instance.”

David Phelan, The Independent

“This lack of killer features makes it difficult to recommend as a standalone purchase: if you’re looking to upgrade from a Series 3 model – or older – you’re unlikely to be disappointed by the display, which is sharp and bright, but owners of more recent models probably won’t see much here to persuade them to part with more cash.”

Rhiannon Williams, iNews

“Apple told me that about 75% of its Apple Watch customers are buying an Apple Watch for the first time, and I think the Series 7 delivers the best experience yet.”

Todd Haselton, CNBC

“Buy the Series 7 if you can afford it and want the bigger screen, faster charging and improved durability. It’s the model I’d tell my friends and family to get, largely since it’s the newest model and will last several years.”

Todd Haselton, CNBC

“Though the differences between the Series 6 and 7 seem minor, it’s worth a reminder that most people who own last year’s model likely aren’t looking to upgrade yet anyway. For anyone else who’s looking for a new smartwatch, the Series 7 will be a satisfying purchase, especially if you’ve never used one before.”

C. Low, Engadget

Justin Tse

“I’ve been wearing a 44-mm Series 6 for the last year virtually every day, because I’ve become irredeemably obsessed with tracking my activity, and while the Series 7’s 45-mm panel is visibly bigger, it’s not an overwhelming difference. What is striking is how much larger text looks overall compared to the Series 6… It’s a completely different user experience, with apps taking up far more real estate, making them much easier to see and navigate.”

Daniel Howley, Yahoo! Finance

Krystal Lora

“To put it bluntly, the Series 7 doesn’t feel like the type of generational upgrade we’ve come to expect from Apple’s smartwatches in years past. But that’s not necessarily a snub against it….The Series 7 feels more like a refined version of a watch we already love — the Series 6 — rather than a major upgrade. And since it’s the same price as its predecessor, the Series 7 is a promising option for first-time Apple Watch buyers or those upgrading from an older watch.”

Lisa Eadicicco, Cnet

UrAvgConsumer

“It’s clear to see the Apple Watch continues to get better and better. That ongoing refinement – which is the word that we keep coming back to with Apple products in 2021 – has led to a device that looks more like a proper watch with every iteration. The Series 7 is no clunky, cheap-looking smartwatch by any means… In short: there’s simply no better smartwatch on the market.”

Stuart Miles, PocketLint

“To my mind, the Apple Watch is still a unique product. Its combination of fitness and lifestyle features make it the best overall device to have on your wrist, assuming you use an iPhone. Yes, the Series 7 is a comparatively minor variation on the theme but, like the Apple Watch itself, that variation is a worthy luxury in conjunction with the upgrades of the past couple models.”

Mike Epstein, Popular Science

MKHB

“If you liked the Apple Watch before, you’re going to like this one. If you weren’t already convinced you needed a $399 wrist computer, the Series 7 probably won’t convert you. But if you’re an iPhone user thinking about your first smartwatch, you’ll want to consider this.”

Nicole Nguyen, Wall Street Journal

Rene Ritchie

“Zoom out away from the internet zeitgeist here and by far and away the most important thing to know about the Series 7 is that it’s the best wearable of its kind by an absolute country mile – now more so than ever, thanks to its larger and significantly more durable screen, as well as the added convenience of its new fast-charging capabilities.”

Robert Leedham, GQ

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