Because the Apple Watch 6 was the final smartwatch from the tech big, it is sensible that the following will most likely be the Apple Watch 7 - that’s, in any case, how numbers work, although it might effectively be joined by the inexpensive Apple Watch SE 2.
Whereas the brand new wearable most likely will not land for some time, its working system (watchOS 8) will doubtless be unveiled very quickly, particularly at WWDC 2021 on June 7, so we should always have a good suggestion of the software program quickly. If you wish to tune into the occasion your self, here is watch the WWDC keynote stay.
We do not know something stable concerning the Apple Watch 7 simply but, although leaks and rumors give us some potential data. We would count on it to be extra highly effective than its predecessors although, and have some new options too.
We have heard some rumors of those already, pointing to a wearable with a brand new design, a glucometer, new swim monitoring options, and extra. Under we have included full particulars of all of the leaks and rumors to this point, together with data on the doubtless Apple Watch 7 launch date and worth.
We have additionally provide you with a want record of the brand new Apple Watch 7 options and adjustments we need to see, primarily based each on earlier Apple wearable options we have favored or disliked, and what the competitors is doing now.
WWDC 2021 kicks off on June 7 and we’re prone to get our first official take a look at watchOS 8 there - which is the software program the Apple Watch 7 will most likely run from launch.
Lower to the chase
- What’s it? Apple’s subsequent wearable
- When is it out? In all probability September 2021
- How a lot will it value? Doubtless round $399 / £379 / AU$599
Apple Watch 7 launch date and worth
The one actual launch date rumors to this point come from Ming-Chi Kuo (an analyst with a superb observe file for Apple data), who’s prompt that we’ll see a brand new Apple Watch mannequin within the second half of 2021, based on 9to5Mac.
This isn’t in any respect stunning although, since for years now Apple has been launching new Apple Watches in September. Even with all of the disruption the pandemic prompted in 2020 that remained true, so we’d totally count on to see the Apple Watch 7 in September 2021 – most likely across the center of the month.
As for what it’ll value, there’s no information there, however Apple has been pretty in line with pricing too. The Apple Watch 6 begins at $399 / £379 / AU$599, and whereas there was some fluctuation in pricing throughout the previous couple of fashions, they’re all in the identical ballpark, so we’d count on the Apple Watch 7 will value round that a lot too.
Information and leaks
There aren’t many Apple Watch 7 leaks but however we have now heard a couple of issues. For one, we have seen unofficial renders exhibiting the doable design of the wearable, full with flat edges, fairly than the rounded ones of the Apple Watch 6.
These renders, which you’ll be able to see beneath, are apparently primarily based on leaked pictures of the Apple Watch 7, and apart from these edges they appear just like the present mannequin. The supply additionally claims that the wearable will are available in black, silver, pink, blue and inexperienced shades.
Tim Cook dinner himself in the meantime stated throughout an look on the Outdoors podcast that “there’s a ton of innovation left to go in there” and “We’re within the early innings… take into consideration the quantity of sensors in your automotive. And arguably, your physique is far more essential than your automotive.”
So whereas that is all very imprecise, the point out of the physique suggests a continued concentrate on well being and health options on future Apple Watches.
That is consistent with claims from Ming-Chi Kuo, who predicted (in a analysis observe seen by MacRumors) that the “new Apple Watch cargo’s momentum in 2021 will profit from modern well being administration features and improved kind issue design.”
So from that it sounds just like the Apple Watch 7 might need each new well being options and a brand new design. And it may very well be an enormous design change, as this adopted a barely earlier analysis observe (seen by 9to5Mac) by which Kuo stated there could be a “important kind issue design change.”
Although he stated that this could arrive on Apple Watch fashions within the second half of 2021 “on the earliest”, so it’s doable that we gained’t see this till a later mannequin.
May Kuo be referring to a extra rugged model of the Apple smartwatch? One is outwardly within the pipeline, able to tackle extra excessive environments than the usual Apple Watch.
The report that talked about the rugged Apple Watch additionally talked about new swim monitoring options - although what kind they might take and whether or not they could be unique to the rumored rugged mannequin is unclear.
One new well being function may very well be a glucometer, used to measure blood sugar ranges. A report suggests the Apple Watch 7 may very well be one among a number of 2021 smartwatches to get this function. It might be helpful for diabetics particularly, who have to preserve a relentless eye on their blood sugar, however different folks with varied different circumstances might discover it helpful too.
That stated, a more recent report means that we cannot see this till the Apple Watch 8 in 2022, so do not depend on monitoring your blood sugar with an Apple Watch this yr.
The Apple Watch 7 strap may be in for an enormous change, as a patent particulars a strap with a battery embedded inside it, which might subsequently improve the battery lifetime of the Apple Watch. Nevertheless, concepts in patents usually don’t get used, so don’t depend on seeing this.
We’ve additionally seen a patent exhibiting the potential for a Contact ID fingerprint scanner being added to a future Apple Watch. Actually, a number of patents have now talked about this, with one other describing a Contact ID scanner constructed into the house button. One other patent detailed in that very same hyperlink talks about an under-display digital camera that is invisible when it isn’t in use.
Additionally within the territory of patents, it appears Apple is exploring methods of making use of a matte black end to the anodized steel of its smartphones and watches, so it’s doable this will likely be a brand new colour provided by the Apple Watch 7.
One other patent outlines how Apple might use the smartwatch battery because the haptic engine, giving vibrating suggestions when the display screen is touched. That will imply the usual haptic engine may very well be eliminated, the battery itself may very well be greater, and… we might perhaps get some extra battery life?
Different patents we have seen embrace one that will help you blow in your watch to work together with it (for instance to reply a name), which may very well be helpful in case your fingers are full, and one which might help you get extra correct coronary heart rhythm readings utilizing a sensor within the crown.
Once more although, we wouldn’t maintain our breath about seeing any of those patents turn out to be actuality.
The one we might say is almost definitely although is the Contact ID scanner, as that should not be too exhausting for Apple to include, has appeared in a number of patents, and may very well be fairly helpful.
Lastly, there have been varied whispers that Apple is trying to change from OLED screens on its units to micro-LED ones. Some however not all of those studies point out the Apple Watch as a doable candidate.
Micro-LED has the potential to each enhance picture high quality and cut back battery consumption, so it could be a fascinating change. Nevertheless, a DigiTimes report suggests this variation remains to be years away.
What we need to see
There are a variety of issues we’d actually like Apple to do with the Apple Watch 7, together with the next.
1. Higher battery life
Up to now no Apple Watch mannequin has had good battery life – they’re not horrible however they’re at finest common, which is disappointing for such a premium gadget, particularly with sleep monitoring now being provided, since you may’t each use that and depart your watch to cost in a single day.
So for the Apple Watch 7 we wish Apple to make large strides with the battery life, in order that we’re solely charging it each few days – and even much less.
2. An enormous new function
The Apple Watch 6 is a superb smartwatch nevertheless it wasn’t essentially the most thrilling of updates, and that’s largely as a result of it doesn’t have a lot of a headline function, so for the Apple Watch 7 we need to see one thing new and thrilling provided.
Precisely what that will be, we’re undecided. However that’s okay, as it is going to be much more thrilling if it’s a whole shock. We’re certain Apple can cook dinner one thing up if it actually tries.
3. Improved sleep monitoring
Sleep monitoring on the Apple Watch 6 is primary to say the least. When utilizing the official function (versus a third-party app) there’s no data on how lengthy you spent in every sort of sleep (gentle, deep and REM), nor any data on how your sleep affected your stress ranges (and vice versa) or on how your bedtime affected the standard of your sleep.
These are enhancements that might most likely be made by means of a software program replace, however whether or not by means of new {hardware} or simply new software program, we wish sleep monitoring to be loads higher on the Apple Watch 7, as at present it’s actually not a rival for different sleep monitoring apps and units.
4. Extra health monitoring expertise
The Apple Watch 6 is nice as a primary health tracker, however for extra severe athletes it would really feel missing, as for instance you may’t arrange interval coaching, and in our evaluation we discovered that its GPS isn’t as correct as another units, particularly over lengthy distances.
So we wish each enhancements to GPS, and extra coaching choices – maybe one thing approaching a ‘professional’ health mode.
5. A round display screen possibility
That is within the realms of issues that nearly actually gained’t occur, however we’d love for Apple to supply the Apple Watch 7 in each round and sq. varieties.
Whereas the Apple Watch vary undeniably appears to be like good, loads of folks would simply choose a circle on their wrists, and rival units just like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 have proven how good this may look and the way effectively it might work.
Apple already gives loads of choices with regards to colours and straps, so why not supply a alternative of form too?
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