Here's Why I wouldn’t Upgrade to This… - Apple Watch Series 7
Mac Address
·Mac Address
·2022-05-05
·
1,295 words · ~6 min read
0:00
- When the Apple Watch came out in 2015, I was worried about its lifespan.
0:04
Technology can be quite disposable with devices getting out of date and two years or so.
0:09
And applying that sort of lifecycle to a watch seems wrong,
0:13
especially when a cheap Casio will literally say, 10 year battery on it.
0:18
But nowadays Apple Watches have proved that they have a multi-year shelf life.
0:22
So if you're putting up buying a new watch or upgrading from an older model
0:26
is the flagship series seven, the one to get.
0:32
(gentle music) The Apple Watch Series 7 is the latest update
0:36
in Apple's top tier watch. Starting at 399,
0:39
the most expensive Apple Watch has been getting regular updates to its sensors
0:43
and screens for a few years now. And this one is no different.
0:47
The screen is bigger and more durable. The charging is faster
0:51
and the colors are different, but is it all different enough?
0:55
The big headline for this Apple Watch is the bigger screen.
0:59
The case is a millimeter taller than before.
1:03
And the screen stretches farther to the edge, shrinking the bezels down to 1.7 millimeters.
1:08
It means that many buttons and controls are bigger
1:11
and easier to tap. And it means that there's now an onscreen keyboard.
1:15
It's pretty nice having a onscreen keyboard for quickly replying to texts,
1:19
but the keys are still very small. So you're usually better off using the swipe function.
1:24
Here's something interesting. The series 7 is available in two sizes
1:28
and they both get the new keyboard, but last year's watches don't get the new keyboard,
1:33
even though the bigger series six is larger than the small series seven.
1:38
What's up with that. So it's not just about size.
1:41
And in fact, in most apps, the largest screen
1:44
of the new series seven nets you very little,
1:48
like in this weather warning, I get two and a half more words.
1:52
Or in this messages thread, I get like a silver more of a speech bubble.
1:58
I'm sure it was a lot of work for Apple to fit in this larger screen.
2:02
But the benefit it offers is really for those who need bigger text on their screen,
2:07
aging eyes, but still want their watch to be usable.
2:10
This screen stretch also move the pixels below the curve,
2:13
creating a refractive effect. It's neat when you see it,
2:17
which isn't very often, especially because there's only one strange,
2:21
looking watch face that showcases it. There's also this modular duo face exclusive to the seven
2:27
with bigger complications. There are those doodads that give you more information
2:31
for moon phases or Starbucks rewards progress.
2:36
Am I the only one who agonizes over which watch complications to choose?
2:41
Actually I already have trouble choosing a watch face,
2:45
there, yes, there.
2:49
The front crystal, another confusing watch term,
2:52
considering the expensive models are covered in sapphire crystal instead of glass
2:56
is thicker now, which should make it more crack resistant.
3:00
This is good because I bang my watch on walls, desks and doorframes all the time.
3:07
The ION-X class on this aluminum model is just a scratch prone belt.
3:12
So the extra strengths should help reduce, the weakness scratches create,
3:17
oh look, it's this video sponsor, morning brew.
3:20
Morning brew is a free daily newsletter sent right to you
3:24
that aggregates everything that's happening in the business finance and tech space.
3:28
So instead of do scrolling through an algorithms, distracting curation of the news,
3:32
you can get a witty, relevant and informative news update in an easy to consume format.
3:37
Super simple, five minute morning reads from morning brew,
3:41
try today and get subscribed in less than 15 seconds using the link
3:44
in the description below. Back to the watch,
3:48
which, oh I need to plug in. No problem.
3:52
Battery life is unimproved, but what is improved is charging.
3:56
This fancy metal clad charging cable can speed up your charging by a third,
4:01
if you've connected it to a fast enough charger. That's great,
4:04
if you're a quick shower charger who needs the battery
4:07
to keep lasting the day. However, Apple did also claim that one could get eight hours
4:13
of sleep tracking after only eight minutes of charging.
4:16
But in my experience that eight minutes was only enough to get the watch to boot.
4:20
Usually at around eight to 10%, the thing died long before I woke up.
4:24
(upbeat music) Colors are another big change with the series seven.
4:30
Aluminum models have shifted in Apple's new direction. I especially like this green one.
4:34
It's nice and matches this leather band well,
4:37
but my concern with these new colors is how they'll match the other bands you may already have,
4:42
or soon will. Green and starlight are not neutral.
4:46
So you're gonna have to keep that in mind and that's about it.
4:50
The S seven chip is really just an Essex with a new name it doesn't deserve.
4:55
There are no new sensors or industrial design. Though,
4:58
that does mean that any and all watch bands you currently have will fit this.
5:01
Cases maybe not, this is a little bit bigger. But to me it means mercifully that the apple watch,
5:08
if you get the expensive models has some longevity to it.
5:12
Processor updates happen every few years. And the year over year changes are very minimal.
5:18
If you're running an Apple Watch Series 5 or newer, there's really no reason to get this.
5:22
And even from a series four, it's a harder sell say for the always on screen,
5:27
a feature that stubbornly remains on the more expensive models.
5:31
And yes, the price remains starting at $400.
5:35
That's not bad considering the evolution, the watch gets at this price point,
5:40
but it's not a rush out and upgrade sort of situation. And it shows how unfair the cheaper models prices are,
5:46
the SE remains at 279 this year completely unchanged.
5:50
And the series three is in its third year at 199,
5:53
containing technology from 2017. It means that if you can afford it,
5:58
you're better off getting this over an SE. But if you still get a working Apple Watch,
6:03
you should still use that. In fact, if you wanna spruce up your Apple Watch
6:07
and really make it feel new, you can do so for a lot cheaper
6:11
by venturing into Amazon and looking at the endless selection of cases
6:15
and bands that are available. And these bands leaving for your apple watch series zero,
6:21
God it's fun in here. I want that,
6:25
and that, yes.
6:29
The apple watch is really just a very small computer.
6:33
It's the bands that make it an expressive accessory
6:36
and the bands are easily interchangeable. This series seven is nice,
6:41
but I've been using and banging up a series six
6:44
for the past 10 months. And there's really no reason to upgrade,
6:47
even if this is so cool. Instead,
6:51
I'm gonna look for a cool band because that's much more exciting and personal
6:55
and frankly, it's the better upgrade.
6:58
Thanks for strapping on this Mac Address. If you want an Apple Watch Series 7,
7:03
why not give this video a like? And if you're perfectly fine with the Apple Watch you have,
7:07
why not subscribe? Now, I'm curious a $400,
7:10
that's a lot for a watch. What can you get that's not a smartwatch at that price?
7:15
Probably options in the comments below. I'm curious what you'll put in there.