Apple Watch Series 6 vs 7: Updates and Key Differences [2023 Guide]

Apple released the new Apple Watch Series 7 and we would like to share our hands on review for Apple Watch Series 6 vs 7. You might be wondering the updates and main differences between Series 6 and 7. Long story short, Apple made some improvements on the Operating System, Display Screen, Durability, and Chargeability of the Series 6, and released that as the Series 7.

Apple Watch Series 6 vs 7: Complete List of Comparison

Finally, we had them both and would like to make a side by side comparison. If you need a quick answer, here is the full list of updates and main differences between Apple Watch Series 6 and 7:

  • Both have two different case size options. Apple Watch Series 7 is available in 41 and 45 mm options. On the other hand, Apple Watch Series 6 has 40 and 44 mm case size options.
  • The Edges of Apple Watch Series 7 is curvier compared to Series 6.
  • Display Borders of Series 7 is thinner.
  • The Apple Watch 7 has a larger display which is %20 bigger than the 6th
  • Expanded Screen of Series 7 has Qwerty Keyboard for typing message.
  • The Series 7 is %70 brighter than the Series 6.
  • The new USB-C cord of Apple Watch 7 chargers faster around 33%.
  • Water Resistance is the same for both and good to go up to 50 meters. They maintain WR50 water resistance rating.
  • The material updates on the Series 7 make it the most durable Apple Watch ever. The Front Crystal of Series 7 is stronger and more crack-resistant compared to the Series 6. It is almost 50 percent thicker and more durable than the Series 6. Also, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the first one in Apple Watch family which has IP6X certification that proves resistance to dust.
  • Via the WatchOS 8 operating system, Series 7 is able to track Tai Chi and Pilates.
  • Battery life is still the same: 18 Hours for Both Series 6 and 7.

So, you may be wondering our decision for Apple Watch Series 6 or 7. We liked the improvements on the Apple Watch Series 7! Frankly, the expanded display screen and charging faster are the key points to us and this is the reason we will pick the Apple Watch Series 7 over 6. Almost, rest of the items and features are the same.

However, if you are budged restricted, you may consider Series 6 due to discounts in the clearances.

Here are the links for Apple Watch Series 6 and 7 from the Amazon. You can compare the latest prices, discounts and color options through them:

Rates on Amazon for Series 7

Series 7 Compare to Series 6

Rates on Amazon for Series 6

Series 6 compare to Series 7

Design & Outlook of Apple Watch Series 6 vs 7:

To begin with, the Apple Watch Series 7 has curvier shape. The display screen is larger but has a thicker case thickness about 0.3 mm which is almost insignificantly small. Both models come with two different case sizes. Apple offers Series 7 with 41 mm and 45 mm Case size options, whereas, the Series 6 comes with 40 and 44 mm.

Here is the list that will help you compare the dimensioning of the Apple Watch Series 6 vs 7:

Dimensions for #Series 7-41 mmSeries 7-45 mmSeries 6-40 mmSeries 6-44 mm
Case Size41 mm45 mm40 mm44 mm
Width35 mm38 mm34 mm38 mm
Case Thickness10.7 mm10.7 mm10.4 mm10.4 mm

During our hands on testing, the first thing we noticed is the curved edges of the Apple Watch Series 7 . The Series 7 is curvier compared to the previous Apple Watch Series 6.

Apple Watch Series 7 is curvier compared to the previous Apple Watch Series 6

Swim Proof Rating is the same and up to 50 meters. However, the seventh iteration is more durable and dust resistant. The Apple Watch 7 has IP6X certification (for dust resistance). Also, the front crystal of the Series 7 is more crack resistant than the Series 6. There is also a perfectly durable smart watch out there, check out our “Garmin Instinct Review” if you are interested in.

Apple Watch 6 vs 7: Updates on Display

The biggest update on the new iteration is the display. It is 20% bigger than the past generation Apple Watch Series 6. One more point for Series 7 is for the brightness. It is almost 70% brighter than the Apple Watch Series 6.

Apple also improved the durability of the front crystal by making it stronger. The redesigned frontal crystal of Apple Watch 7 is over 50 percent thicker than that of Apple Watch 6.

Features Comparison for Apple Watch 7 vs Apple Watch 6

Well, Apple Watch Series 7 has not tons of updates when it comes to features. As well as the prior generation Series 6, the Apple Watch 7 has blood oxygen reader, altimeter and compass and so on. However, the new iteration is limited considering the new features. With the WatchOS 8 operating system, Series 7 is able to track Tai Chi and Pilates which is not convincing.

Plus side, Apple Watch Series 7 has the Qwerty Keyboard. It is possible to typing out the messages with a full keyboard thanks to expanded screen of Series 7.

Apple Watch Series 7 has the Qwerty Keyboard but Series 6 does not have it

The Battery life is the Same!

The battery life is still the same for Apple Watch Series 7 which is 18-hours. You might consider that there is no improvement on the battery life compared to the Apple Watch Series 6. However, it is misleading a little bit. The Series 7 has a display screen which is %20 larger and %70 brighter than the Series 6. Thus, it consumes more energy but stand still as much as the Series 6.

One more point, the new Apple Watch Series 7 can be charged 33% faster with new USB-C cord which comes in the box.

Full Specs for Series 6 and 7:

Here is the full spec that we delivered from the Apple that provides the all details of these two products, if you need it!

Apple Watch Series 7 Full SpecApple Watch Series 6 Full Spec
41mm or 45mm case; over 50 percent more screen area2040mm or 44mm case; over 30 percent larger display20
Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display, 1000 nitsAlways-On Retina LTPO OLED display, 1000 nits
Ion-X glass display on aluminum cases; sapphire crystal display on stainless steel and titanium casesIon-X glass display on aluminum cases; sapphire crystal display on stainless steel and titanium cases
GPS and GPS + Cellular modelsGPS and GPS + Cellular models
S7 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip; U1 chip (Ultra Wideband)14S6 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor; W3 wireless chip; U1 chip (Ultra Wideband)14
Digital Crown with haptic feedbackDigital Crown with haptic feedback
Blood oxygen sensor; electrical heart sensor and third-generation optical heart sensorBlood oxygen sensor; electrical heart sensor and third-generation optical heart sensor
High and low heart rate notifications, irregular heart rhythm notification, and ECG app3High and low heart rate notifications, irregular heart rhythm notification, and ECG app3
International emergency calling,5 Emergency SOS,4 and fall detectionInternational emergency calling,5 Emergency SOS,4 and fall detection
Water resistant 50 meters1Water resistant 50 meters1
Dustproof (IP6X)Not Applicable
Most crack-resistant front crystalCrack Resistant Front Crystal
LTE and UMTS,6 Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0LTE and UMTS,6 Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0
GPS/GNSS, compass, and always-on altimeterGPS/GNSS, compass, and always-on altimeter
50 percent louder speaker20; built-in mic50 percent louder speaker20; built-in mic
32GB capacity32GB capacity
Faster charge time (%33)

Source for the Spec is from Apple.com

Bottom line for Apple Watch Series 6 vs 7 Comparison:

To sum up, the updates on the Apple Watch Series 7 did not drastically change it. You can still consider choosing Series 6 with a discount. However, we really enjoyed the %20 larger display area of Apple Watch Series 7 and we liked the most its fast chargeability.

Here are the links that you can check the most recent rates and color options on the Amazon:

Rates on Amazon for Series 7

Compare Latest Price and Color Options for Series 7

Check for Apple Watch Series 7 41 mm

Check for Apple Watch Series 7 45 mm

Rates on Amazon for Series 6

Compare Latest Price and Color Options for Series 6

Check for Apple Watch Series 6 40 mm

Check for Apple Watch Series 6 44 mm

We are getting too many e-mails asking the differences between Series 7 and SE. Don’t worry! You can check through this link to compare Apple Watch Series 7 vs SE.

Most of the Fitness Community divided into two groups. There are people who are in love with Apple Watch and people who likes the most Garmin Fenix. You might want to check this, if you would like to know Apple Watch Series vs Garmin Fenix For Running or Training. Also, when it comes to fitness, you should definetly check the Garmin Vivoactive 4 which is more budged and feature rich option compare to the high-end products.