We're ticking down to the final hours of Cyber Monday and that means the amazing Apple Watch Cyber Monday deals that have been going on all day will only be available a little while longer. There are steep deals on all current models as well as some older ones. Whether you want the latest and greatest or something older but reliable we can help you out. 

With the help of deal trackers and price history checkers, we've been scouring Cyber Monday deals to find the very best discounts on Apple Watch models. Here are the best ones going on right now. 

5 best Apple Watch Cyber Monday deals

• Apple Watch Ultra: (Was $799) Now $739 at Amazon
• Apple Watch SE: (Was $249) Now $229 at Amazon
• Apple Watch Series 6 (renewed): (Was $255) Now $235 at Amazon
• Apple Watch Series 8: (Was $429) Now $349 at Amazon
• Apple Watch Series 8 Cellular: (Was $499) Now $449 at Amazon

Top Apple Watch Cyber Monday deals

Cyber Monday Apple Watch Series 8 deals

The Apple Watch Series 8 is the latest Apple Watch, bringing some great extra features to the table. Battery life has been improved, and with the new low-power mode, it can last up to 36 hours. There's even a new temperature sensor in the watch that will not only make heart monitoring better, but allow for better cycle tracking for people who need it.

Despite being the latest Apple Watch, there have been some discounts already. Over the two-day Amazon Prime Early Access sale, there was a significant discount that brought the Apple Watch Series 8 to its lowest price ever, and there have already been some big deals over Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday Apple Watch Ultra deals

The Apple Watch Ultra is perhaps the most exciting Apple Watch to be released in years. There's a new titanium shell to make it more rugged than ever, a massive 49-inch screen, and a nice selection of new Alpine Bands. It's the biggest, most powerful Apple Watch that Apple has ever released and it comes at a price to match. The Watch costs $799.

There has already been a big deal on this model over Cyber Monday, netting you a $60 discount.

Cyber Monday Apple Watch Series 7 deals

The Apple Watch Series 7 was the first in the family to see the bigger 41mm and 45mm screen size increases. Physically, however, it remained the same size as the prior model, slipping neatly onto many a wrist. With that increase came some cool features that use the extra real estate, too, like a full-size qwerty keyboard to compose those quick reply texts.

While the Series 7 is last year's model, your friends would be forgiven for thinking you've got one of the new ones. The only thing you'll really lack is the temperature sensor, and now, over Cyber Monday you'll save a lot if you're willing to get something that doesn't have '2022' on the box.

Cyber Monday Apple Watch Series 6 deals

Despite no longer being the newest model, Apple Watch Series 6 is still a super functional smartwatch by today's standards. Powered by the S6 chipset, it's 20% faster than the Series 5 that preceded it and features an always-on display. Like all Apple Watch models, it's great for tracking your health and fitness goals with precise heart rate monitoring, plus it even includes a blood oxygen monitor — something older Apple Watch models do not have.

You might have to get a 'renewed' watch here, but you could save a lot of money and get a very solid smartwatch for the price. It may not have the same features as the latest models, but you'll not be left wanting for most of the main features.

Best Cyber Monday Apple Watch SE deals

The Apple Watch SE launched as a lower-tier alternative to the more premium Apple Watch models, saving on cost by stripping out some of the more advanced tech and including only the essentials. It's still a good choice today, especially if you're new to Apple Watch or you want to save a bit of money versus going for the newest model.

Cyber Monday Apple Watch Series 3 Deals

Apple Watch Series 3 is a little long-in-the-tooth in 2022, but it could see some significant movement in price during Cyber Monday making it one to pay attention to. Though you'd miss out on advancements in pretty much every aspect, the Series 3 could be a good pickup for someone wanting to try out an Apple Watch for the first time or those really wanting to spend as little as possible.

What you need to know

• Apple has released a new ad for the Apple Watch Series 7.
• The new ad, titled "Hard Knocks," shows the watch taking a major beating.
• Apple is touting the watch's durability with the ad.

Apple is only a few months away from revealing its next generation of Apple Watch, but that isn't stopping the company from rolling out new ads for the current one.

Today, the company launched a new ad for the Apple Watch Series 7 titled "Hard Knocks." In the ad, Apple touts the durability of the latest Apple Watch as it gets beat up from a tennis match, boxing match, football game, skate practice, and more. You can check out the new ad below:

If you're looking for the song that's featured in the ad, it's "Power of My Love" by Jack White. You can check it out on Apple Music below:

Apple is highlighting some of the durability upgrades it made with the Apple Watch Series 7 like its 50% thicker front crystal, robust geometry, and OLED display.

Despite those upgrades, many are still wanting even more durability from their Apple Watch. This has led to rumors that Apple is working on a rugged edition of the watch that will cater to those who take their Apple Watch in the most extreme conditions.

Apple is expected to announce the Apple Watch Series 8 models alongside the iPhone 14 at an event in September.

If you aren't planning to wait until the next version and are on the hunt for an Apple Watch right now, check out our list of the Best Apple Watch deals for Prime Day 2022.

Apple Watches aren't often known to have big discounts throughout the year, so it's surprising and exciting that the entire lineup of Apple's top-of-the-range Smartwatch has seen an impressive $70 off full price. Yes, that includes all the colors available on Amazon, as well as the GPS and cellular models. There really hasn't been a better time to grab an Apple Watch Series 7 - on pretty much all the models and colors, this is the lowest price they've been. That's not bad for what we called the best Apple Watch

The cheapest Apple Watch 7 deal yet

The Apple Watch Series 7 is Apple's most recent release into the wearables space and boasts some incredibly alluring specs. A sumptuous always-on retina display dominates the face, while the water-resistant aluminum case hides a swathe of different sensors, including a blood oxygen meter, sleep monitoring, and an advanced collection of ECG generators. The strap is a comfy silicone band that can be changed out for anything else in Apple's strap range, so if you fancy a change later on down the line, there's an incredible range of options on offer.

It's still more expensive than the Apple Watch SE, but that particular model lacks the surprisingly useful ECG sensor and has a much smaller screen. The price drop makes it now much cheaper as well than the Apple Watch Hermes, the designer option only available from Apple or Hermes themselves - although if you were ever serious about one of those, you'll not likely be looking at price reductions in the first place.

So unless you're looking for a snazzy Milanese loop watch band, the bragging rights of having a 'space-grade titanium' watch, or have at least an extra $400 burning a hole in your pocket, this is the Apple Watch to go for - While perhaps not as fashionable as the more expensive stainless steel or titanium options, it boasts all the same features, while being worth the extra over the Apple Watch SE.

Waiting until Prime Day to see if there are any more reductions? Head over to our Prime Day Apple Watch deals page, and see what kind of deals to expect come Amazon's biggest sale of the year. Want to protect your shiny new Apple Watch? Make sure you grab one of the best Apple Watch cases.

Apple's original Milanese Loop for Apple Watch is beautiful, smooth, and made of stainless steel mesh that wraps around your wrist in a continuous, adjustable loop. However, the Milanese Loop is a pretty hefty investment. Going with a third-party option can save you a lot of money. Plus, you're not limited to the colors Apple offers when you go third-party. All of the listings below are available for any size or generation Apple Watch.

Get a steal on a steel Milanese loop style band

As you can see from our Milanese Loop review, we love that gorgeous, sophisticated style. Finding the best Apple Watch band can be tricky, but these Milanese miracles are bound to give you a few ideas when you're shopping online. At about one-tenth the price of Apple's own offerings, you might even buy more than one of these third-party bands. The OULUOQI Stainless Steel Mesh Band is a reliable and super comfortable replacement strap that won't break the bank. It comes in a wide variety of appealing colors, so you can pick up several to go with different outfits.

Personally, I love the twist that SWEES puts on the Milanese style with its Stainless Steel Thin Band. Rather than a precise copy, it's a slimmer and more delicate look. Those of us with smaller wrists will appreciate having more streamlined looks like this one to choose from.

What you need to know

• Apple is now rumored to be giving the Apple Watch Series 8 the redesign we expected last year.
• Apple Watch Series 7 was rumored to gain slab sides but it never happened.
• Could Apple Watch Series 8 get the design that we expected last year?

Remember that rumored Apple Watch Series 7 with the flat sides that we all thought looked stunning? The one that didn't happen? Apparently, that design was for the Apple Watch Series 8 all along! Who knew?

Not year-ago-us, that's who!

Let's back up slightly for those with short memories. Last year we saw rumors from YouTuber Jon Prosser and others that the Apple Watch Series 7 launch would see a new design complete with square edges. It was a massive departure from the Apple Watch we knew and mostly loved. And it looked stunning. Of course, that wasn't what Apple announced — we didn't see the rumored rugged Apple Watch, either — and we were all sad. Now, Twitter leaker ShrimpApplePro believes that we're in for a treat with Apple Watch Series 8 getting that redesign — and Prosser has had some stunning new images made up to show what it could look like.

Where things differ from last year's leak is the arrival of a new, flat display glass. That's the part that ShrimpApplePro tweeted about, tagging Prosser in the process. Now, let me be clear — the legitimacy of ShrimpApplePro 'leaks' isn't guaranteed at this point, although Prosser seems to believe the account is on the up and up. Regardless, this leak needs more salt than a bag of McDonald's fries. Keep that in mind.

But that said, who can look at this design and not hope Apple will give it to us this year?!

Even without the new design, this year's wearable will still be the best Apple Watch ever made. It might be able to take our temperature and we can expect new features courtesy of watchOS 9, too. But it's that look, those flat edges, and that almost concave glass that we're all here for.

Don't let us down this time, Apple. Prosser's eyebrows don't deserve it.

What you need to know

• Apple has added the Apple Watch Series 7 to its Certified Refurbished store.
• Customers can save as much as $70 by choosing to buy a refurbished watch.

You can now grab some decent savings on the Apple Watch Series 7 directly from Apple itself.

Apple is now selling the Apple Watch Series 7 on its Certified Refurbished Store, the company's online store that features used Apple products that have been meticulously refurbished and sold in like-new condition.

There are a number of color and size options on the store now but here are some examples:

• Refurbished Apple Watch Series 7 GPS, 41mm Starlight Aluminum Case with Starlight Sport Band: $339.00 (Was $399.00, Save $60.00)
• Refurbished Apple Watch Series 7 GPS, 45mm Green Aluminum Case with Clover Sport Band: $359.00 (Was $429.00, Save $70.00)

Apple's refurbished products are available to order now, with shipping times as soon as two days with express shipping. if you don't want to pay $8.00 for express shipping, regular shipping is also available for free. You can even choose your local Apple Store as the place for pickup.

Customers who take advantage of Apple's Certified Refurbished program get a "like new" device with AppleCare with savings of up to 15% on the purchase.

If you want to find some things to spend that savings on, check out our list of the Best screen protectors for Apple Watch Series 7 in 2022.

What you need to know

• Apple watchOS 8.5 came out last week.
• It appears to be causing issues with the Series 7 Apple Watch.
• Users are complaining of problems fast-charging their devices.

Multiple users of the Apple Watch Series 7 state their device no longer fast charges on the latest version of watchOS 8.5.

Users in Apple's support forums and on Reddit noted by 9to5Mac reported the issue:

Another said:

Reddit users reported much of the same, as did those on the MacRumors forum:

One interesting workaround found by a user states that fast-charging does work plugged into another Apple device, like an iPad or Mac. The issue is interesting because lots of the reported issues seem to pertain to third-party accessories, with some noting they weren't experiencing similar problems with Apple's own charging gear.

We've reached out to Apple for comment.

There's always Amazon

Both the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Garmin Venu 2 are the latest from their respective brands and two of the best when it comes to smartwatches and fitness trackers. Together, they host the most advanced features available on the market today. Which is for you? That depends on your operating system, usage, and the features you want most.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Garmin Venu 2: Which is for you?

If you're looking for built-in cellular, ECG, and smart features like voice command and Siri built-in, you're going to want to spring for the Series 7. It is more expensive, but premium features come at a premium price.

If you could take or leave those fancy bells and whistles and would rather focus on features pertaining to fitness like Body Battery, on-screen workouts, personalized training guidance, and fitness age, the Venu 2 is the way to go. Let's break down the features and specs.

As you can see, these two wearables have a lot in common. The Series 7 offers a bit more but at a higher price. The Venu 2 lacks some smart features but has a lot to offer regarding fitness tracking and training. Let's break it down further.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Garmin Venu 2: Series 7 has it all

If we're talking about the best smartwatch available on the market right now, you can't beat Apple Watch Series 7. It can do it all and then some with features you've always wanted and some you never knew you needed.

The optional built-in cellular sets it apart from the Garmin Venu 2. This service is sold separately, but it enables users to make calls, send texts, and answer emails from anywhere on the planet. Think remote mountain tops — check in with the kids! Out crushing the waves? No problem, answer that email. It doesn't matter where you are; with built-in cellular, you will always stay connected.

The Series 7 has some exclusive new features, such as a full keyboard for new ways to input text and a larger, more advanced display. You can tap or slide from letter to letter with QuickPath on the keyboard. The new display is 70% brighter indoors, and the refined shape can fit 50% more text on screen than its predecessor Series 6.

Unlike the Venu 2, the Series 7 is outfitted with a mic and loudspeaker. It offers voice command and your handy smart assistant: Siri. With this nifty feature, you can set reminders, alarms, check your email and the news, and vocally answer text messages.

Among the many advanced health and fitness features the Series 7 offers, you have premium ECG tracking. You will not get this feature with the Garmin Venu 2. The Series 7 generates an ECG similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram with the ECG app. Electrodes built into the Digital Crown and the back crystal work together with the ECG app to read your heart's electrical signals. This will display signs of atrial fibrillation — a heart rhythm irregularity that calls for immediate attention.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is outfitted with 32GB of internal storage. This is substantial compared to the Garmin Venu 2's 4GB. You can play, stream, and store media on both, but there is more room to do so on the Series 7. There's also lots of space to fully trick it out and personalize it with your favorite apps.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Garmin Venu 2: Venu 2 is an asset for athletes

While the Series 7 is more all-encompassing, the Venu 2 poses stiff competition and hosts a variety of advanced features, on-screen workouts, and personalized training guidance tailored for athletes and fitness fanatics. It also has a few exclusive offerings like BodyBattery and Fitness Age.

The Venu 2's BodyBattery monitors your energy throughout the day, so you know when it's time for a workout and when it's time to rest. Fitness Age is a new feature that uses chronological age, your vigorous weekly activity, resting heart rate, and BMI to estimate if your body is younger or older than you are. Plus, you can get tips to lower your fitness age.

The Venu 2 provides animated, pre-loaded on-screen workouts, including cardio, strength, yoga, Pilates, and HIIT to ensure proper form and workout options. It also features Garmin Coach — a free personalized running coach on your wrist to help you train for your next 5K, 10K, or half-marathon.

Both wearables offer Sp02 monitoring. The Venu 2 uses the Pulse OX sensor to spot-check your blood oxygen saturation during the day or night as you sleep to show how well your body is absorbing oxygen. Though it may not have all the smart tech the Series 7 offers, the Venu 2 features plenty for comprehensive health and fitness monitoring and training.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Garmin Venu 2: Compatibility, customization, and battery

If we're talking compatibility, the Garmin Venu 2 is the only option for Android users as it's compatible with both iOS and Android. The Series 7 is only compatible with iOS.

Customization-wise, both wearables have customizable watch faces and interchangeable bands. When it comes to color and casing options, the Apple Watch Series 7 offers more. There are multiple materials, patterns, and colors, plus five new colors and brand-new watch faces unique to the series. The Garmin Venu 2 comes in two factory colors, but you can customize it further with interchangeable bands.

When it comes to battery, the Venu 2 comes out way ahead. It offers up to 11 days in smartwatch mode, up to 12 days in battery saver smartwatch mode, and up to eight hours in GPS mode with music. The Series 7 offers 18 hours. Remember that operating either in Wi-Fi, GPS, or music mode a lot will drain the battery much faster than basic smartwatch mode.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Garmin Venu 2: Which should you buy?

If you're looking for smart features like built-in cellular, voice command and assistant, ECG, and more all-encompassing health and fitness features, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the way to go. It's a bit pricier, but you're paying for those additional features.

If you're an athlete, an Android user, or want a wearable with a fitness focus, the Garmin Venu 2 is the right choice. It has everything you need to optimize your energy and make the most out of your training sessions. These are two of the best smartwatches available; you really can't go wrong.

The 2021 Apple Watch Series 7 is the best smartwatch you can buy. It features a beautiful larger display that takes advantage of the newfound space by offering a few unique watch faces and a new QWERTY keyboard for composing messages. The Withings ScanWatch is the best hybrid smartwatch currently available. Though it lacks many Apple Watch features, it includes the most important ones under the health and fitness umbrella. This reason alone makes it a worthy competitor to Apple's more expensive option.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Withings ScanWatch: Let's break it down

Side-by-side, there's no denying which of these wearable devices is a full-featured smartwatch. The Apple Watch has often been called an iPhone for the wrist, and this makes perfect sense when you consider its long list of non-health and fitness features. Because the Apple Watch is a smartwatch, you're in control of its watch face, applications, and have full access to notifications, Siri, maps, and oh-so-much more. It's genuinely the best Apple Watch to date, and I would argue the best smartwatch overall.

And then there's the Withings ScanWatch. From a design standpoint, this wearable device looks just like a classic analog watch with physical hands for the hour and minutes. And then you see the tiny circular PMOLED screen at the top and another physical hand at the bottom. The former is where you can take a peek at the device's smart features, while the latter is where your daily step count is updated for a quick review. Let's see a breakdown of what these watches offer.

To compare these watches, we'll first look at the built-in options, then move on to the design and durability before discussing battery life. You will quickly find both watches offer similar features despite very different looks. And concern battery life, there's one huge winner.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Withings ScanWatch: Health and fitness features

Both of these watches offer excellent health and fitness features. On the health side, both provide automatic heart monitoring and sleep tracking. With the latter, Withings does a better job by providing a sleep score through its Health Mate app. Both also offer real-time and continuous blood oxygen monitoring (SpO2) and an ECG. There's also fall detection and emergency SOS; Apple Watch has them, the ScanWatch does not.

Both watches offer step tracking, workout modes, and automatic activity detection when it comes to fitness tracking. In addition, the ScanWatch supports Connected GPS, which means you need your iPhone to calculate distance, elevation, and path during workouts. Apple Watch does this on its own so that you can leave your phone at home.

The Apple wearable device is also the only one available with a Wi-Fi + Cellular connection, but that will cost you a monthly fee through your iPhone carrier. Although the ScanWatch doesn't have a built-in App Store, it easily connects with partner fitness apps such as Strava. Only Apple Watch, however, offers Apple Fitness+.

Although both watches show general fitness data in real-time, Apple Watch naturally does a more thorough job because of its larger all-digital display. However, both devices perform about the same from a tracking perspective, with critical metrics collected for analysis and historical viewing.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Withings ScanWatch: The apps

The ScanWatch doesn't have an App Store. This means you won't be able to download and use weather reports, maps, music, podcasts, games, or any of the countless other features that only native and third-party apps can provide. And yet, when you drill down and only compare the companion apps both the Apple Watch and ScanWatch provide, they are much closer in design and usefulness.

The ScanWatch is only the latest Withings product to interface with the company's always impressive Health Mate app for iPhone. It's here where you can see every metric collected and find an analysis on how you're doing in real-time. Add a Withings body scale, blood pressure cuff, or sleep tracking mats, and you'll get an even better look at how your health is looking.

With Apple Watch, you can take advantage of two native iPhone apps: Fitness and Apple Health. The former is where you'll find Apple Watch's signature three rings (stand, exercise, and move) and whatever awards you might have collected. You also start Apple Fitness+ sessions from this app. The Apple Health app, much like Withings' Health Mate, is where your historic fitness and health data is collected from both Apple Watch and the iPhone itself.

Like countless other apps, Health Mate and Apple Health work well together, allowing the former to send real-time data to the latter. This is a great benefit and firmly answers an important question on whether you need an Apple Watch to use the iPhone's health and fitness tools. The answer: you don't.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Withings ScanWatch: Style and models

Many select hybrid smartwatches over full-featured options is the look. Whether it's an Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, or one of the many watches that use Wear OS, there's no mistaking these aren't traditional wearable devices. By contrast, the ScanWatch looks very much like the hundreds of other conventional analog watches on the market. Is one look better than the other? Absolutely not; it's entirely subjective.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is available in aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium, the latter being the strongest of the three. The Withings ScanWatch is only available in stainless steel. From a display standpoint, Apple says its latest wearable device offers the "most crack-resistant front crystal" to date. As such, it's certified IP6X dust-resistant and water-resistant to 50 meters. The aluminum Apple Watch models have Ion-X front glass, while the stainless steel and titanium models have sapphire front crystals. The Withings ScanWatch features a sapphire crystal and water resistance to 50 meters.

Moving beyond materials, the Apple Watch Series 7 is available in multiple colors, including midnight, starlight, green, blue, PRODUCT(RED), graphite, silver, gold, space black, and titanium. The ScanWatch only comes with a black or white face with a silver body.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Withings ScanWatch: Battery life and fast charging

Like other models, the Apple Watch Series 7 offers a lackluster 18 hours of battery life between charges. New this year, however, is fast charging which is 33% faster than the Apple Watch Series 6. Meanwhile, the hybrid ScanWatch can last up to 30 days between charges.

It also offers fast charging, which allows it to hit 80% after just one hour of charging with two hours needed to achieve a full charge. Obviously, there's no comparison here as smartwatches generally continue to lag hybrid models in terms of battery life.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Withings ScanWatch: Which should you buy?

If you're looking for the latest and greatest Apple Watch, the Series 7 is the choice for you. It's the one with the most features and styles. Plus, that bigger screen with an always-on display looks impressive on your wrist! To match the watch with your preferences, consider one of our favorite Watch bands.

If you don't like the look of the Apple Watch, want to spend less, couldn't care less about carrying around an iPhone on your wrist, but still want health and fitness tools, go with the Withings ScanWatch. Though there aren't many design choices, you can still mix things up by purchasing various bands in leather and other materials.

It's a choice between the Apple Watch Series 7 — the latest Apple Watch release and the Fitbit Charge 5 — Fitbit's most feature-heavy tracker. Choosing between these two is tough because they're two of the best fitness trackers to hit the market and offer advanced features to keep you motivated towards your health and fitness goals. Ultimately, the choice boils down to budget, operating system, and the features you prioritize.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Fitbit Charge 5: Features and specs

The Apple Watch Series 7 hosts some notable upgrades from its predecessor the Series 6. Plus, all the advanced features we loved about the Series 6 like advanced navigation, safety tracking, ECG, Sp02, and built-in cellular (optional). The Fitbit Charge 5 offers more advanced features than the already impressive Charge 4, like ECG, Sp02, and EDA scans. Which is for you? Let's break down the specs to see what sets them apart.

You're only going to get smart tech with the Series 7. On top of all the health and fitness features we've come to know and love via Watch OS, the Apple Watch Series 7 features a larger, more advanced display, a new keyboard, improved durability, fast charging, and new customization options. All that advanced tech comes with a hefty price tag, as it is more than twice as much as the Charge 5.

The Fitbit Charge 5 hosts some new comprehensive health and fitness monitoring features like ECG, EDA scans, and Daily Readiness Scores, on top of Active Zone Minutes, workout intensity maps, and a built-in GPS, making it a killer value. If you're an Android user, the Charge 5 is your obvious choice because of its compatibility. Plus, it offers much longer battery life than the Series 7. Let's break things down further.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Fitbit Charge 5: The best Apple Watch yet

The Series 7 hosts some notable upgrades from its predecessor and key differences from the Charge 5. For starters, it features Apple Watch's largest, most advanced display yet — almost a full inch larger than the Charge 5's. The Series 7 has reduced the display borders to a mere 1.7mm, and the watch's shape has been refined. The case and display have softer, more rounded corners, creating a sleeker aesthetic. It's 70% brighter indoors and can fit 50% more text on-screen than Apple Watch Series 6.

The buttons have been redesigned and enlarged to compliment the new design of the display, and there are new ways to input text. The Series 7 features a brand new full keyboard that you can either tap or slide from letter to letter with QuickPath. There are also new watch faces designed specifically for Apple Watch Series 7 to compliment the new display.

Series 7 is the most durable Apple Watch yet. The watch face is made of Apple's most crack-resistant crystal, and it's the first Apple Watch to receive an IPX certification. You don't have to worry about wearing it in dusty environments. Plus, its advanced navigation and safety tracking features can pinpoint your location worldwide and alert local emergency services if you ever find yourself in a bind, making it the perfect companion for rugged adventurers.

Unlike the Charge 5, the Series 7 offers fast charging. It has a new fast-charging USB-C cable that can take it from 0 to 80% in 45 minutes. Eight minutes of charging is enough for eight hours of sleep tracking. This helps compensate for Series 7's relatively short battery life of 18 hours.

You're also only going to be able to voice command and access Siri with the Series 7. It's the only wearable of the two that hosts media play, stream, storage, and customizable apps. Other perks of owning the Series 7 include opting into the optional built-in cellular system. This ensures that you'll always stay connected. You can make calls, send texts, answer emails, or check voicemails wherever you are.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Fitbit Charge 5: Fitbit's most advanced tracker

The Fitbit Charge 5 is Fitbit's most advanced tracker by far. It builds on the already impressive features of its predecessor Charge 4, with new offerings like ECG monitoring. Keep tabs on your heart health with a compatible ECG app that assesses your heart for any rhythm irregularities. It will store results to share with your doctor if necessary.

It features EDA scans. The Charge 5 allows you to use the on-wrist EDA scan app to detect electrodermal activity or tiny changes in your skin's sweat level. This indicates your body's physical response to stress. Daily stress management scores show you how exercise, mindfulness, and sleep affect your stress levels so you can track and manage stress over time.

The Charge 5 delivers a Daily Readiness Score that helps optimize your body's energy. It will show you whether you're ready for a strenuous workout, need to take it easy, or must prioritize recovery. This score is based on your exercise, sleep, and heart rate variability. It does require a Fitbit Premium membership, but your Charge 5 comes with six months of Premium (for new members only), so you have ample time to try it out.

It's outfitted with built-in GPS, Active Zone Minutes, and workout intensity maps. Active Zone Minutes will help you get the most out of your workouts by guiding you towards your target heart rate zones. Then, you can view your workout routes and heart rate variability in your workout intensity maps in the Fitbit app.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Fitbit Charge 5: Compatibility, customization, and battery

When it comes to compatibility, the Apple Watch Series 7 is only compatible with iOS, while the Fitbit Charge 5 is compatible with both iOS and Android. This makes the Charge 5 the definite choice for Android users.

The Series 7 and the Charge 5 host interchangeable bands and customizable watch faces. Apple Watch Series 7 has the Charge 5 beat in options. It comes in more colors, more materials, and offers more watch face choices. New colors for the Series 7 include midnight, starlight, green, blue, and (PRODUCT) RED. The Fitbit Charge 5 comes in three colors: black, lunar white, and steel blue.

If we're talking battery life, Charge 5 comes out way ahead. It offers up to seven days of battery depending on usage, which far outshines Apple Watch Series 7's 18 hours. Remember; if you operate either wearable in GPS, music, or Wi-Fi mode a lot, it will drain the battery much faster than basic watch mode.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Fitbit Charge 5: Which should you buy?

If you have the budget for it, the Apple Watch Series 7 can do everything the Fitbit Charge 5 can do, and then some. You're going to get comprehensive health and fitness monitoring on top of smart technology, making it the more all-encompassing purchase.

If you don't need smart features and are looking for advanced health and fitness monitoring at a great value, Fitbit Charge 5 is an excellent choice. It offers exciting new features and impressive battery life. At the end of the day, both wearables will keep you on the right track to health. The choice comes down to budget and the features you need most.

For a long time, Apple has preferred to keep its best features and services to itself so it's no real surprise that Apple Fitness+ is only available to Apple device owners just over a year since its launch. However, we have seen Apple move away from this strategy in recent years, either in search of increasing services revenue or through external pressures to open up its walled garden, moving some of its services cross-platform.

A for-pay fitness service seems like the perfect app to roll out across platforms. Several such services already exist on the web and in apps, but none with the brand cache, budget, and production value of Apple Fitness+. That begs the question, why can't Apple just put Fitness+ everywhere? The answer: the Apple Watch.

No Apple Watch, no Fitness+

The call for Apple Fitness+ to ditch the Apple Watch requirement is not a new one. Despite praising the service overall in our Apple Fitness+ review last year, our reviewer Luke Filipowicz even called it out then:

There are many great fitness trackers out there; some are better suited to certain types of workouts than even the best Apple Watch. Fitness-focused devices from the likes of Garmin and Fitbit are popular with keen exercisers while smartwatches from Samsung, TicWatch, Fossil, and many more brands all help you keep an eye on your daily activity.

That means that there are plenty of folks, both fitness fanatics and those who are just trying to be a bit healthier, that cannot be served by Apple Fitness+ because they'd need to own an Apple Watch in order to sign up and try it out.

Launching the Fitness+ app on other platforms, as it has with the TV app and Apple Music, would put it in front of many more eyeballs and unlock whole new markets of users.

If Apple wants to keep the service exclusive to its own platforms, removing the Apple Watch requirement and opening up Fitness+ to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV would still increase the addressable market greatly.

A tale of two strategies

Whether or not Apple would consider taking this step depends on whether the company sees Fitness+ as a feature that sells Apple Watches or a service it can sell in and of itself.

In the past, Apple's primary focus was on hardware. That's where the company made its money with significant margins on every product. Software features and tight services integrations were merely tools to get people to buy products and keep them in the Apple ecosystem every time they upgraded a device. Even when Apple put iTunes on Windows in 2003, it was a move designed to shift more iPod units.

However, in recent years we've seen a shift of emphasis from Apple toward growing its services business. It even put out a press release just last week detailing how well that part of the business is doing.

While we've seen some services like Apple Arcade and Apple News+ remain exclusive to Apple users, others like Apple Music and Apple TV+ have launched on competing devices. Particularly with TV+, Apple is pushing hard to scale that business as it continues to spend copious amounts of money on Apple TV+ shows. It won't be spending as much to staff its Fitness+ instructor and production teams, but the service's reach is severely limited by the number of people wearing an Apple Watch, which is already a sub-group of iPhone owners.

Close your rings

Apple has put a lot of its Apple Watch marketing efforts into the "Close Your Rings" mantra. Fitness+ instructors sign off each session by encouraging you to close them, your Apple Watch pings you periodically to keep you up to speed on your Activity ring progress each day, and at this time of year Apple even encourages you to take the "Ring in the New Year" challenge.

Opening up Apple Fitness+ poses potential complications when it comes to these metrics, especially when communicating to those taking part in sessions who have never used an Apple Watch. When the instructor asks you to check in on your Activity ring progress, the Fitness app puts your ring data front and center. Similarly, instructors often mention heart rate or the Burn Bar, metrics that the Fitness app won't be able to display without that tight Apple Watch integration. Fitness+ has thousands of sessions all with messaging that would make little to no sense to non-Apple Watch wearers.

That being said, you can currently choose to start a Fitness+ workout without your Apple Watch on your wrist — you merely have to have an Apple Watch to sign up for the service in the first place — and Apple deals with it by simply not showing your metrics on screen.

Apple could be clear with users upfront when signing up for Apple Fitness+ that the best experience will be enjoyed by those wearing an Apple Watch. It could also use that as an opportunity to explain the terminology used by instructors and the metrics that they are missing out on without one. In doing so, that special sauce would remain a sell for the Apple Watch while Apple still picks up $10 a month from folks who are excluded from giving them that money right now.

Time will tell

Apple Fitness+ is only just in its second year of existence, and there are plenty of ways to improve Apple Fitness+ in 2022 and beyond. It's likely that Apple will resolve some of the lingering issues the service has before it looks to broaden its addressable market.

If it really wants to juice its subscriber numbers, though, it needs to either get more people wearing Apple Watches or open it up to everyone. The latter would likely be easier and may even help achieve the former.

If you're looking for a way to kickstart your New Year fitness goals, then Amazon has an Apple Watch Series 7 deal for you. Over there, you can save as much as $60 on Apple's latest smartwatch and fitness tracker meaning you can snag an all-time low price on one.

If you've never tried it before, you'll even get three months of Fitness+ with your new Apple Watch to help you get in the habit of working out regularly.

Time's ticking on these Apple Watch Series 7 deals

Apple Watch Series 7 might look a lot like the Series 6 that came before it, outside of some new hues, but it has received some significant upgrades to make it the best Apple Watch.

The most obvious change is a larger display, going from 40mm and 44mm to 41mm and 45mm, respectively. That larger display allows for some exclusive new watch faces that make the most of the extra real estate as well as a full-size QWERTY keyboard for composing quick text replies.

Other notable improvements include a more crack-resistant glass screen and an IP6X dust resistance rating, a first for Apple Watch, meaning you can be confident using your Series 7 at the beach. That's on top of the already-stellar 50M water resistance rating.

Apple Watch Series 7 maintains the 18-hour battery life of its predecessor while charging 33% faster, according to Apple, and offering a brighter always-on display.

If you're in the market for a new Apple Watch, it's worth checking out our Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch Series 6 guide for the low-down on all of the major similarities and differences.

What you need to know

• Apple has released a new ad for the Apple Watch.
• "911" tells the story of three people who were saved from accidents because of their watch.
• It's important to know that a cellular Apple Watch is best for these situations.

Apple is out with its latest Apple Watch ad, and this one is all about peace of mind.

The ad, called "911," tells the true story of three people who, after getting in a dangerous accident, were each saved because of the Apple Watch on their wrist. You can check out the new ad below:

Apple has continuously called the Apple Watch "a guardian of your health." While people usually think of exercise or general health tracking, the Apple Watch continues to also grow as a device that can help during an emergency like those depicted in the ad.

It's important to note that all three stories from the ad may have required the person to own the GPS + Cellular version of the Apple Watch. While the GPS version can call 911, it needs to be near your iPhone. So, for those who are taking just their watch with them, you'll need the GPS + Cellular version to contact emergency services.

The two Apple Watches that currently support cellular are the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Apple Watch SE. While the Apple Watch Series 7 gets you a bigger screen, faster charging, and the ability to take an ECG, the Apple Watch SE gets you everything else.

If you're trying to figure out which one is best for your peace of mind, check out our Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE comparison.

It's near the end of the year, and naturally, that means the iMore team is thinking about what Apple has in store for its products in the coming year. I'm going to focus on the Apple Watch.

After the year Apple Watch had in 2021, it's likely going to be pretty easy to come up with a list of features I want. The best Apple Watch will always be the most useable and convenient watch, but there's plenty that could make it better.

I'm breaking this up into two sections; what I want to see and what I expect to see. What I want to see is where I get to dream big and suggest some changes that I may want but might not be a realistic expectation. What I expect to see is a more conservative guess at what we might actually see from the Apple Watch in 2022.

Now that 2021 is in the books let's throw caution into the wind as we guess what's in store for the Apple Watch in 2022.

What I want to see from Apple Watch in 2022

I know last year we got a lot of rumors about a redesigned Apple Watch that never came to fruition, and I wasn't necessarily super stoked on the direction the rumors were showing, but that doesn't mean that I don't think a redesign would be awesome.

The Apple Watch hasn't been significantly redesigned since its inception — outside of some increases in the case and screen size — so a new look for the Apple Watch would definitely make more than a few heads turn. I'm not necessarily going to guess exactly what the redesign would be, but whatever it is, needs to be more ergonomic. I don't want a big square edge hitting my wrist when I bend my wrist back and I'll welcome any design that changes that.

I want watchOS to be a much bigger update in 2022. It's not like watchOS 8 is bad, on the contrary, it allows you to get a lot more accomplished from your wrist than ever before. But, it was lacking any big breakout features that we've seen before.

Blood Glucose monitoring, a widely enhanced Mindfulness app, a redesigned Home screen that makes better use of the new size of the Apple Watch Series 7, are just a few directions I want apple to go in 2022 with it's Apple Watch software.

In any case, I want watchOS 9 to have big new features that make people's lives easier and help people keep a healthy mind and body.

My last big wish is that we do see the rumored Rugged Apple Watch. I know it's a smaller market, but people who do extreme sports would love to be able to track their sports in a safe and efficient way, and Apple certainly has the means to make it happen.

Before you say it, yes, I know you can buy rugged cases for your Apple Watch already, but imagine if a Rugged Apple Watch was built from the ground up with much better protection in mind. The water resistance could be increased, the design could be bigger and bulkier to accommodate a bigger battery, and yes, the Rugged Appel Watch could even come with different sensors that are better and track certain extreme sports.

I really think this is a market that Apple is currently missing from its lineup, and t could be really awesome if they decide to tackle it.

What I expect to see

I love the Apple Watch SE. It brings lots of the awesome utility of the Apple Watch to a lower price point, which I think is so important for a device that has the potential to save lives.

A two-year cycle for an Apple Watch SE refresh is a good timeline to ensure that the product stays relevant and updateable with the newest software and security updates. The Apple Watch SE 2 would likely feature an upgrade to the processor in the Apple Watch Series 7 (which is the same as the Series 6), but would likely be behind the Apple Watch Series 8.

I don't think the Apple Watch SE would change to much other than a processor change, and potentially a size upgrade to the new 41mm and 45mm case size, but even that wouldn't be necessary to make the Apple Watch SE 2 a stellar device.

While i want to see a huge update and upgrade in 2022, I think it's much more realistic to expect one big new feature. I know the rumors surrounding it tend to be nebulous at best, but we likely can assume that Blood Glucose monitoring is being worked on for the Apple Watch.

If Apple manages to put Blood Glucose monitoring into the Apple Watch Series 8, that will not only be a huge accomplishment, it will likely mean a whole new app and interactions with the Health app will be the one big feature added to watchOS 9. That's not to say that some basic apps might not get a redesign or some improvement, but I expect watchOS 9 will focus heavily on that feature.

On top of that, it's likely what a lot of the Apple Watch Series 8 will be about too, since, my best guess is new sensors would need to be designed and put into the Apple Watch to make it a reality. Once again, I think this achievement would be so huge, that it's the only major upgrade we will see to the Apple Watch Series 8.

See you in 2022!

All in all, 2021 was a pretty good year for the Apple Watch, and 2022 has the potential to be even better! Happy New Year and we will see you in 2022!

We're in the twilight of 2021, and it's time to look back at what Apple accomplished these past twelve months — specifically with the Apple Watch. Of course, we only had one new model this year, the Apple Watch Series 7, but don't forget that watchOS is a big part of what makes an Apple Watch, well, an Apple Watch.

So, as we prepare to ring in 2022, let's look back at what happened with the Apple Watch this year.

watchOS 8 preview at WWDC

The first major stop for the Apple Watch in 2021 came at WWDC with the introduction of watchOS 8. I jumped on the developer beta right away and started tinkering around with the new update. My first impressions of the new software were pretty mild, and there was no real stand-out feature in watchOS 8 that really wowed most people, or me for that matter.

First impressions are important, but as I used watchOS 8 more and more, I understood what Apple was going for with watchOS 8. You see, it wasn't an update that was meant to wow anybody, but rather a solid quality of life update that lets you do more from your Apple Watch.

Messaging is easier thanks to the ability to use Scribble, Dictation, and emoji all in the same message. Focus lets you set your customized Do Not Disturb mode across all your devices with the tap of a button. Sharing photos from your Apple Watch is now possible and quite simple. And, the Home app got a huge update making it way easier to control all your HomeKit accessories.

It's all about being able to do more and have more control on your wrist, so even though the Mindfulness app with the new Reflect feature is a little lackluster, all the little improvements make your Apple Watch better. And, if that isn't a successful update to watchOS, I'm not sure what would be.

Rumor has it...

Before we get into talking about the best Apple Watch Apple puts out every year, we have to address the elephant in the room: rumors.

There were a ton of rumors surrounding the Apple Watch Series 7 before it came out, most notably, that the Apple Watch was getting a redesign, including flatter edges and a more squared-edged design. Of course, all these rumors took off, and people were really hyped, myself included, and when the Apple Watch Series 7 launched, lots of people were disappointed.

It sucks because the Apple Watch Series 7 is a great Apple Watch, but it was needlessly marred by many expectations of people whose expectations became too high based on some rumors. I'm including myself in this group as well.

The hype machine is very real, and as someone who covers Apple tech day in and day out, it was a good reminder that all rumors, no matter how credible the source has been in the past, shouldn't influence any expectations.

Don't sleep on the Apple Watch Series 7

With that out of the way, let's talk about the Apple Watch Series 7, which this year became bigger than ever before.

Well, there was no total redesign. The Apple Watch Series 7 did make the case bigger by a fraction — the Series 7 comes in 41mm and 45mm cases instead of the 40mm and 44mm we've seen in the last few years. That's not a lot, but the screen also gets bigger when you combine that with the smaller bezels.

The screen feels super present on your wrist now, and it makes using the Apple Watch better — especially for people with eyesight issues or mobility problems. The entire UI feels a little less cramped and easier to read and access. From a usability perspective, it's low-key the best update to the Apple Watch in years, and I don't think it gets enough credit.

Now, that isn't to say that there isn't some valid criticism of the Apple Watch Series 7. The battery life is the same as last year's Series 6 (although it does charge faster, which is nice), the processor isn't upgraded, and there are no new health sensors either. I still wouldn't recommend that anyone upgrade from a Series 6 to a Series 7. There's nothing about the Apple Watch Series 7 that makes it a "must-have" device, but you don't have to reinvent the wheel every time.

Bottom line: the Apple Watch Series 7 is great and probably didn't quite get a fair shake due to all the hype leading up to its release. It doesn't do anything flashy and new, but it does have everything we've come to love about Apple Watch.

Excited for the future

The Apple Watch in 2021 may not have been the most exciting year the device has seen, but all the improvements in watchOS 8and the Apple Watch Series 7 still showed us that the Apple Watch remains a powerful extension of the Apple ecosystem. I'm going into 2022 with a lot of hope that the Apple Watch will have another good year, but certainly trying to keep my expectations in check in the future.

Apple offers automatic backup services for most of its devices, and Apple Watch is no exception. There's lots of data on your Apple Watch that is worth saving, and you want to make sure you don't lose it. Here's what you need to know about Apple Watch backups and how to back up your Apple Watch.

How Apple Watch backups work

The new Apple Watch Series 7 should backup precisely as all the older Apple Watch models have in the past. Whenever your Apple Watch gets connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, it automatically syncs your latest Health, Workout, Activity, and app data. So, for example, the first three pieces of information get synced to the Health app, where they're either encrypted and stored in iCloud or stored as part of your encrypted iPhone backup. Meanwhile, your app data becomes bundled as part of your iPhone backup because Apple Watch apps are technically just extensions of iPhone apps.

Note: If you still use a computer to make unencrypted backups of your iPhone, you aren't saving any Health data. Therefore, it's now recommended that you use an encrypted iTunes backup instead, or sync your Health data via iCloud. You can also back up your health data separately via a third-party app, but it's not nearly as smooth of a process (and you'll lose all your Activity achievements).

What will my iPhone sync?

According to Apple's backup support document, here's the information that your Apple Watch regularly syncs to your iPhone:

• App-specific data (for built-in apps) and settings (for built-in and third-party apps). For example, Maps, distance, units, and your settings for Mail, Calendar, Stocks, and Weather.
• App layout on the Home screen
• Clock face settings, including your current watch face, customizations, and order
• Dock settings, including the order, whether you sort by favorites or recents, and available apps
• General system settings, such as brightness, sound, and haptic settings
• Health and Fitness data, such as history, awards, Workout and Activity calibration data from your Apple Watch, and user-entered data (To back up Health and Fitness data, you need to use iCloud or an encrypted backup on your computer.)
• Notification settings
  • Playlists, albums, and mixes that are synced to your Apple Watch, and your Music settings
  • The Siri Voice Feedback setting that controls when Siri speaks
  • Synced photo album (To see which album syncs, open the Apple Watch app, tap the My Watch tab, then tap Photos > Synced Album.)
  • Time Zone

What won't my iPhone sync?

In general, the Apple Watch won't sync anything to your iPhone that might pose a security issue. Specifically, that includes:

• Bluetooth pairings
• Credit or debit cards used for Apple Pay on your Apple Watch
• Passcode for your Apple Watch
• Messages

If you need to unpair and re-pair your Apple Watch — either as a troubleshooting measure, to force a sync, or to switch to a new iPhone — you'll need to pair your non-W1 Bluetooth accessories once again, re-enter your Apple Pay cards, and set up your passcode. So if you use a pair of Bluetooth headphones with your Apple Watch, you'll need to pair them up again.

How often does my iPhone sync to my Apple Watch?

It's a similar cycle to that of services like iCloud Photo Library and the like — any time your devices are within range, it feeds a steady stream of data between the two. Unlike most of iCloud's services, however, the Apple Watch can use either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi; as such, if you've hiked out into the wilderness with your Watch and your iPhone, you can still sync your Activity data without a hotspot present (assuming the Bluetooth connection is strong enough).

Does my Watch backup live locally on my iPhone or in iCloud?

When you initially sync data between your Watch and iPhone, that information lives locally on your iPhone. Some of that information will then sync to iCloud (for instance, if you have your Health data stored in iCloud); the rest of it will save to either iCloud or iTunes when you back up your iPhone, depending on the backup type you employ.

As such, even if you lose your iPhone, as long as you've backed it up recently and have access to your Apple ID, you can restore your Apple Watch with little to no loss of information.

Can my Apple Watch save data even when it's not connected to my iPhone?

Yup! Whether you're going for a run without your iPhone or you've decided to take a weekend camping trip solely with your Apple Watch, you'll be covered! Whatever exercise and health data you create while away will save locally to your Apple Watch (up to 30 days' worth of information) until you're once again in the range of your iPhone.

So if the Apple Watch syncs data to iPhone, what's an Apple Watch backup?

When you sync settings data from your Apple Watch to your iPhone, it doesn't just end up in the random free-floating package of an iPhone backup — iOS puts this data in a specially-labeled Apple Watch container. As a result, if you ever have to un-pair and re-pair your Apple Watch, or you upgrade to a new Apple Watch, you'll be able to use that data to restore it to its former self.

Note: You'll need the original iPhone you paired it with (or a new iPhone restored from your old iPhone's backup) if you want to access your Apple Watch's information — you can't just restore directly from iCloud.

Can I send my Watch backup to my friend's iPhone?

As we mentioned above, your Watch backup is primarily tied to your iPhone and its backup, so you can't send your Watch's data to your friend's iPhone.

That said, there is a way to move Watch data from an old iPhone to a new one. If your new iPhone gets restored from your old iPhone's backup, you can reset your Watch from a backup when you re-pair it without a problem.

How to back up your Apple Watch manually

As mentioned above, there's no "Back up" button in the Watch app to manually sync your Apple Watch, mainly because you don't need it. But if you're upgrading to a new Apple Watch (or switching to a new iPhone) and want to make sure every last bit of data has been synced, you can do so by un-pairing your Apple Watch when both it and your iPhone are connected. This process will trigger one last sync with your iPhone before wiping your Apple Watch to factory defaults.

Note: Because you can't use your current Apple Watch while it's unpaired from your iPhone, we recommend waiting until you have both your old and new iPhone (or old and new Apple Watch) in hand before starting this process.

To do this, follow our steps to learn how to unpair your Apple Watch.

How to restore your Apple Watch from backup

Once you've forced your Apple Watch to make a backup, you'll want to restore it — either on your existing phone or your new iPhone. Here's how to restore your Apple Watch from backup.

Ready to go

Now that you know how to properly back up your Apple Watch, you'll also be able to restore your Apple Watch using a backup, which will come in handy if you ever need to reset your Apple Watch or upgrade to a new model. Now you can use your Watch with no worries!

Updated December 2021: Updated for the latest version of watchOS 8.

Setting up a new Apple Watch is a simple process that requires one very important tool⁠—an Apple iPhone. Thankfully, Apple has made it easy to pair these devices and set up the Apple Watch, as would be expected. There are several ways to go about it, however, so let's get started. 

When it comes time to pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone, you'll need to use the Apple Watch app for iOS. You should be able to find it pre-installed on your iPhone (or via the App Store, if you've removed it previously). If you've just bought a brand new Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch Ultra, here's how to set it up. Be sure to check out our pick for the best Apple Watch bands to grow your accessory collection.

How to set up a new Apple Watch by pairing it with your iPhone

So you've purchased one of the best Apple Watches of the year, and now it's time to pair. There are different ways to pair your Apple Watch to your iPhone, depending on what makes the most sense for your needs. You can do it automatically or manually, and also pair an existing Apple Watch with a new iPhone.

If you've bought a new Apple Watch to replace an old one, make sure you check out our how to unpair an Apple Watch guide first so all of your current data and settings get transferred to your new device.

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone (You can also bring your Apple Watch near your iPhone to bring up a similar interface to the AirPods pairing screen, which will then launch the Watch app).
2. Tap Start Pairing.
3. Move your phone over your Apple Watch until your Apple Watch is lined up in the center of the yellow rectangle.
   • You'll know you've completed the step when you see a message that says, "Your Apple Watch Is Paired."
4. Choose whether to set up your Apple Watch from scratch or to restore Apple Watch from a backup.

Continuing with how to set up a new Apple Watch, if you can't get your Apple Watch to start the pairing process automatically, you can manually pair your iPhone and Watch. Instead of using the nifty QR-code-style method, you'll use your Apple Watch's name to start the pairing process.

1. Launch the Watch app on your iPhone (You can also bring your Apple Watch near your iPhone to bring up a similar interface to the AirPods pairing screen, which will then launch the Watch app).
2. Tap Start Pairing.
3. Tap Pair Apple Watch Manually
4. On your Apple Watch, tap i to view the device's name.
5. On your iPhone, select your Apple Watch from the list.

6. Choose whether to set up your Apple Watch from scratch or to restore Apple Watch from a backup.

Unlike your iPhone, there's no easy way to make a backup of your Apple Watch to iCloud manually; backups are intrinsically tied to your iPhone's iCloud or iTunes backup. As such, while your Watch will sync its data to your iPhone regularly when you're connected via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, you can't manually choose to back up your information (unless you manually unpair your Apple Watch, which will then automatically sync its latest data to your iPhone backup).

So what do you do when you want to switch iPhone models? First, Unpair your Apple Watch from your old smartphone, disable Activation Lock, and make a backup of your iPhone. If you need further tips be sure to check out our guide on how to pair an exisiting Apple Watch with a new iPhone .

How to set up or restore your Apple Watch from a backup

Once you've paired your Apple Watch to your iPhone, it's time to set it up from scratch or an existing backup.

Whether this is your first Apple Watch or you don't want to carry over old data, it's relatively simple to set up your smartwatch from scratch.

1. After the pairing process is complete, tap Set Up as New Apple Watch.

2. Tap either Left or Right to tell Apple Watch on which wrist you plan to wear it.
3. Tap Agree to agree to the watchOS Terms and Conditions.
4. Tap Agree to confirm.

5. Set up Activation Lock and Find My iPhone by entering your Apple ID.
6. Tap OK to indicate you understand Shared Settings for iPhone and Apple Watch.
7. Tap Create a Passcode to create a passcode for Apple Watch.
   • Tap Add a Long Passcode to add a passcode longer than four digits.
   • Tap Don't Add Passcode if you'd rather not have a passcode on your Apple Watch.
8. On your Apple Watch, tap to create a four-digit passcode.
9. Enter your passcode once more to confirm.
10. If you have an Apple Watch with LTE service, choose whether to Set Up Cellular on your Apple Watch.

11. Set up Apple Pay (or set it up later). Depending on which card you're adding, you may need to enter your card security code or the entire number.
12. On your iPhone, tap Continue to indicate you understand Emergency SOS.

13. Tap Install All to install all of the available watchOS apps on your iPhone (watchOS apps are included with iOS apps).
    • Tap Choose Later if you'd rather not install all of the available watchOS apps on your iPhone.
14. Allow your Apple Watch to sync with your iPhone. When it's finished syncing, your Apple Watch is ready to roll! While you wait, you can view basic navigation tips on your Apple Watch, labeled "Apple Watch Basics."

Not sure if you backed up your Apple Watch? Here's how backups work for Apple's smartwatch.

1. After the pairing process is complete, tap the Restore from Backup button.
2. Choose the appropriate backup.

3. Accept the terms and conditions.
4. Set up Activation Lock and Find My iPhone by entering your Apple ID.
5. Tap OK to indicate you understand Shared Settings for iPhone and Apple Watch.
6. Tap Create a Passcode to create a passcode for Apple Watch.
   • Tap Add a Long Passcode to add a passcode longer than four digits.
   • Tap Don't Add Passcode if you'd rather not have a passcode on your Apple Watch.
7. On your Apple Watch, tap to create a four-digit passcode.
8. Enter your passcode once more to confirm.

9. If you have an Apple Watch with LTE service and you haven't set it up yet (or canceled your plan), you may be prompted to Set Up Cellular on your Apple Watch.

10. On your iPhone, tap Continue to indicate you understand Emergency SOS.
11. Set up Apple Pay (or set it up later). You may need to enter your card security code or the entire number, depending on which card you're adding.

12. Your Apple Watch will now begin restoring from backup.

While you wait for your Apple Watch to restore, you can view essential navigation tips on your Apple Watch, labeled "Apple Watch Basics."

How to get more out of your Apple Watch

We also include reports on how to use Apple Watch with multiple iPhones and how to switch between Apple Watches worth considering.

After you've finished the pairing and setup process, it's time to customize! There are tons of cool new displays available in the latest version of watchOS 9, so you can start by personalizing one of these to your own needs. There are also plenty of apps and downloads that will interact with your iPhone for an integrated user experience. Don't forget to set up the parameters in the Health app as well, so your new watch can help you track your health in real time.

Ready to Watch 'n Roll

That's it! Your new Apple Watch is ready to go! You might want to check out some of the best apps for the Apple Watch or the best Apple Watch cases to further enhance your Watch experience. Enjoy!

Now is the time to get your hands — and wrist! — on a bargain 41mm Apple Watch Series 7 with Amazon offering the gorgeous green color with a very respectable 15% off. That means you're saving $60 without having to lift a finger — there are no discount codes or on-screen coupons here!

The Apple Watch Series 7 is the best Apple Watch you can buy today and that stunning display is front and center. Offering almost 60% more screen area than the outgoing Apple Watch Series 6, this thing is a great way to tell the time and so much more!

Time's ticking on this amazing Apple Watch Series 7 deal

Apple Watches have been shown to help save lives in all kinds of ways, whether it's heart rate tracking, ECG functionality, or fall detection. Beyond that, don't forget this is a great way to help get and stay fit thanks to activity tracking and more. It's like a Fitbit, but way better!

Amazon says it can still get you your new Apple Watch to your door before Christmas so be sure to get those orders in soon whether you're treating yourself to a Christmas gift or buying for someone else. You really can't go wrong here and you're even getting your new Apple Watch in what might be the best-looking color Apple has ever produced. This thing looks awesome.

What you need to know

• iFixit has shared stunning new Apple Watch Series 7 x-ray wallpapers.
• Wallpapers are available as x-ray and see-through options.

Buyers of the laters Apple Watch Series 7 can now get their very own x-ray or see-through wallpapers courtesy of the fine folks at iFixit..

Wallpapers are available for the 41mm and 45mm versions of the watch, with onlookers getting to see the insides of an Apple Watch in a way most of us will never do for realsies.

These things might just be the best Apple Watch wallpapers we've ever seen and you can of course use them on any Apple Watch, too. You'll of course need to change your watch face to use one of these wallpapers, but they look so great who wouldn't want to do that?

With Apple Watch Series 7 having been on sale for a couple of months, attention is already turning to what comes next. Talk of an Apple Watch Series 8, new Apple Watch SE, and a rugged Apple Watch is everywhere right now. If this turns out to be accurate I can't wait to see iFixit's teardown and x-ray images of those new devices!

You can download the new Apple Watch Series 7 wallpapers over on iFixit's website right now!

The recently-released Apple Watch Series 7 is the best Apple Watch you can buy today. The cellular version is even better because it means you won't be tethered to your iPhone — and now you can add a watch of your own to your existing Visible plan without breaking the bank, too.

Visible is now offering people the chance to buy a new Apple Watch Series 7 and then add it to their plan for just $5 per month, making it a bargain-tastic way to get data to your new watch without paying through the nose for it. Terms do apply of course, so make sure to read up when placing your order.

With its gorgeous new screen and brighter always-on display, the Apple Watch Series 7 isn't only the best Apple Watch ever built — it's the best smartwatch ever designed, too. You'd be surprised how liberating it is being able to receive iMessages, listen to streaming music, and even make and receive calls without needing your iPhone to be nearby as well — something that's only possible with a cellular watch and accompanying plan.

Like all the best deals it seems unlikely that this one will hang around for too long. As ever, make sure to get your order in while the going's good!

What you need to know

• Apple Watch and iPhone customers appear to be missing out on carrier rebates.
• Many took to Twitter to express their displeasure.
• T-Mobile and Verizon customers say they haven't received their rebates or were never offered them in the first place.

Customers of major carriers including Verizon and T-Mobile say they haven't received their rebates for devices like the iPhone 13 and Apple Watch Series 7, or were never offered them in the first place.

The issues were picked up by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman on Twitter, who noted:

Other users immediately chimed in to say they were experiencing the same issue, one noted:

And another stated:

Customer support on Twitter for T-Mobile and Verizon looked to address individual complaints, however, it is unclear if this will lead to a wider rectifying of what looks to be quite an endemic issue.

When it unveiled its new best iPhone in September, Apple heavily emphasized the generous carrier subsidies on offer:

The full details of the carrier rebates offered can be found on Apple's website.

What you need to know

• Apple executives Stan Ng and Alan Dye sat down for a new interview with The Independent.
• The two talked about the technical challenges the team faced when designing the Apple Watch Series 7.

There were a lot of things that could have gone wrong with the Apple Watch Series 7.

In a new interview with The Independent (via MacRumors), Stan Ng, Apple's Vice President of Product Marketing, and Alan Dye, Apple's Vice President of Interface Design, talked about the design challenges with trying to make the Apple Watch Series 7 a reality.

According to Ng, increasing the size of the display without increasing the size of the watch required the team to "completely re-engineering the display, the front crystal, the internals and the internal enclosure."

Alan Dye said that the increased display size allowed the team to update watchOS to "make the user experience more clear and more accessible."

The Apple Watch Series 7, which Apple launched in October, features a larger display, tougher glass, and faster charging. You can read the entire interview with Ng and Dye at The Independent.

What you need to know

• iFixit has posted its traditional teardown of the new Apple Watch Series 7.
• It has revealed a slightly larger battery and more internal changes.
• The report says Apple's new touch-integrated OLED panel might well have been the cause of delays to its release.

iFixit's teardown of the Apple Watch Series 7 has revealed a slightly larger battery inside the new wearable, and the possible cause of the product's delayed release.

iFixit broke open the Watch to examine its various internal components and measure its repairability. As noted previously the diagnostic port of the Watch is gone in favor of a rumored wireless interface instead. iFixit also says that despite being bigger and better the new display is less complex thanks to the new OLED display which has an integrated touch panel. As noted by Apple on its website:

This feature is also present in the iPhone 13, and iFixit says that this might be the culprit behind the Watch's "fall" release date and production delays:

The battery in the 41mm and 45mm Watch is larger than both of its predecessors, by 6.8% and 1.6% respectively. As the report notes, however, the more demanding display means Apple's battery promise remains simply "all-day battery life."

iFixit hailed that the Series 7 worked well with replacement swaps of both its Display and Taptic Engine, as well as the battery, scoring it a 6 out of 10 for reparability overall.

The new Apple Watch with all-new display is available now with these best Apple Watch Series 7 deals.

There's always Amazon

Both Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch SE are top-of-the-line smartwatches. As the latest Apple Watch release, Series 7 hosts all of the bells and whistles Apple Watch has to offer including the largest, most durable display ever, an optimized UI with a new keyboard, fast charging, new colors, and all the advanced features of Watch OS. 

Apple Watch SE is Apple's most cost-effective option and has features to track every part of your day and all the ways you move. You can opt into the built-in cellular system on both, so how exactly do these two differ? 

Well, other than the display and keyboard, Apple Watch Series 7 is not a whole lot different than last year's Series 6, which means the Apple Watch SE is a great cheaper alternative to the flagship Apple Watch. Let's get granular. 

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: Let's break it down

Of course, the new display on the Apple Watch Series 7 sticks out at first glance and will be the top contender for the best Apple Watch, but there are a few differences that can be hard to spot on the surface between the current flagship and the Apple Watch SE. Overall, the differences are mostly cosmetic, but if you look at the spec sheet, there are a few things you'll want to pay attention to when making your selection.

Above you'll notice that the Apple Watch Series 7 is sporting a faster chip. It's not faster than the Apple Watch Series 6 from last year, but Apple claims it's about 20% faster than the Apple Watch SE. As someone who has both watches, the performance increase isn't super noticeable, but the Series 7 does perform slightly better under a heavy load.

If you pick it apart, the Apple Watch SE is missing a few key things from the Apple Watch Series 7, but the few you really want to consider are the missing health features, the screen, the dust resistance, and the fast charging.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: More health features on the Series 7

The Apple Watch Series 7 offers blood oxygen monitoring just like the Series 6 did last year, and it also has an electrical heart sensor. Both of those features are missing from the Apple Watch SE, but pretty much every other health feature is on the cheaper model.

With the Apple Watch SE, you still get 32GB storage, fall detection, international emergency calling, noise monitoring, support for Family Setup, compass, always-on altimeter, Digital Crown with haptic feedback, second-generation speaker and mic, and a ceramic and sapphire crystal back. It's no slouch when it comes to features; it just doesn't have a few key abilities that Apple has deemed flagship worthy.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: Display and appearance

Let's talk about the screen for a second. The Apple Watch Series 7 has 40% thinner bezels when compared to the Apple Watch SE and a slightly bigger case size — 41mm and 45mm. I'll be the first to admit that it didn't sound like much at first, but after seeing the two side-by-side, you really notice the difference.

Not only is it bigger, but the Apple Watch Series 7 display wraps around the edges of the watch case just a little bit (as seen in the photo above), which is a neat touch. However, outside of using the new Contour watch face, you're likely not going to notice it too much.

Another interesting thing to point out is the different finishes and color options on each device. The Apple Watch Series 7 comes in three finishes: aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium — while the Apple Watch SE only comes in aluminum. The Series 7 also comes in more colors with an aluminum finish including midnight, starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, blue, and green, whereas the SE comes in space gray, silver, and gold.

Also, the Series 7 doesn't quite come in a pure neutral tone. The midnight color is mostly black but does have a bit of blue hue to it, and the starlight finish is a bit more cream-colored than you might expect. So, if you're nitpicky about color and prefer your Apple Watch to be a more standard black or silver finish, you'll have to go up to the stainless steel finish for that.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: Dust and water resistance

The Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch SE are water-resistant up to 50 meters. You can jump in the pool with them and swim laps no problem, but the Series 7 is now IP6X against dust. That's the strongest rating a device can have on the Ingress Protection rating you can have for dust, meaning the Series 7 has been proven to be dust-tight.

One thing to keep in mind is while the Apple Watch SE has no IP rating, that doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't protected from dust at all. It just means Apple has never tested it for dust protection. Usually, when a device is water-sealed strong enough, you'll get some protection from dust anyways, but companies don't often test their products for that protection.

If you want the most durable Apple Watch, the Series 7 is the way to go. However, as someone who has had the Apple Watch SE since its launch, dust and water have never been a problem for me. 

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: Battery life and fast charging

Both the Apple Watch Series 7 and Apple Watch SE have the same battery life — about 18 hours — but the Apple Watch Series 7 added fast charging.

Apple says the Apple Watch Series 7 can charge up to 33% faster than the Apple Watch Series 6; however, it's important to note that they got those results by charging the Series 7 with Apple's own 20W USB-C charger. The good news is the Apple Watch Series 7 comes with a USB-C cable (rather than the USB-A cable that comes with the SE model), so you can plug it into a 20W USB-C charger if you have one — remember, a charger doesn't come in the box. Another critical thing to remember is that the Series 7 can only fast charge with this new cable; even Apple's own MagSafe Duo charger can't fast charge the Series 7.

With all that being said, the Apple Watch SE will charge slower than the Apple Watch Series 7, provided you have all the required pieces to make that fast charging work. If you don't, you won't see a difference in charging time.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Apple Watch SE: Which should you buy?

Looking forward, we're greatly anticipating the launch of Apple Watch Series 8, but if you're looking for the latest and greatest Apple Watch right now, the Series 7 is the choice for you. It's the one with the most features and styles. Plus, that bigger screen with an always-on display really does look good on your wrist!

For those new to Apple Watch, the SE could be the model for you. I have adored my Apple Watch SE since it launched, and I believe it offers a perfect blend of features for its price point. If you don't mind missing out on a few things, the SE is a perfect compromise, especially if you're finally upgrading from a much older model. 

However, although Apple Watch SE looks enticing today, you might want to hold off as word on the street is Apple's about to refresh the whole lineup, and there's never been a worse time to buy Apple Watch SE. Regardless of the model you select, be sure to check out some of our favorite watch bands!

What you need to know

-Apple has fixed an issue with Apple Watch Series 7 app icons. - Previously some apps were experiencing issues because of vector icons. - Apple is now rolling out updates to fix the problem.

Apple appears to be rolling out updates to apps on the Apple Watch Series 7 to fix a problem with icons.

A multitude of third-party Apple Watch apps have been updated by Apple over recent days with the note:

It follows a previous issue where apps using vector items weren't showing properly on the new Apple Watch. From last week:

With any luck this will fix the issue that saw both app icons and complications not showing up on Apple Watch Series 7 home screens.

What you need to know

• Some third-party Apple Watch apps are missing icons when installed on Apple's hot new thing.
• Third-party apps like CARROT Weather, Drafts, Fantastical, and PCalc are missing icons altogether.
• Missing icons means it can be impossible to tell which app is which.

Update, October 15 (08:00 am ET): The current working theory is that something has gone awry with the way the App Store has handled Apple Watch Series 7 apps — some apps are also experiencing complication size mismatches, too.

Anyone frantically setting up their hot new Apple Watch Series 7 might be in for a tricky time when installing some third-party apps — because their icons are missing.

As I've noticed on my own Apple Watch and has been confirmed by others, some third-party apps are simply not having their icons rendered on-screen. That, in turn, can make it impossible to tell which app is which depending on the app view you are using.

One way around things, at least for now, is to switch to the list view — at least you have the app's name to go by!

Initial suggestions are that the issue only impacts apps with vector icons, with PCalc developer James Thomson pointing out that the problem isn't present in the Apple Watch simulator on a Mac. That might suggest that the problem is Apple's to fix, rather than something developers can do — beyond switching away from using vector icons, presumably.

Impacted apps at the time of writing appear to include:

• CARROT Weather
• PCalc
• Drafts
• Dice
• Fantastical

It's possible others are also impacted, however.

I've reached out to Apple for comment on what could be going on here — I'll update this post as and when I receive a response.

It's worth noting that this issue only appears to crop up on Apple Watch Series 7, rather than older watches running the same version of watchOS. Despite being the best Apple Watch it has shipped to date, Apple's new wearable is already suffering some issues right out the gate, it seems.

Update, October 15 (08:00 am ET) — Complications, too!

It's been an unusual launch for the Apple Watch Series 7 this year. The device was unveiled back at Apple's September event with a vague "later this fall" release window.

However, that time has finally come! Apple Watch Series 7 is now available to purchase. If you're looking for the best place to buy Apple Watch Series 7, we've got you covered. We'll keep this page updated as new retailers begin offering the device and any Apple Watch Series 7 deals crop up.

While some pretty wild rumors swirled around the Apple Watch Series 7 before its unveiling, the device Apple revealed looks remarkably similar to the Apple Watch Series 6 that came before it.

The Series 7 comes in some new hues and has a slightly larger display at 41mm or 45mm, though it retains the rounded shape of its predecessors. That larger display does, however, allow for some exclusive new watch faces that make the most of the extra real estate as well as a full-size QWERTY keyboard for composing quick text replies.

Other notable improvements include a more crack-resistant glass screen and an IP6X dust resistance rating, a first for Apple Watch, meaning you can be confident using your Series 7 at the beach. That's on top of the already-stellar 50M water resistance rating.

Apple Watch Series 7 maintains the 18-hour battery life of its predecessor while charging 33% faster, according to Apple.

If you're in the market for a new Apple Watch, it's worth checking out our Apple Watch Series 7 vs Apple Watch Series 6 guide for the low-down on all of the major similarities and differences.

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 7 went on sale today.
• Anyone ordering a new watch on launch day could wait up to two months depending on the configuration.

Today is the day that Apple Watch Series 7 goes on sale and while those who were quick to get pre-orders in are now receiving their watches, those who have yet to place an order are going to be in for a wait. Depending on which configuration they choose, that wait could be as long as two months.

Checking the online Apple Store this morning shows that most watches won't be delivered for around five weeks, but some configurations are displaying delivery windows of six to eight weeks — almost long enough to forget you placed the order in the first place!

While potential buyers might have some luck walking into an Apple Store to pick up a new watch, people might struggle to reserve one online — at the time of writing, Apple Watch Series 7 was listed as unavailable for in-store collection.

The new wearable is of course the best Apple Watch ever made, but sights have already been set on next year's Apple Watch Series 8. It's hoped that will be the one that receives the big chassis redesign we were expecting this year — flat sides included.

Until then, anyone looking to bag themselves a new Apple Watch might have to wait for a — long — while or try their chances at a third-party retailer.

Happy hunting, folks!

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 7 can charge 33% faster than older models.
• Apple has confirmed that any USB-C PD charger rated 5W or more will fast-charge just fine.

Apple has confirmed that any USB-C PD charger rated 5W or more will fast charge the new Apple Watch Series 7. That means that the majority of people won't need to buy a new charger — any old USB-C charger they have should do the trick.

The news comes after Apple published a new support document outlining the situation at a time when Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders are arriving in some parts of the world. Apple says that all of its chargers rated 18W or above are good for fast charging the new wearable, while any third-party charger from 5W upwards has the green light.

With fast charge, your Apple Watch Series 7 battery level can go from 0 percent to 80 percent in about 45 minutes.

Fast charging requires an Apple USB-C Magnetic Fast Charging Cable. This cable has aluminum around the magnetic charger and a USB-C connector.

You also need one of these power adapters:

• Apple 18W, 20W, 29W, 30W, 61W, 87W, or 96W USB-C Power Adapter
• A comparable third-party USB-C power adapter that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) of 5W or greater

The news means that people might not necessarily need to rush out to buy a new USB-C charger — the chances are good that whatever USB-C charger they have currently will do the job just fine.

All of the best iPhone chargers will do the job admirably and some can even charge multiple devices at the same time — perfect for powering an Apple Watch and an iPhone!

What you need to know

• The first Apple Watch Series 7 preorders have begun to arrive to customers around the world.
• Customers in New Zealand are among the first to receive Apple's latest Apple Watch.
• The new generation officially releases on Friday, October 15 local time.

The first Apple Watch Series 7 preorders are getting into the hands of their owners.

The Apple Watch Series 7 models officially release in stores and online on Friday, October 15. While most of us still have to wait for Friday to roll around, it is already that day in New Zealand and Australia. Customers in the country have begun to receive delivery of their new Apple Watches.

New Zealand does not currently have any Apple Stores in the country so all of its customers are getting their Apple Watch Series 7 models through delivery. In Australia, however, Apple does have a retail presence so we should also expect to see photos of customers picking up their new Apple Watches at their local store.

Apple originally announced the Apple Watch Series 7 at its virtual event in September along with the iPhone 13, 6th generation iPad mini, and 9th generation iPad. The new smartwatch features a larger display, smaller bezels, faster charging, and a more durable finish. It also comes in a new range of colors.

The release of the Apple Watch Series 7 is happening as many customers wait in anticipation of Apple's upcoming October event which is set to kick off next Monday. That event is expected to feature the introduction of the company's long-awaited upgrade to the MacBook Pro.

What you need to know

• Early Apple Watch Series 7 reviews have been published
• With people's orders set to arrive in a couple of days, it's possible some might be re-thinking things.

We're now just a day or so away from Apple Watch Series 7 going on sale with those who were lucky enough to get early pre-orders in set to receive their watches on Friday. But today was all about the arrival of the early reviews — and while there were no huge surprises, there could still be plenty of reason for people to be having a re-think about their new watch.

In the wake of Series 7 leak disappointment, we already knew that this release was always going to be about a few minor improvements here and there. The question was whether those improvements, in the aggregate, would be enough to make the Apple Watch Series 7 purchase a compelling one. And as many had expected, the reviews suggest that anyone with a late-model Apple Watch needn't rush out to buy this one.

The Verge:

Fair point. CNET has another one: those with older models will notice the most significant difference. Of course, this makes sense.

Again, little of this is a massive bombshell to anyone who has been paying attention. But that doesn't mean that people haven't placed pre-orders in the hope that there's something more. A hidden gem of a change or improvement that Apple didn't call out or, perhaps, wouldn't be recognized fully until in the hands of a reviewer. That doesn't seem to have been the case here, unfortunately. Apple Watch Series 7 is the minor upgrade that we expected it to be, with the possible exception of that larger display.

I have a 45mm watch on its way this Friday, and I'm upgrading from a 44mm Apple Watch Series 7. My sole reason for the upgrade — pretty much, at least — is the extra screen space that I hope the growth will afford: that and the new keyboard situation.

Given the lack of fawning I've seen over the new size increase, I have my concerns. However, I won't be canceling my order — it's too late, anyway. A little birdie who's spent a few days with one of the new watches tells me that the size difference is noticeable and that it makes everything more comfortable to use at arm's length. That's enough for me to continue to be intrigued.

Come Friday, I'll make up my mind. And that's when I decide what I'll be packing up to send to Apple. My old Apple Watch Series 5, or a shiny new Apple Watch Series 7. The two-year-old watch, or the best Apple Watch ever made.

Knowing me, I suspect it'll be the former!

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 7 is the first not to sport a hidden diagnostic port.
• The port was only used by Apple, but it isn't present on the new Apple Watch.
• It's like the new 60.5GHz wireless module will pick up the slack.

The new Apple Watch Series 7 goes on sale tomorrow but while there are plenty of changes, one of them is something Apple hasn't mentioned. With this year's model, it's done away with the hidden diagnostic port that normally gives Apple's technicians a way to figure out what's going on inside. With Apple Watch Series 7, there's no port to speak of.

While the change makes little-to-no difference to the vast majority of people, it will mean that Apple needs to change the way it handles Apple Watch repairs. And as MacRumors reports, it's likely the switch to the mysterious 60.5GHz wireless data module that will save the day.

Diagnostic port or not, many Apple Watch issues result in a device swap, rather than a repair. It'll be interesting to see if the move to the new wireless standard will open the door to the rumored port-free iPhone in the future, too.

The new wearable will be the best Apple Watch you can buy when it hits stores tomorrow, with pre-orders already winging their way to buyers.

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 7 goes on sale tomorrow but some people already have one.
• Some photos show the difference between the old displays and the new ones is bigger than we might have thought.

With Apple Watch Series 7 set to go on sale tomorrow, we know that some people already have them on their wrists. While early reviews have been solid, most say that the upgrade from an Apple Watch Series 6 isn't one people should bother with. Some new photos might change some minds.

Apple's new watches increase their case size from 40mm and 44mm to 41mm and 45mm. That also means that the displays have grown, too. Apple has re-jigged the bezels to give us more screen real estate and while some reviews say the difference is minimal, some photos appearing online seem to show the opposite. Some photos make the difference look like night and day.

Check them out!

Pretty impressive, right?

All of those shots appear to be comparing a 40mm watch with a 41mm model, but you can expect similar increases moving from 44mm to 45mm, too.

These new watches are set to be the best Apple Watches Apple has ever made, even without the increased display size. Improved battery charging speeds and tougher screens are decent upgrades on their own. But it's the larger display that stands out the most — and now I can't wait to test one of these things out for myself tomorrow!

Happy Apple Watch Series 7 day-1, people!

What you need to know

• Apple has upgraded the charging puck for the Apple Watch Series 7.
• The new charging puck is made out of aluminum instead of plastic.
• The change was apparently done to support faster charging.

It looks like the Apple Watch Series 7 is getting an unexpected upgrade in the power department.

As reported by 9to5Mac, the charging puck for the new Apple Watch has been upgraded from plastic to aluminum, a change that is not only good for environment but apparently needed in order to support faster charging.

The new charging cable for the Apple Watch Series 7 also features USB-C to support faster charging. Apple says that the Series 7, as long as you are using the new charging cable and a 20 watt charger, will charge at 33% faster speeds than the previous generation.

The Apple Watch Series 7 also features a larger display, smaller bezels, larger sizes, and more durable design.

Preorders for the Series 7 went live on Friday, October 8 at 5:00 AM PDT. The new watch will officially release online and in stores on Friday, October 15. Supply of the Series 7 is already constrained with many orders already delayed for delivery out into the end of November.

What you need to know

• The Apple Watch Series 7 comes out on Friday.
• The first reviews, unboxings, and impressions are in.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is coming out on Friday, and as usual, the first round of creators have got their hands on Apple's latest timepiece. Here's what they thought.

MKBHD:

iJustine

TechCrunch

UrAvgConsumer

Rene Ritchie

Krystal Lora

CNET

GQ

The Verge

WSJ

Justin Tse

Engadget

What you need to know

• Some Apple Watch Series 7 orders have already shipped.
• The new Apple Watch goes on sale on Friday, October 15.

As we get closer to Apple Watch Series 7 going on sale on Friday, October 15, some people who got their pre-orders in nice and early last week are already seeing their watches ship.

We saw some orders prepare for shipment over the weekend, but some are already en-route — although it's extremely unlikely that any Apple Watch Series 7 will actually be delivered before launch day.

Somewhat predictably, mine hasn't shipped yet — but I'm not worried. Apple tends to only mark items as shipped when we get closer to the release date — even if the parcels themselves have been on their way for some time. That's absolutely the case with iPhones in particular, with some orders not marked as shipped until the day before they arrive on doorsteps.

While expectations were perhaps not met when Apple Watch Series 7 was announced due to incorrect leaks, this is still set to be the best Apple Watch that Apple has ever sold. With new 41mm and 45mm cases and a tweaked display, the differences between the new watch and the outgoing Apple Watch Series 6 might not be huge, but they're definitely there.

One key improvement is faster charging, something that will be of huge benefit to people who use their watch for sleep tracking.

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 7 orders are already preparing to ship.
• Preorders for the Series 7 went live on Friday, October 8 at 5:00 AM PDT.
• The watch will officially launch on Friday, October 15.

Some Apple Watch Series 7 customers are already getting notifications that their new watch is preparing to ship.

As spotted by 9to5Mac, some customers who preordered the Series 7 are now seeing the status of their order change from "Processing" to "Preparing to Ship."

This is expected behavior for a preorder from Apple. Products usually change to this status shortly after the customer places the order, especially during the preorder season. The Apple Watch Series 7 will officially launch on Friday, October 15, so it is reasonable to think that the company will begin shipping those orders within the next few days to ensure customers have them on their doorstep by this coming Friday.

Preorders for the Apple Watch Series 7 went live on Friday, October 8 at 5:00 AM PDT. As rumored, Apple appears to be struggling with inventory on its latest smartwatch, with shipment times already extending out until November for many configurations. Apple Store pickup is also unavailable for a range of configurations at the moment.

If you haven't gotten a preorder for launch day, your best bet is to look at other retailers who may have been overlooked and still have inventory. You can also try your luck at your local Apple Store when the Series 7 officially launches on Friday, October 15. It's certainly not guaranteed, but Apple has been known in the past to reserve a certain amount of inventory for customers who show up at the store hoping to grab a model on launch day.

What you need to know

• The Apple Watch Series 7 is now available to order.
• Shipping times from Apple are already slipping into November.
• We'd had warnings of short supply ahead of launch.

The Apple Watch Series 7 is now available to pre-order, and plenty of people are already getting their hands on the best Apple Watch Series 7 deals, to the point that shipping times from Apple are already slipping into November.

Users trying to order through Apple's online store are reporting that shipping times are showing as November:

Jon Prosser noted he ordered a Stainless Steel Watch five minutes after pre-orders went live that is shipping in November. Whilst some people have got sooner delivery times including the original release date of October 15, many others are reporting a similar experience.

On Apple's website, the Green Aluminum Case with Leather Link is already showing as shipping in 4-5 weeks without a date, and the very nice Mallard Green Ban, as well as the Capri Blue, are not even available.

The new Apple Watch Series 7 was not the big upgrade many were expecting when it was announced alongside iPhone 13. It features the same processor as last year, but an improved display that's slightly larger than the last model. The Watch also comes in five new colors: midnight, starlight, green, and a new blue and (PRODUCT)RED as well as new bands. There are also Stainless steel models and the Apple Watch Edition in titanium. Even the super-expensive Hermés models are showing some extended shipping times.

What you need to know

• Apple has taken its online store down ahead of Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders.
• Pre-orders begin at 5:00 a.m. PDT.

It's happening! The Apple Store is now offline as everyone readies themselves for the Apple Watch Series 7 pre-order madness to begin.

Set to become available to buy in-store next Friday, October 15, the new Apple Watch is going up for pre-order in just a matter of hours. While details on pricing and configuration options have been sparse, excitement is still high for the next big thing in Apple Watch.

Anyone visiting the online Apple Store right now will be told that they're early whether in a web browser or via the Apple Store app.

This year's Apple Watch refresh comes with larger 41mm and 45mm screen sizes as well as a reduced bezel across the board. That will allow for more information to be shown on-screen at any one time, resulting in special Apple Watch Series 7 watch faces being released. If you're a fan of new watch faces, you're going to need the new watch!

While information about the specific band and watch configurations has been notably absent from Apple so far, some information did leak yesterday so check that out to get a head start on pre-order planning.

We're also told that stock levels could be low right out of the gate so anyone wanting to make sure they can get their new watch on day one should probably make sure to be at the front of the line come 05:00. There's no telling how long the wait might be otherwise.

The new wearable will undoubtedly be the best Apple Watch the company has ever produced, with prices starting at $399 for a 41mm aluminum model. Prices then increase depending on cellular connectivity, case material, and screen size. Looking to save a few dollars? These are the best Apple Watch Series 7 deals we've seen so far.

What you need to know

• Jon Prosser claims to have all of the pricing configurations of the Apple Watch Series 7.
• The prices he lists do not appear to show much of a change since last year.
• Preorders for the Series 7 will go live tomorrow.

Preorders for the Apple Watch Series 7 start tomorrow and yet, Apple has still not told everyone what the prices or configurations for its new smartwatch will be,

This has led many potential customers worried that the company is intentionally holding off this information because of price hikes. A new report from Jon Prosser, however, will hopefully put those customers at ease. The leaker claims to have the full pricing lineup for all configurations of the Series 7 and you can check them out below:

Aluminum

• Series 7 – 41mm Aluminum (GPS) – $399
• Series 7 – 45mm Aluminum (GPS) – $429
• Series 7 – 41mm Aluminum (GPS + Cellular) – $499
• Series 7 – 45mm Aluminum (GPS + Cellular) – $529

Nike

• Series 7 – 41mm Nike (GPS) – $399
• Series 7 – 45mm Nike (GPS) – $429
• Series 7 – 41mm Nike (GPS + Cellular) – $499
• Series 7 – 45mm Nike (GPS + Cellular) – $529

Stainless Steel

• Series 7 – 41mm Stainless Steel with Sport band (GPS + Cellular) – $699
• Series 7 – 45mm Stainless Steel with Sport band (GPS + Cellular) – $749
• Series 7 – 41mm Stainless Steel with Milanese Loop (GPS + Cellular) – $749
• Series 7 – 45mm Stainless Steel with Milanese Loop (GPS + Cellular) – $799

Titanium

• Series 7 – 41mm Titanium (GPS + Cellular) – $799
• Series 7 – 45mm Titanium (GPS + Cellular) – $849

It does not appear that the price configurations have changed much - or at all. This is hopefully the case and, if not, we will find out tomorrow!

Preorders for the Apple Watch Series 7 will go live on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 5:00 AM PDT. The new watch will officially launch in stores and online on the following Friday, October 15, 2021.

The Apple Watch Series 7 doesn't have an official release date yet, and by all indications, it's pretty similar to last year's model. The most significant difference is the Apple Watch Series 7 has a bigger screen and thinner bezels, making the Apple Watch Series 6 screen look smaller side-by-side. Not to mention that the Series 7 comes in two slightly bigger case sizes — 41mm and 45mm — making the device just a bit bigger than the Series 6. However, there are no new sensors on the latest Apple Watch that improve fitness tracking or other health data like we've seen Apple include in newer models in the past, meaning the Series 6 still has all the features you want.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 6: How do they compare?

The size difference is undoubtedly the most significant change between the Apple Watch Series 7 and its predecessor, and when you start to break it down, you'll realize how similar the two models are this time around. Let's just say the Series 7 has a few tricks up its sleeve to make it slightly more compelling.

The Apple Watch Series 7 will undoubtedly replace the Series 6 when it finally launches and likely become the best Apple Watch you can buy, but do you need to upgrade if you have a Series 6? The spec sheet between the two looks pretty neck-and-neck, but a few new features on the Apple Watch Series7 are worth diving into deeper.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 6: Bigger screen means a few new goodies

I've mentioned a couple of times that a larger screen and thinner bezels are the biggest change for the Apple Watch Series 7, but what exactly does that allow the Series 7 to do that the Series 6 can't? Here are a few details you should know about the bigger screen.

Due to its enhanced screen, the Apple Watch Series 7 will have access to a full QWERTY keyboard that can be tapped or swiped using QuickPath to compose text on your wrist. Plus, the Series 7 will also display two new font sizes, thanks to its larger display.

Source: Apple

The Dynamic Contour face features on the watch face numbers located along the outside of the screen will animate when raising the Apple Watch.

While the Modular face isn't new, it now can show more information due to the bigger screen size. So, the Modular Duo face will allow you to have two places for big complications that give you more detailed information.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 6: Should you upgrade?

If you bought an Apple Watch Series 6 last year, you don't need to upgrade to the Series 7 unless you absolutely must have the bigger screen. With no new major features coming in Apple's latest smartwatch, it's hard to recommend the upgrade.

That being said, the ability to fast-charge, type better, and have a bigger screen is certainly compelling, and when the Apple Watch Series 7 launches this fall, it will no doubt become the best Apple Watch.

If you're in the market for a new watch right now, I won't blame you for opting to buy an Apple Watch Series 6, as you can find some great deals on prices. If you like saving money and don't feel like waiting around for the Apple Watch Series 7 to launch, the Apple Watch Series 6 will still be an excellent watch to have on your wrist for a few years.

What you need to know

• Braxley Bands are Apple Watch bands that come in all the different colors and patterns you never knew you wanted.
• Each band is made from 'recycled elastic fabric' and is washable, comfortable, and stretchy.

With the impending Apple Watch Series 7 release everyone is already planning which bands they're going to wear when their new purchase arrives. Apple sells some of the best Apple Watch bands around, but they can be a bit ... boring. That's very much not the case with Braxley Bands.

Created from something called recycled elastic fabric, I'm told the bands are stretchy and comfortable while also giving wearers a snug fit. Three different band sizes are offered to ensure that's the case with a size guide provided so you can make sure you pick the one that's best for you.

While the fit sounds great, where things get really interesting is the sheer number of colors and patterns on offer. Way, way more than any other band I've seen. Just look at them all!

Priced at $32 each these bands aren't likely to break the bank and reviews appear to be stellar to say the least. What's more, these bands have a superpower — they can plant trees!

Every watch band sold results in a tree being planted thanks to a partnership with Trees for the Future. It just keeps getting better!

If you're picking up a new Apple Watch and don't know which band to get, I suggest getting any old band and checking these folks out instead!

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 7 has appeared on Amazon's website, but it's still missing from apple.com.
• While the color and band options are available, no pricing has been offered up so far.

With the Apple Watch Series 7 just a day away we're still left wondering a few fundamental questions, not least which colors and bands will be on offer and in which combinations. Amazon has at least answered some questions for us, with both cellular and GPS models now up on the site — at least in Canada.

There's still nothing on apple.com, though.

With new colors available as part of the Apple Watch Series 7 launch it's handy to know what you're looking for ahead of pre-orders going live at 8 am EST tomorrow which is why people are so keen for Apple to spill the beans. According to Amazon, those looking to get the new green aluminum watch will get a new clover sport band, while the red option comes with a new red band. Blue more your color? You'll get a new abyss blue sport band instead. The starlight and midnight watches come with bands to match, too.

Tomorrow's launch will give us the best Apple Watch Apple has ever made, but the launch is so far proving to be an odd one. As I wrote a few days ago, there's something very strange about this whole launch — beginning with those rumors of a redesign that never happened and ending with the fact we still don't know how much the new wearable will cost — unless you want a 41mm aluminum option, that is. That'll cost you $399.

We're already expecting supplies for this year's Apple Watch to be constrained at launch — another reason it could have paid to be prepared ahead of the Apple Store coming back online for pre-orders tomorrow. Godspeed to everyone hoping to get their orders in!

What you need to know

• Inventory of the Apple Watch Series 7 could be "very limited" at launch.
• Apple leaker Jon Prosser says mass production only began last month.
• This could cause availability issues when preorders begin on Friday.

If you are planning to be one of the first people to get your hands on an Apple Watch Series 7, you might have to fight to the death with everyone else.

According to Apple leaker Jon Prosser, mass production of the new Apple Watch began less than a month ago. If this is true, inventory could be quite limited on the Apple Watch Series 7 when it goes live for preorders.

Earlier today, Apple announced that preorders for the Apple Watch Series 7 will go live on Friday, October 8 at 5:00 p.m. PDT. The new watch will officially release a week later on Friday, October 15.

The new generation of Apple Watch features a larger and brighter screen, thinner bezels, faster charging, dust protection, and a more durable display.

As soon as Apple announced Apple Watch Series 7 last month, things started to get weird. We knew things were off when Apple announced the new wearable but wouldn't tell us when it would go on sale. Instead, all we were told was that a launch would happen this fall. Sure enough, today saw the announcement — pre-orders are live on Friday, October 8. But that isn't the end of it.

Now we know Apple Watch Series 7 will be available for pre-order in a few days and that the watch will go on sale on Friday, October 15. We also know that the watch will start at $399. But that's it. That's as much as we know. It's all so ... strange. We don't even know what adding cellular to the mix will do to the price. Want to know how much a 45mm Apple Watch Series 7 will cost? Guess. That's all you can do.

We've not seen any kind of configurator for band and color combinations, either. If you wanted to plan your pre-order out ahead of go-time, you're out of luck. It's the complete opposite of the iPhone 13 pre-preorder situation that we were all lauding just a few short weeks ago. It's as if Apple doesn't know the answers to any of these questions, and that's the strangest of all.

Apple, of course, continues to sell the Apple Watch Series 6, so that's all present and correct right now. But with attention turning to Apple Watch Series 7, it's as if Apple is just going to dump everything on Friday morning and leave everyone to it. You're going to need to decide on case size, color, and band combination on the fly — all while also learning the pricing for the first time, too.

Are we in for a shock when those prices land? Maybe, but I would imagine that any price increase would also see the $399 model change, too. It hasn't, so it's a reasonably safe bet pricing will mimic previous years. Which makes this situation all the weirder. Why not just put pricing and configuration options on the site now, so we can all get ready?

The one thing we do know is arguably the most important — Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders go live on Friday, October 8, at 5 a.m. PDT. Just try to get there early and try and have a plan for what you want to buy, if anything. Because you're going to have to make a few decisions quickly. You could just skip launch day and wait, of course — and risk missing out on the best Apple Watch yet. But where's the fun in that?

What you need to know

• Apple is offering cellular Apple Watch Series 7 buyers a $100 rebate if they sign up with Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon.
• Buyers can also trade their old Apple Watch in and get more money off, too.
• Pre-orders for Apple Watch Series 7 are live on Friday, October 8.

Apple announced earlier today that Apple Watch Series 7 pre-orders will go live this Friday, October 8. It also confirmed that it will offer buyers an additional $100 back when they buy a cellular model and activate it with T-Mobile, Sprint, or Verizon.

The move will see the cellular Apple Watch become almost the same price as the non-cellular one, perhaps making it a no-brainer for anyone who was sitting on the fence. However, Apple hasn't yet made full Apple Watch Series 7 pricing available so we'll have to wait until Friday to know full pricing.

Apple is also offering trade-in prices for existing Apple Watches, giving buyers another opportunity to reduce the outlay required to get into a brand new Apple Watch Series 7. Depending on the watch you won you could save as much as $155 right out the gate.

• Apple Watch SE – Up to $155
• Apple Watch Series 5 – Up to $145
• Apple Watch Series 4 – Up to $100
• Apple Watch Series 3 – Up to $70
• Apple Watch Series 2 – Up to $25

The new wearable might not be what we were expecting based on rumors, but it looks set to prove popular regardless. Apple Watch Series 7 will feature a larger display with smaller bezels that will no doubt make it the best Apple Watch ever made.

What you need to know

• Order starting this Friday.
• New orders arrive on October 15.
• Wearable has a larger display.

The Apple Watch Series 7 officially arrives on October 15, with preorders set to begin this Friday, October 8. The new wearable device, announced last month alongside the iPhone 13 series, offers a larger, more advanced display than its predecessors, although its internals remain largely the same.

Preorders for the new Watch will begin at 5 a.m. PDT on Friday, October 8 in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and more than 50 other countries and regions.

With more rounded corners and a refractive edge, the new Watch offers a display with 20% more screen area than the Apple Watch Series 6 and 50% more screen area than the Apple Watch Series 3 while barely expanding the dimensions of the Watch itself. And just 1.7 mm thin, the wearable device offers borders reduced by 40%. In addition, the Apple Watch Series 7 includes a user interface optimized for the larger display, a new QWERTY keyboard, and two fresh watch faces, Contour and Modular Duo.

Finally, although the new Watch offers the same 18-hour battery life as its predecessor, it charges 33% faster. The aluminum Apple Watch Series 7 version comes in midnight, starlight, green, a new blue, and (PRODUCT)RED.

The Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $399 and will be available through the Apple website, Apple Store app, and Apple Authorized Resellers and select carriers. Additionally, customers can buy Apple Watch (GPS + Cellular) directly from apple.com/store or at an Apple Store and get $100 back when they activate it with T-Mobile/Sprint or Verizon.

What you need to know

• Apple Watch Series 7 will go on sale this fall.
• A new poll shows almost half of respondents will be upgrading to the new watch.
• People who own an Apple Watch Series 6 are less keen.

If the rumors are true we can expect Apple Watch Series 7 to go on sale within a matter of days and while it appears set to be popular, those wearing the outgoing Apple Watch Series 6 are less likely to be buying.

According to a weekend poll run by iMore, almost 50% of people will be buying a new Apple Watch Series 7 when it goes on sale. 34% of those will be upgrading from an Apple Watch Series 5 or older, while just 13% will be doing so from last year's model.

This would suggest that while people are keen on the new watch, those with last year's Apple Watch Series 6 see fewer reasons to upgrade.

One of the reasons for that could well be the lack of a big redesign, as was rumored for weeks prior to September's announcement. The new model will still be the best Apple Watch ever made, but it will look very similar to the model most people are already wearing — something that is sure to quell interest in spending $400 or more on this year's refresh.

That isn't to say that Apple Watch Series 7 isn't a worthy upgrade, as More's Joe Wituschek recently argued. But nothing draws a crowd like a flashy new design and, after expectations were sky-high, there's little doubt that Apple Watch Series 6 users seem to be ready to sit this one out.

What you need to know

• Images of the unreleased Apple Watch Series 7 have reportedly appeared online.
• The images show off the new display using the full-screen keyboard and the Grid view.
• The Apple Watch Series 7 is expected "later this fall."

We may have our first look at the Apple Watch Series 7 in the wild.

Images of the unreleased Apple Watch, as reported by MacRumors, were apparently shared to a Facebook group. The person who posted the images said that they work for a carrier who already had the Series 7 for testing purposes.

Rumors have been swirling about when Apple will release its new Apple Watch. While the company has stuck to its messaging that the Series 7 will release "later this fall," Hermes, a notable partner brand to Apple with the Apple Watch, told its customers that they would be able to preorder the new watch starting on October 8, 2021.

That report lines up with speculation from leaker Jon Prosser who also predicted that preorders for the Series 7 could begin this week with shipments beginning in mid-October.

The Apple Watch Series 7 features a larger and brighter screen, faster charging, and a more durable display. Before you pick up a Series 7, check out our comparison between the Apple Watch Series 7 vs. Series 6.

A recent report indicates that the Apple Watch Series 7 will be made available for pre-order on October 8. Apple only gave us a 'fall' timeframe when the new wearable was announced alongside the iPhone 13 last month, however, this week leaks suggest it might be close at hand. From Friday

The Apple Watch Series 7 was a big surprise when it was announced, as it didn't come with the big redesign we'd been promised, nor does it have a new processor. It does however have a larger display with new screen tech and the most durable glass ever put in an Apple Watch. According to iMore's Joe Wituschek, the Apple Watch Series 7 is a worthy upgrade from the Series 6, but the incremental upgrade might not be enough for some.

That's where today's poll comes in. We want to know whether you'll be upgrading to a new Apple Watch Series 7, either from a Series 6, or an older model. Or are you a first-time buyer who was finally convinced to take the plunge with the Series 7? Let us know below! Click here if you can't see the poll.