Apple Watch Series 10 vs 7
Elisabeth Christ
Updated October 2024
The Apple Watch lineup has consistently set the standard for smartwatches, combining advanced features, intuitive design, and performance-driven technology. With the release of the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple introduces several enhancements and refinements over the Series 8, making it an exciting option for tech enthusiasts and health-conscious users alike. However, the Series 8 remains a strong contender with its own impressive array of features. In this comparison, we will delve into the design, features, performance, battery, and connectivity to help you decide which of these two iconic smartwatches is right for you.
Key Takeaways
While both the Series 10 and Series 7 deliver on the promise of sophisticated technology, the Series 10 edges out with its more refined design, gesture controls, and enhanced wellness features. With improved display brightness and better battery life, it’s the ideal choice for those looking for the latest innovations. However, for users satisfied with the Series 7’s reliable performance, it remains an excellent and slightly more affordable option.
Apple Watch Series 10
Ultra-Slim Apple Smartwatch with Impressive Improvements
✓ WR50 and IP7X-rated water resistance
✓ Always-On Retina LTPO3 display
✓ WatchOS 11
✓ New sleep apnea detection
Apple Watch Series 7
Durable Smartwatch with Advanced Health Tracking
✓ IP6X-rated water resistance
✓ On-screen keyboard
✓ OLED display
✓ 64-bit dual-core S7 chip
#1 Design & Price
Apple Watch Series 10 vs 7
The Apple Watch Series 10 carries forward Apple’s design language with a more polished and sleeker appearance. Offered in 42mm and 46mm sizes, this iteration boasts a slightly bulkier frame than its predecessor, but the added size serves a purpose, accommodating a larger, more detailed display. The aluminum or titanium bezel feels premium to the touch, while the 9.7mm thin profile maintains the lightweight nature that Apple Watch fans appreciate. Water resistance remains top-tier with WR50 and IP7X certifications, ensuring that the Series 10 can handle swims, rain, and dust exposure with ease. At $399 for the base model and $699 for the titanium variant, the pricing sits comfortably within the premium smartwatch category, with added refinements justifying the cost.
On the other hand, the Apple Watch Series 7 set a standard for large, immersive displays when it was launched, featuring 41mm and 45mm sizes. Its design feels familiar, yet evolved, with curved glass edges that almost spill over the sides, giving the impression of an expansive screen. The hardened top glass offers an additional layer of protection, making it resilient against everyday wear and tear. The Series 7’s IP6X rating provides robust dust resistance, while its sleek and minimalistic aesthetic remains highly functional. Price-wise, the Series 7 starts at $399 for the smaller 41mm model, increasing to $429 for the larger version, making it slightly more affordable for those looking for a bigger screen without the Series 10's extra tech perks.
#2 Features & Performance
• Smart Features
Apple Watch Series 7
Apple Watch Series 10 comes equipped with cutting-edge technology, including the new S10 SiP with a 64-bit dual-core processor. This powerhouse ensures smooth multitasking across apps, quicker response times, and improved overall performance. The addition of the Always-On Retina LTPO3 display in both 42mm and 46mm variants is a standout feature, enhancing visibility even under direct sunlight, while the 2,000 nits peak brightness ensures clarity in any lighting condition. The Series 10 also introduces a voice isolation feature for phone and FaceTime calls, significantly improving call quality by blocking out background noise. Gesture control further enhances usability, with the innovative double-tap feature allowing you to control basic tasks effortlessly.
Apple Watch Series 10
The Apple Watch Series 7, while slightly older, still performs admirably with its S7 processor and always-on display. The vivid OLED panel remains one of the best in its class, delivering crisp and vibrant visuals. It also integrates features like the QuickPath keyboard and the ability to send photos directly from the watch, making it a versatile tool for everyday tasks. Smart features like timers, a redesigned photos app, and seamless integration with Apple Fitness+ ensure that the Series 7 holds its own in modern smartwatches. Despite lacking the gesture controls seen in the Series 10, its user interface remains intuitive and responsive.
• Wellness Monitor
Apple Watch Series 7
When it comes to wellness tracking, the Apple Watch Series 10 takes it a step further with sleep apnea detection (though not available in the US), as well as advanced heart rate monitoring through the Vitals app, which also tracks wrist temperature and respiratory rate. These features, along with the ECG and blood oxygen monitoring, make the Series 10 a true health companion. The new vitals tracker provides real-time insights into your wellness metrics, delivering detailed information that can help you stay on top of your health.
Apple Watch Series 10
The Series 7 doesn't fall far behind, offering comprehensive wellness features such as ECG and SpO2 monitoring, which track blood oxygen levels and heart activity. The redesigned Mindfulness app also offers a “Reflect” mode to support mental wellness, and sleep tracking helps you gauge your rest patterns. While the Series 7 may lack some of the newer health features in the Series 10, its robust set of monitoring tools still makes it a reliable choice for health-conscious users.
• Fitness Tracking
Apple Watch Series 7
In terms of fitness tracking, both watches provide a top-tier experience, but the Series 10 edges out slightly with its expanded range of sensors. The inclusion of L1 GPS, GNSS, Galileo, and BeiDou ensures that outdoor activities are tracked with pinpoint accuracy, while the Series 10’s updated workout detection algorithm automatically adjusts to varying levels of activity. Whether you're hiking, swimming, or cycling, this watch offers detailed metrics to track your progress. The double-tap gesture control also lets users access and control fitness data effortlessly.
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple Watch Series 7 isn’t far behind, excelling in workout detection and calorie metric adjustments during activities like e-biking. The auto-detect feature works seamlessly for outdoor cycling, and with Apple Fitness+ integration, you have access to a range of guided workout sessions. Additionally, the Series 7's VO2 Max tracking helps users monitor their aerobic fitness over time, delivering valuable insights for those looking to enhance their workout performance.
#3 Battery & Connectivity
Apple Watch Series 7
In the realm of battery life, the Apple Watch Series 10 showcases a step forward. Despite its advanced features and bright LTPO3 display, it maintains the standard 18-hour battery life for everyday use. However, when switching to Low Power Mode, the Series 10 can stretch its endurance to 36 hours, making it ideal for long days or weekend trips. The charging speeds have also been improved, with a 15-minute charge yielding up to 8 hours of use, and an 8-minute charge providing an impressive 8 hours of sleep tracking. Connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, and the second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, make it future-proof and versatile in a connected world.
The Series 7 offers a comparable 18-hour battery life, but lacks the extended longevity offered by the Series 10’s Low Power Mode. Nevertheless, it compensates with a redesigned charging puck that uses USB-C for faster charging speeds, giving users 20% charge in just 10 minutes. Connectivity-wise, the Series 7 is no slouch either, featuring GPS, GLONASS, and LTE options (on cellular models), but it doesn’t boast the same level of future-facing tech seen in the Series 10. Its second-generation Ultra Wideband chip is still functional, especially for tasks like digital car keys, yet it lacks some of the enhancements available in the Series 10.
Apple Watch Series 10 vs 7
Final Thoughts
Apple Watch Series 10 vs 7
The Apple Watch Series 10 is undeniably the more advanced of the two, bringing innovative features like gesture control, enhanced wellness monitoring, and a brighter, more efficient display. Its larger size and improved internals make it a robust choice for tech enthusiasts and those who need cutting-edge features on their wrists. The Series 7, however, still offers great value for those who want a powerful smartwatch with comprehensive fitness tracking and wellness monitoring without the latest bells and whistles. Both watches are fantastic, but your choice ultimately depends on how much you value the incremental upgrades in the Series 10.
If you like to read more on smartwatches, check out our other relevant guides here:
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Apple Watch Series 9
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Garmin Vivoactive 5 vs Coros Pace 3
Garmin Venu 3 vs Garmin Fenix 8
Garmin Enduro 3 vs Fenix 7 Pro
Author
Elisabeth Christ
Don't miss out on tech
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest tech trends and guides on the best gadgets around.