Have a hard time reading the tiny text on your smartwatch? You might be interested in the new Apple Watch Series 7 launching this fall.
Announced on Tuesday, the Apple Watch Series 7 features the, "largest, most advanced Retina display," the company has put on a wearable yet. It offers 20% more screen area than the Series 6, and 50% more than the aging (but still available) Series 3. Apple has also slimmed down the bezel; at just 1.7 mm, it's 40% thinner than on the previous model.
That all equates to a watch with similar dimensions but more display real estate, Apple says.
The Apple Watch Series 7 can display 50% more text on the screen compared with the Series 6, which means less scrolling when reading texts and emails. Buttons in several popular apps, including Activity, Alarms, and Stopwatch, are bigger and easier to tap. Apple says the Series 7's screen is also 70% brighter indoors when your wrist is down, which should come in handy for checking the time.
In addition, the Series 7 offers improved durability. It's the first Apple Watch with an IP6X certification, meaning it's now totally dustproof. Apple says it also features a "crack resistant" display.
It promises the same 18-hour battery life as its predecessor, but with faster charging—33% faster than the Series 6, according to Apple. Just 45 minutes of charging will take the watch from dead to 80% battery life. And eight minutes on the charger offers eight hours of juice for overnight sleep tracking.
On the fitness front, the Apple Watch will soon automatically detect bike rides, and remind you to start an Outdoor Cycle workout. When you stop to take a break during your ride, the watch will automatically pause tracking.
And if you fall when you're on your bike, the Apple Watch can call for help. Apple says it improved its fall-detection algorithms to better detect tumbles during workouts, including cycling. If the watch detects a hard fall followed by a minute of inactivity, it will automatically call emergency services.
Apple also says it has improved e-bike support thanks to a new algorithm that offers more accurate calorie counting when you're on a pedal assist bike like the VanMoof X3.
Apple didn't offer any specifics on availability, but said the Series 7 will be available "this fall" starting at $399, in both aluminum and stainless steel models in 41mm and 45mm sizes. The aluminum version comes in midnight, starlight, green, a new blue tone, or Product Red color options. The stainless steel version will be available in gold, silver, or space black. As a more affordable alternative, the company plans to continue selling the Series 3 for $199 and the Watch SE for $279.
Fitness+ Updates
In other fitness news, Apple also announced plans to add pilates and guided meditation sessions to its Fitness+ workout streaming service on September 27. The new meditation sessions will also be available on the Apple Watch in audio form.
In addition, the company plans to launch a new Fitness+ series called Get Ready for Snow Season, designed to help you build strength and endurance for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. Olympic gold medalist skier Ted Ligety and Fitness+ trainer Anja Garcia will lead those workouts.
Finally, Fitness+ will soon offer a new group workout feature with support for up to 32 people. Apple plans to launch the service in 15 new countries later this year, including Austria, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.