Apple Watch Series 7 Edition vs. Series 3: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 7 Edition is the clear winner, offering a significantly improved display, faster performance, and quicker charging. However, the Series 3 remains a viable option for budget-conscious users who prioritize core smartwatch functionality over premium features.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Edition Series 7 | Apple Watch Series 3 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 / 800 - Europe, Australia (A1891) |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26 - Europe, Australia (A1891) |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | 1, 3, 39, 40, 41 - China (A1892) | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, titanium frame | Glass front (Sapphire crystal), ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel frame |
| Dimensions | 45 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.77 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) | 42.5 x 36.4 x 11.4 mm (1.67 x 1.43 x 0.45 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 37 g (41mm), 45.1 g (45mm) (1.31 oz) | 52.8 g (1.87 oz) |
| IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | 50m water resistant | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 390 x 312 pixels (~303 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.65 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | 3D Touch display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | Apple S3 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 4.0, upgradable to watchOS 8.7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 768MB RAM |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | No | No |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer, always-on altimeter, compass, SpO2, VO2max | Accelerometer, gyro, heart rate, barometer |
| Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Natural language commands and dictation (talking mode) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wireless, 0-80% in 45 min | Wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Ion 341 mAh (1.34 Wh), non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Black, Titanium | Space Black, Silver |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A1860, A1861, A1889, A1891, A1890, A1892 |
| Price | About 830 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | 0.35 W/kg (head) 0.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Edition Series 7
- Larger, brighter display
- Faster performance (S7 chip)
- Faster charging
- Always-On display
- Improved health tracking features (ECG, blood oxygen)
- Thinner bezels
- Higher price
- Battery life not dramatically improved over Series 3
Apple Watch Series 3
- More affordable
- Still supports watchOS updates (for a time)
- Functional core smartwatch features
- Wireless charging
- Smaller, less vibrant display
- Slower performance (S3 chip)
- Slower charging
- Lacks advanced health features
- Outdated design
Display Comparison
The Series 7 Edition boasts a significantly larger and brighter Always-On Retina display with thinner borders, making it easier to read notifications and interact with apps. The Series 3 has a smaller, less vibrant display that lacks the Always-On functionality, impacting usability in certain situations.
Camera Comparison
Neither watch has a camera. This is a consistent feature across Apple Watch models.
Performance
The Apple S7 chip in the Series 7 Edition provides a noticeable performance boost over the S3 in the Series 3. Apps launch faster, animations are smoother, and overall responsiveness is improved. The Series 3 can feel sluggish at times, especially when multitasking.
Battery Life
While both offer wireless charging, the Series 7 Edition charges considerably faster (0-80% in 45 minutes). Battery life is generally similar between the two, lasting around 18 hours with typical use, but the Series 7 Edition's faster charging provides more convenience.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 Edition is ideal for users who demand the best possible display, performance, and health tracking features. It's perfect for fitness enthusiasts and those wanting the latest technology. The Apple Watch Series 3 is a good choice for first-time smartwatch buyers or those on a tight budget who still want a functional and reliable Apple Watch experience.