Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 5: A Detailed Comparison
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Apple Watch Series 7 offers a noticeably larger, brighter display, faster charging, and a few incremental improvements. However, the Series 5 remains a solid choice, especially if budget is a primary concern. For most users, the Series 7's enhancements justify the price, but the Series 5 is still a very capable smartwatch.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple Watch Series 7 | Apple Watch Series 5 |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 39, 40, 41, 66 - USA, LATAM, Canada | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 15 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Sapphire crystal front, ceramic/sapphire crystal back, stainless steel 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) | 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm (1.73 x 1.50 x 0.42 in) |
| SIM | eSIM | eSIM |
| Weight | 42.3 g (41mm), 51.5 g (45mm) (1.48 oz) | 47.8 g (1.69 oz) |
| IP6X certified 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | 50m water resistant ECG certified (region dependent SW application; HW available on all models) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Sapphire crystal glass | Sapphire crystal glass |
| Resolution | 484 x 396 pixels (~326 ppi density) | 448 x 368 pixels (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.9 inches | 1.78 inches |
| Type | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) | Retina LTPO OLED, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Always-on display | 3D Touch display Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core |
| Chipset | Apple S7 | Apple S5 |
| GPU | PowerVR | PowerVR |
| OS | watchOS 8.0, upgradable to watchOS 26.1 | watchOS 6.0, upgradable to watchOS 10.6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| Video | - | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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, compass |
| 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 |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 400 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 16 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 309 mAh (1.19 Wh) | Li-Po 296 mAh (1.13 Wh), non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Graphite, Gold, Silver | Space Black, Silver, Gold |
| Models | A2475, A2476, A2477, A2478, watch6,8, watch6,9 | A2156, A2157, A2094, A2095 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 750 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) | - |
| Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| No | No | |
Apple Watch Series 7
- Larger, brighter display
- Faster charging
- Improved performance (S7 chip)
- Always-On Display
- ECG and Blood Oxygen monitoring
- Higher price
- Incremental upgrades over Series 5
Apple Watch Series 5
- Lower price
- Still a capable smartwatch
- Always-On Display
- ECG and Blood Oxygen monitoring
- Smaller display
- Slower charging
- Older processor
Display Comparison
The Series 7 boasts a significantly larger display (1.9 inches vs 1.78 inches) with thinner borders, making it easier to read notifications and interact with apps. It's also brighter, improving visibility in direct sunlight. The Series 5 display is still good, but the Series 7's is a clear upgrade.
Camera Comparison
Neither the Series 7 nor the Series 5 have a dedicated camera. This remains a consistent feature across Apple Watch models.
Performance
The S7 chip in the Series 7 provides a noticeable performance boost over the S5. Apps launch faster, and the overall user experience feels smoother. While both watches are responsive for everyday tasks, the Series 7 handles more demanding apps and features with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both watches offer all-day battery life, but the Series 7 charges considerably faster (0-80% in 45 minutes) thanks to the faster charging architecture. The Series 5 takes longer to charge.
Buying Guide
The Apple Watch Series 7 is ideal for users who prioritize a larger, more immersive display, faster charging, and the latest features. It's a great upgrade for Series 3 or earlier owners. The Apple Watch Series 5 is a good option for budget-conscious buyers who still want a premium smartwatch experience and don't need the absolute latest tech. It's a solid choice for those upgrading from older models or new to the Apple Watch ecosystem.