Apple Watch Series 7 guide: Seven rumors analyzed by our team

Update: The Apple Watch Series 7 is now official. Read our guide for everything you need to know.

Apple Watch launches happen like clockwork every year. Even after the pandemic struck, 2020 gave us not one, but two new Apple Watches – so there's little doubt the Series 7 is on its way.

And the event has now been confirmed by Apple – with a date for the Series 7 reveal set for 14 September 2021.

The Apple Watch Series 6 brought new case colors and blood oxygen sensor, while the Apple Watch SE lost out on ECG, the always-on display and the ability to take blood oxygen measurements.

Unsurprisingly, the rumor mill has already been in overdrive, so we've taken a look at what's being pegged for the Apple Watch Series 7 when it lands.

Here's what we think the next Apple Watch could be packing.

• Apple Watch features and tips
• watchOS 8: all the new features

Apple Watch Series 7 release date, price and possible delays

So we know that new Apple Watch launches are usually pegged for the Fall. We've already heard about watchOS 8, giving us some of the new software features that'll end up on the new Apple Watch by the end of the year.

The Apple Watch Series 6 was announced on 15 September 2020 and went on sale not long after that.

And like clockwork, the next Apple Watch (most likely the Series 7) will be announced on 14 September 2021.

However, rumors are that the change in screen tech has caused delays – so while we might get a Series 7 announcement, we could be made to wait longer than usual to buy the new smartwatch.

As for pricing, we don't think Apple is going to budge from the starting price for the Series 6.

That would also likely mean any new Watch SE model would stick around at the too.

It's unlikely the Series 3, which is the cheapest option available through Apple at , will stick around so it's possible something comes in at that price point.

Series 7 rumor 1: New design

Likelihood: Nailed on

Credit: John Prosser - Front Page Tech

In six generations of the Apple Watch the design has only changed once – so rumors of a major change in the look and feel of the next model are unsurprising.

The Apple Watch Series 6 offers some decent changes under-the-hood, but it felt like an incremental update. We’re not sure how many headline features will be added to the Series 7, so a it's a perfect time to freshen up the line-up.

In fact, in 2020 Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that the next Apple Watch will, "benefit from innovative health management functions and improved form factor design". Kuo doesn't elaborate on how that improved form factor design will manifest on the next Apple Watch, just that's it's going to get one.

And according to influential Apple leaker Jon Prosser, Apple is plotting a flat-edged design that will represent similar changes to the iPhone 12. Prosser has knocked up some renders of what the Series 7 will look like (see above) based on images and CAD designs he’d seen, which sounds kind of fishy, but is designed to protect sources, and we presume, sidestep IP lawsuits.

Whatever these renders are supposed to be, the screen size and shape would be unchanged, but it would be a big diversion in the industrial design, and we have to say the timing would be perfect. Prosser also believes Apple is considering a new green colorway.

Take one large pinch of salt and add to Series 7 rumor cooking pot.

However, according to a report on Bloomberg, which does have an excellent track record, there will be a minor design change to accommodate an improved screen with thinner bezels. But this could end up making the Series 7 imperceptibly thicker. The report stated:

For this year’s model, Apple has tested thinner display borders and a new lamination technique that brings the display closer to the front cover. The new Watch is likely to be slightly thicker overall, but not in a way that’s noticeable to the user.

Series 7 rumor 2: Bigger battery

Likelihood: Possible

The single day Apple Watch battery life has always been a bugbear, but with the introduction of native sleep tracking it's become problematic. Finding time to charge the device now requires thought – and that's not cool.

Longer battery life will surely be a focus for the Series 7, but achieving that without compromise is going to be a challenge.

According to one report from Taiwanese outlet UDN based on sources within the supply chain for Apple's next smartwatch, battery improvements are coming.

It claims that the arrival of a new S7 processor will free up space to allow Apple to place a battery with a greater capacity inside of the new Watch. That could signal a change in battery life for the first time.

We should also remember that the Series 6 introduced fast charging, so we could see an expansion of that in addition to increasing battery capacity as well.

And an Apple Watch patent has landed that explores the idea of using the strap as an extra battery. Could we see that for the Series 7? It would certainly be a feature worth getting excited about.

Series 7 rumor 3: Rugged Apple Watch

Likelihood: Don't count on it

A new rugged Apple Watch could join the ranks this year, aimed at water sports fans. A Bloomberg report alleges that the company is looking at a rubberized design, so the device can be worn in extreme conditions. And the feature will be joined by new swim tracking features, although there's no detail on what those might entail.

The device could be ready for a September 2021 launch alongside the Apple Watch Series 7, according to "people familiar with the matter." Though there have also been more recent reports that it could show up in 2022.

The Apple Watch is currently sold in aluminium, stainless steel and ceramic cases – all of which look great but can be marked and scratched. There's a moderate Apple Watch case market for those looking for added protection, so it seems surprising that Apple would be interesting in rubberizing its device.

Currently, Apple doesn’t recommend its smartwatches are exposed to “high velocity” water, so scuba diving, water skiing and that extends to surfing and other sports. So sacrificing the svelte and stylish Apple Watch so a version designed for water sports could make a lot of sense.

Series 7 rumor 4: More Fitness+ features

Wareable rumor rating: Probable

As well as new swimming features, there could be more workout modes aimed at integrating even further with Apple Fitness+.

Apple's smartwatch is pretty much integral to how Apple's new Fitness+ service operates, letting you track your heart rate and powering that Burn Bar.

Since the service's launch in December last year, Apple has been making improvements including its new celebrity guided workouts and adding support to stream workouts to AirPlay enabled TVs.

There's clearly scope to improve what the Apple Watch could be capable of tracking during workouts.

In watchOS 7, it added the ability use the onboard accelerometer and gyroscope motion sensors to track body movement during fitness dance classes. For watchOS 8, Apple is adding profiles for Tai Chi and Pilates, adding new modes that use validated custom-built heart rate and motion algorithms to provide users with accurate metrics for these two new workout types.

Apple may look to improve that movement tracking on offer even for more activities and exercises you can currently participate in on Fitness+.

Interestingly, it introduced a Motion API for developers for the AirPods Pro to enable head tracking. Apple's notes on this API does talk of the potential for use with fitness apps. So there could be potential to combine Watch with Pods to better track movement and offer that richer motion tracking in a really smart way.

Series 7 rumor 5: Blood glucose tracking

Likelihood: We'll eat our hats

If there’s one pervasive rumor across all brands in 2021, it’s about non-invasive blood glucose monitoring. According to ETNews the Series 7 will debut blood glucose monitoring for the first time, enabling people to get continuous information on blood sugar levels.

This would be massive – not only for diabetics but for those looking to make healthy lifestyle choices and performance athletes.

But there’s an issue. While Apple has secured patents around non-invasive glucose detection, and has been confirmed to be a big customer of Rockley Photonics (a UK based optical sensor company with blood glucose technologies), experts still believe the feature is years off.

We recently published a large investigation into non-invasive glucose tracking and several sources poured cold water onto the idea of imminent breakthroughs.

Apple has confirmed it has a huge interest in the tech, and if it was to debut the feature, it would be seismic for smartwatches, wearables and consumer health tech in general.

We’re sure the tech is being tested – but we’re extremely sceptical this will land in 2021. We’d love to be proven wrong.

Series 7 rumor 6: Blood pressure monitoring

Likelihood: Unlikely – but the Series 8 might

There hasn't bene big noise about adding this kind of functionality to Apple's Watches, but there's been some interesting patents filed by Apple in relation to it.

There's been a bit of a growing trend that wearable makers are seeking to offer the ability to measure blood pressure from the wrist – and apparently Huami has made a breakthrough in China for its third generation Amazfit smartwatches.

Though Samsung has been able to offer blood pressure monitoring from its most recent Galaxy Watches, once you've calibrated it with a dedicated blood pressure monitor.

It's a similar story for startup Aktiia who have created a band that does the very same thing from optical-based PPG sensor technology. Optical heart rate company Valencell also says it's cracked blood pressure monitoring from the wrist.

Apple wouldn't add the feature without FDA approval – so we'd probably have seen a few more rumors if it was in trials. However, ECG was announced before FDA approval, which arrived within a few months, so it's not out of the question.

There feels like there's a been a bit of breakthrough with existing sensor technology. If Apple feels its sensors can behave in a reliable way, then it may follow Samsung into offering a simpler way to monitor your blood pressure.

Series 7 rumor 7: Unlock by wrist

Likelihood: Could happen

Currently, the only way to lock an Apple Watch is using a passcode, but let's be honest, it's no fun trying to tap out those numbers. So what if there was a simpler alternative to securing your smartwatch?

Apple filed a patent, which was published in January 2021 that discusses a method that could offer that simpler way to get access to the Watch. It discusses a wearable device that fires light against the surface of the skin to generate a light field image from a part of the body that is unique to every individual. A bit like taking a fingerprint, it will match that against a saved match to let you unlock the device with your wrist.

We do of course have to keep in mind that this is a patent, and Apple, like other inventive companies, file a lot of patents that may or may not come to fruition.

Apple has sought to improve the hands-free experience with its new AssistiveTouch accessibility features landing in watchOS 8. Using a range of motion and optical heart rate signals to decipher the gestures and motion of your arm, the Watch will recognise when you're clenching the fist, pinching fingers and shaking the wrist to launch a cursor, which can be controlled by tilting the Watch around.

So it's clearly thinking about ways to take control of your Apple Watch without having to actually lay a finger on it.