Bloomberg: Apple Watch Series 7 to Feature Thinner Screen Bezels, Faster Processor, and Updated Ultra Wideband Tech

This year's Apple Watch Series 7 is likely to have thinner display bezels and use a new lamination technique that brings the display closer to the front cover, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

apple watch 6s 202009
From the report:

The Cupertino, California-based tech giant is planning to refresh the line this year -- with a model likely dubbed the Apple Watch Series 7 -- by adding a faster processor, improved wireless connectivity and an updated screen, according to people with knowledge of the plans.

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.

The model will also include updated ultra-wideband functionality, the same underlying technology in Apple's AirTag item finder, according to Gurman, although additional biometric health sensors are likely to be pushed back to a successor model.

Apple had previously aimed to put a body temperature sensor in this year's model, but that is now more likely to be included in the 2022 update. The blood-sugar sensor, which would help diabetics monitor their glucose levels, is unlikely to be ready for commercial launch for several more years.

Apple previewed its upcoming watchOS 8 software update at WWDC last week, demonstrating previously unseen features such as the ability for Apple Watch to unlock door and hotel rooms. It was not clear at the time which Apple Watch models these new features would be made for, but Gurman's report suggests they could be exclusive to the forthcoming Series 7.

Gurman previously reported that Apple is working on a more rugged "extreme sports" model of the Apple Watch and that it could launch as soon as this year. However, Gurman has now revised that expectation and says that it won't arrive until 2022 at the earliest. Apple is also said to be planning a revised model of the Apple Watch SE for launch next year, according to the report. Apple launched the latter model in 2020 as a more affordable alternative to the Series 6.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch SE 3
Related Forum: Apple Watch

Popular Stories

iphone 17 models

No iPhone 18 Launch This Year, Reports Suggest

Thursday January 1, 2026 8:43 am PST by
Apple is not expected to release a standard iPhone 18 model this year, according to a growing number of reports that suggest the company is planning a significant change to its long-standing annual iPhone launch cycle. Despite the immense success of the iPhone 17 in 2025, the iPhone 18 is not expected to arrive until the spring of 2027, leaving the iPhone 17 in the lineup as the latest...
duolingo ad live activity

Duolingo Used iPhone's Dynamic Island to Display Ads, Violating Apple Design Guidelines

Friday January 2, 2026 1:36 pm PST by
Language learning app Duolingo has apparently been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads on the Lock Screen and the Dynamic Island, which violates Apple's design guidelines. According to multiple reports on Reddit, the Duolingo app has been displaying an ad for a "Super offer," which is Duolingo's paid subscription option. Apple's guidelines for Live Activity state that...
Clicks Communicator Feature

'Clicks Communicator' Unveiled — Will You Carry This With Your iPhone?

Friday January 2, 2026 6:35 am PST by
The company behind the BlackBerry-like Clicks Keyboard accessory for the iPhone today unveiled a new Android 16 smartphone called the Clicks Communicator. The purpose-built device is designed to be used as a second phone alongside your iPhone, with the intended focus being communication over content consumption. It runs a custom Android launcher that offers a curated selection of messaging...
Low Cost MacBook Feature A18 Pro

Low-Price 12.9-Inch MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Reportedly Launching Early This Year

Friday January 2, 2026 9:08 am PST by
Apple plans to introduce a 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, according to TrendForce. In a press release this week, the Taiwanese research firm said this MacBook will be aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market, with "competitive pricing." TrendForce did not share any further details about this MacBook, but the information that it shared lines up with several rumors about a more...
Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature Pink

Apple's 2026 Low-Cost A18 Pro MacBook: What We Know So Far

Friday January 2, 2026 4:33 pm PST by
Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will apparently compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs. Apple's most affordable Mac right now is the $999 MacBook Air, and the upcoming low-cost MacBook is expected to be cheaper. Here's what we know about the low-cost MacBook so far. Size Rumors suggest the low-cost MacBook will have a display that's around 13 ...
Apple Fitness Plus hero

Apple Announces New Fitness+ Workout Programs, Strava Challenge, and More

Friday January 2, 2026 6:43 am PST by
Apple today announced a number of updates to Apple Fitness+ and activity with the Apple Watch. The key announcements include: New Year limited-edition award: Users can win the award by closing all three Activity Rings for seven days in a row in January. "Quit Quitting" Strava challenge: Available in Strava throughout January, users who log 12 workouts anytime in the month will win an ...
Mac Pro Feature Blue

What's Happening With the Mac Pro?

Wednesday December 31, 2025 9:59 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Mac Pro since 2023, and according to recent rumors, there's no update coming in the near future. In fact, Apple might be finished with the Mac Pro. Bloomberg recently said that the Mac Pro is "on the back burner" and has been "largely written off" by Apple. Apple apparently views the more compact Mac Studio as the ideal high-end pro-level desktop, and it has almost...

Top Rated Comments

DinkThifferent Avatar
60 months ago
Stop complaining everybody. Thanks to our demanding attitudes Apple has to launch new iPhones, Watches and iPads every year.

Remember when they took 3 years to develop an Mac OS X release? But now we want MORE, MORE, MORE. FASTER, FASTER, FASTER.

We're never satisfied. Even if Apple would launch an Apple Watch that could fly us to the moon, you guys would complain wHy iT dOeSn'T fLy uS tO mArS.
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keniutek Avatar
60 months ago
Sounds/looks like a "pass". Since AW4, there's nothing game changing...
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
and 4096 others like this Avatar
60 months ago
No killer feature since AW4. Maybe next year.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Absolute Trainwreck Avatar
60 months ago

Stop complaining everybody. Thanks to our demanding attitudes Apple has to launch new iPhones, Watches and iPads every year.

Remember when they took 3 years to develop an Mac OS X release? But now we want MORE, MORE, MORE. FASTER, FASTER, FASTER.

We're never satisfied. Even if Apple would launch an Apple Watch that could fly us to the moon, you guys would complain wHy iT dOeSn'T fLy uS tO mArS.
The sense of entitlement is truly staggering. You have a touch screen that can play music, take an ECG, connect to wifi and Bluetooth, records a ton of health info and alerts you when it detects issues, runs apps, has GPS navigation, lets you take pictures from your phone camera, lets you contact anyone via text or voice, lets you open your garage, etc etc etc… all in a tiny little box with less volume than a floss container, worn on your wrist.

“ugh apple where’s the temperature sensor already get your R&D under control BORING RELEASE”
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
manu chao Avatar
60 months ago

No killer feature since AW4. Maybe next year.
Always-on display, UWB, always-on altimeter, compass plus the usual silicon-based improvements (faster, better battery life, wider coverage for cellular model, adding 5 GHz Wifi), all came with AW5 & 6.

Always-on display is a killer feature for some. Better outdoor activity capabilities (always-on altimeter, compass, better battery life while tracking activity) is significant for others.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mystery hill Avatar
60 months ago
Apple Watch Series 6 already has the U1 chip.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)