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 10, Apple Watch SE
Related Forum: Apple Watch

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Top Rated Comments

DinkThifferent Avatar
44 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
44 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
44 months ago
No killer feature since AW4. Maybe next year.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Absolute Trainwreck Avatar
44 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
44 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
44 months ago
Apple Watch Series 6 already has the U1 chip.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)