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

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Apple Says Installing iOS 26 Might Impact Battery Life

Monday September 15, 2025 10:56 am PDT by
In the iOS 26 release notes, Apple is warning iPhone users that installing the new software might have a temporary impact on battery life, which is normal. A new support document explains that major iOS updates require background setup like indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps. Further, Apple says that new features could require more resources,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

Monday September 15, 2025 10:50 am PDT by
Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware. With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 support better audio quality for phone calls and...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4: Here Are 5 New Features to Expect on Your iPhone

Tuesday September 16, 2025 11:17 am PDT by
iOS 26 was finally released on Monday, but the software train never stops, and the first developer beta of iOS 26.1 will likely be released soon. iOS 18.1 was an anomaly, as the first developer beta of that version was released in late July last year, to allow for early testing of Apple Intelligence features. The first betas of iOS 15.1, iOS 16.1, and iOS 17.1 were all released in the second ...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 2:56 pm PDT by
It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update. Complaints There are a long...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch These 10 Products in 'Coming Months'

Sunday September 14, 2025 8:45 am PDT by
Apple's annual September event is now in the rearview mirror, with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 set to launch this Friday, September 19. As always, there is more to come. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple plans to release many products in the...
iOS 26 Glass Feature

iOS 26: The Top 100 New Features and Changes

Tuesday September 16, 2025 12:26 pm PDT by
Apple released iOS 26 on September 15, and it's now available for all iPhone users with a compatible device. There are a lot of changes and features to learn about, so if you want a quick, easy-to-read list that outlines what's new, we've got you covered. Design Liquid Glass design that reflects light and refracts what's underneath. It's system wide, with dynamic tab bars and toolbars...
new iphone lockscreen ios 26

iOS 26: All the New iPhone Lock Screen Customizations

Tuesday September 16, 2025 5:56 am PDT by
Apple has now made iOS 26 available to download on compatible iPhone models, and if you just installed the new software, Apple has made some changes and feature additions to the iPhone Lock Screen that you may want to check out. To download iOS 26 on your iPhone, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, then let your device check Apple's servers for the latest software. Wait for the...

Top Rated Comments

DinkThifferent Avatar
56 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
56 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
56 months ago
No killer feature since AW4. Maybe next year.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Absolute Trainwreck Avatar
56 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
56 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
56 months ago
Apple Watch Series 6 already has the U1 chip.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)