Apple Watch Series 7 vs 10 - Upgrade or Stick?

The Apple Watch Series 7 was launched in 2021, bringing significant design upgrades that were carried over to the Series 8 and Series 9. Now, with the release of the new Apple Watch Series 10, Apple has once again sparked excitement in the wearable tech market. This has prompted many Series 7 owners to ask: Is the upgrade to the Apple Watch Series 10 worth it? What innovations does this tenth-anniversary edition bring?

In this article, we will explore the Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 across in terms of several dimensions, including design, display technology, processor performance, health monitoring features, and battery life. Whether you’re considering your first purchase or an upgrade, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive reference to help you make an informed decision.

Also Read:

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 9

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Ultra 2

Apple Watch Series 10 vs Apple Watch SE 2

Apple Watch Series 10 vs. Series 8

Apple Watch Series 7 vs 8

Bandletic Verdict – Apple Watch Series 7 vs 10

Series 7 Summary:

A trusted and well-balanced smartwatch, ideal for users who prioritize comfort, essential health features, and a clean design. Still a solid choice for everyday wear.

Pros:

• Larger Retina display with thin bezels
• Fast charging for efficient daily use
• Comfortable, rounded design
• Core health tracking: heart rate, blood oxygen, ECG
• Wide range of color options

Cons:

• Battery life limited to ~18 hours
• Outdated S7 processor

Series 10 Summary:

As a 10th-anniversary edition, Series 10 brings significant upgrades in display, processing power, and health features—perfect for users seeking top-tier performance and future-proof functions.

Pros:

• Brighter and more efficient MicroLED display
• Powerful new S10 chip with enhanced AI capability
• Adds advanced health features like blood pressure and sleep apnea detection
• Thinner and lighter case for improved comfort
• Includes crash detection and wrist temperature sensor

Cons:

• Higher price point than previous models

Apple Watch Series 7 vs 10 - Specifications

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Design and Size

Design and Size Upgrades

The Apple Watch Series 10 comes in 42mm and 46mm sizes, slightly larger than the Series 7’s 41mm and 45mm. It features a higher screen-to-body ratio, improved brightness, and better visibility. With a thinner body—only 9.7mm thick, about 10% slimmer—it offers a more comfortable fit for extended wear. Its flat-edge design nods to the original Apple Watch, now updated with a more futuristic look.

Material and Color Enhancements

Series 10 is available in aluminum and titanium cases. The titanium version is more scratch-resistant, and at just 40g, it's 12g lighter than the stainless steel Series 7, enhancing comfort. New finishes like slate and natural titanium replace stainless steel and Product Red, giving Series 10 a more refined and understated style.

Display and Detail Improvements

Series 7 introduced rounded corners and slimmer bezels for a more integrated look. Series 10 builds on this with a larger display, narrower bezels, and a new magnetic band interface that further elevates its premium aesthetic.

Winner: Apple Watch Series 10

With a lighter, sleeker design and more premium material options, Series 10 clearly leads in both appearance and user experience.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Display

Brighter, Clearer Viewing Experience:

The Apple Watch Series 10 delivers up to 2000 nits of peak brightness - double that of the Series 7 - ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. With a minimum brightness of just 1 nit, it also offers comfortable viewing in low-light settings.

Advanced Display Technology:

Series 10 features next-generation LTPO OLED technology, offering wider viewing angles, higher contrast, and improved energy efficiency with adaptive refresh rates for smoother visuals. In contrast, Series 7 uses an older display tech that falls short in both performance and efficiency.

Larger Display, More Info at a Glance:

With slightly increased screen size and thinner bezels, Series 10 offers a noticeably larger display area for richer content. It also introduces the Always-On Display feature, allowing users to check time and essential info without raising the wrist - something Series 7 lacks.

Winner: Apple Watch Series 10

With its superior brightness, OLED technology, and Always-On Display, the Series 10 clearly leads in display performance, especially for outdoor visibility and daily convenience.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Bands

Band Sizes & Compatibility

The Series 7 comes in 41mm and 45mm case sizes, while the Series 10 introduces slightly larger options: 42mm and 46mm. Both models maintain general band compatibility, but users opting for the larger 46mm case should double-check band fit.

Materials & Use Cases

Both models support a variety of band materials such as silicone, leather, and nylon. Silicone is ideal for workouts, while leather is better suited for formal or professional settings. The Series 10 expands its lineup with updated designs, like the “Winter Blue” sport loop and high-quality braided solo loop—blending everyday comfort with modern aesthetics.

Style & Practicality

Series 10 offers greater variety in color and design, catering to different needs—from fitness to office wear. Whether you prioritize comfort or style, Series 10 provides more versatile options.

Recommended Brand: Bandletic

At Bandletic, we design high-quality Apple Watch bands built for adventurers - hikers, surfers, climbers, and explorers. Whether you're using a Series 7 or Series 10, our Apple Watch Series 7 straps and Apple Watch Series 10 straps are made for performance, durability, and style - ready for the outdoors and everyday life. Also read other Bandletic's Apple Watch bands including:

Apple Watch Ultra 2 straps

Apple Watch SE straps

 Apple Watch Series 9 straps

 Apple watch Series 10 42mm bands

Apple Watch Series 10 46mm bands

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Health and Fitness Tracking

Health Monitoring Features

The Series 7 is equipped with basic health features such as heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen detection, and sleep tracking. The Series 10 builds upon these with additional features like wrist temperature monitoring, sleep apnea detection (currently unavailable in China), crash detection, and the innovative blood glucose monitoring feature, which is especially important for diabetes patients.

Fitness Tracking Features

Both models offer activity tracking for running, cycling, swimming, and other workout modes. The Series 10 not only retains the basic workout modes but also enhances the fitness guidance feature, helping users achieve their fitness goals more scientifically. Additionally, Series 10 provides more detailed workout data analysis and introduces the training load feature, which helps users understand how exercise intensity impacts their body.

Key New Features in Series 10

• Blood Pressure Trend Monitoring: Estimates blood pressure through optical sensors that measure arterial elasticity.
• Improved Temperature Sensor: Provides more accurate tracking of temperature fluctuations.
• AI Health Advice Engine: Offers personalized health improvement suggestions based on daily behaviors.
• Women’s Health: More precise period tracking and ovulation prediction.
• Water Depth Monitoring: Ideal for water sports enthusiasts.

Winner: Series 10

The Series 10 significantly improves health and fitness tracking with features like blood glucose monitoring, blood pressure trends, and enhanced women’s health tracking. While the Series 7 offers solid health features, it lacks the advanced technologies and personalized advice of the Series 10.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Software and Performance

The Apple Watch Series 10 is equipped with the more powerful S10 chip, which offers significant performance improvements over the Series 7’s S7 chip. The S10 SiP enables faster app launch speeds, smoother operation, and supports a wider display refresh rate with higher energy efficiency. This makes the Series 10 stand out for future software compatibility and performance over the next few years.

In terms of software, Series 10 comes with the latest watchOS 11, introducing features like Smart Stack, on-device Siri, photo watch faces, and a translation app, while Series 7 supports up to watchOS 10. Although Series 7 can still use most functions, it may face compatibility issues with future software updates in the next two years. You can also check the article before of watchOS 10 vs 11.

Winner: Series 10

The Series 10 wins due to its more powerful S10 SiP, providing smoother performance and ensuring better software support and compatibility in the future.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Battery Life and Charging Time

Although both the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 10 are rated for 18 hours of battery life, the Series 10 offers improved battery performance. Its new Low Power Mode extends battery life to 36 hours, making it ideal for extended wear or providing longer usage time in daily activities. Additionally, the Series 10 supports fast charging, reaching 80% in just 30 minutes, significantly enhancing charging efficiency and making it convenient for users to quickly recharge.

The Series 7 offers approximately 18 hours of battery life and supports fast charging, taking around 45 minutes to reach 80%, which is suitable for daily daytime use but still requires charging at night.

The Series 10 shows significant improvements in battery life and charging speed, making it perfect for all-day wear, including overnight sleep tracking, without the need for frequent recharging.

Winner: Series 10

The Series 10 offers notable improvements in battery life and charging speed, especially with its Low Power Mode and faster charging, providing users with a longer, more convenient usage time.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Smartwatch Features, Connectivity and Compatibility

Payment Features

Both the Series 7 and Series 10 support Alipay and WeChat Pay, allowing users to make quick payments by linking their bank cards or Apple Pay. However, the Series 10 may offer an improved user experience and interaction design for payments, providing a smoother payment process.

Music Features

Both models allow users to control music playback through the watch, including play, pause, and song switching. The Series 10 might offer more music app support and a more optimized interface design, though the exact differences will need to be confirmed through actual use.

System Compatibility

• The Series 7 runs iOS and seamlessly connects with the iPhone, offering smooth device synchronization.
• The Series 10 also runs the latest watchOS system, enhancing the connection between the iPhone and the watch, making it easier for users to sync health data.

Connection Methods

• The Series 7 connects to the iPhone via Bluetooth for data synchronization and feature control.
• The Series 10 supports not only Bluetooth but also Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to access features like online music and weather forecasts even without an iPhone.

Third-Party App Support

• The Series 7 can connect with Android phones through third-party apps (like "Wear OS by Google"), but functionality is limited.
• The Series 10, as part of the Apple ecosystem, offers tighter integration with iPhone, providing a richer app experience.

Winner: Series 10

The Series 10 significantly improves connectivity and third-party app support compared to the Series 7, especially with the addition of Wi-Fi connectivity and better integration within the Apple ecosystem, offering a smoother user experience.

Apple Watch Series 7 vs Series 10 – Is It Worth Upgrading?

Recommendation:

If you prioritize display quality, a lightweight design, and advanced health tracking features, and aren't overly concerned about charging speed, the Series 10 is a great choice. Its optimizations, especially in health tracking and processing performance, will significantly enhance your user experience.

If you're already accustomed to the Series 7 and feel that its current features are sufficient, the Series 7 remains a solid choice. While the Series 10 offers several upgrades, if you don’t urgently need the new features, the Series 7 still meets everyday needs, particularly with its more attractive price.

Considering the upgrades in health features and longer software support, the Series 10 undoubtedly provides greater long-term value. If you have higher demands for smartwatch functionality, especially in health tracking, the improvements in Series 10 make it a worthwhile investment. On the other hand, if you mainly focus on basic features and don't need the upgrade, the Series 7 still offers great value.

Overall, the Series 10’s improvements in performance, design, and health features make it a more worthwhile purchase, especially for users who prioritize health tracking and long-term support.