Samsung recently unveiled the Galaxy Watch 7, its latest flagship smartwatch. While the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring are grabbing the headlines, the standard Watch 7 remains the more affordable option.
It offers Samsung’s essential features, detailed health information, and a comfortable size. It’s unisex, wearable, and comes in at a reasonable $299 (for the 40mm non-LTE version). That’s the same price as the outgoing Galaxy Watch 6, which will inevitably see some juicy price drops. Check out the latest deals below.
But how is it different from the Galaxy Watch 6? The answer: not much. Most of the new features will arrive via software updates for the Watch 6.
Design
These two devices are virtually identical. Given the hype surrounding the Watch Ultra, the design changes in the Watch 7 are minimal.
It’s important to note that the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, with its rotating bezel, remains on sale, so we’re talking about the standard, flat-screen Watch 6 model here (see below).
The Galaxy Watch 7 retains the same 40mm and 44mm case sizes with a slim, bezel-less design that fits most wrists. Both models boast 5ATM water resistance and an IP68 dust resistance rating, making them pool-friendly and rugged.
The screens also remain unchanged: a dynamic Super AMOLED of 480 x 480 on the 44 mm model and 432 x 432 on the 40 mm model.
Performance Improvements and AI
The biggest upgrade is under the hood. The Watch 7 features the new Exynos W1000 processor, a five-core powerhouse compared to the dual-core Exynos W930 in the Watch 6. Samsung is promising a threefold performance boost, which should make things faster and allow third-party apps to load quicker.
And that boost also powers the watch’s newest feature: Galaxy AI.
The Watch 7 comes with Galaxy AI features like personalized health insights and contextual auto-replies. However, the Galaxy Watch 6 will also get these updates.
There’s one caveat, though: AI requires a lot of processing power, and the new chipset opens the Watch 7 up to potential future improvements. It’s a risky bet, but if you want your watch to last for years, the Watch 7 might be worth it.
New AGE measurement – but health tracking remains similar
The Galaxy Watch 7 and Watch 6 are pretty much neck and neck in terms of health features, with one major difference.
The Watch 7 introduces Energy Score, which analyzes sleep, heart rate, and HRV data to provide a complete picture of your well-being. Again, this feature is also available on the Watch 6.
Basic health features like ECG, blood pressure monitoring, and body composition analysis carry over from the Watch 6. As before, you need a Samsung smartphone to access these features.
However, the Watch 7 benefits from improved accuracy thanks to improved BioActive sensors, which Samsung claims are 30% more accurate.
And the Galaxy Watch 7 introduces a new metric: advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
AGE tracking monitors molecules formed by the reactions of sugar and proteins/fats in the body. High levels of AGEs are linked to age-related diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular problems. By measuring AGEs, the Watch 7 aims to provide insight into your overall metabolic health.
Same battery life, better GPS
The Watch 7’s biggest fitness upgrade is multi-band GNSS, which should improve run tracking accuracy. Previous reviews of the Watch 6 noted some issues with GPS distance tracking. This should be fixed on the Watch 7, making it the preferred choice for serious runners and cyclists.
Battery life appears to be identical across both generations. The 44mm Watch 7 and Watch 6 (above) feature a 425mAh battery, while the 40mm model has a 300mAh battery. Samsung hasn’t confirmed official numbers, but expect similar battery performance across both watches.
Verdict
The Galaxy Watch 7 offers some minor improvements over the Watch 6, but for most users, the older model might be the more appealing option. You get the same design, display, and core features, and AI and Energy Score features are also coming to the Watch 6.
The new AGE tracking and potentially improved GPS accuracy are nice additions on the Watch 7. But for anyone looking for a smartwatch bargain, the Galaxy Watch 6 remains a solid choice, especially since it’ll receive most software updates.